Rumors vs. facts

RUMORS: statements without known authority for their truth: hearsay!

The rumors and discord in our city over our schools are appalling. I’ve lived in WP for 40 years, taught in the RE2 school district; raised four children in our schools; attended board meetings and forums. I’ve talked firsthand with businessmen and people around town, having heard false rumors spread about a candidate I have known for 20 years, Carol Greenstreet.

These rumormongers are adults setting poor examples for our children, spreading lies not facts. I’ve listened to candidates in the elections twist facts to suit their agendas. Social media is being used with outright lies to discount Carol: bullying. Facts versus false rumors: Carol is a conservative. Carol is a Christian. Carol supports school choice. Carol is a well-established professional in our community. Carol is familiar with our school system like no other candidate, having served on the school board in the past.

Carol understands our schools. Facts: Carol’s opponent has only lived in WP less than two years, doesn’t know our community, schools or history. He did not start attending meetings until he decided to run for the board. His children attend Merit which has its own board, his time invested there first. He has no experience in school governance or finance. Fact: Carol is the best candidate for our children, students, parents and city. Please know facts versus rumors and vote for Carol to see change for better schools and our city.

Sheila Richie, Woodland Park

Shining Mountain purchase

I want to thank our City Council, Mayor Kellie Case, Mayor Pro-tem Catherine Nakai, Council Members Jeffery Geer, Steve Smith, Seth Bryant and George Jones for voting 6-0 to purchase the 360 acres of the Shining Mountain Open Space at the last City Council meeting on October 16th, 2025.

The opportunities they gave us with their votes will provide tremendous benefits and enjoyment for every one of us, including tourists, for decades and decades to come. The possibilities for using this Open Space are practically unlimited.

Thanks also to Aaron Vassalotti our City Manager, and the City Staff who worked for over a year to make this happen.

I look forward to all of us working with the city to develop a Master Plan for this absolutely beautiful and easily assessable 360 acres that we all now own.

Jerry Penland, Woodland Park

Decade of devotion

As a 78 year old grandmother who grew up here, the changes in our community are astounding. Two worry me: our predominant population is now 60+; the drama and division surrounding our schools.

I just met two young women who gave me hope on both counts: Kassidi Gilgenast and Laura Gordon. While the rest of us read about angry school board meetings and young families leaving our district, these two – FOR TEN YEARS – have, instead, quietly rolled up their sleeves and devoted time to our students, teachers, schools, and community.

Laura Gordon has four children attending our schools; is an active volunteer inside classrooms, for Parks & Rec, and for her church’s children’s ministry. Mother of two students, Kassidi has coached girls volleyball at the high school for ten years, and credits her active duty Green Beret husband for her commitment to servant leadership. Both listen. Both have backgrounds and
expertise in finance and in collaboration. Both already have the trust of students, teachers, and administrators. Both have developed a deep understanding of the educational needs of our students. Both have a passion to help reunite all our parents and all our schools.

I will be voting for Laura and Kassidi not just because it will be great to have younger board members with a high level of school experience; and not just because I’m eager to see more young families like theirs move in and move back, but because a decade of devotion have shown their true commitment to kids.

Billie Donegan, Woodland Park

Don’t be fooled

I congratulate the 3 G’s running for WPSB in their marketing skills. They are saying all the right things- accountability, non-divisive, community.

Please, do not be fooled by the pretty words.

Take non-divisiveness. To make decisions, any leader is going to face opposition. If the 3 G’s don’t understand this, they are in a fantasy. Or worse, they will shut down any opposing voices because those people are being “divisive”. This is a dangerous tactic we have seen all too often these days in America.

What does 100% accountability mean? Are you accountable to the girl who gets hurt (or worse) by a boy you allowed to play in her sport? Or are you accountable only to the people with your same interests, or scream the loudest?

The WP schools are going in the right direction (finally!). Proficiency in math and reading is increasing and the district is ranked top 20 in Colorado. The current conservative board has put the emphasis on education – let’s keep it going!

Don’t be fooled by the great buzz words.

Vote for solid values and leadership- Michaels. Austin, West.

Laurie Stansberry, Woodland Park

Board should be focused on WPSD

Clayton Austin is new to Woodland Park. His children attend Merit Academy, an independent charter with its own board. While every family’s school choice deserves respect, WPSD needs leaders who understand challenges inside our schools — especially at the Middle School, where instability and board decisions have disrupted learning and growth.

Austin’s campaign echoes themes from Andrew Wommack’s Truth & Liberty network about “protecting girls” and “refusing unions.” Yet WPSD has no transgender athletes, and the teachers’ group, WPEA, has never represented more than 30% of staff, even at its peak. These slogans fit a national script, not the realities facing our classrooms.

Austin said he would rely on Glen Gustafson for financial guidance. Gustafson is a qualified finance officer — but also the CFO for Monument Academy, a charter represented by attorney Brad Miller. Miller and his allies and affiliates have left districts across Colorado divided and strained — and WPSD has felt that impact more than most.

Merit Academy is thriving as an independent charter. WPSD needs steady leadership to rebuild trust, strengthen finances, and keep outside influences from draining local resources.

Vote Greenstreet, Gordon & Gilgenast — candidates who will keep Woodland Park’s focus where it belongs: on our students and our schools.

Jeralee Gonzalez, Woodland Park

Board endorsements

Clayton Austin may sound like a fresh face, but voters should look closely before handing him a seat on the Woodland Park School Board. His children attend Merit Academy, which is independent from WPSD. Rather than serving on a board that governs schools his family doesn’t attend, Austin could contribute more effectively by volunteering in the district schools he would be responsible for, joining the District Accountability Committee as a Merit parent, or, with the upcoming board changes, serving as a director on Merit’s own board.

Austin has said he would rely on Glen Gustafson to help guide WPSD finances. While Gustafson is a qualified CPA, he also serves as Chief Financial Officer for Monument Academy—another charter school represented by WPSD’s attorney, Brad Miller. This connection raises red flags. Miller’s network has already influenced decisions that divided our community, drained resources, and delayed accountability.

WPSD cannot afford to bring more of that same team back into local control. Our district needs board members who know our schools, talk with teachers, and care about students in Summit, Columbine, and Woodland Park Middle and High Schools—not candidates connected to outside interests.

Woodland Park families deserve leaders who represent all students, not just one school. Let’s elect people with experience, independence, and commitment to rebuilding trust in our public schools.

Vote Greenstreet, Gordon, and Gilgenast—leaders who put WPSD students first.

Julie Snyder, Woodland Park 

Hmm…

It’s become common knowledge that Mick Bates was caught stuffing Clayton Austin’s school board candidate signs into his car on October 6 and campaigning for him. Now, Austin’s signs are EVERYWHERE, even though he’s a last-minute candidate with no prior experience or vested time in our schools, fully backed by Bates.

Isn’t this the same Mick Bates who voted YES for the former superintendent Ken Witt’s “sight-unseen” contract extension? The same Bates who participated in the closure of Gateway with ZERO public notification? The same Bates who assisted in the potential sale of the Middle School to Merit for a DOLLAR before the board got caught? The same Bates who voted YES on an unprecedented 30-year contract for Merit pushed by cronie and board lawyer Brad Miller? www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcGKdOuQzGM&t=7382s. And the same Bates whose dismal leadership has led to the loss of over 400 students and 50% of our teachers in the last few years from our district?

So…what should one think of Bates’ and Austin’s sudden chummy association? Given the corrosive pattern Bates has displayed over time, it’s deeply troubling to witness anyone aligning with him who claims to be about integrity and leadership. Who is really steering this ship?? It’s also been observed that Norm Michaels’ signs popped up shortly after October 6, and their placement is usually near Clayton Austin’s. Coincidental, or is the same “Captain Bates” steering Norm’s campaign ship too?? Surely our children deserve better integrity

Barry Harden, Woodland Park

Tree service recommended

On Father’s Day this year I had a significant wind event that blew down several Ponderosa Pine trees and numerous aspens on my property. My health would not allow me to clean all of this up in a timely manner, so I called Evergreen Tree Service, LLC.

Within a short period of time, Trent came to my property and assessed the damage and a plan was made. Within a few days, Amy from their office called and gave me a schedule of when they could be here. A couple days before the planned workday, Amy called to let me know that the schedule was the same and that the crew would be here within a certain time window. On the planned day, the crew showed up on time and promptly went to work.

I can’t say enough good things about Evergreen Tree Service. They were professional, timely, conscientious, and hard working. They had all the tools and equipment to be very efficient and were very successful in completing the project. I can’t thank Trent, Amy, Tristen, Jorden and Jess enough!

Mel March, Florissant