Preserving WPSD financial health

On July 23 I attended the WPSD work session regarding the ETRAN Loan Program. It was essential information providing an understanding of what the District has to consider for the best loan plan. Merit was invited but did not attend even though Dr. Pekron said (6/17/26) she did not know details of how the program worked.

Here are key points that were presented. ETRAN looks at a District or school’s cash fund balance. The loan is not paid all at one time but monthly payments. Mill levy revenues are large in March, May and June resulting in approximately seventy percent of total funds. It is a red flag for ETRAN if a loan is made early in the school year because then most of the loan is spent before the next large payment in March. When those revenues arrive that money has to be spent paying for the loan lowering the cash balance once again. Last year WPSD got a loan in December which is appropriate.

WPSD struggles because Ken Witt and the previous Board spent $5 million of reserves from 2021-2022 to 2024-2025. Then there was the loss of the sales tax due to the previous Board’s actions. The District must now manage its cash carefully, and honoring the Charter Renewal Contract – releasing Merit’s share of its funding as those funds come in to WPSD – is one responsible step in the right direction as well as your support for the return of the sales tax.

Gail Gerig, Woodland Park

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Correcting the record

Mr. Saunders stated in his letter on July 15 that I had predicted an early end to the conflict in Iran, which I never did. Never trust a person who uses misinformation to support his argument.

During the colonial and the post Revolution war period, education was normally provided by the local pastor. The Bible was often the only book available to teach reading. Both younger and older students were exposed to the Judaeo-Christian philosophy by reading/studying the Bible. The Nations founders were well-versed in the Bible, normally from a Protestant perspective, but sometimes Catholic or Jewish. Small upstart universities like William and Mary and Princeton brought the Scottish Enlightenment to the colonies and as Saunders stated, was the major influence for both the Declaration of Independence and Constitution.

Some of the individuals responsible for the Enlightenment include: David Hume, Adam Smith, and Francis Hutcheson. Although Saunders listed some of Enlightenment teaching, some key elements he missed include: individual liberty, justice, equality, protection of property rights and limited government. True, religious tolerance was advocated, but not the separation of church and state. Religion was consider to enhance the moral conduct of government. A better view of the 1st Amendment would be the protection of religion from state.

Chuck Craig, Divide

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The full context matters

Recent guest opinions regarding Woodland Park School District have prompted important discussion about Colorado law and the district’s financial condition. That discussion should also include information provided by the Colorado Department of Education.

In emails responding to Merit Academy leaders about charter funding and district costs, CDE School Finance Program Manager Glenn Gustafson wrote, “I do think that WPSD was overly generous with MA and now the pendulum is swinging back to the middle.” He also wrote, “You’ve been pretty lucky so far at all of the concessions from WPSD… Now you’re seeing what the other charters across the state experience.”

CDE has also stated that Colorado is a local-control state and “does not have the statutory authority to assume operational or fiscal control of school districts based on financial difficulties.” Instead, it monitors districts through audits, budgets, financial indicators, and technical assistance.

In response to my inquiry, CDE confirmed it has worked with WPSD by providing technical assistance and helping the district access available state resources. It also confirmed it has not initiated its rare accreditation-removal process for WPSD.

The current Board of Education is working to stabilize a district following documented financial challenges and significant audit findings. Under Colorado law, WPSD serves all district students, while Merit Academy is governed by its own independent board.

The community deserves a discussion grounded in Colorado law and documented facts. Anyone may CORA CDE to review the complete records firsthand.

Jeralee Gonzalez, Woodland Park

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Class(y) reunion

On behalf of the Woodland Park High School Class of 1976, I wish to gratefully acknowledge the astounding response and participation of our fellow alumni for our 50th high school reunion July 24-25 in Woodland Park.

This all-school reunion, arguably the largest in WPHS history, was attended by teachers and alumni from all over Colorado and the USA. There was a keen awareness of the fact that we were also celebrating our nation’s 250th and our state’s 150th birthdays. The sense of legacy and community was vibrant throughout the weekend’s events.

In addition to selfless volunteerism by fellow classmates leading up to and including our reunion, I also want to applaud the professional support by others in our region. They include Woodland Park Parks and Recreation; Spencer Swann and crew of Colorado Canyon Signs, Inc.; Pamela Mikesell and crew of Ute Lodge Bar and Grill; singer/guitarist Jeremiah Campfire; cake artist “G” at Walmart Bakery; Chris and crew at Subway in Woodland Park Plaza; Safeway of Woodland Park; Katie Rexford, Principal of Woodland Park Jr./Sr. High School; Taylor Zaiger, DJ with Springs Sounds Entertainment; and the crew at ASAP Marketplace.

Additionally, I am thrilled to report that, because of the generous donations by WPHS alumni toward our reunion expenses, we had a surplus of $500. These funds have been enthusiastically passed along to the current Woodland Park Jr./Sr. High School Student Council for this year’s student body activities. Go, Panthers! We are cheering you on.

Teri (Goebel) Downs, Woodland Park

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Funding all our schools

Time to write your John Hancock for our kids! Official forms are circulating around town right now that give Woodland Park voters the opportunity to sign their names to put a new school building maintenance measure on the November ballot. Signing this form doesn’t mean you support the measure—it simply gives every voter the right to decide.

Here are the facts: The Support All Our Schools ballot measure would increase city sales tax by merely half of one percent (that’s only .5%) so that ALL of our public schools, including Merit Academy, will receive funding designated exclusively for school building maintenance and former maintenance debt incurred.

This measure keeps our schools safe and warm so kids can focus on learning, and it’s built with real guardrails: The district never gets a dollar upfront—they pay for repairs, prove it, and an outside auditor signs off before anything’s reimbursed. It’s also administered by an independent third party with full transparency and audited every year, AND it ultimately expires in five years unless voters choose to renew.

Why should you care? Right now, fixing roofs and heaters eats massive amounts of money meant for teaching kids. This measure protects classroom budgets so more funding goes directly into educational programs that help our children excel. If you would like to sign an official form or have any further questions, please contact Kelly immediately at hunsakermountain@gmail.com.

Suzanne McDonough, Woodland Park