State Representative Buentello calls out D60 school reopening plans

Colorado State Representative Bri Buentello did not hold back in a Facebook post last week discussing the Pueblo School District 60's plans to reopen for the 2020-21 school year during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Buentello, who represents Pueblo County, is a former District 60 teacher at Pueblo East High School. On her professional Facebook page, Buentello says 'the district decided to put politics before safety'.

The Pueblo School Board passed guidelines last Thursday evening that would allow D60 classrooms to reopen by August 31.

The plan states students in K-5 would receive in-person learning four days a week. Students in grades 6-12 would follow a hybrid teaching schedule, with two in-person school days and two days from home each week.

All families will also be given the option to choose remote learning if they feel safer that way, according to D60. All students K-12 will be given a device to continue their education online as well.

The school district's guidelines closely follow the advice from the Centers for Disease Control, the Colorado Department of Educations, and both state and local health departments.

Buentello believes the responsible thing for the district to do is begin the school year with online learning.

"Also Pueblo School District 60 is apparently alright with exposing our youngest students at risk the most with a full day, full week return in little over a month?!" said State Representative Buentello in her Facebook post. "Teachers’ voices were entirely ignored. Make no mistake about it, they’re the biggest losers of this decision, as they will now have to pick between their livelihoods and risking their very lives."

Buentello tells KRDO, she doesn't believe teacher's voices haven't been heard throughout the decision making process, and many of her former colleagues are afraid.

"If they had an online option for every teacher just like I have an online option for my student, we wouldn't be here today," said Buentello on Thursday. "Preschool through 5th Grade teachers do not have a choice. They flatly do not. Any body who says otherwise is lying to you.

D60 School Board member Dennis Maes tells KRDO he refutes the notion that teachers were left out of the reopening discussions. More than 400 teachers completed surveys on reopening during the pandemic, and 5 Pueblo Education Association representatives were present during the task force meetings.

Maes went onto say just because the teacher's union didn't get the exactly reopening plan they were asking for doesn't mean they weren't heard.

D60 Superintendent Charlotte Macaluso also made a Facebook post discussing the School District's reopening plans, but on her private account. In the post, Macaluso calls for people to 'assume best intent' whether you agree or disagree with the plans to reopen schools, and that administrators and teachers are doing the best they can under difficult circumstances.

However, in the post the Superintendent also calls out those 'in a position of leadership, power, trust or an elected official'.

"Use your position of influence to help others, not hurt, use your words to lift, not tear down," said Macaluso on her Private Facebook account. "Besides, those of us in the arena can't hear your ugly words from the cheap seats, so sit down!"

At the bottom of the post is an image reading 'Bye, Felicia, [and take Karen with you]'.

In a statement to KRDO News Channel 13, D60 spokesperson Dalton Sprouse says the Superintendent's Facebook post on her personal page is not directed at one person:

'Mrs. Macaluso’s generic comment posted through her personal social media account is not directed to anyone in particular. The comment acknowledges the need to act and think respectfully of our teachers, administration, and families as we all work through these challenging times together. 
Our families have been provided with a choice of returning to school with either in-person or remote instruction this fall. We respect the decisions our families will make and are committed to providing the highest level of instruction possible at all levels as we move forward with our plan.'

Buentello has also sent an official letter to the school board before the board's vote, calling on them to forego sending students and teachers back into the classrooms.

Now that the decision is made the State Representative from Pueblo says she will not be sending her son back into the classrooms to start the year.

"I can only compare it to sending my child to a hornet's nest."