Trujillo fills seat vacated prior to end of election term

At its special meeting last Thursday, the 27J Board of Education selected Starr Trujillo to fill its vacant District 2 seat.

Trujillo, a resident of Henderson, Colo., has been a paraeducator, substitute teacher and Intervention Services Liaison in 27J Schools. She currently works for the non-profit Almost Home which provides assistance to area people facing homelessness and housing instability. An active community member, Trujillo served a variety of civic organizations as a committee member and volunteer including Rocky Mountain Partnership, Knights of Columbus, El Comite, and Center for People with Disabilities. She’s a student at Colorado State University pursuing her bachelors of human services.

Trujillo will replace former board member Leon Thornton who resigned his position effective Sept. 30 as his family is moving out of state.

In 2022, Thornton was elected to a 4-year term on the 27J Board of Education. Because he leaves the board before his term is complete, the board must select a replacement to fill the unexpired term which ends in November 2025. 

After Thornton resigned, the board requested applications from people living on the district’s west side who were interested in assuming the elected position. Trujillo and Johanna Mowry, Thornton, were the two applicants. 

The board asked each candidate about a dozen questions during their interview after which Board president Lloyd Worth called for board members to vote for one candidate via secret ballot. 

Worth announced Trujillo as the successful candidate and the Board voted 5-0 to appoint Trujillo to the District 2 seat.

She will be sworn into office on Nov. 8 at the board’s next regular meeting.