WOODLAND PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT RE-2

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Oct 19, 2003

ISSUE 3A

Summary: Would increase taxes $1.1 annually for staffing.

Key provisions:

The funds would be used to hire additional teachers to reduce class sizes and retain teachers and other staff by improving compensation to permit the district to be competitive with other districts.

What they're saying:

Pro: The quality of education is outstanding and the level of achievement reached by the students is commendable. The school district experienced a 28 percent turnover rate in teachers mainly because of low pay. Classrooms have 30 or more students at the middle and high school levels.

Colorado Student Assessment Program test scores indicate that children being taught by teachers with three or more years of experience score much higher than those whose education is provided by inexperienced teachers.

A yes vote will allow the district to add six new teachers, thus reducing class sizes. It also will increase salaries by 8 percent for teachers and staff.

An investment of $2.80 a month for a home valued at $100,000 will give children in the district quality, experienced teachers.

Con: In November 2002, the taxpayers defeated this issue on increased staff salaries.

The teachers' salaries in Woodland Park are comparable to salaries of other districts of similar size.

The district says it has a high turnover rate because of the structure of its salaries. Yet when teachers stay long enough to get close to tenure, they are summarily dismissed.

Young teachers are deprived the benefit of the experience of the tenured teachers. This is a major reason for the teacher turnover.

A starting salary of $30,000 or more for eight months of teaching is the norm in Colorado. Maybe the citizens of Teller County would be better served if RE-2 takes a serious look at its policies before asking for more money.

ISSUE 3B

Summary: Would increase the school district's debt by $14.6 million, and increase district taxes $2.08 annually for accommodating student growth and making building repairs and improvements.

Key provisions:

The money would used for:

Improve the high school by building new classrooms; build an auditorium; expand the halls to alleviate overcrowding; and improve the soccer field.

Expand and improve the middle school by adding classrooms, an industrial arts and technology area, a gymnasium, and equipment and furniture.

Replace electrical and mechanical systems at each of the district schools to ensure buildings meet safety standards and computer capacity needs

Improve drainage and provide additional parking at Gateway and Summit elementary schools

Replace carpet, upgrade heating controls and provide additional parking at Columbine Elementary School.

Improve parking at each of the district's schools and other district buildings

What they're saying:

Pro: The school district has done an outstanding job of keeping the school grounds and facilities safe and clean for the students, but general maintenance funds are not enough to fund the major work projects necessary to meet the growing student population needs.

A yes vote on 3B will provide a strong, safe environment where our students can excel.

Con: Issue 3B is the same issue voters overwhelmingly turned down in 2002. The district continues to bring this issue forward in an off- year election with the hopes that it will slide through because of a low voter turnout.

The request for approval of a $14.6 million bond for expansion and repairs of the existing schools is preposterous.

It does not add up that RE-2 needs $14.6 million to add classrooms. The focus on the Woodland Park area for growth of the schools with the exclusion of the outlying areas of Teller County, in particular Florissant or Divide, may not be the best plan for citizens in the outlying areas or the taxpayers' wallet.

CANDIDATES

CRIPPLE CREEK: VICTOR SCHOOLS

MELISSA BEATY: No response STEVEN DICAMILLO: No response TERRY WAHRER: No response ARCHIE CLEMMONS: No response

WOODLAND PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT RE-2

Two seats open

LAURIE H. GLAUTH

Date of birth: Nov. 11, 1957

Education: Bachelor of science in business administration, University of Northern Colorado, 1980

Employment: Self-employed, health food store

Civic involvement: State Commission on Judicial Performance; Teller-Park Soil Conservation Board supervisor; Woodland Park City Historical Preservation Committee

Military service: None

How to reach me: 719-687-9646 (home); 719-687-0302 (fax); email: lglauth@aol.com

Parent: No

I attended Woodland Park School District RE-2

Top priority in education: Preservation of local control - federal and state legislation does not work for all districts - local communities must identify and manage their own needs and set priorities. As a property owner, taxpayer and business owner, I represent the labor group of single and childless taxpayers who need a voice.

C. BERT WEST III

Date of birth: April 22, 1964

Education: No response

Employment: Owner, Master Roofing Co.

Civic involvement: Ute Pass Kiwanis; Teller County Board of Review; member of Teller County Board of Adjustment