That’s why it’s drawing national attention and money.
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In Jefferson County an election to recall three school board members will be closely watched because it could impact school districts around the country.
Witt, the board president, said he was disappointed by the result but not surprised.
The Jefferson County school district was first thrust into the national headlines previous year when Williams floated a proposal to “review” the new U.S. AP history curriculum, which was already facing conservative criticism, with a view toward promoting patriotism and downplaying social strife and civil disobedience.
Various estimates suggest that roughly $1 million was spent on the race, characterized as a “proxy war” between teachers unions and education reform advocates.
The recall election attracted a huge influx of cash from within and outside Jefferson County.
The three are Ken Witt, Julie Williams, and John Newkirk. They passed a merit-pay system for teachers that uses a controversial evaluation system; they equalized funding for public charter schools, so charters receive the same amount as traditional schools; and they pledged to create more school choice for families. They cited the fracas over the curriculum and teacher pay.
Witt said the policy changes were popular among residents, pointing to the fact that the challengers all agreed to maintain equal funding for public charter schools.
Wendy McCord, a parent who helped organize the recall effort, said the election was about accountability.
“Unfortunately a school board is only accountable to the community so this was our only option because after two years they wouldn’t listen to us”, said Shawna Fritzler, a supporter of the recalls. “It’s a personal attack that caused us the most damage, not the reforms itself”. “Sometimes it’s hard to be the reformer even when the reforms are embraced”.
Williams’ proposal provided fuel to parents who were already displeased with other board actions taken after she, Witt, and Newkirk were elected. Critics also argued that the new members have overseen a period of high teacher turnover in the district.
The five-member board in Jeffco, the state’s second-largest school district, will be made up of all new members. While the committee was never formed, discussions prompted student protests and teacher sick-outs last fall. Voters also picked their replacements Tuesday, and two other school board members were also selected.
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Amanda Stevens, who won one of the two vacated seats, said she expects the new school board to make a few immediate changes, including ending the contract of an attorney that the previous majority had hired to advise it. “I don’t think we’ll return to a traditional salary schedule, but we need to arrive at a few compromises, so that we’re working in partnership with our teachers”.
