Community Conversation - Let’s Get Real About Passing a Bond/MLO
The following is part of DougCo Collective’s “Community Conversations” and was written by a Douglas County community member (parent, student, teacher/staff or community member). The intent of “Community Conversations” is to give members of the Douglas County community an opportunity to contribute to the larger DCSD conversation with their lived experiences and perspectives. Usually these conversations are kept anonymous; however, the author of this particular conversation requested to have their name published.
Estimated Read Time: 3 minutes
Author: Kelly Pointer, an active parent, volunteer, and advocate in DCSD since 2011. She currently serves on the District Accountability Committee (DAC).
The fact is that passing a Bond/MLO in DCSD this fall will be a huge uphill battle. I sincerely wish this was not the case.
I always support Bond/Mill Levy Override (Bond/MLO) initiatives. I was part of the School Accountability Committees (SACs) that BEGGED the reformer board in 2015 for a Bond/MLO, only to be ignored. I was very active with the “Bright Futures” 2018 Bond/MLO campaign. It is A LOT of work to convince Douglas County voters to support tax initiatives. Not passing a B/MLO for 12 years (the previous reformer school board did not support them) was devastating.
The professional polling company just shared that only 36% of voters would vote 'yes' on a Bond and only 39% would vote ‘yes’ on an MLO this fall. The professional pollers DO NOT recommend putting this on the ballot in November. This is being brushed over. Note: the polling numbers were 59% and 66%, respectively, in 2018 and it only passed by 4-5%.
The new school board majority's ACTIONS are perpetuating division, lack of trust, and a lack of transparency. This impacts voters' trust and willingness to pay higher taxes.
I am very aware that funding will outlast school boards, but the last reformer board was in power from 2009-2017. That was a long time. Dan McMinimee was also just re-hired and this is also being brushed over. He is a REFORMER and was part of a lot of damage done to DCSD in the past. Why was he re-hired? Why hasn't this been announced to parents in a DCSD communication?
The new board majority won't release their Estes Park retreat BINDER contents. Why not? This is important to build trust and demonstrate transparency.
Who is going to run, volunteer, and be the “boots on the ground” for this initiative? Who will donate money?
I am angry and sad about the current state of our school district. I love and appreciate our hard-working teachers/staff/admin, and I want the best for all of DCSD's students. However, we have to be realistic. Superintendent Kane and the new board majority need to change their current ACTIONS (starting with the school board majority following the law) as soon as possible to increase the probability of a B/MLO passing this fall. Words are not enough.
Note: I have reached out to our school board, as well as Superintendent Kane and Assistant Superintendent Winsor. I recently spoke to Mr. Winsor on the phone. Superintendent Kane has offered to meet with me.