Author: Rachell Stovall
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ERBOCES closure highlights fight over control of public education | Rachel Stovall
Education reEnvisioned BOCES is gone. They buckled under government pressure. On August 17, the District 49 Board of Education voted to dissolve ERBOCES, a public education cooperative that had become a major provider of online schools and homeschool enrichment programs across Colorado. The story may sound complicated, but it really isn’t. This is a fight…
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Blessing or cursing – it’s time to choose | Rachel Stovall
The Black History Proclamation in Colorado Springs has recently stirred controversy that appears unwarranted. Unfortunately, the damage is done. Back on Jan. 27 the Black History Proclamation hit a snag. All agreed that the Proclamation should happen. They just weren’t sure how to work together towards that. Colorado Springs City Council has issued proclamations for…
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COLUMN: On relaxing the IRS tax rules for churches
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save The headline read: “Pastors’ rights to preach politics in church could expand”. Wait till you see what our mayor said. To give you a little background, a recent Texas court case would change how religion interacts with politics. The law being challenged was known as…
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COLUMN: On relaxing the IRS tax rules for churches
The headline read: “Pastors’ rights to preach politics in church could expand”. Wait till you see what our mayor said. To give you a little background, a recent Texas court case would change how religion interacts with politics. The law being challenged was known as the Johnson Amendment. Until now, nonprofits — including churches —…
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COLUMN: Contention about the Pledge of Allegiance | Rachel Stovall
I pledge allegiance to the flag… you know the rest. Like many of you, these words were a daily part of my schooling. But now these words cause division. “Has the pledge of allegiance become offensive?” When Francis Bellamy published a version of the pledge as an employee at a magazine, he helped their sales.…
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COLUMN: Candidates for governor need a better game plan
Are you vexed with the governor’s race? I know that I am. Maybe it is because I am looking backwards. I long for the days of a Bill Owens or a Dick Lamm. Back then the parties and the state coalesced around important issues. Both governors enjoyed widespread support on both sides of the aisle.…
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COLUMN: A sad story of broken public trust
Hopefully, you have heard about the reopening of the Salvation Army’s homeless warming shelter here in Colorado Springs. This is a controversial reopening because the city and the Salvation Army told the residents of the Lowell neighborhood that the homeless center would never reopen. I attended my first meeting of the Downtown Review Board. The…
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Hard conversations let us listen and connect
Can I tell you a story? Once upon a time..Hmm, that won’t work. This is no fairytale. Back in mid-September I was driving in downtown Colorado Springs. I looked across the street and then I saw quite the sight. I stopped my car and stared. In fact, some angry driver behind me honked his horn…
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COLUMN: Honoring women’s contribution and dedication to the Air Force
Last month, the office of the Governor of Colorado declared a “Women in the Air Force Day.” The City Council of Colorado Springs also released a written proclamation to be publicly shared at a special event in COS commemorating women in the armed services . So why are governing authorities in our state telling us…