Woodland Park school district has had a rough couple of years. Seeing similar efforts being made in districts across the state, I wrote this letter to the editor for the Daily Record down in Canon City:

School Board Elections Matter

I write to you as a concerned parent in the Woodland Part RE-2 school district.  I fear Cañon City may be on the brink of embarking on the same path we started on nearly two years ago.

In 2021, Woodland Park voted in what initially appeared to be normal school board elections.  Four candidates ran together as a slate, labeling themselves “the conservative choice,” and as you might expect for a conservative community like ours, those candidates won the election and assumed control of the board.  Their actions in the nearly two years since then have shocked residents regardless of political affiliation.

It soon became evident that this new board sought a complete restructuring of our school district, a vision taking us far beyond what any of us had imagined.  We observed a board operating in secrecy, being fiscally irresponsible, and fostering such a poor working environment that this past year, around 40% of staff left the district, with one of the schools losing two-thirds of their teachers.  The board consistently makes significant decisions without consulting the community.  Legal fees have skyrocketed and the district is battling multiple lawsuits.

The result is a shattered school district, a divided community, and an overwhelming bipartisan opposition to the current school board.  You’ll find plenty of information on the internet, as reporters at both the state and national levels have been captivated by our ordeal.

In this election, Woodland Park voters choose who will be tasked with rebuilding a shattered school district and mending our community.

When Cañon City residents vote, you’ll be voting on a path to take.  Don’t make that decision lightly.  Please don’t follow in our footsteps without fully understanding what awaits.  Don’t repeat the mistakes made in Woodland Park.

Matt Gawlowski,
Woodland Park