Colorado Springs educators are gearing up for a pivotal District 11 school board election this November — and they’re putting students and stability at the heart of the conversation. Three at-large seats are on the Nov. 4 ballot, with seven candidates confirmed, including teacher-friendly candidates LeAnn Baca Bartlett, Michael Carsten, and Charles Johnson.

Local educators, through the Colorado Springs Education Association and the Pikes Peak Education Association, are rallying behind Bartlett, Carsten, and Johnson as the Champions for D11 slate. These candidates bring classroom perspective, a calm approach to governance, and a commitment to collaborative problem-solving. Their message echoes what many families and staff have voiced since the previous board ended the district’s master agreement last winter: educators need a seat at the table so that resources and energy stay focused on safe schools and strong staffing.

With ballots mailing in mid-October, union advocates are urging voters to stay engaged, attend forums, and learn where candidates stand on issues like staffing, school safety, and respect for professional voice. As CSEA President Kevin Coughlin put it, “The master agreement wasn’t just a contract — it was a symbol of mutual respect and a shared commitment to public education. By unilaterally severing that agreement, the Board is choosing to walk away from that partnership — and from its responsibility to the students, families, and educators who make up this community.”