It is very important that a school board functions intentionally to strike a balance between the interests of the school district and the interests, and dialog with, the parents, grandparents and community that elected them. The school board works for its electors. The school board is a checks and balance between the two bodies to maintain fairness for all, even while adhering to any legal requirements. It would be incredibly useful to create opportunities for school board members, and other school administrators to meet informally with parents, and community members throughout the school year to dialogue with one another; feeling heard and understood.
The school board, by its own policies, makes a commitment to 'reflect the values of the community.' This should apply to curriculum, financial and policy related values. In these areas, the buck stops with the school board directors.
In terms of everything taught; be it lesson plans, programs or surveys, the school board is terminally responsible for all this content. Yet many parents don't have access to much of this content, and therefore, the lack of transparency of the things taught, leaves parents wondering if it indeed reflects their family values. Controversial topics, restorative justice practices, and material driven by Social Emotional Learning (SEL), or diversity, equity and inclusion(DEI) should be reviewable and/or approvable by parents before being taught.
Financial records are also an area of interest to the community. The school district pays a lot of entities which go by a set of acronyms. As a taxpayer myself, I'm concerned as to how tax dollars are being spent, what is the school district getting for their dollars? Does the curriculum or programming make the students better educated in things like math, reading, science, chemistry or history? Are the outcomes for this educational content, paid for by the school district, measurable? Does the content reflect the family values of the parents and community? Considering the buzz words above; SEL, DEI, which the school district teaches, and because the merit of these movements is controversial in society, understanding where, and why the money is spent toward these areas is important to parents and the community.
In terms of policies, the school district generally does a fine job of meeting legal obligations. There are a couple of policies that have caught my attention, however. In the revised Mission Statement, the school district has placed, once again, an emphasis on social-emotional needs, while saying almost nothing about academic achievement.
Essentially, the measures of success are unmeasurable attributes. In an educational institution, academic achievement should take prominence. Another policy that got a lot of attention from parents and the community, was what became the transgender guidelines. The school board determined that, upon its publication, the legal requirements had been met. But what about the students in the locker rooms who are uncomfortable, traumatized or fearful, having to share those private spaces? Until students, parents and school employees all feel that a mutually acceptable environment is created, and everyone feels safe, the work is not finished!
While the school district rightfully takes pride in highlighting the accomplishments and opportunities of the graduates who have pursued trade fields and taken advantage of the dual college enrollment options, it's important to remember that attaining a solid foundation in core academic skills, including mathematics, reading and writing at grade-appropriate levels, is equally important. By equipping students with these essential skills, we empower them to thrive in various aspects of life, preventing any form of limitation on their future opportunities. Job preparation is highly valuable, but the more math, reading and writing that a student learns, the more opportunities they will have in the future.
Thomas grew up on a farm and learned responsibilities at a young age. Thomas and his wife Carol have seven children and seven grandchildren. Together they served as the Friday night cooks at the local homeless shelter, Loaves & Fishes for seven years, and were foster parents, providing a safe home for 31 needy children. Two of which they gave a forever home through adoption. Thomas has lived in Cañon City since 1995.