John Mellencamp asked “Will you teach your children to tell the truth?”. Earlier this month (January 20), Jefferson County Board of Education President Michele Applegate wrote to the community stating, “Since 2010, our district has lost more than $930 million due to state underfunding.” What she left out of that message, however, is just as important as what was included.
In 2018, Jeffco voters overwhelmingly approved ballot measures 5A and 5B, authorizing nearly $600 million in funding. That money was intended for a wide range of priorities: new schools, teacher salaries, facility and infrastructure improvements, cafeterias, STEM programs, and more. The process was long, deliberate, and inclusive, featuring listening tours and community input from every corner of the county. Wheat Ridge residents were especially hopeful — finally, our high school would be brought into the 21st century.
And so the work began. But because Wheat Ridge begins with a “W,” it always seemed to fall near the bottom of the list. By the time our turn arrived, the district was already dealing with millions in cost overruns, mismanagement, and an “oops” miscalculation of roughly $40 million. Two top administrative positions were vacated as a result — but the damage had already been done.
Once again, Wheat Ridge paid the price. Two neighborhood schools were closed, and promised improvements at the high school were left unfinished.
At the same time, Jeffco has lost more than 12,000 students, driveBy declining enrollment and families choosing charter schools, private schools, and homeschooling — trends that are accelerating nationwide (see the related story in this issue of the Gazette). Yet despite fewer students and rising costs, staffing levels remained largely unchanged year after year. Reserves were borrowed against annually until, inevitably, something had to give.
Now, with 24 schools slated for closure, I suspect the board will once again come to the community asking for more money to support a system that simply isn’t working. Reading, writing, and math proficiency continue to decline. Standards now have been lowered so we can feel better about graduation rates, while outcomes worsen.
I understand how difficult it is to run for school board office without the support of the teachers’ union. I also understand that criticizing public education is often framed as attacking teachers — and that is not what I am doing. Teachers want to teach. Many principals understand their communities far better than the directives coming down from the district. My ask is simple: be honest with the community.
Denver Public Schools recently blamed enrollment declines on immigration concerns tied to ICE activity. But low enrollment didn’t start yesterday — it has been happening for more than a decade. Parents are no longer accepting excuses and empty promises. They are actively seeking educational environments that prepare their children for today’s world and tomorrow’s job market.
For the past 15 years, I have been deeply involved in public education — serving as PTA president at Kullerstrand, Prospect Valley and Everitt Middle School. Accountability committee at WRHS and so much more. I’ve listened to frustrated teachers with innovative ideas and watched communities lose their neighborhood schools, forcing students to travel farther and farther away.
At some point, Jeffco needs to understand that money alone is not the solution. Paying more does not automatically mean better outcomes. Putting young faces in front of screens all day, every day, is absolutely not working.
I will not vote for another school bond — and I suspect many of my neighbors feel the same. Money has lost its meaning. The City of Wheat Ridge is considering spending $17 million on a new Anderson Pool, while Jeffco has already committed $34 million to a swimming pool in Arvada. Where are the priorities?
I can’t help but think about the children who, ten years from now, will be saddled with the tax burden of these decisions — long after the promises have faded.
It’s a tough one, but as always, thanks for reading.
~ Guy
