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Parents and staff urge transparency after counselor non‑renewals; community criticizes elimination of district EDI office
Summary
Multiple community members and school employees criticized the district’s recent non‑renewal of four Thompson Valley High School counselors and the decision to eliminate the district’s equity, diversity and inclusion office, citing harm to students, allegations of legal noncompliance, and requests for explanations and reversals.
Dozens of speakers at the Thompson School District board meeting on April 14 raised urgent concerns about personnel and program changes that they say will harm students’ stability and undermine trust.
Several current and former Thompson Valley High School staff and parents said four counselors at the high school were non‑renewed for next school year and that affected staff received notice from building leadership, not district administration; at least one counselor said she had received no written reason despite a statutory requirement. "We were not given any reason for our non‑renewal, and all of our evaluations over the last three years have been exemplary," said Ashley Edwards, a class-of-2026 counselor at Thompson Valley High School, who asked the board for transparency and an explanation.
Speakers also criticized the district’s decision to eliminate the central equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) office and director role. Cassie Nadella and other community members said dismantling a district-level EDI structure would remove accountability and weaken supports for marginalised students. "Saying equity is embedded in all that we do without a person or team to spearhead that work is not a plan. It is an excuse," one commenter said.
Other public commenters alleged delays and improper handling of public records requests under Colorado’s open-records law and complained about academic interventions and student-services practices they said were out of compliance with state requirements. One speaker cited broader research linking stable counseling services to higher postsecondary attainment and lower disciplinary risk; he and others urged the board to prioritize counseling staff retention.
Board members did not take action on personnel items at the meeting but were asked for follow-up information. Board member Nancy Rumfelt requested a presentation on the Reed Act and a district update on the status and rationale for the Thompson Valley counselor non‑renewals; the board recorded a request for additional information and review.
Ending: The meeting record shows multiple requests for follow-up materials and that the board scheduled special meetings and follow-up work; affected staff and community leaders called on the board to restore roles or provide transparent justification.
