By Jen Schumann | Rocky Mountain Voice
Platform centers on academic excellence, parental rights, teacher support and protections for female athletes
In Douglas County, a new slate calling itself Common Sense DCSD is stepping into the school board race. The group — Matt Smith, Keaton Gambill, Dede Kramer and Steve Vail — says the district’s future depends on keeping academics and safety at the forefront. They argue that balanced leadership has helped produce high test scores, a strong graduation rate and standout career training programs, and they want to carry that momentum forward.
Smith, a former sheriff’s deputy, military veteran, global IT leader and father of a Douglas County student, said his goal is to keep the district centered on students.
“I’m running for school board to put students and families first. I want every child in our district to receive a quality education in a safe, focused, and respectful environment where learning is prioritized, and every student has the opportunity to succeed.”
Raised in Elizabeth, Gambill has called Castle Rock home for the past several years. It’s where he and his wife are raising three kids who attend Douglas County schools. After nearly twenty years working in different industries and earning an MBA from the University of Denver, he says he relies on practical judgment rather than party lines when making decisions.
“As a father, I don’t chase headlines or follow party scripts. I use common sense: start with the truth, strip away the noise, and focus on what actually works.”
Kramer, who has three daughters in Douglas County schools and previously worked as a corporate vice president in premium finance, pointed to her years of volunteering with parent-teacher organizations.
“I’ll focus on common-sense priorities: school safety, supporting our teachers, engaging parents, and protecting girls in sports and all school spaces.”
Vail, a corporate executive and proud Air Force veteran, has lived in the district more than 26 years.
He said his focus is on practical solutions to restore pride in education. “We need common-sense solutions to support educators and make education in Douglas County thrive.”
The candidates say their priorities line up closely. At the top of the list is keeping classrooms focused on academics and free from politics, with strong performance in the basics as the measure of success. They also want to protect girls’ sports and school spaces by preserving sex-based standards in restrooms and locker rooms, saying those safeguards are about fairness as much as safety.
Parental involvement is another theme they all share. The group says parents should be the primary decision-makers in their children’s education, with open access to curriculum, library materials and student records, along with clear options to opt in or out when needed.
Just as important, they add, is supporting teachers and staff. Their goal is to make Douglas County the kind of district where educators have the resources they need and feel proud to build a career.
They also credited the district’s current leadership with recent accomplishments: highest test scores among Front Range districts, a 92 percent graduation rate, district-wide safety enhancements, expanded career and technical education and 34 schools earning John Irwin Schools of Excellence Awards — more than any other district in Colorado.
Kramer said the group wants to keep Douglas County on track without allowing outside agendas to take hold. “By shielding students from inappropriate ideological trends, we’ll keep our focus on local priorities. We’ll stand up for all kids, using every district tool to combat bullying and protect each child’s dignity, ensuring a safe, thriving environment for every student. Join us in standing for kids, parents, and teachers—for Common Sense.”
The November 2025 election will determine whether the slate secures its vision for the district’s 67,000 students and sustains what supporters call “balanced leadership to prevent the pendulum swing of one-sided boards.”
Their campaign websites are available at:
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