Meeting Recap: Echoes of 2022 with a New Twist
Tuesday night’s Board of Education meeting felt like a flashback to 2022 — calls to action from the far-right, heightened security, and surprise announcements. Hold on tight; this roller coaster has plenty of twists and turns, guaranteed to leave you feeling queasy.
Context: Legislative Changes
In 2023, Colorado passed SB23-296 and SB23-172, both aimed at strengthening protections against harassment and discrimination. SB23-296 introduced new definitions for harassment and mandated that the BoE implement a written policy to protect students from harassment or discrimination. SB23-172 expanded protections for employees against workplace harassment, ensuring a safer and more inclusive environment for both students and staff.
April: Policy Compliance Review
In April, DCSD Counsel Mary Klimesh presented a comprehensive review of the necessary updates for DCSD policies to comply with the new state laws by July 1st. While DCSD’s policies were largely in line with the requirements of the bills, some specific language needed to be updated, and certain procedures required adjustment. Klimesh's recommendations were aimed at ensuring that the district’s policies not only met legal standards but also provided clear guidance and protection for all students and staff.
Monday: The Misinformation Campaign
On Monday, Joy Overbeck, a vocal opponent of public education, alerted the Colorado Parent Advocacy Network (CPAN) that the DCSD BoE would be considering policies allowing transgender students to participate in sports and use bathrooms aligned with their gender identity. This was NOT true. First of all, the authority to make such decisions lies with the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA), which already decided in 2019 that transgender students could play on teams matching their gender identity. Secondly, bathrooms are not mentioned in any of these policies.
Overbeck’s false claims led to a wave of misinformation and panic, culminating in misguided decisions by the BoE majority. Her alert mobilized far-right extremists, including State Representative Brandi Bradley and U.S. Congresswoman Lauren Boebert, asking them to bombard the BoE with emails and attend and speak at the meeting.
Joining the fray were Douglas County Commissioner candidate Kevin Van Winkle and State House District 43 candidate Matt Burcham, along with extremist organizations FAIR, Grandparents for Kids, Concerned Women for America of Colorado, CPAN, and Turning Point USA. This disinformation campaign pressured the BoE to reject policies they were not even considering.
A Troubling Display
The fear mongering at the meeting was relentless, filled with false information and blatant bigotry. Former Interim BoE Director Jason Page made an especially disturbing comment, suggesting that it would be better to deny all students the ability to play sports if it meant preventing a single transgender child from participating — a truly reprehensible stance. One speaker suggested that DCSD should stop accepting federal funds to avoid compliance with federal laws. The meeting took an even darker turn after Bradley’s threatening tweet stated, "They [the BoE] better be scared of the parents that will burn them at the stakes," necessitating additional security with its insinuation of violence, echoing the rhetoric that has historically led to real-world consequences.
The Board's Decision
At the start of the meeting, President Christy Williams moved (24:06) to pull all three policy revisions from the agenda, a motion supported by her three followers. As they each had time to give their thoughts on the matter before the vote, Director Becky Myers boldly claimed that the BoE is protected constitutionally because they are “the Supreme Law for Douglas County”(26:18). Director Valerie Thompson said, “I do not feel comfortable tabling this without a date that’s going to align with our deadline” (35:00). This decision meant that there would be no discussion, debate, or clarification about the actual policies or the misinformation being spread. Misinformation is propagated by hiding, which was articulated by Director Susan Meek, “I think when we just pull items from the agenda, we don't have transparency. I think what we need to do is lean into transparency and understanding how our district manages these issues” (35:30).
By choosing not to engage, the BoE majority knowingly put the district at risk for lawsuits and sent a clear message to transgender students that they are not safe in DCSD. This move also blatantly showcased their continued allegiance to the Douglas County GOP, highlighting how political motivations continue to influence what should be nonpartisan public education decisions.
The meeting’s events underscored the urgent need for informed, compassionate leadership in the face of misinformation and fear mongering. As the community navigates these tumultuous times, the importance of staying informed and standing up for all students’ rights has never been clearer. Buckle up — this ride is far from over.
