Less than six weeks after the announcement that the middle and high schools would be consolidated into one facility, another Woodland Park school is being shut down.
Gateway Elementary School will be closed next year, the Woodland Park School District announced on March 1. No classes will be held at Gateway next fall.
— Read on gazette.com/pikespeakcourier/gateway-elementary-to-be-closed-students-moved/article_d9851a0e-d832-11ee-9387-8334180105c2.html
Author Archives: Matt G
Woodland Park School District announces plan to consolidate elementary schools | KRDO
“We’re notified of what’s happening. We’re not given any voice in what’s happening,” she said.
The teacher explained that she fears the change will impact students the most, as the shifting environments can reduce student motivation and cause uncertainty.
— Read on krdo.com/news/2024/03/01/woodland-park-school-district-announces-plan-to-consolidate-elementary-schools/
Ginger Slocum announced as new CAO
Ginger Slocum, current Columbine Elementary principal, has been announced as our new Chief Academic Officer.
Dear WPSD Families,
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Ginger Slocum as our new Chief Academic Officer (CAO), effective April 8, 2024.
Ginger has been an integral part of our school district, serving as the Principal at Columbine Elementary for the past five years. She has demonstrated dedication, passion, and proven leadership at Columbine. Her wealth of experience and commitment to academic excellence make her the ideal candidate to guide our district’s academic endeavors.
Ginger holds a Master of Science in Education, with a focus on Curriculum & Instruction, and a Post-Master’s Degree in Administrative Educational Leadership. Her extensive experience in leading both secondary and elementary schools will contribute to the ongoing success of our district.
Ginger will work closely with Kim Moore, our current CAO, during a transition period to ensure a seamless handover of responsibilities. This collaborative approach will allow for a smooth transition and continuity in our commitment to providing a high-quality education to all students.
During this transitional period, Ginger will allocate her time between the District office and her responsibilities as the Principal of Columbine Elementary. We will post the Columbine Principal position to find a replacement for Ginger soon.
Please join us in welcoming Ginger Slocum to her new position as Chief Academic Officer. Her leadership will play a pivotal role in advancing our academic initiatives and ensuring the continued success of Woodland Park School District.
Residents of Colorado Town Will Highlight Christian Nationalism After Wommack’s Takeover
He exploited scorched-earth political tactics to successfully place his preferred candidates on the city council and gain a 4-1 majority on the school board. Firings, resignations, enrollment declines and chaos ensued.
“We were sitting ducks,” said one conservative Christian resident, who requested anonymity due to safety concerns. “This was all brand new to me, this idea of Christians taking over. I had no idea what would happen to our local schools and I’ve been in utter shock and grief.”
— Read on coloradotimesrecorder.com/2024/02/residents-of-colorado-town-will-highlight-christian-nationalism-after-wommacks-takeover/60109/
Colorado House bill to add school, special districts to ethics commission oversight raises concerns | News | coloradopolitics.com
Cosponsor Rep. Jennifer Parenti, D-Erie, added the districts covered under the bill “control billions of dollars of taxpayer revenue and currently enjoy an environment in which there exists no clear avenue to hear complaints of potential violations of our ethics code, including the use of their positions for personal gain.”
Testimony during Wednesday’s hearing focused on complaints from those who have dealt with the Woodland Park and Douglas County school districts, and complaints from homeowners in metropolitan districts where developers who serve as metropolitan district directors may financially benefit from those associations.
— Read on www.coloradopolitics.com/news/colorado-house-bill-to-add-school-special-districts-to-ethics-commission-oversight-raises-concerns/article_7c2cc062-d1a9-11ee-b537-b7b1e83cec7d.html
Ballot Initiatives Target Transgender Students
Relegated to minority status in the Colorado legislature, Republicans are turning to ballot initiatives in an attempt to pass laws targeting transgender
— Read on coloradotimesrecorder.com/2024/02/ballot-initiatives-target-transgender-students/59992/
City council, school board to finally meet over IGA | Pikes Peak Courier | gazette.com
Councilmember Carrol Harvey had expressed frustration at previous meetings with what seemed to be foot dragging on the part of the school board to come to the table concerning the IGA.
Letter to the Editor: Colorado Christian Organization Responds to Column on Christian Nationalism
This letter was written by Richard Harris, Executive Director at the Truth & Liberty Coalition, in response to Logan Davis’ column, published by the Colorado Times Recorder on January 31, 2024, titled “Christian Nationalism is Turning Into Something Even Worse.” Davis’ response to the letter is included below.
— Read on coloradotimesrecorder.com/2024/02/letter-to-the-editor-colorado-christian-organization-responds-to-column-on-christian-nationalism/59765/
DAVIS: Christian Nationalism is Turning Into Something Even Worse
In the three years since the January 6th insurrection, “Christian nationalism” has become a buzzword, bandied-about with no clear definition. Some have dismissed it as nothing, or a smear against Christian conservatives. Others have asserted that it is the single biggest threat to religious freedom in America and the future of the republic. Having spent the first half of my life steeped in Christian nationalism, and a large portion of the second half studying, analyzing, and working against right-wing extremist groups, I side with the latter camp. Buzzword or not, Christian nationalism presents a clear and present danger to the preservation of American democracy – not just because of what it is now, but because of what it’s on its way to becoming.
— Read on coloradotimesrecorder.com/2024/01/davis-christian-nationalism-is-turning-into-something-even-worse/59413/
Shortly after publishing this article, the author, Logan Davis, appeared at a community event in Woodland Park to discuss this topic with the community. You can watch that below.
After 30 years, a new way to fund Colorado’s schools is ready for lawmakers’ eyes | Colorado Public Radio
The 60-page report aims to make school funding “simpler, less regressive, more adequate, understandable, transparent, equitable and student-centered.”
— Read on www.cpr.org/2024/02/01/new-recommendations-for-funding-colorado-schools/