Letter to the Editor: Balancing board

Isn’t it time balance returned to the Jeffco school board? Don’t we need a couple of board members willing to ask what needs to happen to improve student achievement? I think yes, and yes, so I am supporting Matt Van Gieson and Erica Shields for Jeffco School Board. These two candidates will bring balanced discussions to the Jeffco School Board in a respectful manner.

I have been unhappy with the current board’s decision to move sixth graders to middle school with minimal community engagement. I am not comfortable with the $50 million dollar price tag to make this happen. I have read that there are thousands of empty classroom seats in Jeffco. I think more creative problem solving needs to be discussed before spending $50 million to add an additional 5,000 classroom seats. Some of my friends didn’t even know it was happening and are now looking for alternatives for their children.

I read that the district does not have the money to address low student achievement numbers, so wouldn’t the $50 million make a larger impact if allocated to the classrooms? It is these questions that the current board ignores. Please vote for Matt Van Gieson and Erica Shields to the Jeffco School Board.

Maureen Sielaff,
Littleton