Parents voice turnover concerns to D14 school board

By William J. Dagendesh

Concerns over the departure of numerous staff and teachers highlighted the Oct. 17 Manitou Springs School District 14 Board of Education meeting.

Held in the Middle School Media Center, the meeting heard comments from a packed house of frustrated parents and former D14 educators who want to know why more than 50 staff members, many of them teachers, left D14 during the past almost three years.

Earlier this year, D14 parents formed the group Stand Up For Manitou to investigate what caused the turnover. The group is challenging D14 by insisting they fix the alleged high personnel turnover.

The group wants to understand how decisions being made impact students, why personnel have not returned to work and how parents can ensure that D14 remains the region’s most desirable district. About 60 D14 families comprise the group.

Some parents said they had noticed many of their favorite teachers were leaving one right after the other. As a result, the group conducted an exit survey that pointed to culture and leadership as the possible reasons for the departures.

Some residents blame stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic for the turnover. However, Manitou Springs High School parent Brenda Holmes-Stanciu, who is leading the group, said the survey found that COVID-19 isn’t even one of the top 10 reasons for the departures.

“We are concerned … we want to reverse the trend of these (people) leaving D14. The survey is valuable,” Holmes-Stanciu said.

Some former personnel said D14 doesn’t value its people. Others claim their ideas and professional expertise are dismissed, and that they have no support from the district. Still, some have pointed to dishonest behavior from within the district as the reason for these departures.

During the public comment segment, some parents spoke on behalf of teachers who fear retaliation or losing their jobs if they speak out against D14. No solution was reached, leaving residents to ask how D14 plans to retain its staff and bring back those who have left.

Holmes-Stanciu said she believes the survey merits further investigation. She hopes the BOE will take the matter seriously and have someone survey the current teaching staff to learn more.

“Public awareness is the first step for change. We are demanding answers to questions. We are becoming a divided community,” Holmes-Stanciu said.

H’Krih Shelhamer said she and others want the BOE to act on the information provided them.

“We didn’t want to base our judgments on rumors and hearsay. I would love for the members of the board to come up with solutions,” Shelhamer said.

“Manitou kids deserve better. District administrators are unwilling to accept feedback. It is you who can turn it around,” resident Annaken Toews said,

D14 parent Sarah Linster said she believes a solution can be found if people work together.

“The culture has become toxic. … Students are experiencing a lot of turmoil. How can we address these concerns in the best way possible to our kids?” Linster asked.

Longtime resident Mary Tatum, mother of 2013 and 2014 MSHS graduates, said she and other parents feel the culture needs change. Tatum previously said young women had been sexually assaulted by teachers, and that one of her daughters once overheard a teacher making a date with a female student between classes.

“I want to know if there is evidence of wrongdoing within the current leadership at D14. Is there evidence of retaliation if someone speaks out?” Tatum said.

Jessica Moen said, “I have felt targeted for speaking out… In a regulated system, feedback is welcome.” Another woman asked, “Who is retaliating against whom and what is the cause of that retaliation?”

The district’s director of student success, Kolleen Johnson, even invited the BOE to speak with parents. “Talk to us. I know I won’t make everyone happy… But, I will talk with them,” she said.

Trevor Robbins, a former MSHS teacher, said speaking out brings negative consequences.

“I am not in education anymore because I know that if you speak out, what is going to happen,” he said.

Former teacher Kimberle Spraggins said the district would do well to help build bridges instead of barriers.

“If critical feedback creates a defensive response rather than a curious one, the defensiveness is a symptom of a dysregulated system,” she said.

One unidentified woman said Manitou kids deserve better.

“District administrators are unwilling to accept feedback. It is you who can turn it around,” she told the BOE.

Although most attendees expressed their concerns, others defended the board. Maggie Santos said some angry voices stand out and that over-reacting to the unknown negatively impacts students. Most D14 staff and educators are happy, she said.

“My kids graduated from here and one of them returned to teach. I don’t know why many people have left. I hear kids laughing. … However, there are some parents who can’t get over COVID and are making it difficult for kids,” she said.

The BOE did not respond to parents’ comments.

However, in a statement to the Bulletin, D14 Superintendent Elizabeth Domangue thanked former employees for bringing the matter to the board’s attention. Domangue said the BOE is aware of the many reasons some employees have left the district, and that the information provides data for improvement.

“We know that there are always opportunities to grow and feedback is helpful. I invite former employees to meet to discuss any concerns or thoughts that would be helpful for progress. My door is always open, and I am always happy to talk in hallways, driveways, games, community events, etc.,” Domangue wrote.

She explained that the new Human Resources team is continuing with practices that have been highly successful for recruiting and retaining employees in all positions. Also, it’s leading efforts to seek feedback in new and different ways that are formative, she said.

“For example, we are excited about rolling out ‘Let’s Talk’ (through K12 Insights) to all staff, students and parents. This is a platform for sharing concerns and celebrations via an online platform where people can choose to be anonymous or not,” Domangue wrote.

The superintendent said she is working with the BOE to create a community-engaged and facilitated dialogue with all stakeholders.

“This will be facilitated by a group outside of Manitou Springs. As with anything involving staff, I can’t speak about confidential personnel matters,” Domangue said.

The next regular BOE meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3.