Kaylee Gomez Romero: Candidate for Alamosa School District One

Kaylee Gomez Romero has worked with students of all ages for the better part of a decade now, and she’s ready to serve in education in a much larger capacity. 

Romero grew up in Sanford, but attended school in Alamosa. Both of her degrees are from Adams State University, where she is currently the project director for the College Assistance Migrant Program, or CAMP. She’s served as the director for the last five years. 

During a phone interview with Alamosa Citizen, Romero spoke on her inspirations and motivations for running, for the first time, for the Alamosa School Board’s District One seat. For her, it’s about giving back to the community and helping the students find the right resources to be successful in their futures. 

The District One seat is currently held by Andria Gay, who was appointed to replace Justin Rilling in May after he resigned. 

Alamosa Citizen: What is motivating you to run for this seat on the school board? 

Romero: I’ve been an educator for 10-plus years, working here at Adams State in different departments and in different capacities. I’ve worked with students, I’ve worked in the high schools doing admissions recruiting. What really motivates me is just the students and this community. I’ve always wanted to give back. I volunteer as much as I can. I attend events around the community, share them on social media, participate in them, and plan them here at the university as well. That’s what really motivates me. This community has given so much to me that I just want to give back to them. 

AC: What has prepared you to run? 

Romero: In my position of working with our most vulnerable population – the migrant seasonal farm worker population – has prepared me for this run. In my role from moving from a recruiter to a director, I’ve learned more of the administration side of things, really understanding the backend of how organizations run, how schools run, that’s what’s really prepared me. 

AC: Have you ever served on a community or board like this before?

Romero: I serve on the La Puente enterprise board, as of right now. I serve on various committees across the Adams State University campus. I’m on our HSI committee, our Latinx caucus, or equity board. Those are just some things that bring equity and diversity to my collection, and something that I believe in, too, is just equitable outcomes for all. 

AC: What do you see as the top two to three, or four issues, concerning the Alamosa school district at this time? 

Romero: Safety. Number one. Making sure our students are safe. I want to help with college readiness, career placement. Even in high school I think that’s so important when you start so early. I was a part of the Gear Up program growing up, I think I went on my first college tour when I was in the seventh or eighth grade and that really opened me up to the opportunity. Especially for first-generation, low-income students that higher education is a possibility whether that be trade school, whether that be going into an institution of higher education, or even going into the job field. There are things that can prepare you for that. This is my first time jumping into this, so I haven’t been really up on the current issues. I think I’m just here for the students. 

AC: Have you attended school board meetings in the past just kind of get a feel for how they work, how they operate? 

Romero: I have been, after I did my initial run. I’m trying to get more educated on how the school board runs and on how things go. I didn’t until I applied for the appointment. I’m like “Hey, I want to better serve my community.” So, I’ve been attending them more to get into that understanding.

AC: What role do you believe a school board member plays in the overall governance of the school district?

Romero: I believe that the role of the school board member plays in the overall governance of the school district is that the board member serves as an advocate to assess what is best for the students’ safety and needs. I believe that the school board can use its position to make a great impact and change for the better and the future.