Parents press board for independent review of '2e' program and immediate action on mold, funding priorities

Several parents and community members used the Dec. 8 public-comment period to press the board for action on student safety, program oversight and financial transparency.

Molly Lamar, a parent and former teacher, said the district is facing a "growing crisis of trust, transparency, and misplaced priorities." She alleged an active black-mold health hazard at Cherry Creek High School and urged the board to "stop all nonessential high cost projects and reallocate those funds immediately to critical infrastructure starting with the mold remediation at CREEC," specifically noting what she said were a $20 million lease for an out-of-district administration building and a $15 million-plus stadium expenditure.

A parent who identified themselves as attending school accountability meetings asked for transparency and said 49 High Plains Elementary parents had sent Superintendent Scott Smith a letter about a twice-exceptional (2e) pilot program. That commenter and Dana Pollan, a speech-language pathologist, said the program was rolled out without adequate training or metrics, that staff and students experienced distress, and that the program-review assignment to Tony Poole — whose spouse the speaker said oversees the program districtwide — presents at least an appearance of a conflict of interest. Pollan said 50 parents had emailed Superintendent Smith on Nov. 25 and that community members expect an independent, transparent review.

An alumni/parent commenter reiterated concerns about the 2e program’s staffing ratios and absence of publicly shared metrics for success, and criticized funding a temporary women’s soccer stadium while school facilities with mold issues remain.

Board president Egan had earlier described the district’s budget review timeline and cited multiple public opportunities to review proposed budgets. Egan also provided district spending context in remarks earlier in the meeting, saying that 87% of the general fund goes directly to schools and that about 90% of the operating fund is spent on people; he called the adoption of the annual budget a serious responsibility.

No formal board action or a staff timeline to address the 2e program concerns or the mold allegation was recorded in the meeting transcript; public commenters asked for independent reviews and clearer transparency around program metrics and safety protocols.

"We demand immediate action," Molly Lamar said during public comment.