WOODLAND PARK, CO — (May 6, 2025) — The Woodland Park Task Force, based in Woodland Park, Colorado, currently comprises 39 members dedicated to supporting the Woodland Park School District (WPSD) through research, community engagement, and actionable recommendations. Below is a summary of key activities from the six meeting minute PDFs (April 22 and April 30, 2025) available under the “Meetings” link on wpsdforward.org, along with recent developments and priorities.
Summary of Task Force Activities (April 22 – April 30, 2025)
- April 22, 2025 (10 a.m. Meeting) The Task Force reviewed website updates, including the “Focus Areas” (e.g., facilities, finances, leadership). Members suggested adding enrollment and teacher perspectives to the focus areas. Tony emphasized transparency and community engagement, noting a lack of leadership in the school board and city council. Discussions highlighted the need for accurate data and collaboration with the school board, with no intent to oppose them but to support student-focused solutions.
- April 22, 2025 (2 p.m. Meeting) The group discussed adding enrollment and future facility needs to the focus areas, noting that addressing systemic issues could improve enrollment. Concerns were raised about inaccurate data and the need for a forensic audit due to weak internal controls, particularly around management credit card use. Suggestions included requiring the superintendent to have an educational background and ensuring the new superintendent collaborates with a CFO with financial expertise.
- April 22, 2025 (5:30 p.m. Meeting) Members proposed that the superintendent should have an education degree and that a roundtable discussion should guide the superintendent search, not just the school board’s decision. Teacher retention and the high school internship program were highlighted as key focus areas. The Task Force reviewed AI-generated action plans as templates and discussed tools for public feedback on the website, emphasizing anonymity options for sensitive submissions.
- April 30, 2025 (10 a.m. Meeting) The Task Force reviewed the new website meetings tab and audit findings page, noting 16 audit findings and concerns about P-Card oversight. Financial data from Merit was shared, showing no significant debt and paid-off loans. Members discussed state funding changes (a 3.2% increase but a potential $40M cut) and the need for clear definitions of financial terms like Program Revenue. Suggestions included hiring a grant writer and meeting with school principals for data collection.
- April 30, 2025 (2 p.m. Meeting) The group reviewed website updates, including a feedback tab and questions section. Tony proposed requesting status updates on audit findings and suggested public posting of CORA-requested documents to reduce legal fees. Members discussed engaging the school board chair, Mick Bates, and potentially Aaron Salt for community input. Concerns were raised about school security costs and the need for clear superintendent hiring processes, with the Task Force clarifying it provides guidance, not candidates.
- April 30, 2025 (5:30 p.m. Meeting) Tony addressed rumors, urging the group to focus on facts. The audit findings page was reviewed, with plans to meet Mick Bates to discuss progress. Members emphasized student-centered goals, expressing concerns about rising legal fees and Merit’s financial documents. The Task Force aimed to prepare a packet for the school board by May 6, 2025, and discussed inviting Gwen (Merit) and a school board member to a meeting for direct dialogue.
Recent Developments
- Weekly Meetings Across Three Groups: The Task Force meets weekly, with the 39 members spread across three smaller meetings to encourage more dialogue and deeper conversation. This structure ensures diverse perspectives are heard as the group refines its recommendations.
- Third Set of Meetings: The Task Force is preparing for its third set of meetings, starting in May 2025, to finalize recommendations and prepare a report for the WPSD School Board and community. These sessions will focus on consolidating findings and addressing stakeholder feedback.
- Merit Representative Declination: The Merit Representative declined to meet with the Task Force at this time due to scheduling conflicts. The Task Force respects this decision and hopes to engage with Merit later as discussions progress.
- School Board Agenda: The Task Force was not included as a presenter on the May 2025 School Board Agenda due to timing constraints but is optimistic about securing a slot in June 2025 to share its findings and recommendations.
- Superintendent Search and CFO Selection: The Task Force is urging the WPSD School Board to communicate a clear action plan for the Superintendent search. We strongly encourage the Board to prioritize selecting a new Superintendent before appointing a Chief Financial Officer (CFO), allowing the new Superintendent to choose the CFO to ensure alignment with the district’s vision.
Looking Ahead
The Woodland Park Task Force is committed to fostering transparency, collaboration, and student-focused solutions for the Woodland Park School District. We invite community members to visit wpsdforward.org for updates, including meeting minutes, recordings, and opportunities to submit feedback or questions. Your engagement is crucial as we work to strengthen WPSD for students and families.