Dan Comden prioritizing academic success in campaign for Pueblo D60 school board
Dan Comden enters the pool of nine Pueblo School District 60 board candidates with eight years of previous experience on the board.
Comden served on the Pueblo D60 board from 2003 to 2011. He and his wife Randi have lived in Pueblo for over 45 years. All five their children are Pueblo D60 graduates. Comden said his five children received an "excellent education" in Pueblo D60 and wants to make sure his three grandchildren receive the same opportunity.
"I'd like for us to be Pueblo Proud — proud of our schools, proud of our community... not just parents, but the whole city behind our schools," Comden told the Chieftain.
What to know about Comden's previous board service
Winning a close election in November 2003, Comden's first year on the school board culminated with the construction of a new Irving Elementary School building funded through a $99 million bond.
Comden also was on the board for the hiring of two superintendents, the welcoming of the Pueblo School for Arts and Sciences into the district, along with Fountain Elementary School and Corwin Middle School's transition into magnet schools.
In 2011, Comden received the McGuffey award from the Colorado Association of School Boards for his service to public education. In nominations for the award, then-Pueblo D60 superintendent Maggie Lopez and board president Stephanie Garcia praised Comden specifically for his support of arts programs, according to a September 2011 Chieftain story.
What Comden's priorities would be if elected in 2023
If elected this November, Comden looks to place an emphasis on academic achievement. This includes improving CMAS scores, equipping schools to "teach the basics" and increasing opportunities for students in career and trade programs, according to his campaign website.
Funding should be allocated toward making sure classrooms are adequately staffed and teachers should have adequate supplies to "keep the focus on learning," Comden told the Chieftain. Other priorities listed on Comden's campaign website include increased community engagement in budgeting and application of best practices throughout the district.
"Delivering excellence in our public schools is critical to ensuring Pueblo is a thriving community," Comden's campaign website states. "We all need to support our public schools to ensure our students have the best opportunities. I will ensure we are creating success that makes us all proud."
Comden has a background in insurance and sales
Outside of his board service, Comden has 20 years of experience with the claims office at Farmers Insurance and 15 years of experience as a roof salesman with Calvin Turner Roofing LLC.
He also has served as vice president of the Pueblo Area Council of Governments and as a representative on the Colorado High Schools Activities Association. He was a part-time instructor for the alternative high school and GED programs at Pueblo Community College.
Comden also has been an elder at his church since 1979, was a director of AWANA Youth Club, and was a founding director of Rocky Mountain Bible Camp.
More about elections: Sol Sandoval running for reelection to Pueblo D60 school board
Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached at JBartolo@gannett.com. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.
This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Dan Comden seeks return to Pueblo D60 school board
