Colorado Springs School District 11 Board of Education Fails to Uphold Transparency and Support for Educators and LGBTQ+ Students

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Colorado Springs, CO – February 6, 2025 – During last night’s regularly scheduled meeting of the Colorado Springs School District 11 Board of Education, board members once again demonstrated a lack of commitment to transparency, support for LGBTQ+ students, and responsiveness to educators' concerns.

One of the key agenda items, Action Item 2, involved a budget transfer of $2.5 million to renovate a space at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) to open the new Colorado Springs School of Technology in the upcoming academic year. I addressed the board on this matter, raising concerns that while the school has 10 sponsors, it appears that only District 11 is providing financial support. Director Ott echoed this concern, pointing out that the school was initially presented as fully funded. Ott questioned the contributions of the other nine sponsors and their commitments to staffing, retention, and other operational costs. Despite these transparency concerns, all board members except Director Ott and Director Jorgenson, who was excused absent, voted in favor of the measure.

The lack of transparency in school funding raises serious questions: What financial support are the other sponsors providing? Where is the funding for staff salaries and retention? These questions remain unanswered, yet the Board proceeded without addressing them.

Another critical decision, Action Item 3, concerned the approval of the 2025-2026 school year calendar. The Board stated that the calendar committee comprises 27 members, including only eight teachers. Educators raised concerns about losing valuable planning and Professional Learning Community (PLC) time. However, rather than addressing these concerns, the district stated it could review the matter next year, prioritizing the immediate need to finalize the calendar for planning purposes. This decision sends a clear message: when educators advocate for necessary resources and support, their needs are postponed rather than addressed in real-time.

Additionally, the board discussed Non-Action Item 1, Policy ACA, which was drafted in response to HB24-1039 regarding non-legal name changes. This policy mandates parental approval for students wishing to use a name other than their legal name. Numerous community members spoke against this policy, arguing that it disproportionately harms transgender students, forcing them to come out to potentially unsupportive families.

Director Haffley acknowledged that not all homes are safe but suggested that teachers should report cases of neglect or abuse. However, the reality is that not all students have a trusted adult to confide in. By moving forward with a policy that knowingly endangers vulnerable students, the Board is disregarding the well-being and safety of transgender youth. Despite recognizing its potential harm, the Board opted only to simplify the policy before bringing it back as a consent item on a future agenda.

Finally, Director Carey requested a discussion on the impact of executive orders from the Trump administration on District 11. This brought me back to a conversation I had with Superintendent Gaal regarding protections for undocumented students in District 11 schools. During a phone call with me, Superintendent Gaal stated that a policy addressing these protections would be sent to staff on January 31, 2025. However, nearly a week later, no such policy has been shared, leaving the fate of undocumented students in District 11 uncertain.

The actions of the District 11 Board of Education continue to raise concerns about its commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and genuine support for students and educators. As these issues remain unresolved, the community deserves answers and accountability from those elected to serve in the best interests of all students.

Media Contact:

Joseph Shelton

Joseph@sheltonford11.com

719-290-0440