Thank you for 4A

A huge thank you to the residents in the Cripple Creek – Victor RE1 district! Your support of Ballot Issue 4A is much appreciated! You have shown your belief in our schools and have chosen to support our students!

Special thanks goes to Dixie Clare and Partners, Mark Green, Shorty Bielz, Danny Bielz, Bruce & Jean Beckman, Chris Tozer, Greg and Donna Brazil, Cathy Pobega, Matt Nylund, and Mary Bielz.

The Committee for Ballot Issue 4A

No to backbiting

The recent election has barely concluded, yet a recent letter (Steve Walsh, Nov 19) expresses sour grapes. The author claims, without any evidence, that the newly elected members “will become storm troopers for the NEA and AFT.” In reality, none of the three have publicly indicated any stance regarding teachers’ unions. While the NEA has a chapter affiliated with the state organization, the CEA, fewer than 40% of WPSD teachers are union members. Additionally, there is no local chapter of the AFT at all, suggesting that the author’s claims are largely unfounded.

The writer also predicts that the City Council will reconsider reinstating the sales tax that was rescinded earlier this year, as if this would be a negative development. Why wouldn’t they? The district clearly needs the funding. If the new board can ensure accurate, detailed, and timely financial reports, it would obviate the initial reasons for repealing the tax.

Furthermore, the letter claims, again without evidence, that the new board and City Council intend to dissolve Merit Academy. None of the newly elected members have expressed any such intentions; all are open to collaborating with Merit to support both the charter and WPSD as a whole.

Now is not the time for backbiting; it’s crucial to heal the rifts that have developed over the past four years. Let’s give the new WPSD board and Merit the opportunity to help both succeed. After all, as all the candidates repeatedly stated, “It’s about the kids.”

Pat Miller, Woodland Park