Academy District 20 Appoints Kelli Hawkins to Board of Education, Restoring Full Representation
Academy School District 20 has a full board again. The D20 Board of Education appointed Kelli Hawkins to fill a vacant seat on September 3, 2026, giving the district's governing body its complete roster heading into the heart of the 2026-27 school year. D20 serves more than 27,000 students across northern Colorado Springs and Monument, making it one of the largest and highest-performing school districts in the Pikes Peak region.
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Advertise hereWhy Board Vacancies Matter for Families
A school board doesn't just set policy in the abstract โ it makes decisions that affect how schools operate day to day. When a board seat goes vacant, that missing vote affects everything from budget approvals to curriculum reviews to hiring decisions for district leadership. Having a full board means all community perspectives have a seat at the table, and decisions have the full representation the district's voters intended.
The D20 board is a seven-member body elected by community members across the district's boundaries. When a seat becomes vacant between elections โ through resignation, relocation, or other circumstances โ the remaining board members typically appoint someone to fill the role for the remainder of the term. Hawkins will serve in that capacity until the seat comes up for election.
Quick Reference: D20 Board Appointment
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Appointed member | Kelli Hawkins |
| Appointment date | September 3, 2026 |
| District | Academy School District 20 (D20) |
| District area | Northern Colorado Springs and Monument |
| Students served | More than 27,000 |
| Board composition | 7 elected members (now at full complement) |
| More info | asd20.org โ Board of Education page |
About D20
Academy School District 20 covers a large swath of northern El Paso County, including neighborhoods in northern Colorado Springs such as Briargate, Flying Horse, and the areas surrounding Powers Boulevard, as well as the town of Monument. The district is consistently rated among the top districts in Colorado for academic performance and has a long track record of high graduation rates and college readiness.
D20 started the 2026-27 school year with its first day on August 17. Families are now a few weeks into the fall semester as the board gets back to full strength.
What's Next
COS Parenting will continue to follow D20 board news throughout the school year, including meeting agendas, policy updates, and any decisions that affect families across the district. The D20 board holds regular public meetings, and the schedule is posted on the district's website at asd20.org. If you're a D20 parent with questions about how board decisions affect your school, attending a board meeting is the most direct way to engage. Public comment periods are included in most regular meetings.
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