Information on PPSEL School Board Elections:
As a charter school, the school model and direction of the school was decided in the school’s charter application. The school’s original charter application was submitted in 1999.
The role of PPSEL’s board is different than what many think of when they consider a “traditional school board”. As many have seen recently, district school boards can be places where sweeping changes are made and the direction of districts are determined by the make up of a school board. At PPSEL, the direction of the school is set. As a school of choice, our school board is committed to our Mission and Vision and the school model set forth in our charter application and in our charter contract with school district 49. This adds stability and clear direction for the school.
When the school elects new board members, we are not looking for people who hope to make broad changes to the school. We are not looking for people who can gather enough support to change things, but rather we are looking for people to monitor our already established program and maintain the integrity of our school model.
For this reason, our board elections are public, but low key. It is intentional that we don’t have large scale campaigns and “meet the public” events. We intentionally are communicating that this isn’t a board that looks to change the school from year to year, but rather this is a board that maintains policies that keep legal compliance, and keep compliance with our charter documents. The program of the school is led by the Executive Director and day to day operations are handled with this role, not the school board.
The process of board elections is multi-layered. Candidates are brought to the School Accountability Committee (SAC). The SAC interviews these candidates and decides which candidates will be on a ballot for election, keeping in mind the information above. After deciding the ballot, the school community is able to vote in the election. Once the election happens, the current school board votes to confirm the election results.
For the 2024 election, there are two ballot questions that families can vote on. The first is an empty board position. Each family will have one vote to choose from the following two candidates: Beth Long and Tom Bents (bios below). The second ballot question is a confirmation vote. Suzanne Salvetti is a current board member whose term is up. As a board member who would like to renew her term, the vote is a confirmation vote of “yes” or “no” for him to retain her seat, with the majority vote deciding the issue.
Board elections will be held in person on November 13th in the school foyer from 3:00-4:00 run by the School Accountability Committee. Electronic ballots can also be requested at school.accountability.committee@ppsel.org
Each FAMILY receives one vote, not one vote per person, per the school’s bylaws.
Information on each candidate is below:
Suzanne Salvetti
I am Suzanne Salvetti. I am a mother, partner, friend, sister, daughter, and nurse. All of these roles require learning and education which is a fundamental personal value of mine. I hold a BS in Microbiology and a BA in French from Indiana University, as well as, a BS Nursing from UCCS. I have a broad range of interests and love every opportunity to learn from each person I meet. The role as board member at PPSEL is another experiential learning opportunity for me as well as an opportunity to contribute to the PPSEL community. Participating on the PPSEL board has allowed me to be of service to a community that means so much to me and my family and I hope to continue for another term.
Tom Bents
Tom Bents is a husband, father of two PPSEL students, and accomplished program management consultant in multiple industries. His experience spans being a charter school board vice president, prior board member of the El Paso County Technology and Innovation Board, and participant of many other community organizations. Tom is a lacrosse coach during the summer and fall, skis with his family during the winter, and is an avid golfer and fly fisherman. His years of volunteer and professional experience will bring a wealth of value to the PPSEL community.
Beth Long
Hello! My name is Beth Long, and I am honored to be running for school board at PPSEL. My husband Kenneth (aka Mr. Spectacular) and I have two sons currently at PPSEL; Nate is in the 8th grade, and Ben is in 6th. Our experience at PPSEL is why I want to serve on the board. PPSEL is such a unique and special place where our children get to learn, grow, and thrive. They are encouraged to speak up, to have opinions, to be a part of a community, to develop character, to explore topics and experience learning in whatever unique ways that work best for them. Our teachers are amazing – they love and care about our kids. We trust them and we know them both inside and outside of the classroom. During our years at PPSEL we’ve had the privilege to work with both the special education and advanced learning groups; for a school our size we are so lucky to have these programs and the results of them are evident. Our boys have thrived at PPSEL, both academically and socially. I hope yours have too! My husband has been a substitute, and we have both chaperoned field work. These reasons are my “why”.
As a computer analyst and technical writer, I have worked with both for-profit and non-profit organizations, I feel I can serve our school by connecting it with resources and grant opportunities, community partners, and city organizations. I have experience writing grant proposals and am very comfortable searching out and lobbying for the things our school needs. I also feel like we as a school are on a great path, and the current leadership is doing a great job. I would love the chance to serve and give back to PPSEL a fraction of what our family has received.