By Michael B. Perini, ABC

On Dec. 17, The Courier published the article, “Audit of RE-2 finds disparities.” Because that article referenced Merit Academy in incomplete ways and, in several cases, incorrectly, it is crucial to provide our families, community and taxpayers with clarity, accuracy and context.

First and foremost, Merit Academy was never contacted by the district or its auditor to provide documentation related to the audit. Statements claiming that Merit Academy failed to provide documentation for $1.2 million in spending are false. At no point was Merit Academy asked to produce records, calculations or explanations before the public discussion or the publication of the article. Had such a request been made, it would have been promptly fulfilled.

The auditor’s focus was not on missing documentation from Merit Academy but on confusion about how certain revenues are calculated — information that is found in state, federal, statutory or district-level formulas. These funding calculations are not random, nor are they “created” by Merit Academy. They are based on established laws, charter provisions and funding formulas that apply to all public schools in Colorado.

Additionally, the article references a $5.2 million “budget” and 28 transactions attributed to Merit Academy. This is inaccurate. The figure cited reflects flow-through revenues, not Merit Academy’s operating budget, and Merit Academy has not been shown or asked to verify where the “28 transactions” figure originated. Without district records or outreach to Merit Academy, conclusions were presented without complete information.

It is also important to clarify the implication that funds were spent without accountability or that Merit Academy is in “noncompliance” with its charter or agreements. Every dollar received by Merit Academy is properly documented, audited and reported according to government standards. If district records are missing or incomplete, it does not mean they do not exist — it means the auditors were unable to access that documentation from the district’s records, and there was unfortunately no request for clarification from Merit Academy.

Finally, the suggestion of “bad blood” between Merit Academy and the district is baseless. Merit Academy has never described its relationship with the district that way, nor has such a concern been raised by Merit Academy leadership. We remain dedicated to collaboration, transparency and solutions that prioritize students.

As we close out 2025 and prepare for 2026, Merit Academy remains focused on what matters most: delivering a strong academic program, serving families with integrity, and being a positive partner in the Woodland Park community. Challenges are best addressed with communication, accuracy and cooperation — not assumptions.

Dec. 31 is a natural time for reflection and renewal. Merit Academy enters 2026 confident in its stewardship and student success, committed to transparency and optimistic about the work ahead.

While we continue to wait for confirmation of a records review and clarification of misinformation, we welcome dialogue grounded in facts and shared purpose as we collaborate to strengthen public education for the Woodland Park community. We also look forward to serving our students and community with clarity and purpose. Happy New Year!