I’m a 23-year resident of DougCo, a parent to two amazing humans with autism, and a Special Education Advocate. On Nov. 13, I attended the launch of a new advocacy group called CPAN, Colorado Parent Advocacy Network. As a parent and supporter of public education, I was hoping to connect with a resource for our community.

Shortly into the meeting, I realized the type of advocacy the group promoted. This wasn’t a solution-oriented coalition. This event had a very different agenda; blame, fear, and misinformation.

Audience members cheered for teachers when prompted by speakers. The same audience emphatically agreed with those same speakers (Cain Young, Erec Smith, and Deborah Flora) now professing that teachers are instructing students about pornography, pushing Marxist ideals, embedding CRT tenets, and shoving gender identities into their curriculum. The panelists mocked unions, calling them communists. Attendees whooped and nodded when a speaker said, “Government schools are not safe for our children.” I was sitting in the same row with School Board President Peterson and Directors Williams and Myers, who were nodding along with the crowd. I was disheartened and appalled by the actions of DCSD’s stewards for our children’s public education.

I am baffled that for over two hours, an “advocacy” group gave no solutions to the real issues that some students do not meet grade level expectations. Not once was the Science of Reading mentioned, nor were students with disabilities. No questions for the panel about specific curriculum or professional development. No discussion about the need for smaller classrooms, nor the need for increased teacher salaries.

CPAN’s rhetoric was being pushed, not solutions.

There are organizations that DCSD can decline to associate with. Positive intent is appropriate until an organization shows you who they are. Then it is a superintendent’s obligation to critically think about the impact of receiving an award from a group that is bashing the very people your position requires you to support.

The attendance by members of DCSD’s BoE and Superintendent Kane to a group repeatedly lying about our teachers, staff, and schools will not get another bond/mill levy passed.

It will not ensure that all students achieve grade level expectations.

It will not secure supportive mental health for struggling students.

I’m genuinely, sincerely trying to understand DCSD’s motives. I want to presume positive intent, but at some point, I have to believe people when they show me who they are.

Jen Iversen

Castle Pines