Woodland Park School Board candidate column
Kassidi Gilgenast, candidate for Woodland Park School District RE-2 Board of Education
Originally published by the Pikes Peak Courier on September 29, 2025
by Kassidi Gilgenast
Let’s choose vision over division for Woodland Park School District.
Our community stands at a crossroads. Over the past four years, we have witnessed unprecedented challenges that have tested our small-town community and divided families who share the same fundamental desire: the best possible future for our children.
On Nov. 4, families and taxpayers in Woodland Park School District RE-2 will decide what our school board leadership will look like for the next four years. I believe that if we can prioritize vision over division, our district and community will thrive.
My name is Kassidi Gilgenast, and I’m running for the Board of Education to bring strategic vision, transparent governance, collaborative leadership and fiscal responsibility to strengthen our schools and help our divided community heal. As a 10-year Teller County resident, mom, coach, community leader, military wife, and business executive, I have the skills and experience to meet this moment and I’m ready to lead and earn the trust of this community.
We are a proud military family—my husband Erik is an active-duty Green Beret with over 17 years of distinguished service. Through my experiences operating as a single parent during his deployments, I understand the meaning of sacrifice and service to others.
For the past 10 years, I’ve coached volleyball at WPHS, working with hundreds of student athletes and teaching them about work ethic, leadership, and perseverance. As a mom with a three-year-old and a third grader at Columbine Elementary, I’ve served as both a classroom volunteer and parent representative District Accountability Committee, diving deep into budgets, academic plans, and district policy.
Over the past year, I’ve met with over one hundred district stakeholders—parents, teachers, administrators, students, elected officials and community members—listening to their concerns and discussing solutions to our toughest challenges. While we may have different opinions on how to reach our goals, I’ve also been able to find common ground.
Here’s what gives me hope: Every day in Parks & Rec and club sports, I coach kids from all different schools—traditional, charter, private and homeschoolers—and they work together. They don’t see division. They see teammates. They focus on what unites them: shared goals, mutual respect, and genuine care for each other’s success.
If our children can do this, surely we adults can too.
My vision centers on bringing strategic leadership and collaborative governance to our district. From my business experience in executive leadership managing multi-million dollar budgets and leading high-performing teams, I understand the importance of strategic planning, data-driven decision making, and meaningful stakeholder engagement—essential tools for effective governance.
But competency alone isn’t enough. Character and a commitment to the work matters deeply in leadership. Through a culture and commitment to transparent, ethical conduct, we can model the leadership we wish to see in our students. Our schools should cultivate educated citizens who appreciate and contribute to our community and our uniquely American society.
Whether organizing community cleanups or coaching student athletes, I’ve seen how people accomplish remarkable things when they work together.
The way forward is together. Join me in choosing vision over division.