The First 100 Days

The phrase “the First 100 Days” is often used to measure the accomplishments of the president during his first 100 days in office when his power is supposed to be at its peak. Let’s use that same measure in time to look at the accomplishment’s of Jeffco’s Board of Education since the 3 conservative board members took office.  Going forward, I shall refer to them at The Troika.  However, I’m searching for an appropriate title for the group. The 3to2ers comes to mind, the Twisted Trio, Koch Worshipers.  Feel free to suggest a name.

The idea for the First 100 Days topic came to mind when I reviewed a tape of the now legendary Board of Ed. meeting on Saturday, Feb. 8.  The day Ken Witt, Julie Williams and John Newkirk tried use their spiteful ways to shame Supt. Cindy Stevenson. During that meeting, Lesley Dhalkemper described some of the not-so-good works of The Troika. To paraphrase Ms. Dahlkemper, The Troika:

• -Hired an attorney, who has a giant conflict of interest, for themselves behind closed doors (using thousands of dollars in tax payer money)
• Violated the state’s open meeting law, which is designed to let you and I see what our elected officials are up to. (The Troika prefers to meet secretly)
• Approved nearly half a million dollars for a charter school with poor student achievement and questionable management skills (using taxpayer money)
• Pushed out a nationally recognized superintendent  (using taxpayer money)

This has all occurred in less than 100 days. What Dahlkemper did not get to include in her list is:

-With little facts or information, The Troika voted to reject a grant, which would be used to implement a state-mandated evaluation system for pre-school students. The evaluation system, using a program called TS Gold, would help parents receive early warning that their child needs additional education support. The program helps teachers understand how to help kids learn. The rejection of this program by The Troika, put the District, (and your kid’s school) in jeopardy of losing millions of dollars, losing the Colorado Preschool Program and violating state law. More about TS Gold here. (the Troika slightly amended their decision, while they try to figure out how to kill the TS GOLD system, and still get the millions from the state.)

-They approved another charter school, Cornerstone, that has no location, no marketing plan, no student enrollment.  No CEO would have approved their proposal.

-They lied to the Denver Post about their plans for the February 6^th Board Meeting. Really lying to the media!  Like they won’t notice.

- They worked with a behind-the-scenes group that provides them scripts for board meetings and advice about how to manipulate the meeting process including public comment. (Witt get tips on how to be rude. Would you let you kids talk to anyone the way he does?)

In all honesty, The Troika members haven’t been in office for 100 days yet. By my count, they are at about day 80, so they still have 20 more days to add to their list: 100 Days of Tragedy for Jeffco Kids.

Jeffco parents, its time to do something about it. These are our kids!