Tri-Lakes parents back Ginger Schaaf for D38 School Board—and stronger schools

By Amy Stephens | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Two years ago, Ginger Schaaf and her family moved to Monument after her husband retired from military service. Having lived in Olympia, Washington, they were ready to leave behind “woke” policies that made it untenable to stay. “It was so extreme that at local sports games there wasn’t even an American flag,” Ginger recalled. “You had to put your hand on your chest and look to the sky.” When the Schaafs chose Monument, it was because of the area’s strong sense of community and its reputation for excellent schools—something they wanted for their middle- and high-school-age sons.

So when Ginger learned that progressive community organizer Jackie Burhans had entered the D38 school-board race, she knew she had to step forward.

Burhans, a long-time progressive community organizer and activist backed by the Colorado teachers’ union, has been involved with the Parasol Patrol and has consistently supported positions such as allowing biological males to compete in women’s sports, approving drag events for youth, and backing repeated local tax increases. She and her husband—a former Obama field representative— were trained well, have deeply embedded themselves in the Monument community scene.

In contrast, Ginger Schaaf stands for conservative, family-centered values. She believes parents should have a voice in their children’s education, that girls’ sports and privacy deserve protection, and that District 38 must restore its lost reputation for educational distinction. A former college athlete, Ginger understands firsthand the importance of fairness and safety in women’s athletics and locker rooms. She also supports keeping taxes low, rewarding teachers for excellence, and ensuring district resources prioritize student achievement and campus security.

While nearby Douglas County now faces the unthinkable prospect of a socialist-progressive school board slate backed by the Colorado teachers’ union, Monument is already living that reality.

Over the past few years, progressive community organizers have quietly taken over local boards, commissions, and town leadership—leaving Monument financially strained and millions of dollars in debt. Their strategy is textbook: embed themselves in every civic group, dominate the narrative, and label anyone who questions them as “divisive.”

Now, they’re trying to do the same to District 38. But this time, voters can see it clearly and choose a different path.

Ginger and her family have proven their commitment to this community through Scouts BSA, Eagle Scout projects, school sports and forensic debate programs—activities that build leadership, discipline, and civic character. Her focus is on nurturing strong, principled families and students—not advancing ideological agendas.

That’s why Ginger has earned endorsements from State Board of Education member Kristi Burton Brown, CU Regent Frank McNulty, State Minority Leader Jarvis Caldwell, former Senate President Paul Lundeen, and current D38 Board members Todd Brown and Kris Norris.

If you live in the Tri-Lakes area, the choice for District 38 School Board is clear: Ginger Schaaf—common sense, conservative values, and commitment to our community.

Amy Stephens is the former CO House Majority Leader representing Monument, CO.

Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in commentary pieces are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the management of the Rocky Mountain Voice, but even so we support the constitutional right of the author to express those opinions.