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Students and parents urge accountability over personnel and safety; union president introduces priorities
Summary
Three public commenters at the May 12 board meeting raised concerns about a band director's resignation, an alleged child endangerment incident at Trails West Elementary, and the Cherry Creek Education Association president introduced herself and summarized union work this year.
Three members of the public used the board's public comment period on May 12 to raise personnel and safety concerns and to introduce the local teachers' association president.
Leopoldo "Chuckie" Salcedo, a student who said he attends Overland High School, told the board he spoke about the resignation of Overland's band director, Ryan Monarch. Salcedo said district investigators questioned students without parents present and that the department has left students feeling "unprotected." He said Monarch "saved my life when I had no one," and urged the board to hear students' concerns.
Mike Albert, a parent, described what he called a serious safety incident at Trails West Elementary last October in which his child was, he said, left outside the school unattended and locked out of the building. Albert told the board the family met with Principal Whitaker and that he found the district's initial responses dismissive. He said he contacted district staff on March 30 seeking a meeting about how the district addresses staff conduct that endangers students and had received no response after six weeks. "This incident has left a lasting emotional impact on our child," Albert said, and he called for transparency about the policy that governs such incidents and for decisive action if policy compliance is lacking.
Carly Holliday introduced herself as president of the Cherry Creek Education Association (CCEA). Holliday said she began the role in January and described union activities this year, including canvassing for bond measures, lobbying state legislators about school funding, and developing professional development courses with the district. "When a district and a union have a collaborative relationship like the one we have currently, that works together in the best interest of students," she told the board.
Board President Garland thanked the speakers. The comments were heard during the public comment period; board members did not take public action at the meeting in response to these remarks. The parent who raised the safety concern requested policy transparency and follow-up from district administration.
The board did not provide details of any ongoing personnel investigations nor did board members announce disciplinary outcomes during public comment. Principal Whitaker and district staff were referenced by the commenters but did not present during the public remarks recorded in the transcript.
The speakers requested further action or transparency from the district; the meeting record shows no immediate board directive or vote in response to these public comments.
