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Residents demand accountability, call for superintendent search and question Merit sale that led to $3 million funding loss
Summary
More than two dozen residents used public comment to demand a full superintendent search, call for board resignations and question the district’s handling of a proposed sale that critics say cost the district $3 million in annual sales-tax revenue. Several speakers pressed the board to restore staff benefits and transparency.
A large public-comment turnout pressed the Woodland Park School District RE-2 Board of Education to start a thorough superintendent search, reverse recent administrative changes and publicly account for a contract and facility sale process that speakers blamed for a $3 million loss of sales-tax funding.
Speakers included long-time residents, teachers, former employees and parents. Many asked the board to form a search committee that includes parents, business owners, students and staff. Bill Brown, who opened a series of public comments on the topic, asked the board to “please take the time to go through a proper superintendent search” and to create a committee representing the broader community.
Multiple commenters urged the board to undo staff-handbook changes and restore benefits. Jean Rogers asked the board to “immediately undo the changes that were made in the staff handbook that actually undermined staff’s dedication,” and listed reinstating longer bereavement leave and teacher input mechanisms as specific examples.
Several speakers blamed the board and district leaders for the city’s repeal of the sales tax. Sierra Whalen told the board the fault for losing the $3,000,000-a-year sales tax lies with those who drafted sale terms she said made the tax binding in a 30-year contract and with board leadership: “Their actions led directly to the repeal of this critical funding source, and our children will pay the price.” Other speakers demanded transparency about attorney fees, charter relationships and financial decisions.
Supporters of the board’s prior policy decisions also spoke. A retired teacher, Sean Peckron, praised the board for teacher raises and facility consolidations and defended board decisions to pursue school choice and charter options.
Why it matters: The concentrated public pressure reflects community anger over recent decisions and the audit. Residents demanded public, inclusive procedures for hiring the next superintendent and said they expect full accounting of where district money was spent and why the sales tax was lost.
Board response and next steps: Board members acknowledged the need for a public superintendent search and for community input; several directors said they will schedule work sessions to develop a job description, define committee membership and set timelines. The board also heard calls to investigate attorney invoices and consider independent forensic review of district finances.
Ending: Speakers repeatedly requested accountability and some asked board members to resign; the record shows the board agreed to further public work sessions and to pursue staffing and financial fixes discussed elsewhere in the meeting.
