(COLORADO) — Effective Tuesday, Oct. 1, State Board of Education Member Stephen Varela has resigned from his position and intends to accept another one to benefit students. Varela was appointed to represent the 3rd Congressional District in January 2023. The district covers 50,000 square miles from the Wyoming and New Mexico border, to parts of western and Southern Colorado. The district covers 27 counties such as Mesa and Pueblo counties. The former Board of Education member intends to accept a position with Pueblo District 60 working with special education students. State statute prevents school district employees from serving on the State Board of Education. “We are grateful to Board member Varela for his service on behalf of educators, children, and families and for bringing the voices of Congressional District 3 to the Board," said Colorado Education Commissioner Susana Cordova. Varela's departure will trigger the convening of a vacancy committee in the 3rd Congressional District that will identify a replacement for Varela's State Board of Education position. The election for the board will take place in Nov. 2024.