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10/16/2024 Letters to the Editor

From the 10/16/2024 Pikes Peak Courier:

Repealing sales tax is vote for a better agreement

It’s sad that I retired here to enjoy nature and peace, but instead must deal with people who live to “other” anyone who believes or advocates differently.

I am an outspoken, proud supporter of public schools, transparency and competency in elected officials. I am particularly critical of Mick Bates, Ken Witt, and Brad Miller, the school board’s very-expensive counsel. Perhaps this is why I’ve received Facebook death threats.

Smart, research-driven and caring friends are also being maligned, even threatened, when they advocate for our public schools. Anonymous cowards have threatened my friends privately and on social media; Fake Facebook profiles disrespect City Council members by name; and, sadly, many only watch Council and board meetings online, out of fear of retaliation.

At the same time the board makes it impossible for highly qualified, independent financial experts to verify district finances by stonewalling Colorado Open Records Act requests. The new CFO is another hire with prior relationships to Brad Miller, which will only continue financial opacity. This school board should stop delegating to Miller and Ken Witt. Mick Bates is either ignorant, being manipulated, or lied to (and believing it).

City Council can better support our students and teachers by ensuring honesty and transparency about where our tax money is really going. Vote to repeal the current tax as it is written now. Don’t be fooled by opponent’s false appeals about harming students and teachers. Your vote to repeal is a vote for a better contract, not a reduction in support.

Trina Hoefling, Woodland Park

Why is sales tax still needed?

The question of the 1.09% city sales tax for schools, Ballot question 2A, will be voted on in November. I believe a healthy school district is indicative of a healthy community. Good school ratings boost the value of homes, and help us feel connected through our common values — what’s best for the community’s children.

Test scores aside, the overall real estate ratings from third party websites of WPSD schools have decreased. 2 public schools have closed. Enrollment is down and we have lost students to other districts. Our part time superintendent’s combined salary is $349,400 (plus benefits and bonuses). Other superintendents in similar districts make $225,000 (Aspen) — $279,000 (Jeffco). The superintendent for Denver, which manages over 200 schools, makes $329,400. I have nothing against Merit Academy and only want the best for those families, but why is our public school superintendent donating $1,200 to them (while not donating to the other four schools) and why did his organization ERBOCES loan them money?

If we have fewer students and facilities to maintain, why is the sales tax needed? The money certainly doesn’t seem to be making its way to our students and teachers. Remember who has really sown division here — the outside influences of a superintendent who doesn’t live in our community, and a whole fleet of law firms who are draining our district dry.

Allison Avery-Wollenhaupt, Woodland Park

Vote YES on 2A

Much about our school district has changed since the tax was implemented in 2016: an entire elementary school (with all related expenses) closed, almost one-third of the traditional public school children left for a different district, a significant number of teachers have opted to teach elsewhere (with fewer kids less teachers are needed) and property valuations in Teller County are at an all-time high, delivering more property tax funds to the school district. The opposition argues the tax is needed to fund our schools, but is the money even being used to support our kids? A part time superintendent making more money than any other superintendent in neighboring districts ($175K) coupled with grossly inflated legal fees year over year, do our teachers and kids even benefit from this tax money? Are there other expenses that could be trimmed if teachers’ jobs and kids’ education is truly in peril?

At the request of many constituents, WP City Council asked for transparency into the district’s finances before the sale tax agreement was renewed. These basic requirements were difficult for the school board president to comprehend. With such controversy surrounding the spending of taxpayer dollars by our school board, transparency goes a long way in our community. The new WPSD CFO has previous ties to the district’s attorney, so clear guidelines are needed moving forward. The tax should be repealed, and the agreement re-written to build in more safeguards requiring further accountability and transparency. This school board has been anything but fiscally conservative.

Elizabeth Douglass, Florissant

Vote on 2A isn’t a forever deal

I appreciate the heartfelt comments about ballot question 2A, repeal of the city’s 1.09% sales tax that goes to the WP School District. There’s concern that students and teachers would be harmed by taking away this money. But, are we dealing with the same conditions as in 2016, when the tax was voted in?

Cuts in state funding to schools had created a real hardship for the district, which the 2016 tax was meant to mitigate. Now, those cuts have been restored by the state and per pupil funding will increase, meaning more income for the district. Also, today there are fewer buildings to be maintained by the district, with the recent closure of Gateway Elementary being one, and there is no question the district has lost many, many experienced teachers already. Enrollment across all the schools is down this year. Factoring in the increase in state funding, this should mean lower costs to the district, should it not?

Voting on 2A is not an all or nothing, forever and ever deal. Repeal in no way constrains the city from writing a new version and putting that to a vote. A rewrite could fold in the improved guardrails in the IGA that was recently signed. It’d be a big improvement to set rules and expectations for accountability and transparency, clearly, and from the start.

Trust but verify, as Ronald Reagan said!

Patricia Hines, Woodland Park

10/9/2024 Letters to the Editor

From the 10/9/2024 Pikes Peak Courier:

Yes on 2A

I have owned a home in this community since 2007 and worked for Woodland Park School district from 2008-2024. I am voting yes on 2A to stop giving extra money to a school district with leadership unable to use it responsibly.

You may be concerned that this would take money away from our kids. Unfortunately, those monies are currently being redirected and misused before benefiting the kids. Responsible practices are not in place to account for any funds due to the shady business practices embedded into central office and operating in the shadows of our school board.

I supported the original initiative. Things have changed. Published budgets from 2022 to 2023 show a central support services increase of 76% — over half a million dollars. The lack of transparency leaves us to wonder what those expenses are. District general administration line item increased 39% — over $400,000 dollars. The superintendent’s part-time contract is obscene, and the law firm is raking in money to lose first-amendment and other cases.

We no longer need the extra sales tax to make up for shortfalls in school funding. Per pupil state funding is now $11,450- which is a 7% increase over last year. Some teachers who stayed received up to a 2% increase. Despite worsening our declining enrollment, our district should be able to pay its bills without handouts.

The city of Woodland Park deserves better. Look at what has happened to what our tax dollars built. Vote YES on 2A.

Anna Hand, Woodland Park

10/2/2024 Letters to the Editor

From the 10/2/2024 Courier:

The first step

I was asked many times as a totally independent mayoral candidate, what I thought about the 1.09% school sales tax. My consistent message; the city made a big mistake by putting the tax on the ballot in 2016 to be paid “forever”.

A majority of City Council got it right by voting to put this question on the November ballot.

Some issues are too important to be decided by only seven members of our community. If a city issue is large enough and impacts all of us, every registered voter should be given the opportunity to vote on that issue.

Now that it’s on the ballot, I’ve been asked many times, “How do you plan to vote”?

In discussions with a couple of voters recently, their position was; I don’t like the current school board, I don’t like anything to do with the American Birthright teachings, I don’t like Christian Nationalism in our schools, I don’t like wasting a tremendous amount of my money on an unqualified, part-time superintendent; however, I don’t want to hurt the teachers or the kids so I’m going to vote to keep the tax.

That vote will be a strong enabler, allowing the school board and the school administration, including Merit Academy, to take the money and do exactly what they have been doing.

Doing exactly what you don’t like.

This is the first and most important step to once again teach the school kids, Real American Values.

Vote YES to repeal the school tax.

Jerry Penland, Woodland Park

Fostering an important conversation

I recently came across a suggestion on a Facebook community page about how our school board and Superintendent Ken Witt can foster trust and collaboration with more of the community. The idea is simple: hosting opportunities for parents, teachers, and community members to meet directly with the board and superintendent to talk about the sales tax and other pressing issues. For some time many people have expressed frustration about a lack of communication, and something like this could be a big step toward healing those rifts.

Imagine the positive affect having involved parents facilitate these meetings – this would not only provide a space for important discussions, but could help bridge any divide between the board and the community. Unfortunately, it seems the author of this thoughtful idea reached out to the board and Mr. Witt about it, but got no response. This lack of engagement is disheartening and reflects poorly on our leadership’s commitment to really listening to everyone. Ignoring voices from the community—especially those who may have different opinions—will not serve the best interests of our students and families. I urge the school board to take this opportunity seriously. By reaching out to all families in WPSD, including critics, they can show their commitment to inclusivity and transparency. Open dialogue is essential for building trust and fostering a supportive educational environment for our children.

Shawn Maddox, Woodland Park

And from the previous week:

Open the books

I can understand the handwringing over this 2A thing. Imagine that. Schools need money. In my own conversations with people around town, it strikes me as odd that the same people who argue that “you can’t throw money at it” are turned around now and arguing the need for public school funding. Whiplash anyone?

I can go either way on this issue. I’ll pay the tax. I won’t pay the tax. I’ll figure it out. Objectively, I just want to do what’s right. Here’s a thought, put the issue to rest right now. Open the books on the PUBLIC school district. Let’s see what’s been going on. What’s the big deal? I’ve been listening to this board and its sycophants for years telling the community that everything’s on the up and up. If you’re above board, what are you so “frustrated” about Mr. Bates? I’m sure no laws have been broken, right? Ask around.

District staff has been smashed by fiscal oversight at all levels ever since Ms. Moore embezzled half a million in 2008. Why shouldn’t the district admin be treated any differently? I’m sure no one in the district office has their fingers in the till. Certainly, we’re not looking at malfeasance like that, right? It only took eight years to regain enough community trust to pass a tax bill benefitting the schools. We don’t need eight years this time, right? There’s nothing to see here. Come on dudes. Open the books. Help me vote no.”

Andrew Pappadakis, Woodland Park

Did Ken Witt violate Colorado Election Law?

Colorado’s Fair Campaign Practices Act prohibits government agencies from urging “electors to vote in favor of or against any”..”Local ballot issue” (read the specific section of the law here). Read what Ken Witt wrote in the September 20th newsletter to parents about the upcoming vote on the sales tax issue, and decide for yourself if he’s following the law.

Nearby D20 faced something similar…the board was expressing opinions on a ballot issue voters are facing down there, promoting intervention by the Secretary of State.

UPDATE – Witt did it again in the 10/4 newsletter to families, shown below.

What if it Were Your Student? | Guest column

From the 7/17/2024 Courier:

If the election’s over, why keep talking about the school board?

There’s been a high price paid—starting with the then-traitorous signatures on the Declaration of Independence, and later in blood — for us not only to vote, but manage the gift of elected leaders, our collective taxes.

Responding to a director’s question at the June BOE about bussing students to and from school, the superintendent reported transportation was completely state-reimbursed. This error prompted Colorado Open Records Agreement (CORA) requests from one citizen, who provided documentation to the superintendent. The superintendent admitted the error, restating his commitment to provide transportation to all district students. I wholeheartedly support this.

But there’s a catch.

Student transportation in 22-23 cost WPSD $1,230,940 (per CDE). The state reimbursed $238,137, collected transportation fees were $13,035 —leaving $979,768 to be covered by state-provided per-pupil funding. At the time, 1,677 attended our five traditional schools; the remaining 300 attended Merit Academy. (Merit was in the district, but transportation wasn’t offered.)

That nearly $1 million balance has been paid only from our district’s traditional-school per-pupil allotment. That’s $584/student, all students not just bussed students, from an amount also intended for building, administration, teacher salaries, the works.

But let’s watch our math. For the 23-24 year the district began including transportation for Merit–only asking fund participation of the $100/family asked of all bus-utilizing families. Their reasoning: Merit Academy’s transportation did not require an additional stop. But it will in 2024-2025.

To be clear, the traditional 1,422 students paid for the bussing of 1,820 students.

For 24-25, MA again will not be asked to pay their share of busing costs.

This year, traditional enrollment is projected to lower; MA is projected to be higher as they add preschool and 11th grade. Yet the nearly $1 million transportation costs will only be divided among educational funds for the traditional schools.

If MA paid their share of district bussing, the traditional schools gain at least $214,124.

Which would go a long way to paying teachers—and students—more of what they deserve. (What if that traditional student was your own?)

CORA-requested information shows leadership from MA pursuing their fair share of grant funding—suggesting even though budgets were set, they could be revised.

Should MA, in kind, pursue their share of transportation costs? Some argue, truthfully, that district schools receive funding that MA does not. Yet MA is eligible as well for grants and waivers unique to charter schools.

It’s but one example among many of preferential treatment of one school by a BOE that is charged with looking fairly to the interest of all students, all schools.

What is the honorable response from all parties? Should district costs be shared among all its beneficiaries? Should those continuing to present similar issues, finding themselves ignored, remain silent? Should traditional students’ blindly trust this Board?

But more importantly, how could we as a community come together with facts—indivisible, toward justice for all?

Carol Greenstreet

WPSD adopts gender identity name change policy

This spring the State of Colorado passed bill HB24-1039, requiring schools to use their chosen name where it’s different than their legal name but reflects their gender identity. The Woodland Park School District has published policy JT to address this. I question whether this would hold up to legal scrutiny, and suspect the district is actually seeking a legal challenge as they’ve already expressed their opposition to HB24-1039 in a resolution passed earlier this year. The bill text seems to imply the schools need to comply with the students’ chosen names…but the district policy JT-R outlines a procedure requiring parental approval (via form JT-E). Any request must be approved by the school principal, and the final decision lies with the Chief Academic Officer. So it’s not the student’s choice, it is ultimately the parent’s choice.

WPSD gives teachers meager raise, implements performance-based pay scale

After giving Ken Witt a 10% raise this year and a guaranteed 5% minimum raise in following years, the Woodland Park School District announced they were “proud” to announce pay raises for educators ranging from 2-3.4%, with an average pay increase of 2.5%. Read the press release here. This means teacher pay will start at $43,000, which is an improvement but still the lowest in the area:

WPSD has also implemented a performance-based pay scale, a controversial plan that Ken Witt first tried when he was on the school board in Jefferson County many years ago (before getting recalled from that position). This new pay scale gives inexperienced teachers a higher raise than experienced ones, and it’s not clear how they’ll fairly judge each teacher’s performance given the huge variables out of their control. Here’s how the district describes the plan:

Interestingly, the school board never discussed this performance-based pay plan in any public meeting.

ERBOCES restores Ken Witt’s full-time salary, gives him bonus and a raise

Some months after Ken Witt took a ‘full time’ job here in WPSD, his other employer, ERBOCES, cut his salary to reflect the part-time effort he was going to be putting into that. Well, they reversed that in their May 2024 board meeting. Ken Witt’s ERBOCES salary is back to the full base amount, PLUS he gets a 5% cost of living increase, PLUS he gets a 10% bonus. Scroll to the end of the meeting minutes here to read the details for yourself. So now Ken Witt is back to milking the taxpayers for two full-time salaries (ERBOCES executive director, and WPSD superintendent), plus generous benefits and bonuses.

WPSD to require citizenship test as condition of graduation

Ken Witt and the Woodland Park school board will be voting tonight on whether to require all seniors to pass a citizenship test in order to graduate. You can read the excerpt from the board packet below. This follows the same call to action by Moms for Liberty. While on the surface it seems like a fine idea, imposing this requirement starting next spring seems rushed and it’s not clear whether seniors will be properly taught the necessary questions in such a limited time when many probably aren’t even scheduled to take any civics or history classes next year.