Author Archives: admin

WPSD social studies curriculum in First Grade

What does Woodland Park school district, the only district in the nation to have adopted the American Birthright standards for social studies, teach first graders about national holidays? Linked below are images of the handout talking about “National Patriotic Holidays”. Let’s talk about what students are being taught about these holidays…the WPSD definition, and the one from Wikipedia:

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

WPSD: “Martin Luther King Jr. believed all people should have the same rights. He worked hard to make this happen. He taught us to show respect for all people.”

Wikipedia: “King was chief spokesperson for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement, which protested racial discrimination in federal and state law and civil society. The movement lead to several groundbreaking legislative reforms in the United States.”

Juneteenth

WPSD: “Juneteenth is the country’s newest holiday. It is known as Freedom Day. We celebrate freedom on Juneteenth.”

Wikipedia: “Juneteenth…is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the end of slavery.”

What I believe is noteworthy here is how slavery and civil rights, the core tenets of those holidays, are being portrayed by our district. These are not difficult concepts to teach to a first grader…but our school district chooses a whitewashed version of history instead.

There’s also then the issue of Labor Day, omitting the significant impact unions had on labor in this country and that this holiday was proposed by them.

WPSD: “Workers have made our country strong. We celebrate them on Labor Day.”

Wikipedia: “Labor Day is…to honor and recognize the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements of the United States.”

As for Thanksgiving, first graders are not being taught how some of those first Thanksgiving celebrations were in thanks for the assistance Native Americans provided to those early settlers.

Studies Weekly, the company that published this teaching material, has come under fire in the past for racial or ethnic bias. As this article in Discourse Blog put it, “Whitewashed history is just what conservative parents and right-wing activists want.”

Here is the teaching material given to first grade students recently:

WPSD board votes to renew Ken Witt’s contract

In the 1/17/2024 board meeting, which you can watch below, the Woodland Park school board voted to renew Ken Witt’s contract as superintendent. The board did not disclose the duration of the new contract, nor did they describe what changes were made to the contract (a CORA request is pending to obtain that information). Nor did the board discuss Ken Witt’s job performance or even whether he’d be a good choice for superintendent.

1/17/24 Letters to the Editor

From the 1/17/2024 Courier:

The election IS over but the circus continues

As seen at the January 10 school board meeting, nothing has changed. During that meeting, public commenters pleaded with the board for transparency and responsive communication with ALL stakeholders. The board discussed the superintendent contract and the revised budget that didn’t include the loss of 104 students with potential for a continuing decline in enrollment.

When discussing the superintendent contract, the audience grew frustrated. Bates, Kimbrell, Patterson, and Rusterholtz spoke to the contract, with Witt’s potential requests as the focus of discussion. They said a search would cost $11,000. However, Keegan Barkley volunteered to do a passive search at no cost to the district.

During Keegan‘s remarks, I was alarmed that on numerous occasions she was left out of board correspondence, hearing things for the first time like an audience member. Keegan’s contributions were thoughtful and professional, while the rest of the board looked confused and befuddled, even by rudimentary procedural rules.

With funding reliant on enrollment numbers, you’d think more time would be spent on why we lost 104 students. Instead, it was glossed over, no transparency or communications. If the school board has made positive change, why is staff turnover continuing? Why are we losing students? Why are stakeholders asking for transparency and communication even after Bates and Kimbrell promised it? The election is over, but no meaningful change in board operation happened. The majority of the community are still dissatisfied and will not be silenced. The election is over, but the circus is not.

Bridget Curran, Florissant

Yes, the election is over but the WPSB dysfunction is not

At the December 13, 2023 school board meeting out-going President David Rusterholtz said he hoped the Board would improve communication and transparency. On December 15, 2023 Superintendent Witt fired WPHS Principal Kevin Burr. Witt notified Board members except for David Rusterholtz and new member Keegan Barkley. Instead they learned of the firing when the email was sent to the public.

At the January 10, 2023 WPSB meeting a constituent asked about the representative vacancy for the January BOCES meeting. President Mick Bates replied to this public comment saying “I spoke with the Board members” and it was decided Cassie Kimbrell would be the new representative. Keegan Barkley then reported she had never been contacted. Mr. Bates replied, “You’re a hard lady to get ahold of”. Really? During the campaign Keegan answered messages quickly and efficiently. Once again she was excluded.

Also during this Board meeting approval was required for the minutes and the list of employees joining or leaving the District. Keegan Barkley received information that an employee was fired but listed as resigned. Superintendent Ken Witt then stated he couldn’t give details but that person’s status changed from fired to resigned “after a settlement”. What? Is our school district doing settlements to avoid more lawsuits?

I’m sorry Mr. Logan but you are going to continue to get news items about this dysfunctional Superintendent and Board because over forty-nine percent of voters in this county need to be informed of Board actions as they work to dismantle our public schools.

Gail Gerig, Woodland Park

Technical Difficulties

It’s been a frustrating week but…I think this website is working again! It was down for a few days last week; recovery from backup proved possible but did take longer than I’d like. The cause is not clear, some database issues on the web host side but why that happened, I don’t know. The timing wasn’t great, either, as we had a board meeting last week! They’ll be meeting again this Wednesday to (presumably) extend Ken Witt’s superintendent contract yet again. So stay tuned for that.

Letters to the Editor – 12/27/2023

From the 12/27/23 Courier:

Against American Birthright Standard

After listening to a recent televised interview with WPSD board member Mick Bates promoting the American Birthright Standards, I can see why the Colorado State Board of Education has rejected that manifesto.

While promoting the ABS, Bates said; “We’re going to look at the true history of this country.” Continuing he said, “One simple example is, yes, we had slavery, but we were the first to get rid of it. It’s a long story but it’s a good story. It’s a positive story because we ended slavery and I want our children to get the real history and education about America, this great country.”

Yes, we are a great Country, but the United States was far from being the “first” to end slavery. In fact, we were one of the last. And it took the deaths of 620,000 soldiers to abolish it. Enslavement ended here only with pro-slavery forces going down kicking and screaming the whole way.

As a former student of WPHS over 55 years ago, I can only hope that our children are not indoctrinated by what I feel is a John Birch type of system that is promoted by some who subscribe to a fairy-tale time where White Anglo-Saxon Protestants were the dominant force in America. That faction, in my opinion, has one thing in mind, take America back to 1950, where some are kept in the back of the bus and others in the closet. And those cantankerous females of today, back in the kitchen.

Steve Plutt, Lake George

Gaslighting the new normal?

In January’s school board meeting, Rusterholz spoke about transparency going forward, healing the divide. Already, however, named board roles, policies and money spent outside the county were decisions moved forward without Barkley or parents. A key school leader was fired without explanation. I’d like to know how Barkley was included in that decision made a full two weeks after she took her oath?

How is this transparent? Is Gaslighting the New Normal?

No incumbents stood up for parents or students during the campaign. Instead, calling students parents’ puppets, teachers the enemy, and candidates were mislabeled union puppets. Barkley was called a lame duck the day after she was elected.

None countered media that misrepresented challengers, all accepted Republican party money, aligning at public events despite boards being apolitical.

Illingworth harassed parents by name online, calling them liars with no evidence.

Before the election, Bates called a locked-out board crowd rabble-rousers instead of addressing the community of parents and teachers displaced by religious folks instructed to line up early. When I talked with strangers standing near me if they had children or grandchildren in the schools, the occasional Merit parent said yes. I asked others why they were there – “I was told to be here.”

Meanwhile, inside, religious people prayed from the microphone and scolded the heathens in the room, depriving actual parents their monthly 3-minute voice.

How is this transparent, humane, or anything but gaslighting? I remind this board that nearly 50% of citizens voted against this behavior.

Trina Hoefling, Florissant

Thank you to Kevin Burr

On December 15th, Woodland Park School District Central Office released Kevin Burr from his position as Principal of Woodland Park High School. In their announcement, no reason was given, nor was Kevin’s name even mentioned. As a parent of a junior at WPHS who has felt supported by Mr. Burr, I was left feeling very disoriented and disappointed. I would like to take an opportunity to thank Kevin for his accomplishments at WPHS since 2018. Some highlights include:

An increase in WPHS SAT scores every year for the last five years

Expanding our course offerings with a cybersecurity series and criminology series (supporting a law enforcement track)

Significant growth in college opportunities at WPHS. Kevin wrote a grant that allowed four of our teachers to get their Masters degrees so that they could teach college level courses at WPHS in math, science, english and social studies. He built partnerships with UCCS and Pikes Peak State College which allow for concurrent enrollment opportunities

Increasing career opportunities where students are graduating with industry certificates in culinary arts, welding, graphic design, and computer science

Keeping students in school and accountable through the COVID 19 pandemic

US News and World Report recognizing WPHS as one of the Best High Schools in Colorado in 2022/23

WPHS receiving a Level 1 Certification from Marzano High Reliability Schools for a Safe, Supportive and Collaborative culture

Thank you, Kevin, for supporting academics and also our athletics and arts programs. Thank you for making WPHS stronger.

Khurshid Rogers, Woodland Park

Woodland Park High School principal let go

Parents this afternoon received an email from the district (see below), announcing the immediate change of leadership in the high school. No mention of the now-former principal Kevin Burr was made, only that the assistant principal would be assuming interim principal duties. No details have been provided to the public, and this was not a topic of discussion in the board meeting this past Wednesday. For a school board and administration like Woodland Park has these days…it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to us to see moves like this. But I wonder…what prompted this, and what’s their next move?

Woodland Park, CO – 12/15/2023 – Woodland Park School District announces new leadership at Woodland Park High School effective immediately.

The school district recognizes the importance of stability and continuity for students, staff, and parents. In light of this, Assistant Principal Cindy Gannon, who has been an integral part of the school’s leadership team, will assume the role of Interim Principal for the remainder of the current school year.

Gannon has led in Woodland Park High School for 15 years and brings 26 years of experience in education to this role. She is committed to maintaining a positive and supportive learning environment for all students. The school district is confident Gannon is well-equipped to lead Woodland Park High School as the district determines long-term leadership for the school.

Superintendent Ken Witt stated, “Woodland Park schools are committed to a laser focus on the academic success of our students while always honoring parents’ rights, recognizing the trust our parents place in Woodland Park School District to educate their children without undermining the values of the home.”

The district is committed to supporting Gannon in her new role and ensuring a smooth transition, maintaining a positive environment keenly focused on the academic success of every Woodland Park student. 

Letters to the Editor – 11/15/2023

From the 11/15/2023 Courier:

Close race should be a message

We were so proud to be a part of the campaign for Keegan, Mike and Seth. They ran a clean, honest campaign without negative false attacks on their opponents. We personally know them. They are good people of this community whose only concern is for a strong public school system that offers a valid academic curriculum with appropriate support structures in place.

Of course, the election did not completely go in the direction we had hoped. However, there is an important outcome that needs to be stated. The election results were close. Very close, which means almost 50% of the voters selected the above candidates. That 50% of voters included many traditional conservative voters who disregarded the false accusations against the candidates.

This election should never have been about politics. It should only have been about education. If the new board listens carefully to all of the voters, all the parents, all the taxpayers, they may be much more in line with the values of the whole community.

True leadership includes compromise, compassion and commitment to open conversation. It does not include bullying and closed-door deals or stacking meetings with young people who have no connection to the community other than the courses taken at the local bible school and being bused to the voter polls. The 50% of the community that voted against the present board are here to stay and are watching.

Michael Stewart and Darlene Schmurr-Stewart, Woodland Park

Outside influencers

As a fascinated outsider looking in, I believe that the two incumbents who won re-election surely must realize that their razor thin victories were due exclusively to Andrew Wommack and his Christian nationalist group known as the Truth and Liberty Coalition.

This should be a frightening wakeup call to the residents of Woodland Park and Teller County. Unless of course, in the not-too-distant future, you are at ease of living in a hierocracy with a religious autocrat in control.

Steve Plutt, Lake George

11/12/2023 Weekly Update

Last week:

  • This was of course the big election week. After around six months of campaigning, Seth Bryant, Mike Knott, and Keegan Barkley faced maybe the worse part, waiting for results. The evening started out on a positive note with all three ahead by small margins, though the last update of the day, shortly before Midnight, showed that only Keegan held her lead. Both Mike and Seth were trailing. Another update Thursday afternoon increased the deficit a small amount. The gap is close enough that we need to see how the ballot curing process goes, and how many mail-in military ballots may yet be received. Read more about the election at:
  • Wednesday’s board meeting was uneventful and quick. With Illingworth training Keegan Barkley by quite a bit, he took advantage of the opportunity to say goodbye to the board.

Here’s what’s coming up this week:

  • The county clerk is working on curing ballots (contacting people where a ballot was rejected for some reason), and there could still be some mail-in military ballots on the way. Both of those have until either 11/15 or 11/16 to be completed. Once that’s done, if either matches have less than a .5% margin of victory, an automatic recount will be triggered. Otherwise, we can expect the winners of the school board race to be announced.
  • The Ute Pass BOCES is putting on an informational meeting for parents, about special ed in the district. This Wednesday, 6PM, at the Ute Pass Cultural Center.
  • Even if Bates and Kimbrell hold on to their seats, there is some reason for optimism. Ken Witt’s contract is up next June, and I’m already hearing rumors from other front range districts that he’s likely to leave this town and join one of those larger districts.

Ute Pass BOCES Parent Academy

The Ute Pass BOCES (no relation to ERBOCES) is hosting a parents academy for special education information next Wednesday, November 15th, from 6-7PM in the Ute Pass Cultural Center. With SO many special education job openings in the district, parents with special needs kids should try to attend this. There is a call-in option for those who can’t attend in person, either via Google Meet or phone at 402-971-0167 and PIN: 779 445 855#.

11/8/2023 – Election Update

Yesterday’s election was tense. Most of us went to bed thinking the last update of the evening was that the three challengers all had small leads over the incumbents. A late night update at 11:06 flipped that though, showing Mick Bates leading Seth Bryant by 43 votes (4,596 to 4,553) and Cassie Kimbrell leading Mike Knott by 55 votes (4,596 to 4,541). Keegan Barkley maintains her lead over David Illingworth (4,683 to 4,444), though that lead has shrunk to 239 votes (see full results here). Teller County says, on their website, that “all eligible ballots have been received and counted.”

Given the small margins, the next step will be to wait for any ballots to be cured (like if they’re rejected due to signature mismatch). Then, as I understand the law, an automatic recount is triggered if the gap is .5% or less (Seth meets that threshold, Mike does not).