Incumbents step down as 4 new candidates vie for 2 Cherry Creek School Board seats

Tatyana Sturm is a real estate agent with her own business and she has one child currently going to school in the district and another who graduated from CCSD. 

Some of the priorities listed on Sturm’s campaign website are ensuring fiscal responsibility, promoting parent partnerships and keeping politics out of schools. 

Sturm’s financial history includes five foreclosures in Arapahoe, Denver and El Paso counties from 2003 to 2009, as well as a 2008 Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing. 

Sturm is endorsed by the Colorado GOP and conservative advocacy group Colorado Parent Advocacy Network (CPAN).

 What makes you the top candidate for school board?

My unique combination of skills makes me the top candidate at this critical time as the district faces declining enrollment, declining funding and increasing academic achievement gaps. I moved to the Cherry Creek school district to raise my two sons because this district provided excellent opportunities for all students. Both of my boys have had great experiences in Cherry Creek Schools. As a real estate agent, I have helped hundreds of families buy homes in the district because they want the best education for their students. My financial background in managing complex construction projects, balancing budgets by spending money on high priority items and cutting unnecessary spending along with my community engagement focus make me the top candidate. I see the great things that happen in our schools and am willing to admit we need to improve. I am running to ensure we partner with parents, honor educators and put money back in our classrooms. 

What is the priority the school district faces, and how would you address it?

Cherry Creek faces declining enrollment and when families choose to educate their children in other schools or districts, Cherry Creek loses the funding for these students. Over the last five years or so over 4500 students have left the district. If all those students came back, we would have at least an additional $45 million in funding. Today we have deaf and hard of hearing students that don’t have aides in their classrooms, so they have a hard time accessing the instructions. We have teachers that buy supplies with their own money. The district is spending more money year after year; the number of administrators has increased 16%. We need school board members who will allocate funding to top priorities and put money into the classroom.

How should the school district deal with bullying and discrimination?

The district has several policies which address bullying and discrimination and should help give our teachers and staff the tools they need to ensure students don’t experience bullying or discrimination. However, all too often teachers are allowed to follow the discipline guidelines. We all know when some children don’t have consistent rules, they try to push the boundaries and see what they “get away with”. We need to ensure the discipline policies in place are enforced and conduct listening sessions to see if there are any gaps in the policies that need to be addressed so every child can learn in a safe environment. 

What book should everyone read before they graduate high school?

My love for reading started young, so the book I recommend is one I read when I was young. It teaches perseverance and shows that with a successful mindset, and the help of others, great things are possible. I recommend the book “The Little Engine that Could” by Arnold Munk (pen name Watty Piper).  This book tells the story of a stranded train that asks for help from many passing trains who all go by without helping. Finally, a little train that seems unlikely to be able to help brings its determination and with effort helps the stranded train. I learned the power of engaging the community and lending a hand, as well as the power of setting high goals and being determined to succeed. 

Should the school board and district allow parents and students to have a bigger role in what books are permitted or even banned in school libraries and classrooms? 

It is critical that the Cherry Creek school district does a much better job of engaging parents and community members. Although there are hundreds of committees and probably thousands of ways for folks to be engaged, the district hasn’t cracked the code on how to increase engagement. In fact, some would say the district doesn’t consider how hard it is for some families to engage. I grew up with a sister who was born deaf and have heard many of our hard of hearing students don’t have interpreters. The district sponsored forums that I attended had no sign language interpreters and no language interpreters. The district should provide an opportunity for parents, students and community members to provide input on the resources used in our schools. With more input we will all make better decisions.  

What role do you think law enforcement should play in schools?

I am grateful that our law enforcement partners provide school resource officers to help keep our schools safe. The number one priority of the school district needs to be to ensure that our students, staff, parents, and community members are safe. Unfortunately, in Colorado we know all too well the importance of the partnerships we have with law enforcement. It is critical that there are coordinated plans between the school district and multiple law enforcement agencies to ensure that we provide the highest level of safety. 

How do you think the district should address student learning loss from the pandemic?

Both of my sons experienced the hardships of learning from home when our schools were closed, and students were expected to learn from home. I watched my sons struggle and know there are areas where they still have gaps. Unlike all other metro area districts, Cherry Creek assessment scores declined last year, so not only do we have pandemic learning losses to recover, but we also have post-pandemic learning losses. It is time to listen to our educators and use research-based resources and practices to provide every student with the opportunity to succeed. Evidence shows tutoring and small group instruction enhances learning. Our educators know how to meet the needs of our students; we should listen to their needs and put money back into the classrooms instead of hiring more administrators. 

What do you think should be done to close the achievement gap for students of color?

To close the achievement gap for all students we need to stop lowering the bar and expectations for students. Far too often students who do nothing are given a grade of 50% so if they turn in the very minimum and get 15%, they are given a grade of 65% and passed along. That is demoralizing for the students and doesn’t set the bar of excellence we expect in Cherry Creek schools. As we hold the bar high, we need to provide the resources teachers need, continue to invest in career and college ready programs so students find what inspires them to want to succeed. Investing in small group instruction, tutoring and putting funds in classrooms will help close achievement gaps for all students. 

Do mental health issues among students in the district warrant spending additional funds to address them? How much more?

We are likely facing decreasing funding from both the state and federal levels. And while Cherry Creek voters have passed all the recent bond and mill increase requests many families are facing tough economic times. We know the priority of school board members by where they vote to spend money. I know when students can read and do math at grade level and can access the material they are taught they feel better about themselves and experience fewer mental health issues. My priority is to see the number of mental health issues decline so more funding goes into classrooms. It is time to be fiscally responsible. 

What message should the school district send to all parents in regards to families in the community who have immigrants not documented or deemed “illegal” by the current administration?

Public schools in Colorado provide education to all students regardless of immigration status or any other characteristic. Our community knows that our schools don’t ask about the immigration status of our students. Our community should be assured that the district will continue to focus on providing great education opportunities to all students. I will focus on increasing parent partnerships, being fiscally responsible and putting money in classrooms and ensuring that is the focus of the district.

• If you had a superpower, what would it be?

If I had a superpower, it would be the ability to show everyone the power of coming together as a community and working together. So often these days folks want to divide us and I have learned when we come together we can make a difference.  

• Did you have any New Year’s resolutions? What were they?

My New Year’s resolutions was to continue to work out everyday to ensure my body is healthy and to invest in my learning

• What was the last movie you watched?

One of the most powerful movies I watched was “The Pursuit of Happiness”, Will Smith plays a dad who loses his job and becomes homeless and perseveres for his son. 

• What is your least favorite household chore?

Doing the dishes

• What fun fact about you would most surprise people who know you?

I bought my first home before I turned 20 and despite some setbacks, I am working hard to create a great future for my family.