You may not know it, but your entire educational career is under the jurisdiction of a group of seven adults, who run D11 and determine district policies. The Board of Education is a publicly elected group of officials consisting of a president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary, who all serve four year terms, and three directors, who serve two year terms. The Board has three meetings a month, a work session, and two retreats. The meetings are all public, and have time built into them for citizens to voice their concerns to the board and elicit a response. Here is a quick introduction to each of your elected officials:

President – LuAnn Long – 2009 through 2017

Long is a Colorado Springs and D11 native, who worked for D11 and served as a parent volunteer for over 25 years. Before her time on the board, she served on district oversight and project committees in a volunteer capacity.

Vice President – Jim Mason – 2011 through 2017

Serving his second term on the board, Colonel Mason is an Army veteran and retired Army contractor in addition to being prominent Colorado Springs community member. Before his professional career, he was educated with a BA in political science. Mason serves as a volunteer for the African American Youth Leadership Conference and a board member of ROCKS, an ROTC non-profit. In 2015, Colonel Mason was awarded the Pikes Peak Community Inspiration Leadership Award.

Secretary – Theresa Null – 2015 through 2019

Null is another Army Veteran, and is educated with a BA in history from UCCS. She volunteers in D11 and with Junior Achievement and the NAACP.  Mrs. Null’s beliefs center around reducing federal and state restrictions and mandates on education, and to include the vocational trades and entrepreneurship in the definition of student success.

Treasurer – Nora Brown – 2015 through 2019

Brown is serving her second term on the Board as treasurer, she has a BA in Psychology Science and a Masters in Business Administration. She is a D11 substitute teacher, PTA president for El Paso county, PTA board member for Colorado, the secretary of the Foundation for D11, and a Girl Scout troop leader. In addition to her board work in D11, Brown has been a School Accountability member for 17 years and a Mill Levy Override (an annual increase in district funding) committee member for 6 years, in addition to serving on several other D11 committees. Nora Brown was the 2009 Westside Recipient and received the 2010 D11 GT Volunteer of the Year Award.

Director – Elaine Naleski – 2011 through 2019

Naleski was the director of communications and community relations in D11 for 12 years. She is serving her third term on the board after serving as secretary and vice-president before her current director role. Elaine was educated with a bachelor of science in education, and has worked for 44 years in the educational field as a teacher, admin, and student teacher supervisor.

Director – Mary Coleman – 2016 through 2017

Coleman is one of two board recipients of the Colorado Springs Top 40 Under 40, honoring notable, younger members of the community. She is the president of the Leadership Pikes Peak board, a board member of the Colorado Medical Group Management Association, a legislator for the Council for the Colorado Hospital Association and a board member of the Friends of The Colorado Hospital Association PAC. Professionally, she is the Centura Health Manager of Government Affairs, and works to expand affordable and accessible healthcare in Colorado.

Director – Shawn Gullixson – 2016 through 2017

Gullixson is the only member of the board with a background or experience in finance, and another 40 under 40 recipient. Shawn has 14 years of banking experience, leading up to his current position as the Vice President of Vectra Bank Colorado. He is the Executive Director of the Colorado Springs Rising Professionals, a member of the advisory board of the Pikes Peak YMCA, Board member of Pikes Peak United Way, and Board member of the Colorado Springs Regional Business Alliance.