In a community seething with controversy over recent decisions by the board, as well as by the Woodland Park City Council, Tony Perry formed the task force, a group of citizens, to offer suggestions to the board. Of the initial 44 district residents who expressed interest, 31 remained to release the 50-page report.

“It’s remarkable that everyone stayed focused on the kids,” Perry said. “Despite having differences of opinion – some not trusting some of the others — I don’t think we would have produced anything worthwhile if they hadn’t been so dedicated.”

The report hits all the high points that have caused rifts within the community.

“We released the report before the board starts making decisions,” Perry said.

The report focuses on recommendations for the board to develop action plans for the superintendent search, the potential sale of Merit Academy to the school district, and community engagement.

The report deals with student and teacher retention, the financial situation and the recent audit, CORA (Colorado Open Records Act) requests, decline in enrollment and the American Birthright curriculum.

“We need to give ourselves the best shot to get the best superintendent we possibly can,” Perry said.

The task force asks that a new superintendent be aware of the $3.2 million annual loss to the district, due to the city council’s vote to rescind the 1.09% voter-approved sales tax.

While the board hired a search firm, the task force suggests that a superintendent candidate display attributes such as ethical leadership and integrity.

“The previous superintendent’s lack of clear public communication, including unannounced policy changes and gag order on teachers, led to protests, lawsuits, and community division,” the report states.

The report comments on the American Birthright curriculum adopted by Ken Witt and the board. The report highlights that the curriculum was rejected by the state while raising concerns about the curriculum’s academic rigor and ideological bias.

The report disagrees with Witt’s decision to decline $1.2 million in mental-health grants which could have impacted student well-being; therefore, the new superintendent must advocate for the reinstatement of those resources.

Qualifications for school board members are about the same as the superintendent but asks that members adopt inclusive policies that address the needs of all students, including marginalized groups.

Facing controversial issues, the task force seeks answers to questions on concerns about criteria for the removal of books from libraries or classrooms.

The questions, while not mentioning Brad Miller, the district’s attorney, seek answers about the attorney’s role.

“Have potential cost savings from switching law firms or reducing legal services been evaluated and what is the current annual expenditure on legal fees?” states the report.

In leading the meetings over the past couple of months, Perry said he became more aware of the needs of special-education students. Along with the others in the group, the task force seeks information about what Merit Academy offers special-needs families.

“This task force put in hundreds of hours just to give them a report to help them out; they can do the community a service by putting in extra time, extra meetings and submit a report to the community,” Perry said. “Show us that they have done the work.”

On the other hand, Perry has a feeling that the board is already moving forward.

“From that executive session last night (June 11), they intend to take action,” Perry said. “That’s what it appears. For the board to take a vote after the session, in this current environment, is unacceptable.”

The report is available at: WPSDForward.org.