The latest letters to the editor from the Courier (part 1, part 2):

True American Birthright

My family has voted conservative for over a century, and I’m grateful for our values of hard work, community pride, and respect for the Constitution. Generations of my family have fought wars to protect democracy, including my father. Though he grew up a sharecropper’s son in a farmhouse with no electricity or running water, and he’d never flown in an airplane before WWII, he courageously joined the Army Air Corps and went on to become a B-17 squadron leader who dropped 39 bombs a minute for 45 minutes over Berlin to end the Nazi’s fascist regime. Hitler killed himself 30 days later. The irony? David Illingworth of the current school board never counted on that.

Illingworth never imagined he’d be dealing with Verlin Reed’s daughter as well as a huge upswell of brave Woodland Park citizens who are far more patriotic than he ever dreamed. Instead, Illingworth tried to deny first amendment rights last March when he filmed protestors to fire those who called out the school board’s secret decisions, fiscal irresponsibility, historically inaccurate curriculum, and hostility toward parents and teachers. Those who dared to speak and bring in national press are not the “ultra-left Marxists” that the school board claims. In fact, they are our town’s heroes, particularly teachers who’ve risked jobs to tell the truth about the school board’s ineptitude and lies. It’s time to embrace our true American birthright by voting for candidates who care and respect democracy: Mike Knott, Keegan Barkley & Seth Bryant.

Diane Reed, Woodland Park

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What I’ve Seen as a Parent

I am a parent who volunteers at my child’s school at least once a week. I have not seen the “union slate” boogeyman trying to push Critical Race Theory and pronouns onto students, as the incumbents like to say. What I have seen are teachers so dedicated to their community’s children that they are willing to accept $10,000 less in salary than if they were to make the short drive into Colorado Springs. I have seen teachers who have answered the higher calling to serve as an educator. I have seen teachers that genuinely care about our children.

This summer, WPSD lost approximately 35% of its teaching staff. There are still 15 positions open for this school year. 81 teachers broke the Board’s gag order and signed their names to a letter addressing the “incompetent leadership actively harming our students and community.” If not for the fear of retaliation and losing their jobs, I believe that there would have been many more signatures.

Why has the incumbent Board made this such a toxic environment for its teachers? If they succeed at driving away our teachers — not “union slate members,” but our neighbors — who will be left to teach our children? It is time we vote out this Board with its political agenda that has turned our children into political pawns. It is time to vote for those that support all voices. It is time to vote for Barkley, Bryant and Knott.

Allison Avery-Wollenhaupt, Woodland Park

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Tearing the community apart

This school board is tearing this community apart.

Board director David Illingworth talked about ‘divide, scatter, conquer’ in his famous 2021 email to the other board members. He has delivered on that strategy.

Twenty-two months ago, hearing teachers in my school district say “we are not the enemy” caught my attention. I dug a little, learned a lot, and got sucked into a fight I never imagined. As a long-time parent in the district, I wasn’t going to sit back and watch the teachers suffer, with the kids ultimately paying the price.

I naively thought everyone supported our public schools. To my surprise, I’ve spent almost two years fighting a group of people actively working to dismantle the public education system that has helped make this country the best in the world. They brought in outsiders as part of their plan, and treated our children as experiments in education. Their motivation quickly became clear…some in that group are motivated by religion, some are motivated by political ideology, and for others, it’s only about the money.

I’m sure you have all witnessed the result of this board’s crusade…our community has never been more divided and full of anger. Woodland Park schools are in the news for all the wrong reasons. We can expect more of the same if the incumbents are re-elected, but we can also choose to change this instead.

Vote to heal the division in this community — vote for Keegan Barkley, Seth Bryant, and Mike Knott.

Matt Gawlowski, Woodland Park

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School board turns to partisan politics

I live in Teller County because of the natural beauty and the promise of community offered by small town America. With great dismay I have watched the school board radicalize and turn towards partisan politics and an ideological political agenda instead of building community and educating our children in an evidence-based manner.

As a career police officer and former Police Chief, I have worked to build community and keep our children safe. Consequently, I am astonished by the choice to remove mental health services from our schools. Unaddressed mental health issues and adverse childhood experiences make it harder to learn and make our children vulnerable to victimization and crisis. Teaching the whole child includes their mental health.

Similarly, building a strong community means teaching our whole history, not just the parts that make some of us feel good like the untested and unproven partisan standards adopted by the school board. These choices make our children less safe and our communities less strong. Elected officials and community systems must serve everyone in the community including the minority, especially the minority.

The current school board blatantly rejects that core value in favor of ideology. They are intent on pushing a radicalized version of the will of the majority on all of our neighbors. I have attended school board meetings and have learned the values, ideas, and character of Keegan Barkley, Mike Knott, and Seth Bryant. I enthusiastically endorse and support their evidence-based, service-oriented, community-building approach to service and applaud their courage.

Fred Fletcher, Teller County

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Ill-natured extremists

As a WP parent and lifelong resident of the area, I will attest that our traditional public schools are a foundational bedrock of our small communities. It is beyond disturbing to see unhinged attacks on our teachers and schools by ill-natured extremists who have taken power in the district Board of Education and school administration.

It is exceedingly clear from their propaganda, that they wholly consume their own misinformation. They haven’t taken the time to understand our schools, and don’t know that the true problems have nothing to do with the hot-button issues they’ve regurgitated from national political talking points.

Hyper-inflated concerns about the teachers’ union doesn’t even rank on the list of things that are hurting our children. It’s simply a scapegoat for instilling fear, and then using that fear as a tool for power. It may have worked in 1930s Germany, but it cannot be allowed to flourish now.

Being an American means fighting for your neighbors, not against them. It appears that most everyone understands this, except those who have chosen to make enemies out of their community while they declare their intent to divide, scatter, and conquer the very people they are supposed to represent. It’s incredibly sad that they’ve chosen our schools for their battleground. The true test of patriotism is the unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and the well-being of all members of society.

It’s time to return to civility. Please vote for Seth Bryant, Keegan Barkley, and Mike Knott to stop the destruction.

Jason Randolph, Woodland Park

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Continued misinformation

Facts about politics and the School Board. Director Illingworth referred to the new candidates and “their politics”. The three persons running against the incumbents are receiving support from people associated with all political perspectives because they are promoting an ethical, professional school board. They are not seeking funding or support from any one party. In contrast, the incumbents are clearly aligned with a political party, campaigning from the Republican Party booth on the Fourth of July in Memorial Park and at the last election their ads were paid for by the Republican Party.

Facts about school enrollment. Director Illingworth states “student enrollment has grown”. This is not accurate. At the School Board meeting on October 11, 2023 it was announced that enrollment was 2,122 for 2002-23 and 2,020 for 2023-24. This is a decrease of 102 students or 5% of the enrollment.

Facts about teachers salaries. Teacher salaries increased every year since 2014, averaging at least 6% from 2016 to 2020. For over 40 years the School Board, administrators and teachers would meet to discuss the budget including salary increases. For the first time that process did not happen this year and teachers were given just a 5% increase.

Misinformation has to stop. Vote for Seth Bryant, Keegan Barkley and Mike Knott. They believe in open and transparent communication.

Darlene Schurr-Stewart, Woodland Park

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My parental rights

My daughter started WPSD in 4th grade. She had been in 2 other districts which did not meet her needs, as we required a more traditional type of school. She has prospered in the traditional public schools here.

The incumbents talk about giving families ‘parental rights’ but to me it seems that everyone in the community has more ‘parental rights’ than I do as a parent. A few examples: the BOE taking away mental health options versus making them ‘opt in’ choices; the BOE forcing out beloved teachers instrumental in my child’s success (she lost 7 of her 8 teachers last year); Charis parishioners, packing the board meetings called out to support the current board, so parents are once again locked out and sub-par social studies standards imposed with no buy-in from parents (not approved by the state nor accredited by NCAA).

Will colleges take the same stance around the American Birthright Standards (ABS)? The Civic Alliance, the organization pushing ABS, advocates getting rid of AP classes. For kids that are college bound, these classes are extremely important to keep competitive. Will that be our next step? Slowly the BOE is eroding my choice for my child to remain in a diverse public school. There should be more choice, not less. Enough of the lack of transparency and chaos. Bring common sense back into our schools. Vote Keegan, Seth and Mike. 3 parents with kids in the schools they will serve.

Elizabeth Douglass, Florissant

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We need common sense

I am writing in support of Keegan Barley’s excellent mediation and talent acquisition skills. I am writing in support of Mike Knott’s volunteerism and community building skills. I am writing in support of Seth Bryant’s management and IT skills. I need these people to restore the apolitical dedication to my child’s education and to bring back professionalism to WPSD. All three have exceptional management, volunteerism and community building experience and abilities.

My child needs their common sense and kindness. My child needs a team to empower parents, students, teachers and staff with respect and dignity. I want my son to learn more than memorized facts. I want my son to think. I want him to be a good citizen. I’m voting for hope and my son. I’m voting for Seth Bryant, Keegan Barkley and Mike Knott.

Johnathan Rooks, Woodland Park

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Chaos hurts kids

I am writing as a former teacher at Gateway and Columbine Elementaries, a twelve-year principal at Columbine, and forty-five-year resident of Teller County. Post Woodland Park, I was principal of a charter school; worked as a researcher on organizational change; and coached low performing schools across the US.

A history of respectful dialog: Woodland Park has traditionally been a community of diverse beliefs, with differences resolved through honest conversation. I recall two School Board members, chairs of the Republican and Democratic parties, respectfully working together to create a strong culture for children’s learning. Board members treated the professional staff with the courtesy and respect their education and dedication deserved.

Chaos hurts kids: Creating chaos is a strategy now prevalent in the political world, and apparently adopted by the current board. They have driven away dedicated professionals and imposed their own political and religious beliefs on the schools. This is NOT the way to improve a school district — schools get better when teamwork INCREASES. Good schools use all the talent available to them and that cannot happen in a district overwhelmed by chaos.

Restoring respect: The education promoted by this board will produce graduates unprepared to enter a world far different than the Woodland Park of today. Your reputation as a desirable community to live, work, and do business will further deteriorate. Voters, why not choose to restore respectful dialog and rebuild trust? Support the three candidates who honor these traditional Woodland Park values.

Mike Galvin, Littleton

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Why I support the challengers

I am writing to express my enthusiastic support for Bryant, Barkley and Knott who are running for WPSD School Board. All three have expressed the importance of prioritizing feedback from teachers, parents and students in their decision making processes. As a concerned community member and educational consultant for over 36 years, I believe it is crucial to have representatives who genuinely listen to and value input of those directly affected by their decisions. It is essential for the success and growth of WPSD.

Our school board plays a pivotal role in shaping the educational experiences of students. Parents, students and teachers are the primary stakeholders in our education system. It is important that the individuals elected to this position understand the importance of involving all stakeholders in the decision making process. We need school board members who are committed to fostering collaborative environment where parents, students and teachers feel heard, respected and valued. By electing these candidates, we can create a school system that truly reflects the needs and aspirations of our community.

I urge all community members to carefully consider these three candidates and vote for them in the upcoming school board election. Together, we can create a school system that values the input of teachers, parents and students, and work collaboratively to provide the best possible education for our children.

Sharon McMahon, Divide

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Parental choice a subjective term

Parental choice is a buzzword currently. I think parental rights are very important, but I recognize that what parents want is very different for each family. We made educational choices in our family for the individual child at that point in their development. Those choices were the best for our family but they are not the best choices for other families.

There are several choices here in Woodland Park for education and I think that’s fantastic! What I do see very often, in the news and in social media are a lot of people for parental choice—but only the choice that they see as correct. There are times when I feel that some are even crossing the line beyond education and delving into parenting choices. There is a charter school, private school, homeschool and public school option here—allowing parents to make that choice for their own family. Allowing a variety of options is paramount to the success of school choice.

The American Birthright standards and the classical educational model of Merit are very similar. If there is no variety in education it is by default taking away parental choice for parents that feel differently. I believe that Knott, Barkley and Bryant will make it a goal to provide parental choice for all parents and that is why they will get my vote.

Shawn Stewart-Maddox, Woodland Park

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We made a misstep

I think we have made a misstep. Apparently, we have injected political dogma into the education of our children. When my children were young, I was very concerned that Woodland Park Re-2 School District was not providing for my children’s needs. I stood with other interested and concerned parents to voice our concerns that there were proven approaches to education that were beneficial to children and why were the teachers in WP trying out other experimental approaches? We did not think in WP we had the financial support to attract the best and brightest educational minds to be conducting research: so why not focus on delivery of quality education? Seemed simple.

Over time the concerned parents found solutions for their children. Generally, there were 3: home schooling, relocation, and commuting to other venues in Colorado Springs. Changing the school district approach – not so much. We chose commuting. The results were spectacular.

In the last election cycle the school district was changed. And rather than changed to embrace proven educational methods and ideas, the district embraces ideas, approaches, and content that are not only questionable but of dubious value and employs people of similar bent whose history and practice has left a educational scar across Colorado.

We need to step back and bring a more reasoned approach to education in Teller county. Your vote for Seth Bryant, Mike Knott, and Keegan Barkley will bring balance and sanity back and restore promised education to our children.

Michael Haase, Cripple Creek

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Teachers for change

As a decades long teacher in WPSD, I know how critical this school board election is to the future success of our public schools and broader community.

Do we choose an incumbent board that has sowed discord and mistrust among staff, parents, and community, who have eliminated essential programs for the health and well being of our students, who have narrowed the academic focus of our schools to fit their particular ideology?

No, instead we should elect candidates who support a balanced, non ideological school system, one that is responsive to all student needs and parent concerns, that respects and honors the professionals who teach those students, Those candidates are Keegan Barkley, Seth Bryant, and Mike Knott.

I urge you to support these candidates who understand that teaching and learning are not political acts, that our public schools need to be responsive to all children and parents, not just those who happen to have a certain political or religious belief system.

Organizations are as strong as the diversity of their constituents, because when they eliminate open minded thought and communication, they become increasingly fear based. Fear based organizations like the current school board, create hatred and mistrust – not the hallmarks of learning.

I write on behalf of over a hundred retired staff of Woodland Park schools. We ask you to please honor the work we and current staff have done for your children, by voting for Knott, Bryant and Barkley. The future of our community depends on it!

Claudia Martin, Woodland Park

From the October 18, 2023 edition of the Courier, part 1, part 2:

Our family has owned a business in Florissant for 77 years, and I have been involved with the Woodland Park District for 35 years. As daughter, wife and mother of public school teachers and coaches, and having been one myself, I have a unique look at our district.

With the current Board, there has not been discussion or any collaboration on decisions such as choosing a new superintendent, changing the curriculum of the school, keeping the sixth graders in elementary (a parent survey indicated that a vast majority of them didn’t want that), turning down free grant money for mental health workers or dropping classes which were designed to better prepare students for college entrance exams. There has been no collaboration.

Historically, there hasn’t been a problem between the school district and the Teacher’s Association. The District freely allowed the teachers to meet in the buildings. The leadership was then allowed to be present during a Meet and Confer process with the administration which was collaborative, and, though the two parties didn’t always agree, the voices of all stakeholders were heard. They would eventually come to consensus decisions.

I love this District and hope for the best in the future. Choose candidates for the School Board who understand about educating the whole child and who understand the educational system. Please vote for Keegan Barkley, Mike Knott and Seth Bryant. They hope to remove partisan politics, implement mainstream standards and repair relationships with local teachers.

Suzie Graf, Florissant

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I have seen our community connect with our public schools over 40 years in Teller County — first as a student, then as an alumni, a substitute, and as a parent. I’ve seen members of the community visit schools as volunteers, rally behind our sports teams, attend plays and concerts, fund-raise to build the beautiful Dickson Auditorium. All ways that connect our community to our schools and, in a healthy way, our students.

During the last two years, I have watched our community connect with our schools in a different way that raises concerns for me as a parent. I have watched and listened as people I have never seen at a play, game, fundraiser or as a volunteer assert themselves as experts on my child’s education and wellbeing. Some of these “experts” are hidden behind what they like to call “pseudonyms” — which begs us to question who they are and why they are so interested in our children.

These hidden voices arrived with the current Board of Education. I am uncomfortable with a Board that is supported by unknown “experts” and people who hide their identity. They say it is for their “safety.” What about our children’s safety from unwanted attention from anonymous adults? I hope that folks will consider voting for a change in November, so that perhaps we can stop the unwanted attention this board has brought our children. Please consider a vote for Bryant, Barkley and Knott, this parent’s choice.

Stephanie Merl, Woodland Park

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I’m a Special Education teacher and applied last spring for open positions in Woodland Park Schools. I was looking to make a move and wanted to be closer to family in Colorado.

Ultimately, after an initial interview and the option to interview for other positions, I withdrew my application. Doing just an initial amount of research, I quickly found that Mr. Witt and the school board seem focused on culture war nonsense, implementing substandard curriculum via American Birthright, removing mental health supports for students and seem uniquely hostile to the school based staff.

As I withdrew, I wrote the school board to inform them exactly why I was withdrawing. That their hostility will harm their ability to attract and retain qualified staff. And lo and behold, the hard to fill Special Education positions are still open.

I know you have a school board election coming up, and I largely don’t have a dog in this fight but in all my years of working in Special Education, from therapeutic day schools, detention facilities, and traditional programs have I ever felt the need to withdraw an application.

I’ll tell the voters of Woodland Park the same thing I told the board, following Dave and his cohort will lead to a hallowing out of your school district and churn and burn among staff.

Justin Jackson, Bettendorf, Iowa

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October 5, 80+ WPSD staff issued a joint statement of their concerns of the school board. (Recall 35% of staff quit last year.)

The superintendent’s response declared this a political tactic of the teacher’s union, effectively dismissing all concerns as irrelevant.

Though some belong to the union; many don’t. Many are known conservatives who sit with me in church, as well as others who agreed yet couldn’t sign, and supporting parents.

Why are 45% of the entire district’s teachers risking their employment by speaking publicly?

They believe the administration is not listening. They now appeal to the community.

Will we listen?

Let’s remain curious why our administration mislabels this as a union tactic. At the BOE meeting in May, why did they read a proclamation against the CEA’s anti-capitalism statement, yet not acknowledge our WPEA’s statement supporting capitalism?

Many are dismayed by recent leveraging of the district’s email system to all parents. It declared the union “bent on fostering a hatred of America in our youth,” and indirectly of “fear mongering” and a “false narrative.” This was to dispel “patently false” concerns the American Birthright curriculum was not NCAA accredited. Fact check: Per NCAA the district has not submitted these courses for accreditation.

Could these diversions be intended for deception? Are manipulation; suppression; and inflammatory, defamatory speech our example to children?

I am a conservative Christian paying close attention to this board’s actions. Please take advantage of the Chamber of Commerce recorded forum to get to know Barkley, Bryant, and Knott.

Carol Greenstreet, Woodland Park

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As a former Woodland Park teacher, I feel obligated to comment on the recent “official statement” from Superintendent Ken Witt.

Mr. Witt, I just read your official statement regarding the recent teacher press conference. How dare you question my patriotism! As a retired Woodland Park School District teacher and 25-year U.S. Navy Veteran, I’m beyond angry at your comment calling out my “hatred of America, and our community”. I’ve lived in and loved Woodland Park for 30+ years. Additionally, I was allowed to determine what was taught in my Social Studies classroom; a classroom that used State Standards to prepare students for the diverse culture they would find once they graduated. My service to the country and defense of the constitution has never been called into question until now.

Additionally, to “decline money earmarked for mental health services” is unconscionable. Then to go on to state that you’re leaving these vital services in the hands of the teachers who you’ve clearly admitted you don’t trust leaves me speechless.

Your hatred of teachers is evident, as well as your obvious disrespect for the veterans that have served in the district. It makes me wonder what your motives are. I personally stand with the teachers.

Mark S. Downing, Woodland Park

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How about those “parents’ rights?” I’m certainly not opposed to those. However, as parents of former students, let’s complicate things.

In addition to the usual rights claimed by the “patriots” among us, children have a few others that seem to get overlooked. In our minds, All Children Have A Right (ACHAR) to be well-fed, clothed, protected, loved, and nurtured. This is our obligation! ACHAR to objectively challenge their environment, their beliefs, and their unique thinking. ACHAR to our faith in them that they have the capacity to explore the world in new ways; free of us projecting our existential terrors onto them. ACHAR to come to school fully prepared with inquisitive minds and respectful behaviors learned at home and to which they may safely return with the same.

Our own children attended pre-K through 12th grade and, irrespective of district policies, not once did my family feel that our “parental rights” were negated. We have more faith in ourselves and our children than that. Both graduated with robust academic scholarships, and they have the former district structure to thank for that.

ACHAR to be provided this opportunity. We were conscious in our home of their rights, and there is truly a disconnect somewhere as there are far too many students coming to school bereft of these rights. How does that really happen? Where’s the real problem? Ask these of yourselves the next time you clamor for your own rights. Check your shoulder. The boogeyman isn’t at school.

Andrew Pappadakis, Woodland Park