Our school district is facing a series of significant issues—financial challenges, declining enrollment, high staff turnover, and fractured community trust. As voters, it's vital to understand not only where we are, but how we got here. These issues are complex, but solvable—with knowledgeable leadership, transparent operation, and a renewed focus on what’s best for all students.
Below are several of the most pressing concerns raised by community members:
There is an immediate need for experienced oversight over our district’s finances. School finance is a complex field. In just four years, Woodland Park School District has had five different CFOs or acting CFOs, and a complete turnover of the finance department in the last two years. Board members and the superintendent also lacked prior experience. This disruption has led to:
Additionally, legal fees have grown disproportionately, diverting funds from classrooms.
Loss of the city’s dedicated sales tax funding —a critical source of revenue— is viewed by many as something that could have been preserved through transparency and stronger community engagement
The state is also phasing out the five-year averaging method used to stabilize funding for districts with declining enrollment, adding increased financial pressure
Certificates of Participation (COPs), taken out after retiring the district’s bond (for the additions to the middle school and high school) in 2016—have payments due even as the middle school now houses a charter.
Carol can bring a solid understanding of school finance and a willingness to engage the community in problem solving back to the Board of Education.
Enrollment in Woodland Park schools has dropped sharply in recent years. Even with the addition of a local charter school and its expansion, only 66% of local students now attend district schools (including Merit Academy). This is down 11% from three years ago. During Carol’s last year on the Board of Education (2018), 81% of local students attended district schools. *
This signals more than a desire for choice—it reflects a loss of trust. To reverse this trend, the Board must:
WPSD leadership must earn back the community’s confidence by proving our schools can provide the education, opportunities and healthy environment that every child deserves.
*[Data is from the Colorado Department of Education numbers for October count, full time homeschool, and Choice Out to other districts. Private school choice numbers are not available]
In the past two years, Woodland Park has experienced the unprecedented loss of talented, experienced staff—from both the classroom and district leadership.
Employees have reported a lack of voice in decision-making, poor communication, and fear of retaliation when concerns are raised. Healthy organizations empower employees to speak up, collaborate, and contribute to shaping the future.
To retain and attract top talent, the Board must:
Strong schools start with strong teams—and the BOE must take immediate steps to support ours.
School choice has changed the educational landscape in Woodland Park. While offering families more options, it has also placed new pressures on funding and programming.
Despite declining enrollment, our traditional public schools have continued to support a wide range of extracurriculars—athletics, drama, forensics, and more—that accommodate students from Lake George to Colorado Springs. Maintaining these offerings may not be sustainable with a shrinking budget base.
Moving forward, we must:
A united approach will be key to ensuring all children in Woodland Park have access to an enriching, well-rounded education
Are there other issues that are important to you as a voter? I'd love to chat!
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