My name is Lady Whistleblower. You do not know me and never shall. But I intend to provide you with tidbits of the happenings within the Colorado GOP, the Republican Party’s plans, and the players within our political “high society.”
Academy School District 20’s Million-Dollar Misstep: A Bond Proposal Riddled with Scandal
Gather ‘round, dear readers, for the grand spectacle that is Academy School District 20’s (ASD20) $83 million bond proposal, also known as 4B. What began as a noble endeavor to uplift our dear students has, alas, fallen victim to mismanagement, legal transgressions, and—oh, the horror—favoritism that would make even the most unscrupulous society debutante blush.
Our tale begins where all scandals do: with haste and hubris. ASD20, in their infinite wisdom, decided to push forward this bond proposal without so much as a thorough needs assessment. One might assume that when asking the public to fund $83 million, addressing all schools’ needs would be step one. Alas, the proposal heavily favors charter schools, leaving public school children as little more than afterthoughts, unwelcome at this grand “improvement” ball.
A Charter School Affair: Playing Favorites with Public Money
Ah, the plot thickens! It seems the true darlings of this bond proposal are not the public schools, but rather two beloved charter institutions. Of the $83 million, $11.14 million has been set aside for The Classical Academy (TCA) and New Summit Charter Academy (NSCA)—while public schools are left scrambling to fix broken HVAC systems, asbestos-ridden buildings, and, oh yes, host fun runs to fund basic repairs.
Indeed, dear reader, you heard me correctly: schools like Academy International Elementary are relying on “Lynx Fun Runs” to raise money for bathroom upgrades and playground improvements.
Meanwhile, the favored charters would receive millions for gyms and other luxurious expansions. If one didn’t know better, one might think the district has a curious soft spot for these institutions. Could it possibly be because our ASD20 Board President, Aaron Salt, happens to be the founder of New Summit? Perish the thought! And yet, the optics are so poor one requires a monocle to make sense of them.
The Law… A Mere Suggestion?
Now, let us not forget that there are laws governing such affairs. Colorado law dictates that charter schools should only receive bond funds if their needs are deemed more critical than those of other schools. And yet, here we are, with TCA receiving $9.48 million for a gym and new classrooms. In comparison, public schools are left to split a meager $23 million to address severe overcrowding, asbestos remediation, and crumbling infrastructure.
If one were to inquire whether the district is required to share this bond money with charter schools, the answer is a resounding no. And yet, share they do, citing proportionality based on enrollment. Meanwhile, some public schools face such dire straits that their bathrooms must await the outcome of a children’s fun run.
…the board of education shall prioritize a charter school’s capital construction needs in the school district’s long-range plan and include those needs in the current ballot question in the upcoming election if the charter school’s facility needs receive a higher priority assessment than the other schools in the district. – Colorado Revised Statute 22-30.5-404(4)(a)(I)
A District in Crisis: Transparency, or Lack Thereof
Naturally, with so much at stake, one might expect transparency and public involvement in the ASD20 bond controversy. But alas, the district has chosen to conduct much of this affair behind closed doors. A complaint has even been filed under the Fair Campaign Practices Act, accusing the district of using biased language to promote the bond. How delightful that this drama has now drawn the gaze of the Colorado Secretary of State.
Parents for Public Education have rightfully raised the alarm, demanding accountability and questioning the district’s decision-making process. Private meetings, exclusive invitations—what exactly is ASD20 hiding? And why is there a rush to pass a bond that so blatantly ignores the needs of the many in favor of the few?
@cosschoolboards Another #academydistrict20 #schoolboard #fail … this time around the 2024 Bond Initiative where #boardpresident #aaronsalt has violated #coloradostatelaw with the approved bond language that diverts over 11 million dollars to 2 #charterschools to build fancy new facilities while failing to comprehensively assess the needs of 37 #publicschools some of which are falling apart. #failedleadership #failedbond #incompetent #coloradosprings #elpasocountycolorado #derrickwilburn #nicolekonz #markbelcher #beckyallan #publiceducation ♬ original sound – COSSchoolBoards
A Dangerous Precedent Looms
Should this bond be approved, the precedent it sets is chilling. Will public schools be left to raise funds through bake sales and fun runs, while charter schools feast on taxpayer dollars? With the Secretary of State now investigating, and legal violations alleged, this tale is far from over.
The final act has yet to be written, but rest assured, dear readers, the public will not sit idly by.
For in this tale, it is the students who stand to lose the most. And that, my friends, is the greatest tragedy of all.
Until next time, dear readers.
Lady Whistleblower
