Board Elections
Voting for our board candidates opens on March 11th and runs through March 12th. Ballots and Ballot Boxes will be located in the Elementary and Secondary Lobbies, 7:30 AM until 3:30 PM. Voting after 3:30 PM will take place in the Elementary Lobby until 7:00 PM on 3/12.
Board Candidates
Lori Alig
Explain why you chose TPCA for your child(ren).
I appreciate the fact that TPCA does not use excessive technology, that they value academic excellence, and that it feels safe for my children to express their faith openly in school.
Tell us about yourself and the skills, experiences or qualifications you offer the Board of Directors and the TPCA Community.
I have my Masters in Organizational Leadership with a focus Human Resources. I’m not sure this specifically applies, but have 20 years of experience in leadership and Human Resources roles.
Describe the challenges or opportunities you believe TPCA will face in the short and long term future.
I know that funding can be difficult for charter schools but I truly believe in the educational opportunities TPCA is providing and want to ensure that it can continue to operate as a charter school with its own distinct rules and standards.
Explain why you want to serve as a TPCA Board member. Please elaborate, particularly if you are running as a community member.
I saw there were three spots open and I know it can be difficult to get people to take on this type of roles in some schools, so while I don’t feel especially strongly about being on the board, I am willing to be of service and give the perspective of a parent who cares deeply about her children and their education. I also have the experience of having had my children at a different charter school in the district from the time they both turned 3 until this past year, and watched it change and get to a place I didn’t appreciate anymore. I’d hate to see that for TPCA (even though I have no reason to believe that will happen).
Bernadette Brawner
Explain why you chose TPCA for your child(ren).
We chose TCPA a year and a half ago for our children’s education. We were going to a private Christian school which we felt was moving from our values and expectations. When we toured TCPA we felt that it had the feeling of being a private school with Classical education, which is what we were looking for. We liked the conservative values that they seemed to have and felt it was a good fit for our family.
Tell us about yourself and the skills, experiences or qualifications you offer the Board of Directors and the TPCA Community.
I have worked for Lockheed Martin for almost 30 years. I have worked for and with a multitude of people which has taught me to be adaptable and patient. I have been a manager for almost half of my career, which has strengthened my skills. Some of my stronger attributes are empathy, sympathy and am very relatable when it comes to others. I am a strong leader, not afraid to speak up and want to use my strengths to be a part of the BOD for TCPA.
Describe the challenges or opportunities you believe TPCA will face in the short and long term future.
Over the past year and a half, I have seen some things that have changed and waivered from what brought us to TCPA. I have seen turnover with the school and administration, which has given me concern about what is happening and the reasons why. We want to keep this school a great place to get a solid education and be a safe and healthy environment for the children of our community.
Explain why you want to serve as a TPCA Board member. Please elaborate, particularly if you are running as a community member.
I want to serve as a TCPA Board member because I have a vested interest in my children’s education and the education of all children in our community. Public schools have so many rules and guidelines that are required and we chose a Charter School because we felt that the Board had a little more influence and our best interest at heart. I would like to serve on the board to ensure we keep TCPA a good school. A school that families feel they want to send their children to not just for the education, but the environment, community and safety it provides.
Melanie Fuller
Explain why you chose TPCA for your child(ren).
We chose TPCA because we wanted a high-quality, classical education. With a ten year age span among our kids, finding a K-12 with all of the attributes we were looking for made it even more appealing.
Tell us about yourself and the skills, experiences or qualifications you offer the Board of Directors and the TPCA Community.
I am a Boulder County native, currently living in Erie with my husband, Allen, and our family. My professional journey began in Washington, D.C., where I worked on Capitol Hill crafting legislation and advising members of Congress on public policy—specifically education. That experience provided me with a high-level understanding of the legislative landscape and the critical importance of local control in our children’s schooling.
For the majority of the past 20 years, my husband and I have owned and operated a small business. This role has sharpened my expertise in fiscal oversight, project management, and strategic visioning. Perhaps most importantly, it has taught me how to work together with a team to achieve a common goal.
My commitment to Twin Peaks is deeply personal. After seven years of homeschooling, I developed a profound appreciation for the classical education model. Today, with both of my school-aged children attending TPCA, I have served as a classroom volunteer, a member of the PTO, Booster Club, and most recently the Board of Directors. I bring to the table a unique blend of federal policy insight, small business ownership, and parent perspective.
Describe the challenges or opportunities you believe TPCA will face in the short and long term future.
In the short term, I’d like to see the Board continue to focus on increasing enrollment by continuing marketing efforts alongside the Leadership Team. I’d also like to see more cohesive planning among the parent-led groups (BoD, Booster, and PTO) and greater community involvement from businesses.
There is a huge opportunity to get the word out about Twin Peaks as many parents are hungry for a school that offers a more traditional approach to education. It’s our job as Board members and parents to help spread the word about this amazing school!
In the long term, the completion of our bond projects and sustaining enrollment in an area seeing a decline in students across all demographics will need to be an increased focus for the BoD.
Lastly, I’d like to see the Board continue to encourage Ms. Burns in her role as Executive Director. A stable, cohesive Board can help her flourish and grow, which has a trickle-down effect throughout the entire school.
Explain why you want to serve as a TPCA Board member. Please elaborate, particularly if you are running as a community member.
It has been an honor to serve on the Board for the last two years—first as Secretary and currently as Vice President. This term has given me a behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of our school, and I am consistently impressed by the devotion of our staff and their commitment to our mission.
I am running for re-election because I am deeply invested in our future success. I want to see TPCA continue to raise the bar in academic achievement, character development, and community impact. I believe a thriving school is the cornerstone of a better world, and I am eager to continue dedicated work on behalf of our students, staff, and families.
Jose Rodriguez Lopez
Tell us about yourself and the skills, experiences or qualifications you offer the Board of Directors and the TPCA Community.
I am a graduate of SVVSD, and a current Longmont resident. I have been actively involved with Twin Peaks Classical Academy in multiple capacities over the years, including as an employee, Board member, and Booster Club leader. This wide range of involvement has given me a strong understanding of TPCA from both an operational and governance perspective.
Beyond TPCA, I have held several community leadership roles, including President of the Longmont United Hospital Volunteer Board and current Board Member of the Longmont Police K-9 Association. Professionally, I serve as the General Manager of a local construction company, where I oversee employees, budgets, scheduling, and regulatory compliance. These experiences have strengthened my skills in leadership, accountability, long-term planning, and decision-making skills I bring to the TPCA Board in service of our students, families, and staff.
Describe the challenges or opportunities you believe TPCA will face in the short and long term future.
In the short term, TPCA—like many schools across Colorado, faces the challenge of maintaining stable enrollment amid slowing statewide PK-12 growth following post-COVID enrollment shifts. Over the next 12 months, it will be critical to prioritize retaining current families while also supporting sustainable, organic enrollment growth. New enrollment is important, but it must be balanced with continued focus on family satisfaction, school culture, and academic excellence.
Looking to the long term, TPCA must continue to adapt in a rapidly changing educational landscape shaped by artificial intelligence and advancing technology. The opportunity lies in maintaining our rigorous classical curriculum while ensuring students are well-prepared for post-secondary education and the modern workforce. Thoughtful integration of innovation; without compromising TPCA’s core mission, will be essential to keeping our students academically challenged and competitive.
Explain why you want to serve as a TPCA Board member. Please elaborate, particularly if you are running as a community member.
I am seeking reelection to the TPCA Board because I believe in the school’s mission and want to continue contributing to its long-term success. As a current Board member and the only community (non-parent) member, I bring a unique external perspective that allows me to evaluate decisions through a broader lens while still remaining deeply invested in TPCA’s outcomes.
Since joining the Board in 2020, I have worked to help strengthen governance practices, support leadership development, and ensure the Board remains focused on strategic planning rather than day-to-day operations. I would like to continue serving to support responsible growth, increased community involvement, and a stable governance structure that allows TPCA to thrive for years to come.
Faune Van Pelt
Explain why you chose TPCA for your child(ren).
I chose TPCA for my children for quite a few reasons. I originally looked into TPCA because of the classical, low tech approach and I love that TPCA is a charter school, that is parent led. I found that at TPCA, I don't need to worry that they are pushing a political agenda, and instead stay focus on academics. I love the community feel for myself and for my kids. The leadership, teachers and staff are amazing and truly care about all the students. They value human interaction and I believe that that is key in helping the next generation with their mental health. I also love that TPCA is diverse and though not everyone agrees on everything, students learn how to engage in civil discussions. I know my kids are safe at TPCA, because their safety plan and training are top notch. The more Learn about the TPCA and get to know the leadership team the more impressed I am.
Tell us about yourself and the skills, experiences or qualifications you offer the Board of Directors and the TPCA Community.
I'm a Colorado native, I have lived in the St. Vrain Valley School District area since 2015. I am currently a stay at home mom with three boys. I have a Bachelor's of Science degree from UNC in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management. I Taught English as a second language in Taiwan for two years. After returning from Taiwan, I began a career in insurance and currently hold my insurance producer license. From my education and work experiences, I've gained skills in organizational management, classroom management, and risk management, all of which are very applicable for supporting a successful school. As a stay-at-home mom, I have flexibility and time to serve on the TPCA board of directors. I also spend time volunteering at my church in the kids ministry program. I have served as a member of the Board of Directors for the last three years. I have learned a great deal about the finances, the laws and policies that apply to our school and many other aspects of TPCA. As a member on the Board of Directors, I served as the chair for the community support committee for two years and as the secretary for one year. I will continue to use my skills and experiences to serve the TPCA community.
Describe the challenges or opportunities you believe TPCA will face in the short and long term future.
St. Vrain Valley School District has a lot to offer, but TPCA stands out by offering a unique experience. Unfortunately, due to rising home costs, families are leaving the Longmont area. Twin Peaks Classical Academy needs to continue to grow our enrollment. Recruitment and retention should be a priority while staying true to our vision. Recruiting and retaining teachers and staff is also a challenge. SVVSD is a high paying district, we need to prioritize being competitive in pay and environment for teachers and staff.
Explain why you want to serve as a TPCA Board member. Please elaborate, particularly if you are running as a community member.
I want to continue serving as a TPCA Board member because I am passionate about our school. I love the vision our school has and I want to continue to support our leadership team. I have learned so much in the last three years and would love to use that knowledge to better serve TPCA. I will work to protect and preserve TPCA for our current students and future students.