Aurora school board censures embattled member Eric Nelson

Nelson’s exaggerated resume came to light during his campaign for a seat in the Colorado House of Representatives.
2 min. read
Aurora Public Schools board member Eric Nelson in a campaign photo. ( Photo by Nelson for Colorado )

Aurora Public Schools board member Eric Nelson in a campaign photo. (Photo by Nelson for Colorado)

By Nicholas GarciaChalkbeat 

The Aurora school board on Tuesday formally reprimanded one of its own.

On a 5-2 vote, the school board censured director Eric Nelson. An independent report in June found that Nelson falsified his academic history, was dishonest about his military background and embellished other parts of his resume.

Nelson and board member Barbara Yamrick voted against the resolution. The board had no discussion before voting.

Nelson’s exaggerated resume came to light during his campaign for a seat in the Colorado House of Representatives. He was handily defeated in the June Democratic primary.

Board members previously called for Nelson to resign. At its Aug. 2 meeting, the board stripped Nelson of his honorary title of board secretary and his responsibilities in representing a cluster of schools in the district. His district credit card also was taken away.

While Nelson privately suggested to some board members that he would resign if another person of color replaced him, he remains on the board.

During Tuesday’s public comment, former Aurora Public Schools superintendent and retired Major Gen. John Barry joined in calling for Nelson to step down.

“Veterans in Aurora ask for your resignation,” Barry said.

Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools.

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