by Steve N. P. Sep 20, 2024
Not only has D49 descended into the lowest academic performance in a decade, under Superintendent Peter Hilts for twelve years, the children’s behavior “is at the worst it’s ever been” in the words of Hilts, administrators, and teachers. Teachers are quitting or retiring early in large numbers. Families in the know are leaving D49 in a mass exodus. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1mQmfiIEp48KqaMsaVj_StVdxqP1JZ-D6afiP-3ib-jo/edit?usp=sharing
There is also high rate of great principals leaving D49. What is causing the exponential increase in discipline problems? RESTORATIVE JUSTICE, based on good old equity! Can you guess who brought it to D49? PETER HILTS.
Was declining academic performance compounded by the RESTORATIVE JUSTICE and the implementation of Marxist-based Social Emotional Learning (SEL) also introduced by Peter Hilts??
Just look at the current D49 academic achievements on the CDE website. Does Peter Hilts, assisted by long-time D49 lawyer Brad Miller, have a plan to dismantle D49? Where is the board all this time? They were handpicked for their complicity or lack of intelligence to comprehend.
Complicit board constituting a slim majority on the board continue ignore the disturbing trends and renewed Hilts’ contract along with hefty pay raises. This is criminal. The D49 community need to demand answers for the gross misuse of tax dollars by failing our kids while questionable administrators get large pay raises. We need to ask why developers-backed County Commissioner Carrie Geitner and sleaze lawyer are involved in gerrymandering district lines and interference of petition processes to eliminate good candidates trying to reverse the district deterioration.
List of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in D49. We are certain more have been added since 2023. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1uV7Vo59bTRVAmzzRQfe4_Nr6VHhy9aX-e_ozaj9jsDg/edit?usp=sharing
On this similar topic by another stakeholder who wishes to remain anonymous due to fear of repercussions:
The decision to keep books with explicit content disappoints as D20 votes 3-2 against removal. In El Paso county, D20, armed with a coveted 5-0 conservative majority, had the chance to lead the charge in reshaping our left-leaning school districts. With Aaron Salt at the helm, D20 continues to be stuck in mediocrity, similar to when Tom Lavelly was in charge.
Our children are facing a serious threat to their well-being.Yanez from D20 was given a position on the board. Is it possible for her to be removed from her position? Recalled? If she wasn’t going to take on “massive responsibilities,” what did she think she would do on the board? Lauren Yanez opposed the decision in a 3-2 vote.
Safeguarding our children from indoctrination is an immense responsibility bestowed by God that is sadly forgotten in D49. Lori Thompson, a real estate agent posing as a “Christian constitutional conservative” and her cronies have infiltrated D49 for at least a decade.
Lori Thompson, along with John Graham and Rick Van Wieren, supported harmful ideology and is now collaborating with leftist board members Mike Heil and Marie Lavere-Wright. These five continue to outvote, disparage, and oppress the free speech of true conservative former Board member Ivy Liu, and current board members Jamilynn D’avola and Deb Schmidt. These three true warriors especially Ivy Liu have faced intimidation, humiliation, defamation, and constant attacks, along with veiled intimidation by Thompson, Graham, Van Wieren, Heil, Lavere-Wright, lawyer Brad Miller and leftisit superintendent Peter Hilts.
These crimes against our children have driven D49 further towards the abyss, ranking third from the bottom in the Pikes Peak region in 2023 above only two tiny school districts with no more than 300. We will not tolerate this unacceptable behavior and are joining forces to protect our children from these criminals. Whether they’re complicit or compliant, we’ll remove these school board members. We refuse to remain silent any longer.