School Division Candidate (4-Year Term)

Adams 14 School District

Drew Adams is the Human Resources Director for Adams 14 School District.

Education/Special Courses/Certifications

BA, CU-Boulder, Latin American Studies and Anthropology

MA, CU-Denver, Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership at CU-Denver

EdD, CU-Denver, Spring 2024

Employment History

Human Resources Director, Adams 14 School District, 2021-Present

Bus Driver, Boulder Valley School District, 2020-2021

Assistant Principal and Principal, Boulder Valley School District, Roaring Fork School District, Colegio Colombo Britanico - Cali, Colombia, Adams 12 School District, 2006-2020

Social Studies and ELD teacher, St. Vrain Valley School District, Brighton 27J, Boulder Valley School District, 1995- 2006

Organizational Affiliations/Achievements

Member, Colorado Association of School Personnel Administrators

Member, Boulder County Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee

Former Association Representative, BVSD Teacher Union

Responses

Interest in Serving as a PERA Trustee

As a lifetime educator, my role in school communities gave me insight into understanding barriers to success. Throughout my career I worked to provide pathways for students to meet their overall post secondary goals. Similarily, as a building and district leader I promote the importance of employee investments in PERA, and advocate for their retirement plans. I want to serve on the PERA Board to provide insight and balance to the current Board so that the voice of school district employees can be heard. We must be excellent stewards for our members and their financial security.

Challenges/Opportunities Facing PERA

Of course the most important concern is the financial stability of the PERA fund. In the School District Division, we are witnessing a shrinking employee pool which can have significant adverse effects on the overall retirement fund. We must continue to promote and incentivize new employees to join a PERA employer and develop additional marketing strategies to increase motivation levels for new employees to enter and remain employed by a PERA employer.

Role of a Trustee

As a teacher, building leader, HR director and community activist, I understand the importance of finding a common ground in meaningful conversations. Board members must listen to understand and provide guidance to advance the overall goals of the organization. My role will be to contribute to the balance of these meaningful conversations by studying the complexity of the issues, providing thoughtful dialogue and advocating for the School Division members.