COVA Board
The Colorado Virtual Academy is governed by a Board composed of community leaders. Public notice of COVA board meetings can be found here.
Colorado Virtual Academy Board Meeting Schedule:
Thursday, November 19--This meeting has been cancelled.
Since meeting space is limited, please call the school office prior to attending a Colorado Virtual Academy board meeting for location and attendance information. Thank you.
Board Members
Timothy Booker, president,
has been active in his Thornton community for 16 years. He served on the City of Thornton Zoning Board of Appeals, as well as on the City of Thornton Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee. Additionally, Tim was appointed by the Adams County Commissioners to serve on the Adams County Library Board of Trustees, where he was elected by his peers as president of the Board for two terms. In 2000, Governor Bill Owens asked Tim to serve on the 17th Judicial District Nominating Committee, which screens applicants for the positions of County Court Judge and District Court Judge in the greater Adams County area. As a student, Tim spent 9 years in the German and Austrian public school system, which gave him an objective comparison with the public school system in the United States. When faced with a choice of schools for his own children, Tim chose the local Academy of Charter Schools (ACS). His criticism of the public school system prompted his interest and involvement in the Colorado Virtual Academy (COVA).
tbooker@covcs.org
Pam Benigno, vice president, has directed education policy at the Independence Institute since 1997. She writes and speaks about various K-12 public education issues, including open enrollment and online education. She is a former Jefferson County public school teacher and home schooling mother who has been active in the school reform movement since 1985. Both of her daughters graduated from public school.
pbenigno@covcs.org
Lori Cooney, treasurer, is a parent and learning coach of COVA students in third, sixth, and ninth grades. She graduated from Buffalo State College with a Bachelor of Science in education. Lori is a member of the Governor’s Online Advisory Board that began its duties in November 2007 under Senate Bill 215. This is her second year as president of the Colorado Coalition of Cyberschool Families, a group of committed parents who have come together to be powerful and vocal advocates for online programs and virtual learning in Colorado. Lori is also a Senior Member and first lieutenant in the Civil Air Patrol, an auxiliary of the United States Air Force, and she assumes responsibilities of Test Control Officer.
lcooney@covcs.org
Sean Bradley serves as director of governmental affairs for the Colorado League of Charter Schools. In this position he handles a number of advocacy related research and legislative projects. Sean is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas with a B.S in education. He also has a master's degree in public administration from the School of Public Affairs at the University of Colorado in Denver. He is currently attending the University of Denver School of Law. Sean last served as the executive assistant to House Speaker Andrew Romanoff.
sbradley@covcs.org
tbooker@covcs.org
Pam Benigno, vice president, has directed education policy at the Independence Institute since 1997. She writes and speaks about various K-12 public education issues, including open enrollment and online education. She is a former Jefferson County public school teacher and home schooling mother who has been active in the school reform movement since 1985. Both of her daughters graduated from public school.
pbenigno@covcs.org
Lori Cooney, treasurer, is a parent and learning coach of COVA students in third, sixth, and ninth grades. She graduated from Buffalo State College with a Bachelor of Science in education. Lori is a member of the Governor’s Online Advisory Board that began its duties in November 2007 under Senate Bill 215. This is her second year as president of the Colorado Coalition of Cyberschool Families, a group of committed parents who have come together to be powerful and vocal advocates for online programs and virtual learning in Colorado. Lori is also a Senior Member and first lieutenant in the Civil Air Patrol, an auxiliary of the United States Air Force, and she assumes responsibilities of Test Control Officer.
lcooney@covcs.org
Sean Bradley serves as director of governmental affairs for the Colorado League of Charter Schools. In this position he handles a number of advocacy related research and legislative projects. Sean is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas with a B.S in education. He also has a master's degree in public administration from the School of Public Affairs at the University of Colorado in Denver. He is currently attending the University of Denver School of Law. Sean last served as the executive assistant to House Speaker Andrew Romanoff.
sbradley@covcs.org
