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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

Colorado Supreme Court will review judicially created doctrine that lets public bodies ‘cure’ open meetings law violations – Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition

The “cure” case concerns a 2022 open meetings law violation by the Woodland Park school board, which considered a memorandum of understanding with a charter school under a vague “BOARD HOUSEKEEPING” agenda item.

A district court judge initially granted a preliminary injunction, ordering the board to “clearly, honestly and forthrightly” list future agenda items pertaining to the charter school. But the judge and the Court of Appeals later rejected plaintiff Erin O’Connell’s argument for the awarding of attorney fees because the board “effectively cured the prior violation” by discussing and voting on the MOU at a subsequent public meeting.
— Read on coloradofoic.org/colorado-supreme-court-will-review-judicially-created-doctrine-that-lets-public-bodies-cure-open-meetings-law-violations/

Colorado Supreme Court will review judicially created doctrine that lets public bodies ‘cure’ open meetings law violations – Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition

A district court judge initially granted a preliminary injunction, ordering the board to “clearly, honestly and forthrightly” list future agenda items pertaining to the charter school. But the judge and the Court of Appeals later rejected plaintiff Erin O’Connell’s argument for the awarding of attorney fees because the board “effectively cured the prior violation” by discussing and voting on the MOU at a subsequent public meeting.
— Read on coloradofoic.org/colorado-supreme-court-will-review-judicially-created-doctrine-that-lets-public-bodies-cure-open-meetings-law-violations/

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

School situation spiraling out of control | Guest column

From the 6/5/24 Courier, written by Susie Graf:

I come from a family of teachers and am a long-time volunteer and supporter of our district. It saddens me to see what has happened here, and how the situation is spiraling out of control. It is overwhelming and frightening.

In Woodland Park, teachers were always treated with respect and dignity and not called anarchists, socialists and enemies. These are our friends who we see in the grocery store and who sit next to us in church. They helped us raise our children, and that is not an attribute that can be quantified. People from out of state who don’t have children in our schools, or any school, are directing this diatribe toward our teachers. We should have the integrity and bravery to stand up to these people. Teachers are people even willing to give their life for your child.

In the 80’s, Parents, community members and leaders worked together to pass a bond issue for a new school using the middle school structure. Middle school kids were for years shuffled from one building to another as we had no place to put them. It took several tries to pass a bond, but we got the new building designed specifically for the middle school population. Classes were held in pods with students moving within those groups which allowed for cross discipline teaching and collaboration. The building itself and the principal received national attention. The current teachers there were accustomed to almost daily meetings to discuss characteristics needed to meet the educational and developmental needs of young adolescents at that age. We don’t know if this may take place in the new surroundings which are not designed to accommodate this age group.

The decision to close a building or give one away is not to be taken lightly, and there is a process to be followed. It is not to be announced on a Friday afternoon in an email to parents. These decisions should be discussed over time among all stakeholders, most notably residents who paid for the buildings, the parents, the faculty and staff and the administration. No one person should be making these decisions and then announcing them casually. A school is more than a building. It a place of love and laughter where growth and development take place daily in a very purposeful manner. Kids feel safe in their schools and with their teachers whom they love. You cannot take the emotional attachment away from the school building or the teachers.

Our children are our most important possessions. As an educational professional for over 50 years, and as a parent, I can tell you that those people who treat your children with kindness and respect and who encourage them in their educational and personal growth are the ones you can never thank enough and who you will always admire and yes, love. We need to support our wonderful teachers here in Woodland Park and not be hoodwinked by this Board of Education which is giving our district away.