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

Did Ken Witt violate Colorado Election Law?

Colorado’s Fair Campaign Practices Act prohibits government agencies from urging “electors to vote in favor of or against any”..”Local ballot issue” (read the specific section of the law here). Read what Ken Witt wrote in the September 20th newsletter to parents about the upcoming vote on the sales tax issue, and decide for yourself if he’s following the law.

Nearby D20 faced something similar…the board was expressing opinions on a ballot issue voters are facing down there, promoting intervention by the Secretary of State.

UPDATE – Witt did it again in the 10/4 newsletter to families, shown below.

Peter Greene: Will Colorado Voters Be Wise Enough to Oppose This Ballot Measure? | Diane Ravitch’s blog

Peter Greene examines a proposed amendment to the state constitution in Colorado and its whacko implications. He urges voters to say NO. He writes: While other states are stumbling over constitutional language that aims public dollars at public schools (e.g. South Carolina and Kentucky), voucher fans in Colorado have proposed a constitutional amendment that comes up for a…
— Read on dianeravitch.net/2024/09/23/peter-greene-will-colorado-voters-be-wise-eniugh-to-oppose-this-ballot-measure/

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/

Christian Conspiracy Conference Takes on Globalists, Transgender People, and Election Fraud

CTR recently obtained an audio recording of Transform Colorado’s July 16 event in Del Norte, where speakers Richard Harris and William Federer encouraged the audience to support their conservative political agenda while indulging in wild conspiracies.
— Read on coloradotimesrecorder.com/2024/07/christian-conspiracy-conference-takes-on-globalists-transgender-people-and-election-fraud/63274/

Project 2025’s Plan to Eliminate Public Schools Has Started | TIME

Concerned about shrinking enrollments and budget crises, district leaders conclude that they must close schools, often without any evidence or analysis that it would save money—and, indeed, it hasn’t been shown to save money unless coupled with mass layoffs. They hire consultants who come up with “utilization” rates and then recommend closing schools with the lowest rates to “rightsize” the district—their euphemism for their misguided belief that school facility usage should be guided by arbitrary numbers instead of meeting communities where they are.
— Read on time.com/7001264/project-2025-public-school-closure/