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

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

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

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

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

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

a guest column, from the October 11, 2023 Courier:

The First Amendment, The WPSD School Board—and What You Should Know

Imagine a local social studies teacher assigns an essay. Why does the first amendment matter right here? In your town, in your high school, in 2023?

You might coach your child that afternoon over your kitchen counter. The first amendment flings open the door for participation in our own government. It means your voice (yes, yours) matters. It allows dissent to those in power. So it’s the backbone, Johnny, of democracy.

Without that amendment, you’d explain, protests and marches could be squashed by officials or current trends. Members of certain groups could be punished.

But how would you tell him about our local school district?

Twice this spring, Woodland Park School District changed their policy, prohibiting employees from speaking about the district to the press or on social media without the superintendent’s permission. Violation meant insubordination; evidence in the form of strategic staff terminations supports this grievous reality.

U.S. District Court Judge Gallagher recently indicated portions of the policy “do have problems,” and proposed mediation between the teacher’s union and the school district.

Both parties agreed. Yet a response from the school district warned that dialing back the policy would embolden “dissident” teachers in an election year.

Hmm. Let’s look closer, Johnny. Wouldn’t those supporting the district be heard, too? What would the district want people not to say?

Would you want to know, Son?

You might explain the employees are taxpayers with rights to articulate their views of this government institution. Some are parents, now with no option to speak on behalf of their kids—despite the board’s purported value of parental rights.

During my own service on the Board of Education, it never occurred to the board to censor employees. Why would we? We can think critically about opinions that we encounter. We can ask for evidence of statements we question.

We conservatives have been focused on teaching the Constitution. And correctly pushing back against what we see as impingements to free speech. How can we specifically support this constitutional right?

The specific policy reasons they must “create and maintain a dignified and professionally responsible image for the school district.” Perhaps our students would ask us about board members who speak freely without any ability for staff to rebut their views, even with facts. And perhaps image-driven motivations should concern us less than created space for truth, integrity, and the value and freedom of every voice.

We must ask our kids, “In a democracy, are only those in powerful positions allowed to speak freely?”

Johnny, when it is stifled, we must ask: for what purpose?

By Carol Greenstreet

(from the Courier)

Programs ditched for personal beliefs

Why would the current BoE dismantle effective, school-based mental health programs at a time when depression and anxiety in children is unprecedented? Why refuse to apply for grants effectively denying over a million dollars in help for WP students?

One part of our government said to not take money from “the government”. Others said to “focus on education”. And some, Mick Bates and Cassie Kimbrel, never said anything. These programs were ditched due to “strings” like ensuring care regardless of religion, color, sexual orientation or economic status and assessment of efficacy.

These programs were ditched for personal beliefs.

Now they have implemented Capturing Kids Hearts: teachers instruct students about an attribute to practice every month. An easy program for adults because they never have to address what a child may really be struggling with. Is this meaningful with 30 kids in a class? This program was rigorously evaluated and not effective in actually helping children.

Then the BoE contracted an out-of-town agency, MindSight, to provide mental health services in the school. Most providers are unlicensed students, although supervised, and serve multiple schools. MindSight bills the parents, their insurance and needs paperwork approval from parents. Is this information protected from the BoE or Superintendent? No crisis intervention offered.

You could have caring, screened, highly qualified providers at WPSD again. Their focus could solely be the well-being of children while partnering with parents, not personal agendas. Your kids could have better. Vote.

Patricia A Perry, Woodland Park

Separating opinions and preferences from facts and interpretations

Claims being made by Woodland Park school board incumbents need attention. I’m concerned by how they and their supporters misrepresent data. For example, they manipulated teacher turnover. They didn’t count teacher retirements in turnover data, despite most retirees continuing to teach elsewhere, to look favorable to them.

Student growth is another shell game.

How can anyone know the difference without making it a part-time job? Watch for:

Cherry-picking: Recent guest editorial contributors and incumbent candidates present select data that support their argument while ignoring contradictory evidence. They overgeneralize from narrow data sets, making broad claims from spurious or anecdotal evidence.

Transparency: Without transparency or sharing decision methodologies, we can’t verify anything.

Biased Name-calling: We all interpret information to confirm pre-existing beliefs. This board refuses alternative perspectives as legitimate. They treat opposition as pestilence to distract and conquer, attack parents by name on FaceBook, and call candidates “liberal union hacks.”

We deserve board transparency, consideration of alternative viewpoints and proposals. I haven’t missed a board meeting, feeling gaslighted and ignored monthly. I am pro-public education and school choice. I’ve been concerned and involved since the appointments of Bates and Kimbrell.

Only Keegan, Barkley, and Knott are running honest campaigns that fully disclose the vast local financial and nonfinancial support received, not cherry-picked, hidden, or imbalanced. They are beholden to any no one person or group.

Only www.SupportWPSchools.com agonizes over data, cross-checking and validating everything to ensure no confirmation bias, transparently linking to all sources.

Trina Hoefling, Florissant