Nicole Rajpal

Experience and Education:

  • BVSD Board of Education President, 2023-Present
  • BVSD Board of Education Treasurer, 2021-2023
  • BVSD District Accountability Member & Chair
  • Adjunct Faculty, Front Range Community College
  • Pediatric Dietitian
  • MS in Curriculum & Instruction, University of Wisconsin
  • BS in Nutritional Science, University of Wisconsin

Q: Why are you running for re-election?

BVSD has made significant progress over the past four years – earning the state’s top honor for two consecutive years – and there is more work to be done. My role as a school board member is to ensure our students receive the best education possible through effective governance. I’m running for reelection to help the Board remain focused on the strategic plan which prioritizes access to opportunities, targeted supports and wellbeing so all learners thrive.

Q: What do you consider your top policy-related priority to work on if you get elected, and why?

In the past four years, the Board has strategically updated (or is in the process of updating) several policies that significantly impact our students, staff and school communities. In the near future, my priority is to 1) ensure we review all policies on a regular cycle, 2) eliminate those that are unnecessary to make management and implementation of the policies more manageable, and 3) create space in our calendar to address policies elevated by our community and those required by changes to law.

Q: The new federal administration clearly has different ideas about the federal role in education than the past administration. What federal actions or proposals concern you the most (or please you the most) when it comes to their likely impact on BVSD?

As a very large sticker on my Board computer states – America Needs Public Schools. The public education system is being attacked by the federal government. Several of the federal administration’s policies have the potential to undermine the progress BVSD has made to provide access to opportunities, improving student outcomes and ensuring all students feel safe, valued and included.

BVSD District B

Q: The role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in society is expanding rapidly. When it comes to BVSD, what sort of top-level concerns or benefits do you see regarding AI? 

AI is evolving at a pace that is challenging to keep up with. AI can be a useful tool in workflow automation, data driven instruction, accessibility and lesson planning. On the down side, AI algorithms can exacerbate biases, increase cheating/plagiarism, and, if relied on too heavily, could inhibit critical thinking and social emotional development.

Q: With possible significant budget cutting on the table at both the State of Colorado and federal levels, do you foresee the need for additional BVSD sources of revenue? Do you think it might be necessary for BVSD to go to the voters in the near future? 

School finance in the state of Colorado is complicated. In BVSD we are nearly fully funded locally, which means the state provides very little money to support our operations and instruction. That being said, we are managing our limited resources incredibly well and students are achieving and growing in our classrooms. Families sometimes express a desire for improved facilities (buildings, grounds and athletic facilities) and a wider variety of educational opportunities in BVSD. The School Finance Act does not provide funds for facility improvements or construction, for that to occur we would need to consider future bonds or Mill Levy Overrides (MLOs).

Q: It’s not impossible that there might be proposals to close certain BVSD schools during your term, or into the near-term future. What factors would be most important to you if you had to make a voting decision on closing a school? Do you believe BVSD has adequate guidelines in place now? 

Access to opportunities has been, and continues to be, the highest priority of mine. When enrollment declines to the point that students are losing access to educational opportunities I will fully support closing and consolidating schools. I believe Board policy and the Long Range Advisory Committee have established a path for us to evaluate enrollment annually and adjust as necessary.

Q: How do you keep in touch with the thoughts of students and parents now, and/or how do you plan to keep in touch if elected?

Having been involved in the district in a variety of capacities over the past 12 years I’ve made a lot of connections with people across the district. I take advantage of every opportunity (I have) to visit schools, attend community meetings (Leadership Academy, District Accountability Committee, Connect with BVSD, Youth Equity Council, etc.) and otherwise engage with constituents. As a parent of BVSD students who are involved in a variety of activities, I have the pleasure of engaging with parents and students frequently.

Q: There will be 2 state ballot measures in 2025 (Props LL and MM) which would a) let the state’s Healthy School Meals for All Program keep “excess” revenue above the TABOR cap, and b) expand the program’s funding by limiting tax deductions for those who earn more than $300,000 a year. What are your positions on the ballot measures, and your reasoning for the positions – with an eye on what they mean for BVSD?

Support. These measures will ensure all students continue to have access to high quality breakfast and lunch options in BVSD. School meal participation has increased since BVSD stopped charging for the first meal (students can purchase a second meal). Additionally, the Healthy School Meals for All program has increased operational efficiencies in BVSD and has allowed for a wider variety of meal choices to be offered, including gluten free and dairy free.

Online Presence: