The St. Vrain Valley School District Office in Longmont, Colo., on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, is where administration happens for nearly 60 schools and programs. (Photo by Maddie Fisher)

Peggy Kelly poses for a portrait in her home in Boulder County, Colo. on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, wearing her campaign T-shirt for the St. Vrain Valley School District Board race. (Photo by Maddie Fisher)

A campaign banner for Peggy Kelly hangs on the gate of her Boulder County, Colo., farm on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. The banner includes information directing voters to her campaign website. (Photo by Maddie Fisher) 

A campaign yard sign for Hadley Solomon stands in a neighborhood near Niwot High School in Niwot, Colo.,  on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. The sign includes information directing voters to her campaign website. (Photo by Maddie Fisher).

Photo courtesy of candidate Hadley Solomon. 

From educator and farmer’s wife to candidate for the St. Vrain Valley School Board District (SVVSD) Board, Peggy Kelly says she wants to restore what she describes as “constitutional values” in local schools. 

Kelly grew up in New Orleans and moved to Colorado to pursue a career in nursing and education. She and her husband built a small farm in Boulder County, where they raised three children. Now a grandmother of eight, Kelly said she feels a personal duty to make a difference in her community’s schools. 

Kelly’s top priorities are strengthening foundational learning and increasing family involvement to improve low test scores through curriculum evaluation and greater parental engagement.

“I believe that strong families will give us strong communities, and those communities will provide strong schools,” Kelly said. 

Kelly has also expressed concern about what she views as the district’s increasingly progressive approach. She said some messages displayed on school walls may not reflect the values she wants children to be exposed to, and that repeated exposure could reinforce them.

“My husband and I periodically pick up and drop off [from school] and I listen to what is going on in the back seat and some of the things I hear are red flags,” Kelly said. 

She recounted asking her grandson, a fourth-grader, whether students recite the Pledge of Allegiance every day. He told her that it occurs at the beginning of the year, but later “the person of the week” decides whether to say it. Kelly said she found this practice concerning, considering that public schools are funded by local taxpayers. 

Kelly has worked as a nurse for the Boulder County Health Department and Boulder Valley School District. Later, she taught high school English and Old Testament Survey in private schools. For the past five years, she has taught U.S. Constitution courses in public schools  and leads the women’s ministry at her church. 

Motivated by her faith, Kelly felt God calling her to run for District B of the SVVSD election. “I was at church in prayer one morning and it was in my heart, you need to run. I didn’t want to, it wasn’t ever part of my plan, but I said I’ll do it,” Kelly said. 

Nettie Taylor, Kelly’s campaign manager and friend of 30 years, said Kelly’s faith and integrity guide her campaign. 

“Peggy will open up discussion because she is a good listener. She will be able to hear what people are saying and get behind what their reasoning is,” Taylor said. 

Taylor remarked that with the campaign, lies have created difficult paths. She noted through confrontation and retractions of lies, Kelly remains the same human being and not a match for a politician. 

Opposing Kelly is Hadley Solomon, a Colorado native and mother of four children who have attended SVVSD schools. Solomon graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in journalism and now works as a consultant for technology and climate sustainability companies.

She has spent more than 16 years involved in SVVSD, serving on parent boards and leading the Grassroots St. Vrain Board for two years, which helped educate the community about school funding. 

Solomon said the board’s most critical responsibility is to forge a strong relationship with the new superintendent, Jackie Kapushion. She seeks to build a solid partnership with Kapushion, providing support, guidance, and accountability to build the district’s success. 

“My motivation to run comes from a deep belief that strong public schools are the foundation of strong communities,” Solomon said. 

Although SVVSD has a steady budget, Solomon has concerns with state funding pressures. She said that fiscal responsibility means balancing fair funding with careful stewardship of taxpayer dollars. 

“Our district is managing both growth and change. The budget is strong and well managed, with most funding directed to classrooms and instruction, but state funding pressures remain a concern,” Solomon said. 

Solomon’s decision to run came from gratitude toward the district that has supported her family. After years of volunteering and watching collaboration drive progress, she felt running for board was the most positive and constructive way to give back. 

Jenifer Haratsaris, a member of Solomon’s steering committee and longtime friend, described Solomon as a dedicated leader. 

“She’s very knowledgeable about what schools can do for students and communities, and how school funding works. She is a great researcher, communicator, and calm speaker,” Haratsaris said. 

Haratsaris added that having four children go through the district gives Solomon valuable perspective. 

Veer Gandhakwala, a Niwot High School graduate and University of Colorado Boulder student, said Solomon’s experience as a parent influenced his vote. 

“I plan on voting for Hadley Solomon because she has four children that have gone through St. Vrain Valley School District and specifically Niwot High School, which is where I went. She is the perfect candidate for this position because of her involvement in leadership and as a parent in the school district,” Gandhakwala said. 

As Election Day approaches, both candidates are wrapping up their campaigns. Kelly reported $8,918.77 in total contributions and an ending balance of $3,457.26. Solomon totaled $25,120.13, with $6,306.11 remaining. 

While both candidates emphasize strengthening families, schools, and communities, their approaches are vastly different. Kelly’s priorities are rooted in faith and traditional values, while Solomon focuses on collaboration and district improvement. 

By the end of the Election Day on Nov. 4, voters will decide who will represent District B on the St. Vrain Valley School Board of Education.

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