The superintendent for Manitou Springs School District 14 seems to be under attack, ostensibly for the recent turnover. This is an educational issue. Employees are leaving education nationwide. See tinyurl.com/Schools-
Facing-Mass-Exodus.
Locally, the percentage of open positions are:
• Woodland Park — 14 percent;
• MSSD 14 — 13 percent;
• D20 — 11 percent; and
• D12 — 7 percent.
Total full-time equivalency data was unavailable for District 11.
This represents only a snapshot based on one day, May 26, 2022, and using data from nces.ed.gov and the individual district websites.
In the previous opinion pieces, there is also a theme of concern that this administration isn’t listening. Please consider the following:
During the previous administration’s tenure, two sexual allegation cases occurred in six years, with no legal ramifications.
Matthew Barton, a former teacher and soccer coach, has been charged with six counts of sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust. The crime began in 2007 with a 14-year-old sophomore student, and lasted three years.
According to Fox21 on Jan. 27, 2022, “Court documents show the Manitou Springs School District knew a former high school teacher and soccer coach had an alleged relationship with a student 11 years ago — and still allowed him to return to work there.
“… in early December of 2021, a Manitou Springs Police officer was alerted of the allegation by a staff member from the school who was concerned about the depth of the investigation that had occurred during the 2009-2010 school year.
“Two search warrants were conducted at the Manitou Springs High School. The current superintendent, who was not the superintendent at the time, found two folders with information in regard to the sexual allegations against Barton.” See tinyurl.com/Fox-21-News.
Former teacher Timothy Hilt is charged with one count of the felony crime of sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust, which allegedly occurred in the 2015-2016 school year.
KRDO reported, “According to the arrest affidavit by the Manitou Springs Police Department, the inappropriate relationship between Hill and the then-underage victim began in 2013 when she was 13.
“According to court documents, the victim told officers other teachers and students saw them sitting together.” See tinyurl.com/KRDO-News.
According to the Pikes Peak Bulletin, “The affidavit also included an interview with a former employee, who told officers he was concerned about outside-school events where Hilt was left alone with students.” See tinyurl.com/Pikes-Peak-Bulletin.
Not only did the previous administration not act on the reports filed regarding the allegations, Barton was allowed to leave and teach in China for a year. Upon his return, he was then employed by Woodland Park and Douglas County school districts, where he was again allowed to be in a position of trust and authority around children.
According to KRDO, “…the arrest affidavit (for Barton) suggests the previous school administration was aware of the allegations and may not have shared that information with other educators.”
Police found a letter the previous administration had sent to Barton referencing the accusations and the investigation centered around him. That letter mentioned the alleged victim’s name, who police contacted next.
“According to the affidavit, the victim told police it was all true, saying Barton had sex with her on at least six occasions, including on school grounds,” the KRDO website states.
“Police confirmed in the affidavit that these details were outlined in the letter sent to the superintendent at the time, Ed Longfield.”
Was the previous administration listening when informed of the alleged assaults? Was it listening when a now-former employee told the second alleged perpetrator to “stay in public view, and not go alone with students”?
In the Barton case, the previous administration was aware of the allegations, and Barton faced no consequences. In the Hilt case, students and at least one employee knew. The administration either knew, with Hilt facing no consequences, or wasn’t aware of what was happening in the school. Either case is damning.
Quit romanticizing the district before the current administration. These two criminal investigations are indicative of a culture that had to change. That administration did not hold themselves or their employees accountable, which created an unsafe environment for the students.
Change in any organization is difficult and painful under the best of circumstances and, in this situation, desperately needed. Now, step out of the way and let this administration create a safe learning environment for our children.
Editor’s note: The Bulletin has attempted to contact the previous D14 superintendent, but has received no response.