November 4th from 4:30 - 5:30 @ Walsenburg Jr./Sr. High School or virtual
If you are not interested in participating actively in the committee, you still can have a voice by filling out the Family, School and Community Partnerships Survey!
Student success is improved through strong partnerships between the school, community and families. Please fill out the survey to provide important information on the partnership role you play in our students' success.
Dear Members of the Huerfano Re-1 School Board,
We, the Huerfano Re-1 District Accountability Committee (PAWS), are writing to you on behalf of the families, staff, and community members of the Huerfano Re-1 School District who were deeply invested in the process of hiring a new superintendent of schools. It is with great disappointment and concern that we address you today.
Throughout the hiring process, numerous dedicated individuals committed their time, expertise, and energy to carefully evaluate candidates for this crucial position. However, it has become painfully clear that our voices were not heard, and our input was seemingly disregarded. The hard work and dedication put forth by the committees assembled for this purpose appear to have been met with indifference from the board.
We must ask: Why did the board choose not to respect the voices of the families, staff, and community members who participated in this process? The apparent disregard for the collective expertise and insights of those most directly impacted by this decision is both puzzling and troubling.
We urge the board to provide a clear explanation for its decision-making process and to address the concerns raised by the community. The apparent dismissal of the committee's recommendations has eroded trust and raised questions about the board's commitment to collaborative decision-making and community engagement.
As representatives of the district's families, staff, and community members, we request a formal response addressing these concerns. The Board can provide the committee with a formal response at the April 14th Board Meeting or by April 21st. We also call for a renewed commitment to transparency and genuine consideration of community input in future decisions that impact our schools and our children's education. This renewed commitment will begin with allowing the committee to post the formal response on our website and on our District Facebook Page.
The strength of our educational system relies on the trust and collaboration between the school board, administrators, educators, families, and the community at large. We hope that you will take this opportunity to rebuild that trust and reaffirm your commitment to serving the best interests of our students and our community.
Sincerely,
Autumn Tatman and Sharona Nible
On behalf of the Huerfano Re-1 District Accountability Committee (PAWS)
Statements from Committee Members:
To illustrate the depth of concern within our community, we would like to share two statements from concerned community members:
Statement 1:
"As a concerned member of the community who is invested in the education of our children, I am disgusted that the school board, in bad faith, refused to recognize the professionals who chose the alternate candidate. It's a slap in the face to anyone who was on that committee, and for the school board to think they know better than the parents, educators, and stakeholders says more about their agenda than anything else."
Statement 2:
“I have been following School Board decisions for quite some time. There are members of the Board who don't appear to have the schools’, the students’, or the staff's best interests at heart. The vote for the new principal/superintendent during the special school board meeting on Monday, March 17th solidified this for me.
I went to the Community Forum on Friday night. All 3 candidates were neck and neck in my mind. They answered the questions, were personable, and have strong backgrounds. I left feeling excited knowing the Board was going to have a tough decision to make.
I was part of the interview committee on Saturday. It was grueling, not just for the candidates but for the committee participants & School Board. My committee debated the most on our 2nd & 3rd choices. Dr. Krumholz was a clear front runner. He had tangible, realistic expectations & goals. He knows how to manage academics, arts, and sports. He wanted to be part of our community, live and work here. He wanted to be at school events, and work with the teachers and staff to better our schools. He wanted to give our district an identity and get our kids to be excited about being Panthers. He could have made Panther Pride something the entire town could be proud to see. Sixteen community committee members chose Dr. Krumholz unanimously. The Board didn't have to accept our recommendations but the evidence was clear on who was the better choice.
Mr. Howard was a distant 2nd & 3rd choice. All through his interview it was "I" statements. He did very little research on our school district. He kept referring to a binder none of us had seen prior to the interviews. He talks a good talk but I have serious doubts he'll stick around long enough to gauge outcomes. President Sporleader told us the board would not discuss until Monday's meeting. After Monday's discussion and vote, I think there were off the record conversations happening.
Monday came and I read Mark Craddock's article in The World Journal. It was clear in the article, on work & education experience alone, Dr. Krumholz was the obvious choice.
I watched the vote via Facebook. I was so disappointed in the 5 board members who voted for Mr. Howard. Five members of the Board had no regard for the committees' input. There was no regard to how he interacted with staff and parents present during interviews. There was no regard for what was best for the kids and our district. They threw away Dr. Krumholz's doctorate degree and experience like it meant nothing.
Mr. Howard has the qualifications but he also comes with a spotty work history and no clear solutions to the problems our District is facing. He has never been at a job or lived in a city long enough to gauge outcomes for students. I don't think he's going to be up for the challenge of bringing our fractured district together.
Until the School Board starts putting our kids and their academic needs first, our District will continue to fail. Teachers will continue to feel unappreciated & devalued. The District will continue to lose students & teachers to other opportunities.
The Board set an example for the kids. Five members of the Board told our kids a solid work ethic, higher education, and a drive to be the best doesn't matter. Certain members of the School Board have proven over and over again that our kids' education is not their priority.
The School Board had their chance to do better by our kids, teachers, and staff and they didn't. All I can say at this point is "Good luck, Mr. Howard. You're in for a ride”
These sentiments echo the frustration and disappointment felt by many in our community.
Dear Members of the Hiring Committees,
We really do appreciate your passion and investment in our district’s superintendent hiring process, as it reflects the care we all share for our students and community. To address your concerns with clarity and respect, we’d like to reiterate key points from our transparent process, while emphasizing the need for unity moving forward.
As outlined in our public meeting on March 17, which is available for review on Facebook, the board thoroughly explained the decision-making process that led to selecting Mr. Robert Howard. For specific insights into each board member’s rationale, please go review that recording. Following our April 14 meeting, we must clarify a critical point: Ms. Autumn and Ms. Sharona were never criticized for raising public concerns. Rather, the frustration stems from personal attacks directed at Mr. Howard, rather than constructive feedback aimed at the board’s decision.
We understand the hiring process was lengthy and emotional. The board, guided by McPherson Jacobson, strictly followed their recommendations to ensure fairness, paying them a healthy sum in hopes to avoid the current doubt and suspicion. Every committee recommendation was carefully considered, and all candidate interviews were conducted solely in public meetings, with no private discussions among board members. After a rigorous interview process, Mr. Howard’s responses resonated most with the majority of the board. As one observer noted, all three candidates were exceptionally qualified, making the decision incredibly difficult. The board spent countless sleepless nights weighing every fac tor to ensure the best choice for our district.
Financially, Mr. Howard has made significant exceptions to help save the district quite a bit of money. His willingness to make those sacrifices to join our community, combined with his proven financial expertise in a similar small district, further set him apart. While no candidate is flawless—nor should we expect a “unicorn” savior—Mr. Howard’s qualifications and alignment with our district’s needs made him the board’s choice.
We hear your disappointment, and it is sad to see accusations of hidden agendas or lack of transparency. The board volunteered countless uncompensated hours, driven solely by a desire to serve our students, teachers, and community. Suggestions of backroom deals or malice are not only unfounded but deeply hurtful, as they question our integrity. Our consult ant encouraged community involvement through committees and forums, which we embraced for transparency, but the final decision rested with the board, as is standard practice. Differing interview questions and interactions naturally led to varied perspectives, but every voice was heard and valued.
We acknowledge the challenges our district faces—overworked teachers, underfunding, and academic struggles. Addressing these challenges requires a unified team effort, not di vision. Starting with doubt and personal attacks undermines our shared goals. Mr. Howard’s credentials are impressive, and many of you have yet to meet him or learn about his vision. While we believe Mr. Krumholtz was also a strong candidate, dwelling on “what ifs” distracts from the potential of “what can be.”
We respectfully urge you to set aside frustration and give Mr. Howard a fair chance. Clinging to grievances or attacking someone personally won’t move us forward—it only harms our students, who take cues from our behavior. Let’s approach this new chapter with grace, positivity, and a commitment to collaboration. The board remains dedicated to our community’s success, and we invite you to join us in supporting Mr. Howard as we work together for a brighter future.
Sincerely,
Debi Sporleder, Marcy Freeburg, Kayla Andreatta, Sadie Wardell and Hillary Andreatta
Dear Families, Community Members, and School Staff,
Our Building Leadership Teams have put a great deal of effort into developing improvement plans based on student performance data from the state and data from each building to improve overall academics and the educational setting for your children. We would like the opportunity to share these plans with you at the next meeting for the Parent Advocates for Walsenburg Schools.
Please join us from 4:30 - 5:30 on November 4th at the High School or join us on Google Meet.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Dear Families, Community Members, and School Staff,
We hope this message finds you well. As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance partnerships within our district, we are seeking your valuable input. We kindly request that you take a few moments to complete a survey to gather feedback on what partnerships should look like in our school community.
Your participation in this survey will provide the Parent Advocates for Walsenburg Schools (PAWS) Committee (formerly DAC) with valuable insights and help shape the future of our district's partnerships.
Your feedback is crucial in ensuring that we create meaningful and effective collaborations between families, community members, and school staff. By understanding your perspectives and expectations, we can work together to foster a supportive and inclusive educational environment for our students.
We greatly appreciate your time and input. The survey can be found by scanning the QR code or following the link.
We kindly ask that you complete it at your earliest convenience. Your responses will remain anonymous and confidential.
Thank you for your continued support and commitment to our school community.
Families and Community Members,
Join us Tuesday, September 5th at the Spanish Peaks Library from 5pm - 6pm. Alternatively you may join us on Google Meet.
The DAC Meeting is a great opportunity for us to come together as a community and discuss various important topics. Here's what you can expect from the meeting
1. Introduction to the District Accountability Committee: We will provide an overview of what the committee is and its role in our school district
2. Meet the New Leadership: Get to know the new leaders who will be guiding the committee and learn about their vision for the future
3. Updates from Building Principals: Hear from the principals of our schools as they share important updates and information
4. Potential Changes to Back-to-School Night at Peakview: Discover the changes that Peakview would like to implement for next year's Back-to-School Night, ensuring a more engaging and informative experience for all
5. Riley, the Therapy Dog at Peakview: Learn about Riley, the beloved therapy dog that could be at Peakview, and the positive impact they could have on our students' well-being
6. Walsenburg Jr./Sr. High School Homecoming: Get all the details about the upcoming homecoming event at Walsenburg Jr./Sr. High School, including dates, activities, and how you can get involved
We highly encourage you to attend this meeting, either in person or virtually, as your input and participation are invaluable to our school community. Your presence will contribute to the success of our district and help us make informed decisions.
DAC Meeting
Tuesday, September 5 · 5:00 – 6:00pm
Time zone: America/Denver
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/gdm-tcvd-cyn
Or dial: (US) +1 402-797-1202 PIN: 902 843 496#