2023 Boulder Valley School District Candidate Endorsements
Neil Fishman, Andrew Brandt, Jorge Chavez and Alex Medler are four of the strongest BVSD candidates who have run in years.
Their depth of knowledge and long history with the school district combined with their lived experience and commitment to equity and inclusion, means they will be effective on day one.
Vote Neil Fishman, Andrew Brandt, Jorge Chavez, and Alex Medler for Boulder Valley School District Board of Education
Neil Fishman (District A)
Neil Fishman is an award-winning research scientist, father of a recent BVSD graduate, and advocate for non-discrimination and equal representation.
Neil has been a member of BVSD’s District Parent Council (DPC), the University of Colorado’s President’s Blue-Ribbon Commission on Diversity, Boulder County Health Department’s “Only One” Project on HIV transmission, the City of Boulder’s “Valuing Diversity: Education on Homophobia and Heterosexism” program, a co-team lead for the Boulder County Democratic Party’s Outreach and Inclusion Team, and both Treasurer and President of the board of the Boulder County AIDS Project.
As a member of the BVSD Board of Education, Neil will focus on increased mental and emotional health support for all students, district-wide equity initiatives, anti-bullying and harassment policies, and employing a data-based approach to our school evaluations to ensure we are providing inclusive schools and curriculum that are representative of all students. Neil will focus on broadening measures of student assessment and on setting high educational standards to ensure academic excellent across our district.
Andrew Brandt (District D)
Andrew Brandt is a computer security expert, malware analyst, and award-winning investigative journalist who has two teenagers in BVSD. Andrew has been volunteering for a decade in his children’s schools in BVSD, as well as volunteering in the Media Archaeology Lab at the University of Colorado, and with Out Boulder.
Andrew is a passionate gardener and advocate for sustainable agriculture, and an avid cyclist and outdoor enthusiast. Andrew has a collaborative and solutions-oriented approach that allows him to work closely with people of differing viewpoints and bring them together towards consensus.
As a member of the BVSD Board of Education, Andrew will bring his expertise in technology to aid the district in ensuring best-practices in technology and facilities updates, helping to address the challenges and opportunities that advancement in AI technology are bringing to our public school curricula, working through complex issues related to declining enrollment and the impacts of the rising cost of living, and focusing on opportunity gaps and disproportionate discipline.
Alex Medler (District C)
Alex Medler's career has focused on leading national and Colorado-based non-profit and governmental entities, and serving on boards and commissions addressing children’s issues. Alex worked on legislation that transitioned Rocky Flats out of the production of nuclear weapons to clean-up, and has been involved with key policy work in education across the state.
Alex is a passionate and dedicated advocate for improved access, services, and outcomes for students with disabilities and has worked to address childhood poverty, child health and well-being, early childhood education, and high school graduation requirements. Alex is father to two recent BVSD graduates and was a volunteer in his children’s schools throughout their educational careers.
As a member of the BVSD Board of Education, Alex will work to expand opportunities for all students, foster a culture of understanding and respect across our schools so all students, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, are safe, celebrated, and supported, and will make additional investments in schools serving high proportions of students of color, English learners, and other historically underserved students.
Jorge Chávez (District G)
Jorge Chávez immigrated to the United States from Guatemala when he was 5 years old. He started kindergarten without knowing a single word of English and was part of his school’s English as a Second Language classes. He went on to earn bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Criminal Justice and a PhD in Criminal Justice.
Jorge is currently an Associate Professor at The University of Colorado at Denver in the School of Education. He has three young children in BVSD and has been the chair of the BVSD District Accountability Committee for the past two years, also volunteering with BVSD as a member of the PTA, a member of Family & Educators Together, a member of the Latino Parent Advisory Council, and chair of his School Accountability Committee.
As a member of the BVSD Board of Education, Jorge will work to meet the needs of all students by growing an inclusive school community, increasing resources for mental health and well-being, and centering. equity, transparency, and accountability in decision-making.
