From the 2/7/2024 Courier

On Jan. 17th, the Woodland Park School Board voted to extend district superintendent Ken Witt’s contract with a vote of 3 to 2. Why would they want to continue with a superintendent who has caused so much turmoil? Why would they give him a substantial raise even though he is still working part time? Why would they renew a contract without reviewing his performance, as set forth by board policy?

During Witt’s term here, there have been numerous protests. There were two student-led protests against his hiring. Then, parents lined the streets protesting Witt’s order to move sixth grade down to the elementary schools. Also, after the unconstitutional gag order, 81 teachers and staff wrote an open letter to the community pleading for better leadership. Just last month, numerous citizens wrote letters to the board and there was a petition with 300+ signatures begging for a superintendent search. This obviously fell on deaf ears. His contract was signed, regardless.

What a contract it is! The average salary for a superintendent of our district size is $132,000 (full time), per the Colorado Department of Education website. Witt is now making $170,000 per year (part time), with a monthly $500 car allowance (you need that when you travel from Monument) and guaranteed yearly raises of at least 5% plus bonuses. He received this raise without any performance review, which goes against policy. Could you imagine what those extra dollars could do for our teachers and SPED department? At this point, Witt is just pilfering district resources from us taxpayers.

Not only is Witt wasting dollars from taxpayers, he is creating a hostile work environment. Yes, there have been numerous lawsuits due to bad attorney advice or unethical behavior. However, what’s more alarming is how he speaks about our teachers and staff. During the coverage of the teachers speaking out, Witt said our teachers are “bent on fostering a hatred of America.” If you’ve met our teachers you know this isn’t true. Or the time he was asked about mental health and social service resources he said, “we’re not the department of mental health.“ There’s been numerous news interviews where he just hangs up or stares blankly, apparently pleading the 5th, when questioned. So why do we renew his contract?

Renewing Witt’s contract without a review is against long-standing board policy and much less, common business sense. When checked by Director Barkley, it appeared Witt has never had a formal review done since he was hired. A proper review would show that we aren’t being fiscally conservative, that employee retention is down, student enrollment is declining, and overall morale has diminished. As a community, we need to be questioning why these actions are happening at such a fast pace. Why do we have an incompetent outsider promoting an extremist culture war on our once tight-knit community? Why didn’t we perform a search for $11,000 rather than giving Witt a $15,000 raise? We must stop this runaway train called Witt.

Bridget Curran

Synopsis of letter to WPSD Board of Education

• 30+ years ago: Taxpayers approved bond: Build middle school for 6-8 grades to move OUT of high school.

• MS students unique: not little kids, not young adults; need own space.

• Merit given ½ MS

• Sixth grade lost opportunities moved to elementary: 1 day of band, 2-3 days of electives. social studies & science instead of 5, no longer allowed to participate: Forensics, MS clubs, all MS sports.

• MS losing building. Considerations?

• Cost to move MS

• Job status current MS staff?

• Supposedly better 6th not with 7th/8th; OK for 7th/8th sharing building with Jr’s/Sr’s?

• Aging HS building; available space safe & appropriate for students?

• Sports programs; Currently, 7 basketball teams between HS & MS. HS boys/girls alternate early/late practices. How will multiple teams practice & play in just 2 gyms? Benefit to athletes? Other sports using facilities? Will MS track athletes be bussed to MS track? Costs?

• MS, “under utilized,” 5 classes per grade with 25-28 students; OK for Merit to have entire building with far fewer?

• Parking at HS limited. Space for another staff, parents, guests?

• Playground equipment at MS obtained through grant. Equipment relocated so MS students have access? MS has open space, and blacktop with basketball hoops, 4-square boxes. Where at HS is comparable space?

• Murals -MS walls designed & created by students. Merit already painted over work in current space; can assume same in entire building, wiping out what students produced in OWN building.

• BOE decisions without consideration of, nor input from, WPSD staff, students, parents continue to create animosity.

Laurie Gutierrez, Woodland Park