Thank you, Colorado Community Media and Andrew Fraieli, for your story “Jeffco Board of Education Votes to Close 16 Elementary Schools” on Nov. 17. The issues in Colorado’s Public Educational System have been very important to this long-time disenfranchised county resident and stakeholder. I also find it very interesting that “Trust was brought up repeatedly, in public hearings and meetings before this vote and during public comment the day of” and this is a “rushed plan.” Lost trust in Jeffco Public Schools and this community has gone on for more than a decade and future planning has been slim. Why else would the exodus of students over time have been so great as to cause these numerous closures?  

Be it an elected School Board’s recall for misinformation by the entire country’s Teacher’s Union or no real increases in local student achievement rates.These past volunteers board members were doing their jobs by questioning an adopted poorly processed history curriculum and taking students out of classrooms was harmful.  

The US Department of Education reported more administrators in Districts aren’t an answer.This isn’t to say that new staff aren’t good at their work, but this priority doesn’t fit what Public Education and this community need for engagements.Nor is meeting new national social justice goals helpful. 

As this School District has proven it is necessary to implement “student first” strategies, straight forth financial responsible and solvency and evolving all studies to 21st century’s career opportunities. County parents have and will keep finding better alternative educational opportunities. 

Gary Scofield, Arvada