
By Michael J Badagliacco, “MJB” | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice
A Critical Moment for Montrose Schools
With over 5,000 students across diverse rural and urban communities, the Montrose County School District is at a crossroads. Nationwide, school boards have become battlegrounds for competing visions of education, with too many leaning into divisive ideologies that undermine parental authority and academic rigor. On November 4, 2025, Montrose voters have a chance to steer our schools back to conservative principles by electing Neisha Balleck, Tiffany Vincent, Scott Scarborough, and Shane Daly to the School Board.
These four conservative candidates stand for parental rights, fiscal responsibility, school safety, and a focus on core education free from ideological agendas. Their election will ensure our schools reflect Montrose’s values, not the whims of distant bureaucrats.
Neisha Balleck: Proven Leadership for District A
Neisha Balleck, the incumbent in District A, is a cornerstone of conservative leadership on the School Board. Neisha brings a track record of data-driven decisions that prioritize student success. Balleck’s platform is clear: safe schools, transparent communication with parents, and support for teachers without bureaucratic excess. She has fought against “woke” curricula that distract from foundational skills like reading and math, advocating instead for evidence-based programs that boost achievement and resilience. Her fiscal conservatism ensures taxpayer dollars fund classrooms, not administrative bloat.
As one endorsement notes, Balleck’s leadership is “rooted in community, grounded in data, and focused on what works for kids.” In a district navigating post-pandemic recovery and enrollment shifts, re-electing Balleck guarantees steady, principled governance. Montrose County voters should choose her to maintain progress over untested alternatives.
Tiffany Vincent: A Voice for Parents in District E
Tiffany Vincent, running in District E, is a mother and community volunteer whose campaign centers on empowering parents. Her commitment to parental rights aligns with conservative values upheld in cases like Troxel v. Granville (2000), which affirmed parents’ fundamental authority over their children’s upbringing. Vincent pledges to enhance transparency through clear communication channels and opt-out options for curricula that clash with family values. She supports school choice, giving parents access to public, hybrid, or charter options tailored to their needs.
Endorsed by the Colorado GOP, Vincent opposes divisive topics like critical race theory, focusing instead on age-appropriate academics and character development. In a three-way race, Vincent’s pledge to prioritize parents and fiscal prudence makes her the standout choice for District E, ensuring schools serve families, not agendas.
Scott Scarborough: Bold Reform for District C
Scott Scarborough, challenging incumbent Alice Murphy in District C, represents the conservative pushback Montrose needs. His campaign targets the infiltration of “woke” ideologies that prioritize equity over excellence, advocating for merit-based learning and patriotic values. As a local professional, Scarborough brings a no-nonsense approach to tackling budget waste and enhancing school safety through measures like armed resource officers. His promise to audit district spending and redirect savings to teacher salaries resonates with conservatives wary of administrative overreach.
Scarborough’s social media presence rallies voters with a vision of education as a builder of character, not controversy. In a district facing enrollment declines and financial strain, Scarborough offers bold reform to restore trust. Voters must decide: cling to the status quo or embrace a leader who champions parental sovereignty and academic rigor.
Shane Daly: Fresh Perspective for District G
In District G, Shane Daly brings youthful energy and unwavering conservative conviction. Running against Jessica Corrigan, Daly focuses on student wellbeing, advocating for mental health resources, anti-bullying initiatives, and curricula that celebrate American exceptionalism. His commitment to improved school-family communication ensures parents remain partners, not bystanders, in their children’s education. Endorsed by conservative voter guides, Daly earns praise for protecting children’s futures from ideological overreach.
His platform counters divisive “culture war” tactics by uniting the community around shared goals like literacy and graduation rates. Daly’s fiscal conservatism and focus on safety make him the ideal choice for District G, offering a forward-thinking voice that keeps Montrose schools grounded in tradition.
A Unified Vision for Montrose’s Future
Together, Balleck, Vincent, Scarborough, and Daly form a powerful slate dedicated to conservative renewal. Their platforms align with constitutional protections like those in Troxel, ensuring parental rights through transparent policies. They commit to fiscal discipline, school choice, and safety measures that protect students from both physical and ideological threats. These candidates reject the left-wing drift seen in other districts, prioritizing proven academics over social experiments.
Their election would send a message: Montrose schools answer to families, not special interests.
The November 4 election is a pivotal moment. School board races often see turnout below 20 percent, allowing organized minorities to sway outcomes. Conservatives cannot afford to sit this out. Balleck, Vincent, Scarborough, and Daly are not just candidates; they are champions of a vision where schools nurture opportunity and virtue. Visit the polls, volunteer with their campaigns, and spread the word.
Electing this slate will ensure Montrose County schools remain beacons of excellence, rooted in the values that make our community strong. Vote for Neisha Balleck, Tiffany Vincent, Scott Scarborough, and Shane Daly. Our children’s future depends on it.
Michael is a father of five, grandfather of three, United States Air Force veteran, international recording artist, and Editor-in-Chief of the Colorado DOGE Report. He is passionate about the United States of America and the founders’ genius in crafting the Constitution.
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.
![FD863768-0ACF-495E-9D21-2EF784DFFA6B[1]](https://rockymountainvoice.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/FD863768-0ACF-495E-9D21-2EF784DFFA6B1-300x300.png)