The following are unofficial results reported by the Routt County Clerk’s office as of 8:58 p.m. Tuesday evening.

Unofficial results released at 9 p.m. Tuesday indicate Jane Toothaker and Kim Lemmer will be the newest members to the Steamboat Springs School District Board of Directors. They will replace outgoing members Chresta Brinkman and Katy Lee.

Preliminary results showed that Toothaker and Lemmer defeated AJ Summers and Lauren Rennolds by substantial margins. As of 9 p.m. Toothaker had received 39.43% of votes cast, (3726), with Lemmer garnering 36.13%, (3414). AJ Summers was in third with 14.71%, (1390), while Lauren Rennolds received 9.74%, (920).

Toothaker, a career educator who touted her career experience as a teacher, principal, special education director, Board of Cooperative Education Services Executive Director and consultant for the Colorado Department of Education, centered her campaign on maintaining the district’s academic standards, especially in literacy and math, and promoting inclusive learning.

She stressed supporting high-quality teaching staff as essential for student success, recognizing affordable housing as critical for attracting and retaining educators.

At a candidate forum last month hosted by the Steamboat Pilot & Today and sponsored by Altitude Realtors, Toothaker highlighted the direct relationship between high-quality teachers and student success. She also cast her support for district provided housing by connecting the issue of housing and teacher retention stating that “affordable, stable housing…is key to that.”

Reached for comment by the newspaper Tuesday evening, Toothaker said, “I am honored and grateful for the trust and support of the community and will work to keep the schools strong and focused on student achievement.”

Lemmer, who holds a Ph.D. in molecular biology and has spent a career as a research scientist, acknowledged teacher recruitment and retention as pressing challenges, and noted the high cost of living along with an upcoming wave of teacher retirements make affordable housing a top concern during her campaign. She also emphasized the importance of policy development for an evolving technological landscape — particularly regarding the use of artificial intelligence in schools.

During the newspaper’s candidate forum, Lemmer praised the mental health initiatives of the district.

“Something I think we’re doing well is the mental health initiatives in our school,” said Lemmer. “All students get foundational counseling in social-emotional development to develop social skills, which helps to prevent mental health crises and bullying. There are also higher-tier services available for students who need them.”

After learning of her victory, added Lemmer, “I am thrilled and excited to get to work supporting our schools.”

The new school board will be facing multiple challenges including proposed teacher housing initiatives, staff recruitment/retention and fallout from a federal lawsuit filed against the district which accused multiple paraprofessionals of “cruel, discriminatory behavior” towards students with disabilities.

Perhaps the most important task will be the hiring of a new superintendent of schools. In a surprise statement prior to the election, Superintendent Celine Wicks announced her retirement last week. Wicks will serve until June 30 triggering the search for a new superintendent.

Lemmer lamented Wick’s retirement and said, “I am sad to see her go but look forward to finding someone amazing to fill her shoes.”

Toothaker likewise praised the work of Wicks stating, “She has done a great job and I look forward to the process of finding another superintendent.”

Steamboat Pilot & Today reporter Julia Coccaro contributed to this story.