With the recent pass of Senate Bill 191 by the Colorado legislature, our state seems to be moving toward pay-for-performance. As reported by the Colorado Springs Independent recently, Mike Miles' pay-for-performance scheme is running into heated opposition and high staff turnover. How will District 20 respond to this anti-public education initiative? Let's hope that Dr. Hatchell and the District 20 School Board take inspiration from past D20 leaders, such as School Board member Dr. Jack Sherman in 1980 (speaking during the recession of the early 1980s):

The teachers of this district are excellent and dedicated. I swell with pride when others talk about the excellence of District #20. Our staff is well prepared, enthusiastic, child-centered -- in short, real pros ... Yet a review of teacher salaries leads me to conclude that our words are hollow -- merely rhetoric that we are expected to give out. Inflation hits everyone and our data show teachers are among the hardest hit. How can we expect our teachers to give full attention and energies to our children when they must be concerned with the survival of their families? What value do we place on them and their work? Let's be honest and open about this ... I, for one, do not believe we recognize the worth of our teachers and believe it is time we and this district assume the responsibility and accept leadership to provide adequate salaries for our teachers. --Dr. Jack Sherman (A.A.E.A. Board Meeting Minutes, 1979 - 1981)

 Don't get pressured into resigning. You have rights. Check out the full story on Nonrenewal vs. Resignation.

The Academy Education Association (AEA) and the Academy Association of Classified Employees (AACE) worked together to make recommendations for the School Board race for Academy School District #20 this fall. We recommend:

Doug Lundberg
Linda Van Matre
Fran Reichert

We feel all 3 of these candidates have a positive track record working with our District. Doug Lundberg has the experience working on the School Board, presently serving as Vice President of the Board, along with his past experience as a teacher in School District #20 and having been a President of AEA. Linda Van Matre was appointed to our School Board this last year and has worked hard to understand and act on the issues affecting our schools today. She was very active supporting the Mill Levy Override for our District last fall. Fran Reichert, though not having the experience working on our School Board, demonstrates a firm understanding of the challenges facing School District #20. She has experience working on several District committees, working politically with past school board elections, working to pass the Mill Levy Override last fall, and she is actively seeking communication with all involved with our schools. She has made it a point to visit all the District?s schools and departments as a candidate for School Board.

The other 6 candidates all appear to have good intentions for running for the Board of Education. Some have the experience working on District committees and some have volunteered with our schools. Overall, they did not show the depth of knowledge that our recommended candidates have at this time. All of them, over time, could be great School Board members in the future.

This year these three positions on our School Board will make up a majority of our five elected members. They will have an impact on our School District?s future. We believe that Doug Lundberg, Linda Van Matre and Fran Reichert, will do what is best for our students, staff and community, working on our School Board.

Please respect Fair Campaign Laws and Practices and do not post this letter, or any other recommendations (or endorsements) in our schools. And of course, please exercise your right to vote. Voting will be by mail in ballots this year.

At the District 20 Pep Rally at Pine Creek today, Superintendent Hatchell spoke to the assembly of D20 staff. According to Hatchell, District 20 leads the state in the percentage of proficient and advanced students in CSAP, in addition to showing favorably in other areas. Hatchell also spoke of the budget cuts to come (for reference, look at the district's 2009-2010 budget). Perhaps his comments in this year's budget about the possibility of recovery and stability in 2010 were a bit optimistic. Let's hope he finds ways to trim the budget other than cutting the pay of educators. Teachers and paras have already taken one for the team. Outside the rally, officers and representatives of the Education Association welcomed new teachers with a gift. Traffic at the AEA booth inside was the busiest in years.