Category Archives: News

CURMUDGUCATION: 60 Minutes Asked Moms for Liberty The Right Questions

Reporter Scott Pelley gets right to the heart of several issues. The difference between giving parents the tools to control what their own children can read (something the district also provides in spades) and trying to control what other parents can let their children read. The outrage-enhancing technique of treating isolated mistakes as proof of some widespread conspiracy.
— Read on curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2024/03/60-minutes-asked-right-questions.html

WPSD Hires High School and Middle School Assistant Principals, Effective the 2024-25 School Year

This was sent to families today:

Dear WPSD Families,

The district is thrilled to announce the appointment of Chad Cosner as the new High School Assistant Principal and Michelle Eastman as the new Middle School Assistant Principal, effective July 1, 2024. Both individuals bring experience, dedication, and passion for education to their respective roles.

Chad Cosner, a seasoned professional with five years of dedicated service within the district, will assume the High School Assistant Principal role. Throughout his tenure, Cosner has held various roles, including high school Counselor, Athletic Director, Dean of Students, and Interim Assistant Principal. His extensive experience and commitment to students’ academic and personal development make him a valuable addition to the secondary campus leadership team.

Michelle Eastman, an outstanding educator with four years of service in the district, has been appointed as the new Middle School Assistant Principal. Eastman has served as a high school social studies teacher and an AP Human Geography teacher and has been instrumental in leading the Student Council. Her dedication to creating a positive learning environment and her ability to connect with students and staff position her as an ideal fit for the role.

Both Chad and Michelle understand the importance of partnering with parents and guardians in the education of students. They recognize that collaboration between school and home is fundamental to student success and are committed to fostering open lines of communication, and building strong partnerships with families.

WPSD extends its appreciation to WPHS Interim Principal Cindy Gannon, whose exceptional leadership has been instrumental in maintaining a positive and effective learning environment during this interim period. Her vision and ability to inspire students and staff have significantly contributed to WPHS’s overall success and stability. Cindy will continue to support the Secondary Campus Principal, Dr. Tory Richey, and Mr. Cosner, providing valuable continuity for the district.

We are excited about the passion for education, innovative ideas, collaborative spirit, and commitment to parent engagement displayed by the 2024-25 secondary campus leadership team that will enhance the overall educational experience at Woodland Park Middle and High School.

Woodland Park citizens line up to show support for Gateway families and staff

In response to the surprise announcement that Gateway Elementary School will be closed, dozens of people showed up early Monday morning to greet staff and families before school as a show of support (picture from the Concerned Parents of Teller County Facebook Group). This is the second school the district has closed this calendar year, neither time with any community or board discussion or input. Most people I’ve talked to expect Ken Witt to announce a new charter school for next year to be occupying this building, though another possibility is it’ll be part of a BOCES that Brad Miller is said to be creating. Regardless though…Gateway’s days as an anchor of public schools in Woodland Park are over.

Gateway Elementary is closing

Here’s the press release from today:

Woodland Park, CO – 03/01/2024 – The Woodland Park School District (WPSD) announces a strategic consolidation of elementary schools. Columbine and Summit Elementary schools will expand enrollment space next year to accommodate those students currently attending Gateway Elementary; classes will not be held at Gateway in the Fall. After carefully examining enrollment and staffing, this decision aims to ensure the sustainability and enhancement of the district’s educational offerings while right-sizing facilities and staffing for current enrollment.

The district continues its proactive review of the current educational landscape, including facilities utilization and efficiency, recognizing the necessity of adapting to changing circumstances. The district is grateful for the recent collegial dialogue with City Council to continue the sales tax funding for WPSD. Even with this commitment by the city to maintain the sales tax, the district has determined that consolidating elementary schools is a prudent and necessary measure to effectively allocate resources and enhance the overall quality of education for its students.

“Making the decision to consolidate our elementary schools, closing the Gateway campus, was an incredibly challenging process we did not undertake lightly,” said Ken Witt, Superintendent of Woodland Park School District. “We have carefully analyzed enrollment trends and staffing considerations to ensure we are best positioned to provide our students the highest quality education and resources.”

This consolidation will create a more appropriate balance between staff and students, optimizing resources to provide an enhanced educational experience with highly qualified teachers. This decision reflects the district’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of education while navigating financial responsibilities.

WPSD understands the impact this decision has on the Gateway Elementary community and is dedicated to supporting students, families, and staff during this transitional period. The district is working collaboratively to ensure affected staff members have opportunities to contribute their skills and expertise elsewhere within the district.

Starting from the 2024-25 academic year, students who would have attended Gateway Elementary can enroll in either Summit Elementary or Columbine Elementary. The district is focused on implementing measures to facilitate a smooth and positive transition for all stakeholders involved.

“We are confident this strategic consolidation will enable us to provide a more robust and sustainable educational experience for our students,” added Superintendent Witt. “While this decision is undoubtedly difficult, it is essential to adapt to the changing dynamics of education and continue delivering the highest quality learning environment for our students.”

Some students in Columbine are already eating lunch at 10:30 due to capacity issues; it’s not clear how the extra kids will be accommodated. There are currently 207 students enrolled at Gateway (273 at Columbine; 310 at Summit).

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. 

WPSD hires new MS/HS principal for ’24-25 school year

The district has hired a new principal for the combined middle school / high school (grades 7-12) for next school year (’24-25). They chose Dr. Tory Richey, who is currently principal of The Home School Academy in D20. As its name suggests, that school “supports home school families with weekly enrichment (non-academic) programs.” Its enrollment focuses on lower grades; there are currently 173 7-12th graders enrolled there (599 total students). Exactly what makes him a great choice to lead Woodland Park’s combined MS/HS, with 789 students this year, is unclear. Note that Aaron Salt, the Woodland Park School District’s HR director, is also the president of the board in D20, where Richey currently works.

Here’s the press release:

Dear WPSD Families,

We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Dr. Tory Richey as the Secondary Campus Principal over Woodland Park Middle and High Schools, effective July 1, 2024. Dr. Richey brings a wealth of experience and dedication to education, and we are confident he will be an excellent addition to our Woodland Park Schools community.

What makes this announcement even more special is that Dr. Richey is an alum of WPHS. Also, you may remember him as he previously served as an assistant principal at WPHS from 2006 to 2009. After his time at WPHS, Dr. Richey continued to expand his career and expertise in education, including serving as the Cripple Creek Junior Senior High School Secondary Principal (2014-2016), Assistant Superintendent/Secondary Principal (2016-2018), and Superintendent/K-12 Principal (2018-2020) before taking his current role as principal at Home School Academy in Colorado Springs.

Dr. Richey is eager to reconnect with familiar faces and meet new members of our staff and families. In his enthusiasm to get to know everyone, he has expressed his intention to start working on these introductions as soon as possible. Although his official start date is July 1, 2024, he wants to ensure a smooth transition and build strong connections within our community.

Returning to Woodland Park holds a special place in Dr. Richey’s heart, as his parents still reside here. He is excited to contribute to the success and growth of our great Woodland Park Middle and High Schools and serve the wonderful community that has always been close to him.

We look forward to a bright future under Dr. Richey’s leadership and invite you to join us in welcoming him back to the Woodland Park School District.

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