Estes Park School District R-3 board appoints Jennifer Roberts to vacant seat after candidate interviews

The Estes Park School District R-3 Board of Education appointed Jennifer Roberts to a vacant director seat at a special meeting on May 7, 2026, following interviews with two candidates and a board vote.

Board members interviewed first Sarah Ricucci, introduced by the board as a teacher and district parent, and then Jennifer Roberts, who said she grew up in Estes Park and has three children in the district. Ricucci told the board she has worked on districtwide systems-change efforts and on developing "global outcomes" used across multiple districts; she emphasized inclusive outreach and the need to test language and translation across communities. "I believe there is brilliance and genius within every single person," Ricucci said, describing assessment and monitoring as central to board oversight.

Roberts said she wants to help the board integrate a new superintendent and bring a parent perspective to governance. "I think it's an exciting time in our district, especially with our current superintendent leaving," Roberts said, adding that her prior service on a preschool board and the district advisory and accountability committee give her experience with governance and performance measures.

After the interviews, a board member moved to appoint Jennifer Roberts to the vacant director seat; a colleague seconded the motion. The board recorded ayes from four directors and the motion carried. The board then administered the oath of office and Roberts was sworn in as a director.

At the same meeting the board nominated and confirmed a vice president. The transcript renders the nominee's name inconsistently (variously as "Bridal West" and "Brenda Westchester"); the board proceeded with the nomination and the motion passed by voice vote.

The board announced a work session scheduled for May 12, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. in the administration building and adjourned the special meeting.

What happened next: Roberts joins the board as a full voting member and will participate in upcoming discussions and governance work, including integration of the incoming superintendent and the district's strategic objectives.