Okay, it is 6 o'. Call this meeting to order. >> Roll call, please. >> Here, >> here. Kimbell >> here. >> Patterson >> here.
>> If everyone could please stand. >> Coach Becker, were you going you were going to assign one of your wonderful players to say the pledge or two. Go ahead guys. >> I aliance to the flag of the United
States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> We just take a moment of peace now. Moment of silence.
We the people of Colorado with profound reverence for the s supreme ruler of the universe in order to form a more independent and perfect government, establish justice, ensure tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote
the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity. Do ordain and establish this constitution for thei for the state of Colorado. Thank you. and be seated please. Okay.
Next item is approval of the agenda. Before we do that, uh, I'd like to make a motion to to amend the agenda to include discussion item 8E, Merit Academy contract extension. And
uh, I'd like to uh add that prior to the the term action in there. Do I have a second? >> Hold on. I potentially I just want to make sure I understand. Where do you want to move the >> It'll come down here under uh it'll be
there's item item eight and then it'll come in as as E. >> Let me make sure. >> Seven under discussion information. >> E would be contract discussion. >> Seven. >> Eight. >> Eight.
>> Okay. >> Yes. Eight. on my side. >> It's a holy sign. >> I second that. >> Second. Okay. Roll call. >> Barkley. >> I >> Patterson.
>> I >> Holi. >> Motion carries. >> Okay. We have got the in your agenda. >> Motion to approve the agenda. >> So move.
>> Second. >> Second. >> Okay. Roll call. >> Barkley. >> Hi. >> Banks. >> Hi. >> Kimrell. >> Hi. >> Patterson. >> Hi. >> Rester Holtz. >> Hi. >> Thank you. >> Okay. With us tonight we have Coach
Becker and a number of his baseball players. And we wanted to to recognize them for for a very good fall season. With that, coach, I'm going to turn it over to you. >> Thanks, sir.
>> Thank you for having us out. I want to start with saying that all of this the following stuff that I'm about to I just want to start by saying that all of the following that I'm going to read with their accomplishments and stuff is all due to their hard work, the
assistance coach, assistant coaches, which I won't be here tonight with me, and their uh parents and community support. So, it took the whole community to do what we did this year. Um, we went 13 and N, six and two in the league. um which is an improvement over year one
where we won three games, then we won six games, and then we won 13 games. So, these guys have been working hard and getting there. Um first playoff appearance since 2013. Um programs growing, first time since 2020 when we had three teams, the baseball
program. Um we set six team records for for stats as a team. These guys put in all the hard work and broke six team records. >> Um we had two, three, four, four single season individual records. Um we broke
the record for doubles in a season with 11. Broke the single season strikeout record with 94. Single season hit by pitches. The guy's here. And then same guy set the record for single season triples four.
>> Five career records that were set and three of them were set by juniors who are coming back next year or this year to play again. So career hit by pitches different guy career hitting pitch length 102 innings
so far. He's got one more year to go. >> Nice. >> Strikeouts link 153 and he's got one more year to go. >> Walks and bases. Gabe set both of those for her career and Gabe graduated this year and is not coming back with us next
year. >> Oh, we had four players receive all the first team >> and three of them are here tonight. Cody Becker, Wayne Brighten, Gabe Marquez. The other one is Gavin Strauss, a returning junior who's going to be a
senior this year. And then honorable mentions. We had two Cody Freeze and Wyatt Silence who both seniors who graduated. So they got honored this year, too. We had one player returned 3A all state honorable mention. That was Cody. And then my favorite award that we
got this year is academic all state. I love reading these off. It's my favorites. um academic all state first team Brighton and honorable mention all state Gavin St. So right here on the end is going to be a senior this year.
Becker is going to be a junior this year. A senior this year graduated this year. One of my assistant coaches, Chris. >> Thanks so much. Hey, thanks guys for making the time to come in tonight. We do appreciate and we appreciate all of
your uh quality play. Continue. You continue this next year. >> Thank you. >> Think about setting the bar higher next year. You got to make it higher. >> You'll get there. >> Thank you very much. >> All right.
Uh, next item, administrative reports. Uh, oh, and but let me most of you probably know it, but this is Ginger Sloum, the new acting interim superintendent. So, welcome to you, too.
[Applause] Go ahead. >> Okay. Sorry. Awkward. >> Do we have any board of education reports we want to do that? Anyone? just that, you know, the start of the school year is coming up and all of our
teachers are working hard and uh want to give them all grace as they start the new year with all the new students and uh and thank them for their continued hard work here and dedication to our school district. >> Thank you. Thank you, teachers.
>> All right. Well, I have a lot to talk about with the beginning of the year and our teachers. So, um I just wanted to run through some of the events that are coming up um that have already started this week
and that are going into next week. So, um first of all, we have a lot of trainings happening right now across the district in a variety of um areas. Our Boseies team is doing lots of trainings for special education. They are also
partnering with our gifted and talented and CLLD which is our culturally linguistically diverse team. They are doing training specifically with their department but also they will be going into each school and doing a training at each school with our regular education
teachers as well. So I think that's really important to note. Um we had our new staff here on Monday. So, we had a morning with them and then we sent them on their way to their individual buildings so they could get
ready for the new school year. Um, today was kind of what we call behind the scenes a building sacred day. So, that's a day where principles have their entire staff and they have um the flexibility to do what they need to do
with their staff, team bonding, all of those things. I worked really hard this year to give our principles more time so that they could meet the needs of their individual schools but also sprinkling in um some of the priorities and the trainings that we do here at the
district level. So we are also having some more capturing kids hearts training this week and then also on September 2nd when we have our next PD day. So we have that coming up um on Friday. I am very
excited about convocation. Um I've been planning convocation almost for a year just because my mind is always thinking of fun ways I can um help our our um whole staff all of the staff. I like to create natural opportunities for team
building and staff bonding. And so that's something I've been thinking about for a long time. So this is on Friday. We will do our traditional welcome in the auditorium. And then we are doing something which I'm calling choose your own adventure. So our staff
will have the opportunity to go to a few different sessions or just stay at the same session the whole time. But we will have some yard games set up out in the practice soccer field where teachers and staff can play cornhole or nine square
things like that. We will also have a team challenge um where staff members will be in teams of four and again this is all voluntary. We're not forcing anyone to do this, but but they will. Um, and also I want to
mention our student council at the junior senior high school is also they're I've been working with our teacher there and our sponsor to have them actually be the ones leading this. And so they were very excited and came
up with specifically the team challenge. Um, and so there's going to be some things like a potato sack race, uh, obstacle things like that. I'm gonna opt out of that one myself, but I know a lot of competitive staff members that will
probably be very excited about that one. And then inside, we're also going to have volleyball. We will have bingo and tie-dye. And then after that hour and 15 minutes of adventure, people will come back inside. I have a very wonderful
keynote speaker, Carrie Yanser. She is our lead person for capturing hearts and our staff absolutely love her and she always has a really positive message to launch everyone into the new year. So, I'm excited to have her um speak to
teachers after they come back inside and then we will have lunch for the staff. So, that's all Friday. >> Um and then on the 18th, like I said, we'll have some which is Monday, we'll have some more trainings that evening. We
have back to school night. So we will have the elementary schools will have back to school night from 4 to 6 pm. The secondary campus or junior senior high have back to school night from 5 to 7 with the coaches parent meeting at 6 o'clock. Um during that evening it'll be
pretty much open house style. I do have something that I'm excited about because I also worked on this um at back to school night for our elementary students. We have some little um colorful to-go bags for the students to take home with them that have things in them like math flashcards and things
like that to get them kicked off and ready to come back to school. And let's see, on August 19th, which is Tuesday, the junior senior high school is doing their traditional jump start. They will have the seventh graders there from 8 to 11
and then 10 to 11, they will have new eighth graders through 12th graders to come and just get acclimated to the school and the district so that they feel confident their first day of school. And then August 20th, our students come back. So, lots happening.
Um, and I'm glad that it was already mentioned, but we really appreciate our teachers and I know just how much hard work goes into the beginning of the school year. So, I appreciate that and all staff members. Um really so few other things I wanted to mention.
Um I don't know a lot of information about the forensic audit yet. I know that they are in the information gathering stages. David is here tonight and I'm trying not to put him on the spot, but if if you have anything else you want to say besides what I just
said, you're welcome to say it. >> Yeah, that's basically where we're at. They've requested initially uh all of our bank statements for the fiscal year 24. So we've provided those. Uh they've also asked for credit card
statements and recently I think last week they've asked for some general ledger information as well as payroll. We're in the process of providing that to them. So, I don't think we'll hear from them except asking
for additional information until they have everything that they want. >> Thank you, David. >> Thank you. >> And then I do have um something I would like to do at each monthly meeting is share something specific from each
school. So, I did get some messages back from my principles today. So, just this is kind of like a beginning of the year blurb from each of them. So, Mrs. Rexford at Summit Elementary said staff are excited and happy even though today is their first day back. You can see
that they are already they've already been hard at work preparing for a fabulous year. So, that's from Summit Elementary. Um, from Dr. Richie at the junior senior high school, he said, "Our staff leadership group, the claw, which stands for collaborative leaders at
work, did an excellent job leading some of the staff development today. and our staff what uh were excited to see each other and get back to work. And then Mrs. Seabolt at Coline Elementary School said, "Our staff is excited, too. Lots of great work today developing our
social contract, reconnecting with our vision and mission, and focusing on how to positively welcome back all students next week." And then last but not least, I just have something I want a little bit of feedback from you all about. Um,
I Mr. Salt had been working with a group that was that's wanting to bring in a free dental clinic. They do this across the state. I think you probably received an email about this. Um, they do it yearly and they've been wanting to get
to know them. Um, the person in charge emailed me and wanted to meet today, but I was unable to meet with him. Um, I know that they've been looking at other in the area as well. And it sounds like a really wonderful event for the
community and the state. Um, we did talk about this at our principal's leader leadership retreat as well. My only concern because of course I want to do great things for the community. Um, but they, as far as I know, have been very
strict on their dates. And so we would have to put our students on remote learning for two days in September. And that feels inappropriate to me and the principles also have concerns. It also
affects sports and so that's my concern. >> So I would like your feedback. I haven't met with him yet because Mr. Salt was here when they did the tour. Um I did email today and ask if the dates were flexible because I haven't had that conversation yet. So they you have it
interrupts the entire school day >> or is it >> it does it interrupts almost a week because I guess people will start coming and lining up because it's for the whole state of Colorado. >> So that to me is a little bit of a security concern. >> Um
>> and then we have >> just for the kids for the students >> just for the state of Colorado. >> So people from all over the state would come. So, it sounds like yes, a wonderful thing for our community, but is it appropriate for us our schools to
have to to shut down and put our students on remote when we already have to, you know, save those days for when we have snow days. >> It was going to be >> to our dayto day. >> Maybe there's a community location that has
>> That's what I was hoping for. I think it's wonderful to have it up here and it gives opportunities for our community, but I am concerned that it disrupts our students educations. >> Yeah, >> I think so. I thought just for the kids. >> So, I'll find out more information and
let you know if they're flexible because when I emailed today, I asked if they could move it to August before school starts. That would be perfect, but I don't know. >> Okay. >> So, that's it. >> That's it. >> All right. Okay. Uh, we're up to public comment.
Uh, let me read this. Public comment. Please be aware that any personnel or individual student matters are considered confidential under Colorado law. And it is out of respect of the law and our employees and students that we
require those discussions take place privately in executive session. Individual comments are limited to three minutes or a total of 15 minutes total for a particular topic. The intent of public comment is to give the board of
education the opportunity to hear your comments. However, the board will make no decisions or take no action on public comment during the meeting. Okay. on this Candace >> Norm Michaels
2022 or correction 2020 marked a schism in our educational institutions between the left and the right between black lives matter and all lives matter between critical race theory and America America's melting pot. Critical race
theory became the focus of nearly every 2020 school board in America. Parents fight to take control again of the education system. Then the state legislature started using their power to dictate to independent
school boards their version of politicizing education. This came to a head in 2022 or so. And as nationwide and especially here in California,
these social justice mandates became race, race, race, victim and victimizers, white privilege. America is fundamentally a racist nation. Then came the attack on morals. Boys wanting to
become girls, girls wanting to be boys. Library books graphically teaching and promoting sex of every sort. then preferred pronouns, then allout transgenderism, all hidden from parents. In addition to social justice, there
came environmental justice. And the latest attack is against capitalism. As the ch as the children are running the nation's schools or shall we say the inmates are running the asylums reformist school boards were brought on
board nationwide to replace radical ideology. Recently in a journal titled education published in January 2025 they documented the results of a May 2024 nationwide survey of US high school
students. The findings show that politics regularly made their way into the classroom. More than half of the students say their teachers have used the phrases black lives matter, all lives matter, anti-racist, white privilege, etc. 36%
report that their teachers have often made the claim or argument that America is a fundamentally racist nation. Woodland Park is blessed by letting us live in a little bubble protected from most of this garbage. Thank you, Woodland Park, for being a woke school.
For being woke enough to recognize these dangers, for being woke as you stand against Colorado legislature nonsense, for being woke as you limit the damage to our children. You stand woke against the politicians that are trying to bow the minds of our next generation of
Americans. Proverbs 22 verse 6, train up a child according to his way. Even when he is old, he will not depart. Thank you. >> Sharon Langart.
>> I'm like a bad kid. You what? >> I'm like a bad thing. I just kind of pop up here and there. I'm here because I would really like to see our community come together. >> Would you talk into your microphone so I can hear him?
>> I would like to see our communities come together. I have some real challenges. Um, and Merit put me over the top. I am not complaining about merit. merits
their own school. You have no control zip fault except for the funds that you gave which are auditable show over the years because that's your fiduciary period duty. What I would like to say is okay, we're going to do a 30-year lease. If we do a
30 a year lease, Eric becomes the school district's albatross. We pay for all the repairs. We pay for all the maintenance. We pay for all the road repairs. We pay for everything as a
landlord. My suggestion is if you're going to do a 30-year lease, they pay for everything except as a landlord, our school district has to pay for the insurance, building insurance. They have to pay
their own insurance. Number one, they're faith based. Great. I still I asked this question in 2021. Which faith? Methodist, Catholic, Mormon, Jehovah Witness. Which faith?
They're all Christian or something. But who del who's going to be the boss of the faith? Or maybe it's the Bible that's being written in Florida so that the kids don't actually read the Bible. But to go back to it,
We go back to the original contract. You give them 30 years, but the only thing this district pays for is the insurance on the building. They're only paying $1 a year.
They get to have the school and everything else, any repairs, major, minor, or anything else is on them because they're getting full boat while we're paying the boat. The second thing is is We don't give up a really precious
asset. You know, I was terrified that I'd hear, "Oh, well, nobody wants a 30-year lease, so we'll just sell it for a dollar." Well, if that comes down the road, which I highly doubt, then we divide what's happening at middle schools. I'm sorry, it's middle school.
I've been here for too long. And that football field and that softball field are major assets of this school district. They do not belong to merit at any point in time. They belong to this district. So if we
continue to have the problems that we're already foreseeing, which we shouldn't have, we have an asset to sell. So thank you for listening and it's just a consideration. Don't make him make him a
welcome part of our community. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Gail. Derek Woodland Park. I have a list of reasons why you should vote no on the 30-year contract at Merit Academy. One, the
existing contract does not end until 2027 and the new superintendent should be a part of that decision. Charter school two, charter schools are usually uh contracts are usually more no more than five years since the school
district's situations can change. Three, this should be a decision, not an a discussion rather, not an action item tonight. Four. Did you each of you read and understand
the significance of every paragraph of the 40 plus pages? Five. Under transportation, it states that the district will not provide student transportation for this school, but then adds it can be a written agreement. So,
what is it? Six. This document took months to develop, yet the public had access to it just two days ago. Seven, who wrote this? Who represented the district's interests, and what did it cost? Eight, there is an application
renewal process required. How can you extend this contract without that process taking place? N the forensic audit needs to be completed before a contract is extended. Stakeholders need to know the district's
financial position. 10. There are many issues within this agreement that are questionable to name a few. The agreement refers to the release agreement but that was not provided in the packet. It states that the school is
responsible for maintenance, remodeling, etc. But then indicates the district is responsible. It states the school can inform the district it cannot if it cannot provide needed services for a student. Does that mean they can deny
the special ed students? Also, the school has access to student records prior to transfer to their schools. So, does that allow them to deny any student they deem a problem or academically
poor? The list goes on and on. 11. Can Merit Academy gain revenue from building usage? Is it reported that they are hosting the branch church? Can they open the facility for any function to gain profit? Are there any guidelines or
restrictions? 12. You did not sell the school to them, but this agreement essentially gives them the property and any tax monies forever. By not sharing district costs, and they have lowered their administrative
percentage that they pay, they could bankrupt the district and end traditional public schools in Woodland Park. Then again, this might be what Brad Miller, Ken Wit, and Aaron Salt have been striving to achieve. As
fiduciaries, you are responsible for the well-being of the entire school district, and this contract, as written, lacks protection for the continuation of traditional public schools in Woodland Park. Please vote no and allow this item
to be addressed at the time the current contract expires. Thank you. >> Thank you, Ellie. Haker. >> Hello, my name is Kelly Hensaker. I'm a community member. I was here a few months ago to give you
a short list of some of the things that you allowed Mr. Wit to do. This is going to be a little bit of an extension of that. I want to remind you of some of the ways you have failed this community because today when or couple days ago
when I saw the agenda, you didn't have a discussion item. I want to thank you for adding that, but it would have been nice if you had done a genuine discussion with notice to the community so that they would know that was happening. I know that you received an application
from Merit Academy in May, so there's no excuse. I know that because one of their board members said so in a public forum today. So with respect to the superintendent, you hired him without going through any
kind of genuine search and with only interviewing one candidate. Later you renewed his contract without reading it. You paid him more than any superintendent in a district of this size and allowed him to work part-time. You refused to review his work and invited him into the meeting where you
should have been conducting a genuine review. And then there are the district finances. You went through four CFOs in less than four years. The last two were obviously not qualified. And now we have 83 journal entries on our la last audit
with a high risk of malfeasants and mismanagement. I was glad to hear you mentioning the forensic audit tonight, but once again, you didn't notify the public that you'd made a choice. You put sixth graders into portables for months. And I have nothing against portables. However, there was no PA
system and you were notified of that for months. That's important because that means they wouldn't get notice if there was a school shooter. You say you're strong in security, but you didn't care that you had students who wouldn't be notified until they got a phone call. That could have been too late. What if
the first person shot was the person who was supposed to call them? Oh, and what about the way you've conducted business? Every big decision has been made on a Friday afternoon at 4 p.m. We had teachers who found out they didn't have a job on a Friday at 4 p.m. before spring break. We had families who found
out their school building was closing on a Friday afternoon at 4 p.m. after no discussion. Everything you have done has been in hiding. And rarely do you discuss anything before taking action, including this tonight. There has been no discussion.
And now you've added a discussion item before the action item, but keeping the action item on the same night. That does not give the public notice. That does not give the public input. That does not allow us to be part of the decision
making. I'm not going to say whether the the contract is right or wrong. I don't know because I haven't heard you discuss it. >> Thank you, Mary Sakowski. Good evening, Woodland Park School
District board members. Uh before I uh say my remarks, I just want to set the record straight on a comment that was just made. Um Merit Academy is a wonderful public school uh full of a lot of goodness. It is not a faith-based school. Um, thank you for the opportunity to
share some remarks about the action item on the agenda this evening for the Merit Academy charter renewal. My name is Mary Sakowski and I'm a Woodland Park resident. I have children attending Merit Academy and the Woodland Park High School. I'm also on the board of directors for Merit
Academy. I want to thank the Woodland Park School District board and administration for considering this charter renewal proposal. Merit Academy has heard the feedback from some with no appetite to discuss an ownership transfer at this time and has
worked diligently to find solutions that accomplish the goal of obtaining the necessary funding for building repairs and maintenance. Merit Academy desires to shift this expensive burden from the district to Merit Academy for these building repairs and we have found this
charter renewal proposal to be a good solution. The charter school is looking at investing millions of dollars into a real estate asset we do not own as it is a leaseold interest. Therefore, we need the longevity of commitment in a charter renewal like this. We recognize that a
30-year contract term is not usual, but fits a specific need that is beneficial to both the Woodland Park School District and Merit Academy. Also, I noticed some community comments about this renewal that I would like to speak to. While this contract will help accomplish this funding need, it is
important to remember that the charter contract remains only as long as Merit Academy remains a viable school by Colorado state statute. Additionally, concerns around the cost sharing for specific services like transportation and food service are
something to be evaluated and addressed annually. So, the contract does not speak to certain terms, but instead requires an annual discussion and agreement. This is clearly stated in 5.2 and 5.3 of the charter contract you have in front of you. These types of needs
change over time, so the allowance for annual review is necessary to ensure the relationship between Merit Academy and the Greater Woodland Park School District remains fair and symbiotic. Merit Academy looks forward to the continuation of providing excellence in education along with the Greater
Woodland Park School District and we anticipate tremendous growth and success in our community as a result of this partnership. Thank you. Thank you, >> Victor Labario. >> Good evening. My name is Victor Labario and I'm the community member and uh
resident here in Woodland Park and I'm here to speak in support of the 30-year renewal of the Barrett Academy Charter. Merit has been a great addition to the school district. They have certainly raised the bar and delivered on academic achievement since the launch of the
school. For myself, academic achievement is a very important priority. It was in my concern of false rumors of the school being a religious school and that it was funded by Andrew WAC that led me to schedule a tour of the school and get to meet some of the board administrators
and teachers. I have since also volunteered at the school and I appreciate their additional focus on accountability and character. I would like to see our school district maintain its focus on school choice and bringing the best school choices to the children in our district. In fact, as I've
interviewed candidates for the school board, this is the question and challenge I have posed to all of them. Though the financial details have been vague and changing, it's been pretty well understood for many years that the district has a significant backlog backlog of maintenance and improvement
costs for which there's very little funding or hope of ever getting caught up. The initial proposal to sell the middle school had its issues with the district not having the financial resources to finance it. In my observations of how merit came to be, I
have seen creativity, determination, risk-taking and investment by its board members, parents, supporters, their parents, the parents and students. Here today, we have another option to consider that they have proposed for us so that they can improve the school building for the foreseeable future. In
my estimation, school choice will likely be the norm rather than the exception. And some places in the country have figured it out or making good progress towards that. It's imperative that we figure out how to provide the best educational choices for the children within that ecosystem.
And I'm willing to invest my time to figure it out. Thank you, >> Jason Ledley. >> Good evening. My name is Jason Ledley. I'm a Merit Academy uh board member and have four students there. From the beginning, Merit Academy has
served as a complimentary non-competitive choice for Woodland Park School District families. Back in when merit was only a dream, our initial need survey revealed a strong desire for classical aclassical education option in Ter County. However, this desire came
largely from families and students who were already outside the existing public school framework. Our initial 153 students whose families expressed interest of, excuse me, of our initial 153 students whose families expressed interest, a strong majority
were either not enrolled or not interested in availing themselves of one of the existing public school options. These taxpayers sought the freedom of choice for their families. This trend has continued throughout our growth from 267 students in the fall of
2021 to a projected 633 students for this rapidly approaching school year. In our most recent application cycle that closed last spring, approximately 80% of the applicants did not attend district schools last year. Our single largest
applicant cohort is children who have been homeschooled and are now joining or returning to a full-time public school setting. Clearly, Merit Academy Merit Academy, currently ranked as the number four K12 school in the entire state, provides a choice that is not otherwise
addressed. This additional choice for local children extends to several other enhancement activities. Merit Academy is focused on providing unique experiences that are not otherwise available in a school setting to include the Civil Air Patrol, a competitive shooting team, a
top ranked science Olympiad team, and more. In other cases, in other cases, we've been happy to compliment other district teams, providing student athletes for district teams, including soccer and football, for example. We appreciate the coaches who have ensured
that our players were welcome to a one team, one fight approach to athletics. Finally, despite the awesome experiences we are all striving to create for our local student students, there's always some math involved. Merit Academyy's budget is estimated to be just under $8
million next year. We employ just over a hundred local teachers, staff, and other contributors to our children's education. If the classical education option Mary Academy provides to our local families were not available, we estimate based on initial need surveys
and sub subsequent enrollment patterns that about 75% of the students currently enrolled would return back to uh assessing options outside the local public school framework. This would represent a loss of education revenue for our community of about $6
million. Concurrently, these job those jobs would be lost as well with a knock-on effect throughout our local economy. This would be a terrible event. Thus, I encourage you to keep the momentum created by embracing choice rolling forward. Merit Academy is a PR
uh is proud to be a vibrant viable option in WPSD and we look forward to continuing our growth and achievement with the shy a new charter represents. Thank you. Thank you, >> Rasheed Rogers. Hi, my name is Kerse Rogers and I'm
speaking tonight to ask that you do not approve the proposed 30-year extension of Merit Academyy's contract. I'm sorry for not sending you my thoughts in a letter prior to making this public comment, but there was very little time, which is actually my first
concern about this requested motion. Can you hear me, David? Okay. uh it feels rushed and lacking in preparation for discussion for a 30-year commitment. And this kind of rush given our tumultuous history raises suspicion and
concern. This renewal is years early and it is for an unprecedented length of time. Please carefully consider the contra the contract's content. Give others time to do the same. solicit their feedback and concerns and consider the district's
best interest before signing this. If merit stated reason for this early and lengthy renewal is to secure finances for building repairs and maintenance, please request paperwork that would support that so you can carefully assess the potential for this
to actually help them versus any potential risk for WPSD. Upon an initial review, I have questions about this contract in the areas of enrollment practices, waiverss, and finances. All of these sections refer to
additional attachments, and these attachments were not included in the published board packet. So, right off the bat, I'm asking if it's negligent to vote on this contract if you guys haven't seen the attachments either. Uh, regarding the finances
section, I wonder if there could be protections for the district against the financial partiality um that we saw in the past towards merit. Specifically, I'm referring to software costs, cost of technology services and at that time building maintenance costs that were not
increased as they should have been when merit's uh enrollment increased. In the same section, could there be a provision where merit contributes to the repayment of the coops if they are occupying that building? And perhaps a provision where merit
could contribute to attorney fees in the case of the district versus the city council over the sales tax if they stand to benefit from a potential reinstatement of the tax. Um, next in the enrollment practices section, I would like to see some
accountability included regarding merits lottery policy. Section 6.6 says the district does not require submission of this policy to the CDE. So, I was just wondering if there might be some other
way to ensure that all applicants are considered fairly. Also, section 6.13 discusses how a child enrolled in merit is guaranteed enrollment until 12th grade unless
placed on an IEP. Is that okay? I don't know. Um, so I'm just asking you to take your time, do some research, consider renewing the contract in two years and for a more conventional duration. Thank you. >> Thank you,
>> Rosie Hendrickson. Hello, my name is Rosie Hendrickson. I am an educator by profession and have worked in the field of education for 25 years. Over the years, I've been a preschool director, a kindergarten, first grade, and third grade teacher.
I've been an administrator and have taught in college setting as well. I attended personally a small uh private school. I worked in a Catholic school and a charter school in Florida and my two children attended public school in Florida from kindergarten through 12th
grade. I feel confident that I have a good grasp of the ins and outs of all of these different types of educational settings. And one of the main things I've concluded uh by associating with all of these different types of schools is that school choice is vital.
The state of Colorado is a strong school choice state, but that we have Coline and Summit, the Woodland Park Junior Senior High School, um CSCS, Merit Academy, the Creek and Victor Schools, and a very thriving
homechool community right here in Ter County is wonderful. I'm thankful that Teller County has so many options of school choice. I've lived here for five years and have been thrilled with all of the wonderful things happening in the educational field around Ter County. I
admire and respect all of the staff of our wonderful schools. All of these school choices are positive and excellent opportunities for parents for their children. I want these choices to remain viable so parents keep their
children in Teler County. My request to you today is to approve the charter renewal for Merit Academy so it will continue to be one of the wonderful options for parents seeking opportunities for their children, a
choice for their children in Ter County. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Diane Reed. I'm Dr. Diane Reid. I've lived here for over a decade and sent my children to Woodland Park schools where I was a PTA leader. In addition, I've won awards at
the university level as both a professor and a researcher and facts are exactly what I'm going to talk about. It's recently been revealed that in typical secret and corrupt backroom manner, this school board has already
drawn up with Merit Academy an outrageous 30-year contract which has never appeared before the public until this evening's board packet. For perspective, let's look at some hardcore facts.
According to the Colorado Charter School Institute that has oversight authority over charter schools, charter school contracts are typically awarded for between three to five years.
Similarly, the Colorado Department of Education states the most prevalent term length is typically five years. And if you'd like a more local example, Vanguard Charter School in Colorado Springs was recently ranked by US News
and World Report as the number one metro area charter high school in Colorado Springs, number five in all of Colorado high schools, and the 47th charter in the entire nation. Take a wild guess how
often they renew their contract. For the last three decades, they've renewed every five years because as a highly conservative classical academy that values virtue,
honesty, discipline, and integrity, they set a far higher standard for themselves than this corrupt school board. And on that note, why is the mere treasurer of
Merit Academy, the realtor Mary Sakowski, writing about Merritt's secret 30-year contract on Facebook before any stakeholders in this county were even aware of it was on the table. She's not
a member of any school board, nor was this decision put up for discussion for the public. Just like every ambushing decision decision this school board has ever made, from inferior curricula to reckless school closures and building
sales, you've exhibited the same pattern of sleazy behavior over and over again. Merit Academy and headmaster Gwyn Pron should be deeply ashamed of their unethical conduct. And more to the point, if they
want to keep behaving like a private school that never takes into account the interests of parents, community or taxpayers, they need to just become a private school with zero handouts from
public school funding or taxpayers ever again. Thank you, Gwen Pron. Thank you board of directors for this opportunity to speak tonight. Mrs. Sloka, congratulations. I look forward
to a partnership of excellence within this district. Yesterday, a council member publicly unleashed extreme vitriol towards Merit Academy. Yet again, he labeled one-third of this district's population, a group of hardworking, taxpaying parents who support our county and their children, a
cancerous tumor. He and his few friends will do everything in their power to eradicate this. They show no regard for laws supporting chart school choice and their absolute hatred for so many community members relentlessly persists.
You have a decision on a 30-year charter renewal for Merit Academy to secure the future of school choice in Ter County and support the community's ongoing demand for our public classical charter school. Our history is exemplary and worth celebrating. Merit Academy serves
630 local scholars on campus, about 32% of the district's students. Of our 155 new students this year, only 23 transferred from other WPSD schools, while 14 students transferred from Merit Academy to other WPSC schools. This net
positive of nine students statistically insignificant. Our growth over the past five years counters decades of declining enrollment across the region and our addition of so many new families shows that Merit Academy is a compliment, not a competitor of the district. While new
CDE ratings will be released soon, the last ratings ranked Merit Academy number four, fourth in the state among all 94 K through2 public schools based on performance frameworks. We're ranked 116 out of all 1,842
public elementary, middle, and high schools statewide. That's the top 6% of the state. Summit Elementary also ranks very high at number 76. The staff, students, families, and communities have much to celebrate. Our finance department shines, and our audits are
cleaned without material weakness or deficiencies. Extracurriculars are expanding. We celebrate our first graduating class. Enrollment grows via word of mouth, which is truly an amazing feat. The intolerable few demand a denial tonight. Critical decades of
district enrollment decline or financial impact is cited. But proposed legislation failed in 2021, thus barring those considerations in charter decisions. This long-term renewal for Merit Academy is important to address deferred maintenance, make improvements,
and care for the district building we call home. Merit Academy proves to be in high demand and with solid viability benefiting our districts and community. Those are the factors to consider. Listen to the anti-charter fringe. Hear their prejudice and disdain against school's choice. Contrast that to our
children who play together in the parks, our athletes who work together on state qualifying teams, and our community groups who collaborate on projects. Consider Merit Academyy's growth scores, reputation, viability, and community demand. that will guide you to the right
decision tonight. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> That's it. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay, folks. Next item is the consent agenda. And I mean, we could certainly call for
a motion and then a second and then have some discussion, but let me just bring up a couple items that that are going to appear different. Uh the calendar the calendar revision for next year. Did you want to speak to that, Ginger?
>> I can absolutely. >> Okay. that as far as that day >> I can just tell you so I don't remember this the exact date um but this is the same thing that we created the revision
last year it's a day in February where we have parent teacher conferences K12 last year the high school teachers had remote learning at the same time as having conferences so we would like to give our teachers um the ability to just
focus on conferences that day and to have um the entire K12 um student population off that day. >> That is good. >> The other item is authorization to open a payroll bank account. We have a new
CFO and we've got to make some adjustments to signature cards and what have you for uh for David here. So those are two of the oddballs. Other than that or a lot of minutes. Uh do I have a motion for approval of the consent
agenda? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Second. >> Quick discussion. Uh for the opening of the payroll bank account, is it just adding is it opening a new bank account and is it one that we've had before and we're just opening a new one because we
have new people in charge or is it changing the way we are handling our money? Can we >> You want me to speak to that? >> Sure. >> Microphone. >> Oh, here. >> There we go. It's on now.
>> Yeah. Um, basically one wanted us to kind of follow good standard business practice, which is to separate out the monies going through payroll into a separate account. So, uh, as you likely know, we outsource our payroll
processing to a third party and the way things are structured right now, I would like to limit them to one bank account which would be exclusively used for payroll. That's the purpose. >> Very good.
>> Did that answer your question? It does. Yes. >> All right. Roll call. Barkley. >> Hi. Bates. >> Hi, >> Kimrell. >> Hi, >> Patterson. >> Hi, >> Roster Holtz. >> Hi. >> Motion carries.
>> Okay, moving on. Uh, discussion information board governance policy EE9. Um, I thought we should quote that. >> No, this is just me. >> Okay, go ahead. >> Okay, so this is just discussing since I
am the new interim superintendent that we need to update the e superintendent's home plan. So, um I have ideas about that that I'll be working on for probably the next board meeting.
>> We just I just wanted to acknowledge that we need to get that taken care of soon. >> Okay, Miss Kimbro, are you prepared to go? >> Can you guys hear me? >> Yes. >> Okay. So following the calendar of
reviewing and monitoring these policies um we're going we're on um GP3 and so the board beverage policy GP3 should be reviewed in August. These policies are online and in the board
packets, but if you need me to um go over them and um if there's anything the board wants to change, we can schedule a work session, but the board of education indicates compliance with any violations.
This one is over governing strategies. The board will governing with emphasis on district vision diversity and viewpoint. Focus on strategic leadership. Respect clear distinction between the board and superintendent of goals. Make collective decision future
orientation and perhaps. >> So this is one I actually think we as a board should spend some time discussing. I don't know if we need to do that. all tonight because we have a full agenda. But I would not agree that we have been or are in compliance with this
um board policy and I think it it warrants further discussion. >> Would you like to um ask Candace to schedule a work session? >> Yeah, I think that would be a good idea, but we have a lot of things we need work sessions on. But yes, maybe we can add
it. Okay. Is that it, Cassie? >> Okay. BSR1. Yes. The board of education indicates compliance with BSR1 is not aware of any.
This is the sole role, the board sole connection to the operational organization of the school district and superintendent. And the summary goes over about how the board will never give instructions to the persons who report directly and directly to the superintendent.
Um the board will refrain from evaluating any other staff other than the superintendent and sort of my summary of it unless you want me to go through it actually. Does anyone have any discussions or information? Is this one that we should
add on our work session? uh maybe I don't have any instances in particular for this one but just in general I think discussing these uh policies in work session prior to the board meeting where it's on the agenda
probably makes it'll make it easier so we can have that discussion and if there are issues then we can report on what our plans are to adjust to stay in compliance. Um, or we can use the work session to change the policy if we feel it no longer fits our
needs as opposed to recording it and then having to schedule after the fact. >> Anything else? >> You know, this was just in general to discussing these four years ago or I guess three three
years ago. We went through each one of them and read them and talked about them at a meeting and uh I don't know why we stopped doing that but u when Matthew Neil was here we were we were doing that
then when we switched >> yeah I I would like to discuss going back to that >> well and and we have begun to to some degree when salt was here >> and we're going to we're going to renew that practice going through these. Yes. >> Okay,
>> good. >> Okay, last one. Cassie BSR2 is about control only. decisions or instructions of the individual board officers or committees are not on the superintendent excepting
rare in the board specifically authorized such exercise authority. Um the board of education indicates compliance with ESR2. >> Yeah. Thank Thank you, Miss Kimble.
Um, the next item is the one that we moved in the agenda item and item 8E, a discussion regarding merit contract. Folks, I I'm sorry to do this, T, but I got to take a two-minute break and it'd be appreciative that I do. So, we'll
break for about two minutes and restart. >> Good. Thank you. This might been so many different >> now that sometimes I want her to present some of the things that she's
>> right now introduce me and I'll present I won't be pedantic but I will be a little bit broad. I can spend some time making sure that we have on the ground and uh I think the discussion is Very
[Music] close. Cheers. You know, I wouldn't mind that. Should I just steal one of your water bottles? >> Do you like one better than the other? >> Okay. >> But
we got plenty of water. I realiz >> I'm getting kind of froggy lately. Like I'm probably catching something. >> There's a lot of smoke in the air. >> That's true. >> Your kitchen. Thank you.
>> You must have children. Okay, everybody back. >> Thank you for your patience and giving us a couple of minutes. Okay, next item is discussion regarding the parent academy contract extension.
Uh there's been a lot said about this. There has been discussion on and on and off uh regarding considering that and uh the merit academy presented us a uh a
package of what it of what they would like to see an extension look like and we did ask our attorney Brad Miller to go over with a fine tooth comb and he's here tonight to give us a a presentation. Uh, so how about it, Mr.
Miller? >> I thank you so very much. It's good to always check in with you from time to time. I'm Brad Miller and one of the lawyers for the district and I have been involved with this project. Ginger, I wanted to start saying don't worry, I
worked for D49 for almost 18 years before I got a permanent one of those plaques. And I real much more quick. She's incredible. I'm really excited that you made this choice and I'm very optimistic for the district and think
about Summit Academy and what what it has accomplished and I think that's part part of your doing and thank you. It's great stuff. This is a as someone has stated a 40ome page document and I want to first clear the air. This is a
charter contract instrument the document itself created by a law firm called Kalpin and Nest and May of 2022. Almost every word in here with the exception of a few hundred words that I'll highlight are what have been in place since May of 2022.
The attachments which are not printed here or published with your packet and that might be my fault. The signature page I know is my fault um are the same and would be the same going forward as they have been since May of 2022.
Those are not revised. Those are uh waiver requests. Those are submitted for statutory reasons to the state for policy district policy reasons submitted to us and approved by us. And those tend to go those district policy waiverss
tend to go in the areas of places where um our type of employment is different than their type of employment. We we are subject to techa. They're not things of that nature. And that's why um those waiverss are fairly evergreen and standard and and many of the statutory
waiverss are considered automatic. So for example, a waiver of teacher lensure, principal lensure are um standards waiverss that would be attached in that packet. In similar fashion, as was stated by I think a representative of merit, some of the
other pieces of this are not evergreen and they need to be annually renewed and so those are fall under what we call purchase services and those would be a separate document that would be annually or routinely. Tonight's presentation again few hundred
words changed from the original contract is intended specifically to extend the duration of the contract. So it it was uh scheduled to to eclipse I think in 2027. Merit Academy, as you know, it's been very um broadly discussed, has been
involved in some conversations with the district, also through another law firm, not my law firm, to consider a a purchase of the facility. And that got in meshed with uh public elements, the city council, and different things that
really um you know, they went the way they went. And at the end of the day, it wasn't going to be viable for them to purchase the facility. Wasn't from our perspective at least viable for them to p purchase the facility. And as has been noted here kind of by
both sides of the aisle, um it is in the district's interest to revise the nature of our lease with them for a property that belongs to us, the middle school property that they now utilize. Right now, we have a lease
created by another law firm that gives them the opportunity to reside and use that facility without having to bear the brunt of the facility maintenance and the facility repair costs. And that's not fair to us. And so we've begun to
address that through this conversation. The gist of this is that we want to have a two-pronged approach where we consider an adoption adoption of an extension of the contract and then subsequently
and I have engaged with the lawyer for merit on a conversation about the lease that would be co-terminous with the the the duration of this contract and under which they would be they would be liable for in every respect
the the um the maintenance, the any upgrades, uh the repairs. We we know that they have some uh utilities that are all already kind of on the verge, and we don't want to have to pay for those sorts of things, and we don't want our people to have to run over on a
Saturday night and um address a frozen pipe situation. We want them to have to be responsible for that. And that's the reason that I've wanted to engage on this conversation. So, tonight is presentation of the charter agreement extension.
I did talk with the board in executive session at one point and and ask for your permission and direction to negotiate with um merit on that and and Keegan was in the room. >> I was but we gave you direction to discuss with them what they would be looking for.
>> And so then we began to have that discussion and there's now being presented a an extension um of the contract. it would be till 2055. The other main elements of this that were revised are in what's known as a
warehouse clause or the recital and they just change that to reflect current status. So for example, whereas um 1.5 says whereas the parties entered into a charter contract effective of May 2022 to provide for initial term of
operation for funding purposes commencing, you know, it it's it's just updating the language. And then what I would call ministerial, don't get me wrong, it's not ministry like religiousy stuff, but ministerial changes having to do with the fact that they used to call
their leader the um chief action officer, some sort of interesting title. They wanted to reflect their current reality, head of school. So these are the sorts of changes are inherent in here with a couple of particulars. one, they wanted to
take on the burden of managing student expulsions. And so we engaged back and forth on that. I believe as your representative, it's better for us economically and and just sort of generally efficiently for them to do so. But I wanted to make sure that they
couldn't do a pass of the lemons type of thing. And so the language in here reflects that if they were to not if they were to try to expel a student and that student wiggled out and didn't subject themselves to expulsion and came
tried to come and enroll with us, they would have to bear the burden of the education if they didn't follow through with the expulsion. So, we want to give them the burden, but we want to make sure we don't take the the heat. In our special education section, which
is consistent with where we were originally, they are not allowed to not accept a student on the basis of a of a um IEP or or some or 504 plan or any sort of demographic reason. They're explicitly
barred from doing so. In the event that they take a student and like some of our own students, that student might require a sight-based education, they would bear all the extra anything not covered under PPR. They would cover they would bear
all the costs of educating that student in a site-based place. So, they they can't shift costs for special education back to us. Our Boseis is an administrative unit. We're the LEA. They are subject to us. This is not a pure
insurance model as some charter schools have. It's a model in which they provide the special education classroom teachers and some of those other things, but they're under the direct supervision of our AU, the Boseies. And so when we evaluate a student and consider them for
an individualized education plan that is done under the uh authority and interaction of our OC's team. So we're protected very well there. After that, there is some language that
has changed with respect to what was the original financial transactional issue having to do with a local sales tax that enhanced all of our economies. And because that is not still the case, the
language in that section has changed to reflect the current reality. Apart from that, the significant issue is that we've extended the time. And again coming back to the beginning, the reason we would be interested in doing that is
because then we can enter into negotiations and finalize a lease for the same duration in which they take on the burden of the cost and development of a facility which we will still own. It will be in we will be insured so that
if anything is less than normal wear and tear, they would owe us back at the end of the lease. we would get the benefit of all the upgrades. Anything that they build in would be ours. So if they add a playground that becomes ours and
it really would be a far better scenario for us than to just sit tight. And finally, the why the duration. That's because in order for them to do the sort of significant upgrades that they'd like to do to enhance their
educational model, um they're going to need external financing support. And that can best be based on a a contract of some time. And I missed one item. Missed one item and it's a big one. Um
now I ran past it. So, we've been uh I'm going to just rabbit trail for a second, David, but my um son, who's a lawyer, his wife just had a baby um Sunday, and we've had a 2-year-old running around the house, and I'm so exhausted as a 63y old man
dealing with that that I think I've lost a little bit. the um this probably will come back to me in Q&A and I'll get if I if I pop on uh what I was wanting to say there was one more factor I wanted to share with you. I would like to open the floor to
questions. This ought to be a discussion that you operate next. >> Mr. Miller, I do have a question about just what you ended with with the um the significant issue and the issue that we heard in public uh
the public comment time and also on social media is the length the reason for the length and how uh it seems to be it it's you know the standard length of time is 3 to five years >> thank you >> u are there other
so I have questions some questions about that you've answered the 30 years because it would provide um be more attractive to be able to borrow money to seek financing. Can can
you go just a little more on that? In other words, is is there any evidence that they would be able to get financing easier for that term? >> Thank you. I'm going to answer a different question first, which is that duration has raised flags because it
that's not normal. Other people have five-year terms. Why not have a fiveyear term? And by the way, James Irwin and the classical academy both started with 30-year terms. So it's not sort of unique in the world. Those are just local examples. There's a whole sort of variety. >> They started with 30 years term.
Absolutely. Yes. And that's in Harrison D2 and Academy District 20. But here's the thing. Here's the dirty little secret. Our statutory framework says there are basically five reasons that you can either non-renew or terminate a charter.
And those five reasons are the same whether it comes up in a renewal cycle every five years or if it comes out in two years. And these have to do with defects in governance, defects in budget, uh failing to meet the academic expectations and standards, which by the
way have to meet or exceed those of the district. It's those sorts of things that can be the basis for the termination of a contract. So why have a shorter duration at all? I think that it become it builds in a and sort of a natural rhythm of review and there's
pros and cons with that and I think the pros are very obvious right well that forces us to kind of consider and formalize at this board and um by the way David and Keegan I appreciate you guys continuing to push on hey let's have more discussion and more dialogue I
think that's really an aspect of this board that I hope will continue to improve but the but the the downside is in a renewal cycle which is very formalized. There's an an economic burden to us. We have to then have somebody kind of go in
and do the factf finding and the building of the case and the presentations and and so I can understand the benefit, but it's not a sort of like real lowhanging fruit type of benefit. And so the counterbalancing
um upside of this is that they will have genuinely a better opportunity for financing. Facility financing is a real fine art. They don't they would not own the facility without any sort of promise of
duration. Bankers don't know charter school law. They don't know school law. And so they don't have any real basis to think that they're you know that they're going to be able to trust a payoff and so giving them the duration is just a document that the
requesters can submit and obtain better options. A bank could be one option but with this sort of thing then there's tax exempt bond financing different sorts of um ways that financing can be obtained. >> Can I ask a followup real quick on that
my first question then? >> Sure. Are there any you named two schools that with their initial charter were 30-year charters? Of course, that wasn't the norm. three to five. But concerning the financing and the longer
term, are there any schools that you can give an example of that that needed that amount of time to be able to get financing for building projects or any that any local schools that you can give as examples who have needed to do that?
>> I'm working with one in St. Brain right now. I'm in that case I'm on the side of the charter school and it's in the St. brain district and we are working towards finalizing that exact thing. Yes. >> Okay. >> There's I have a conversation for us not for
>> Okay. I just want clarifications. Um I do have the question uh for you to you know maybe help us with our conversation. Um, you explained how it came about with the
Kaplan and Ernest law firm and why they need a 30-year term. Um, could you go into just a little bit more on the transportation 5.2 and 5.3 that that's explain why that is an
annual thing uh and why you know the public is concerned about that and food services as well. Well, um so sure I I for um obvious
initial reasons and then maybe p to my perspective less obvious subsequent reasons wasn't involved at all in this original chartering. Right. and and so and and I have very sort of explicitly tried to reduce
legal costs in this later this year because of you know things happening with city council and so I'm a little less directly connected with those purchase services and how they've come about but I work in another district 49 where we have a spoken hub sort of
transportation system and I understand the economy and and and the and and and then the philosophy behind it which is we want to give every student equal opportunity to to attend the school of their choice. We want to be sort of agnostic about what choice they make and
and give them the opportunity to be able to. We want to make sure that kids with less means or or single parent or working parents have the opportunity to to access the choices that you know the more wellto-d do parents would have. And so that would be a philosophical reason
for a transportation, you know, uh, account that that works in that that direction. Food service is an annual thing. We've taken away um, we will no longer have universal paid food service going into the future. So, we're
going to have to have a different sort of look at the way that that is done. Everybody won't get free food um, in the future. And so those things are going to need to be every year kind of reconsidered. >> Is that that's in the contract that that's renegotiated every year? Is that
what you're saying or >> No, you're in a separate agreement that is and I apologize for the in and out of the microphone, but >> can I give you my microphone? >> No, I'm okay. it I mean but uh those things are sort of they change from time to time and so they're in a separate
purchase services um sort of scenario not in the charter contract think of the charter contract like our constitution and then we have laws instead you know it's the same sort of difference and I just I have one more question I mean I don't mean to monopolize it but uh there
was some more discussion I'm just wanting to ask questions that the public has been asking questions that were asked here tonight. I think it's important that we publicly talk about it and especially the concerns that you know we heard tonight. Uh there were
some concerns about uh enrollment practices that uh some kids could be discriminated against uh because of certain additional costs or you know any number of things.
Can you tell how this contract addresses those concerns or do you are would you be able to comment on that? >> So it was it this contract incorporates a charter application which was presented at the
outset of this dialogue in early late 2021, let's say. And so that application contains the elements of their their lottery or or weight list or whatever process they have and um it's incorporated into the agreement and so
we can cross reference back and say what did you promise there and we can hold them accountable to that. So for example they probably said something along the lines of we're a classical education and we're going to use these sorts of you know socratic methods or rhetoric classes or whatever. We can hold them
accountable to that too. They can't kind of shift and become monosuri without our approval. In the same way they can't shift some of those elements without our approval. I am very confident that um this contract addresses squarely the
questions of trying to deny enrollment for discriminatory or other illegitimate reasons. And so that's squarely put into the enrollment sections here. And that again that is original language from 2022.
So then along with that and on the heels of that if is there any way that a public school even a charter school could they secretly or in any way it's
been accused for three for two years now but a little longer that they would be a military school or a Christian school or somehow affiliate themselves elves with some religious organization. Is that
possible legally for them to do that or are you able to address that? >> Well, um we do have provisions in our contract that they can partner with programs that provide part-time programming for
homeschool students. So, those are students who are declared homeschoolers and so they can partner with programs that provide that sort of opportunity. But in terms of their um general education, their K through 12 um direction, they're they're bound to what
they applied to be. They they they can't become something different without our approval. >> So they can't become some a religious school. >> Correct. Okay. >> Yeah. That's actually in the contract on page 12. There's a non-religious. It's 4.4. Um and it actually says that the
school shall not even be affiliated in any way with any non-public religious organization. Um, so I was surprised and that's from the original contract also. So I was surprised to hear that there was a a church operating in the building.
>> So let me let me just briefly address the question of facilities use under So we as a as a district may already have protocols and certainly have a policy in place that says it dictates how we could rent our gym for a weekend basketball tournament or or to a church or to any
sort of entity as long as we do it on an equal basis. There's no reason to prohibit a charter school from doing the same thing. And in fact, you know, I um I would vouch safe that in El Paso County, almost every school, public charter, public charter, um probably has
a church that has asked them or may already be using them or some other sort of, you know, like a youth group of, you know, Boy Scouts and those sorts of things. It's very, very common. these types of facilities are attractive to groups and so um allowing rental by a
church is not an a religious affiliation if that doesn't as long as the policy and the pricing are non-discriminatory. >> Well, thank you Mr. Miller. We may have some future questions or sit
>> that's up to you. You can sit down. We'll call you back. Thoughts, comments? Well, I ask um I think it's important that we, you know, address the questions
that the public has had and I thought that Mr. Miller answered my questions that I thought were important. Uh there were some other ones uh that were on social media. I don't know how pertinent they are, but I just would
like to see our conversation at least address those concerns going forward and so that that the people have a voice within our discussion and that they can have those questions and they're answered. So, you
know, I'm just hoping that we can address some of those. Like, you know, the big sticking point that we heard tonight is the the 30-year the 30-year issues and that they need a 30-year contract,
charter contract to match a lease so that they can get the funding to do the things that they want to do and then in that way create a savings for the rest of the district that we don't have to do anything with that building for 30 years
and then that they're required to take care of it. So, you know, if we could have some conversation about that, I I'd like to hear what everybody thinks about those things. >> Well, that was one of the roots of of this process was, you know, they weren't
in a position to buy the school. Uh they they weren't in a position to be given the school. And so then the discussion came out about well maybe leasing it to them but we were told I don't remember who some we were told by someone that
you know if they if they want to borrow money they need a longer contract to assure the lending institution that that they're viable and and and for a period of time. So that's that's how it went
from a fiveyear or whatever to a more extended uh program. But as Mr. Miller said, uh if if the PE if they're not matching the criteria of this agreement, then we can
absolve it at any time. Um, so there's five conditions that he said that there's there's five conditions that at any time the board of education can
just or stop the contract. >> I didn't refresh my memory and look at that statute, but it's in the 20-30.5-10 whatevers and it it's the section around charter schools in the in the Colorado Revised statutes and there there is a provision there that that specifies the
the bases for a non-renewal and the same bases for a termination of a charter agreement. They're selfsame exact same items. And so that's why I mean I I saw some head nodding around the idea that a
renewal process would give us pause and cause us, you know, sort of like force you into a dialogue about them every certain period of time. But you're not you're not barred from doing that on a routine basis um no matter what the duration is. And regardless, you can't
non-renew a charter school unless they violated one of those provisions. In the same way, you absolutely may terminate a charter contract if they're in violation. >> Thank you. >> So, that's one of the things, too. I heard a lot of people talking about why
we need to renew it. Um, most of it was out of fear. Fear that future boards wouldn't renew the contract. Uh, fear that other people in the community could somehow dismantle the the charter contract. And that that's really not
based in in facts at all. Um there's no need to have a 30-year uh contract in order to prevent that from happening because you would have to look at those at those factors in order to say no, we don't want to renew the contract. So I
think we can remove that fear from our decision basis. Well, a fear that still exists in my mind's eye is that I think the city did some things that were outside of the law
in in taking away our sales tax and as as we speak they were able to do that and they're >> it was in their jurisdiction to >> it's in their jurisdiction to revoke tax. They have that authority. We would
not or any future board not have the authority to revoke a charter unless they weren't meeting those standards. >> So, it's not the same. >> So, okay. So, that is the um precaution and I I I tend to agree with you. if
they're if they're following their contract and and they're doing everything according to the Colorado Revised Statutes that charter schools are required to do, the 30-year lease helps them to to ensure to to gather the
finances that they that they need to improve our building. So, I think it's a it's a win-win situation for for the district to not have the burden of that building because
we were left with $31 million worth of repairs that are in need of 10 years ago on the buildings that we have. And this
this gives them the ability and the 600 students plus security that a third of our students are going to this school and they are part of the community. They are taxpayers like it was mentioned. And so it's a positive to
do the 30 years and if everybody stays in compliance then there there won't be an issue and that that is why I think the 30-year contract is important. >> One of the questions that I've heard the public asking of concerning the 30 years
and the financing thing is and I would like to be able to ask merit board members or whatever but you know it's not part of this meeting but I would sure like to hear from them about this.
Is there what what kind of financing is available? And maybe the question was proof that they needed this long-term to be able to get the financing they that they desire
and that they wouldn't have available if it was just a five-year contract >> because the banks are looking for longevity. >> But we have no proof of that. We have no proof that giving them a 30-year contract will ensure that they get this. So, what we do know is a 30-year contract will tie us to that and will
tie the taxpayers to 30 years. >> So, the the only collateral that a banker or a bond financer can claim against a school that doesn't own a facility is the future revenues coming from PPR.
Five years of that wouldn't pay off a a a facility upgrade of the nature that they're doing. you need 30 years to be able of PPR because the revenues towards the students are the only collateral available and that's why >> okay so I I hear what you say but we've
also seen zero bids for what it would actually cost them to do whatever work they want to do. They presented us with a list um when we had our one meeting with them and a lot of the things on there were kind of wish list things and some of them according to our own
facility staff were things that were already taken care of that we already paid for. So again we don't have the proof that shows they need this to get the kind of loan that they're looking for or that the kind of loan that they're looking for is actually necessary.
>> Can I just ask a question? Is there any way that I've been asking a lot of them Holmes, >> go for it. >> When we were going on the facility tour, Jason did bring up there were some issues that needed taken care of, and so
those would be taken off of our plate. >> Yeah, I went on the tour with him last week, too. And most of them were related to the uh the parking lot, the paving, and then there was one roof issue where he said it looked like someone had stabbed holes in it that needed to be
fixed. Um, but Meritt had the low like I have the list here. We can go through that, but I think that's better served in another conversation. Um, again, just seeing a list of what actually needs to be done there >> that would nec necessitate us giving
>> Jason mentioned to you that there are some significant boiler issues at at Merit. >> He he had shared that with us. >> Yeah. >> Would it asking you Mr. President, the question about the funding.
There are merit representatives here. Would it be possible for to ask them a question or two? >> I don't know that that's appropriate for this meeting, which is one of the reasons why I don't think we should be voting on this issue tonight. Um, you know, I was pretty concerned when I saw it as an action item tonight because
this is not something we have discussed as a board at all. We had one executive session where our adviser told us he could to the merit uh folks their lawyers and their board and hear from them what they are looking to do and
tell them the things that our board would not agree to and that is what we asked him to do so I was shocked when I saw a put together contract because we have not discussed this we didn't ask him to put together a contract >> at least in no meeting I was involved in
so unless you >> was wasn't this the primarily the contract that was by >> most of it's the contract, but obviously there was there was additional negotiations. >> Well, he was uh I spoke to him about it
because he's much better served to review that and any potential changes that they may have wanted to do that. >> So, you you asked him on your own to write up the cont. in we were in a meeting and uh an agenda setting meeting
and the conversation came up and we all agreed that >> who's we >> uh the people that were in that meeting uh Aaron Salt >> not a board member >> uh he asked who was in the meeting >> sorry yes you're right but he
>> I would say that I was given direction in a in a an executive session with all board members present to go find out what the additions were I've listed the three essential additions that were made. This is not a rewrite of the contract. This is adding
the duration and adding the student expulsion piece and correcting and updating the facility piece based on local funding not being um available the way it was in the original contract. That's it. >> Right. So, in that in that with that
being said, >> you remember that though, correct? Yes, I said that we asked him to go talk to them so that we could figure out what they would be interested in. And he said he would let them know if their if their requests were going to be beyond what we would agree to. But the fact that this
this contract, which we have not reviewed as a board prior to it being put in this agenda tonight, which was not on the original agenda, by the way, when when we were given the proposed agenda for tonight, so I I saw this on
Friday. Um, we have not discussed this. It is not appropriate for us to take a vote on something we have not had prior conversation about. >> We're having a conversation right now. >> We are. And one conversation I don't think is enough to write a 30-year contract.
>> That's to me that is >> Of course you do. You signed him contract. >> Yes. Do it again. >> I know you would. Good thing you're not running again. >> Silence, please, from the audience.
Thank you. >> So, any more discussion? >> Yeah, >> I have more. >> All right. So, if we're talking about the 30, obviously, it's been mentioned multiple
times that the standard would be three to five years. We've heard our lawyer argue why we should give the charter school that 30-year loan. Um, but quite honestly, it doesn't seem fiscally responsible, right? Over three decades,
costs will inevitably rise due to inflation and changing needs. Um, again, to sign a 30-year contract prevents us the ability to reconsider these budgeting issues. Um, it also kind of ties us in and limits our flexibility to
invest in additional programs in the future. We've talked a lot about school choice in these meetings. We hear a lot about wanting school choice in this community, and I agree, it's a wonderful thing. If we sign a 30-year contract with one charter school, that actually limits choice for any future programs
that want to come into the district. Maybe it's a a program on sciences or arts or whatever it might be, but we've signed a 30-year contract with one. It limits our ability to to look into any additional ones. >> One one charter school really raised
havoc in this in this community. I can't see anybody in this community approving another charter school. >> 30 years is a very long time. >> Yes. >> You if you had asked anyone 30 years ago if there would be a charter school in this district at all, I'm sure they would have said no. but it's here
because times change and people change. And so signing us up for a 30-year contract which does not allow the people who will be in charge at that time to be able to be agile to the needs and the wants of that current community again I
think is irresponsible. >> Can can you help me understand something though real quick? If merit is is in charge or responsible for their own expenses, >> how would does that I help me understand
how that would become a budgeting issue for the rest of the district? >> Uh well, there's still the per pupil funding that's going across. So there's always things we need to consider, right? The district has fixed costs regardless of the number of students that are in there. We need to keep that
into consideration. Will we be able to provide the level of service that we really ought to to the students that are still choosing the traditional public schools, their choice? Um, if we have this 30-year contract, I just think it's something again we need to consider and
not make a snap decision tonight. I I don't I mean I respect you absolutely, but I don't understand that how if they're responsible for their own expenses, how it would negatively affect
our budgeting by giving them a 30-year >> Well, I mean, in terms of inflation, >> did I hear Director Barkley correctly when she said like it might limit the district's
options? of furthering another charter school, another choice. Is that accurate? Or Mr. Miller, can you that would that limit our district in any way? >> I did say that. You heard that
correctly? >> I don't think I have a basis to respond to that question. Um and then you know of course again there's the level of public trust. Uh again somebody else brought this up but I have it in my notes here. Uh this board has a bad habit of making
decisions in one meeting that are not in alignment with the community with being open and visible. And um I know Nick you've said you've you've made mistakes before and you want to do better with that. Here is an opportunity to do
better. Here is an opportunity to show the district, to show the people who are entrusting us with their children's education that we hear them, that we care about them, that we are willing to do the work to make sure we are making the right decisions for the students
today and the students of the future. Well, I think that Merritt has been a good example of someone that we do want in our circle, uh, school choice and any number of reasons. And this isn't like we're bringing someone new in here that
doesn't have any record track record at all to do something. This is just extending it for the most part extending the duration of a contract that's going to allow them some flexibility to
afford all of their own expenses which brings that monies back to the district that benefits us substantially because as was said we all of our schools are needing a significant amount of work >> and and I I'm I'm I'm happy for that.
That's one of the reasons I am for doing this. >> Yeah. And I'm I am not saying we shouldn't consider this at all. What I am asking and and what I propose is that we wait because we can we can vote to wait and not or we can not go forward
with an action item tonight. We can have our discussion. We can continue gathering feedback. And that doesn't change the charter because the charter still goes on if we take no action tonight until 2027. So Merid is not in any danger of losing their charter if we
don't vote on this tonight. There is no reason for this board to have urgency to push the vote tonight. >> Financial reason. I don't think it's about you know the charter not coming on. So if this does help them and helps
us take away some of those costs then >> but what would a month what would a month hurt? No, I said their contract is not currently up until 2027. So, we don't need to renew anything, you know, and until 2027. I'm not saying we need to
wait that long, but what I'm saying is why don't we pump the brakes a little bit here. Take some time to gather proper information, get the the proof that we are looking for so that we know we're making the right decision. Take the time. Slow down. There's no reason
to to to rush this. >> This has been a conversation for quite some time overall uh working with merit. I mean I I also read some of the comments of one of our city council members this week. >> Not
>> and you've not heard it? >> No, I did. I saw it just >> and you know in my mind's eye that's a flag on the field and anything that we can do to help them avoid someone coming in there and forcing
something I'm about >> but we've already established that that's not possible and city council has no >> has no weight over the charter. We do. This board does. >> The the city council had had no uh
they were way outside of their lane. >> They were not >> with with their decisions when we were talking it in the end about it. They they were not uh >> taxes are under their jurisdiction. Charter schools are not. They took away
a tax. They cannot take away a charter school. Well, the the root for all of that issues with the intergovernmental agreement was people in this community's dislike for merit. >> I don't think that's true at all. But that is a completely different
conversation right now. We are talking about the contract that is being proposed >> and and that we are. Is there anything else you wanted to share? >> Do you have a response to that? >> Okay, please.
>> My view is that we entering into a new school year and I can understand and respect and I actually spoke with at least one board member about the idea of having a second discussion on this which I wouldn't object to whatsoever however you want to move forward but I would suggest that that be done quickly rather
than a month from now we're starting a new school year I would love to have the lease complete and and presented to you for first read at your next meeting and I and a month from now would prohibit me from doing that and then we're getting further down into the the year and I'm worried about liabilities and I'm worried about costs.
>> But you could you could start working on a lease agreement which is separate from the contract renewal now before we've made a decision and that doesn't hold you up at all. >> I could work on it but I can't I can't get commitment from the other side to that until we've got the extension on
this time because it wouldn't be meaningful to them without that. So again, I would say, you know, do do a meeting on Saturday or do a meeting next Tuesday or, you know, something in the near future if you're going to delay. >> I I do I would something I would like to
do. Um I think the big sticking point that I hear, the biggest one is the 30 years. I understand the reasoning Mr. Miller I think has given a good reason for me. I've I've heard this in previous
conversations that it's it needs to be longer so that they can get in people interested in the funding. I would like to hear it would help me to hear from Merit Academy a
representative on how that funding is looking how and and I would like to hear their reasoning for it. So, is it really hampering it? Is there really no one out there? And do they
have any uh you know, I don't know how you would say it. Do they have people who are interested in funding it that that if it were 30 years? I don't know though. I'd like to hear those answers. It seems like maybe
it would be appropriate for to us to schedule another meeting combined with merit so we can bring actual facts and have an actual discussion with them about it. Not a why merit is great. We all agree it is but actual numbers. What needs to be done? What are the wants? Um
an actual, you know, what is that going to cost? Have this been bid out or these just guesses? And then do they have uh have they spoken to financial institutions that are requiring 30 years? Can we do 15? Is that viable? Would that be enough
for the banks to say yes? These are all things we need to discuss. We haven't discussed it as a board. We haven't gotten the proper information from Merritt, the other party. And and so again, I do not think a vote on this tonight is appropriate. Not saying never, just not tonight.
>> You know, and if if we were to have another meeting, I would want to that it's very quickly like it was this you know I would want it to be early next week so that merit could have a chance
to do a presentation or another finance presentation and the public would be able to hear more it it would look more open and uh you know I I just want to say my I ran for this office because I
thought that an injustice had been done. I wanted merit to be chartered, but my concern is for all of the kids and I want the best thing for merit. I want the best thing for this for WPSD certainly >> all of those things. But if we can just
take a week to open this up so that qu you know more questions can be answered if they're out there the pertinent questions that uh Meritt would be able to do their presentation. So I just want to say where I sit is that I would like
to extend a long contract to Merit Academy, but I do want to hear have a few questions answered by them or by their attorney, whatever they want to have as a representative, but and I would rather not vote on it tonight be
but I am I just let out there I want to extend the contract and I don't want it to just get kicked down the road more than a That's that's where I'm standing. >> Yes, but I don't think that's appropriate. That's not on the agenda.
That's not what this was about. Like, we should have a separate meeting. We should allow Merit to collect the information they need to answer the questions we actually have. Um, you putting them on the spot. They could answer some questions probably, but I would actually want to see documentation.
I mean, >> if I'm available next Wednesday, we want to have >> Yes, sir. Thank you for recognizing me again. I apologize. The issue that I raised is actually the issue and I'm not sure that any further presentations I I'm not against more
dialogue, but further presentations are not going to be availing. This is about collateral. There's no collateral in a lease. The only available to an operating school is its PPR and that has to be based on a duration of time. 30
years respectfully is the right amount of time. I've done this with I've been in their shoes Mr. Miller >> 50 or 60 times that wasn't a question that was asked to you >> but the question was what they want to answer the changes to the contract not
to advocate why we should agree to the terms Merritt has asked for. That's not your job. I I appreciate the the work that you've done, but this is a discussion the board needs. >> I just want to make sure >> seal with you this idea. There's the
only way they can do funding is if they have a duration of time. So that so there's I'm not sure that you can feel some sort of presentation. How are you getting each funding? They can't do it until you've gotten that duration. >> Anything any other discussion? Yeah. I
make a motion to approve the charter for Merit Academy. >> I have a second. >> All right. We have a motion and a second. Roll call. >> I am so embarrassed to be part of this board. >> Barkley, >> no.
>> Bates, I >> Ruster Holtz, >> I. >> Motion carries. You're disgusting. >> Oh my gosh. >> Ladies and gentlemen,
>> you are disgusting and a disgrace. >> No one has a 30-year contract and you work for the board, not the other way around. It is not the public's responsibility if you're funding for a church that does not allow public input
or of the taxpayers. You're private schools and you're getting >> these conversations. >> Yes. Okay. At this time, uh that motion did carry. Uh
>> congratulations, Mayor County. At this time, I need a motion for us to adjourn to executive session pursuant to CRS24-42 4 BNF and E to receive legal advice on superintendent contract terms to discuss
contract negotiations with new superintendent and with outgoing acting superintendent and for personnel discussions and evaluations with Jenser. slow. >> Just a a quick correction. It's 24-6-424
and whatever else. >> 24-6-24. >> Thank you. >> Do I have a motion? >> So move. >> Second. >> Second. >> Rollley Bates.
>> Hi. >> Kimrell. >> Hi. >> Patterson. I hold >> I meeting is not adjourned. Meeting is >> put on hold
>> recess. Thank you. >> We'll be using Where is it? Great. >> Question. >> Yes. what they're going to do. >> Yeah. Yeah.
>> Okay. I call this meeting back. Let me get >> resume the board meeting. Uh there will be no action taken tonight. >> Yeah. Uh there there will be no action
tonight. We got a little bit of homework to do. So there's no action tonight. And with that the me with if there's nothing else motion >> motion to adjurnn. >> So move. >> Second.
>> Roll call. >> Hi. >> Bates. >> Hi. >> Shimro. >> Hi. >> Adds. >> Hi. meeting a German. >> You know what? I'll bet you sometime
next year I get this right about See that?