Protest, criticism of school board president highlight tense District 20 school board meeting Thursday

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- A controversy has divided Academy School District 20 on the city's north side, regarding whether board president Tom LaValley supports education and teachers, or encourages parents to take a more aggressive role in their children's learning.

Late Thursday afternoon, 90 minutes before the start of the board meeting, several dozen people held signs as they protested outside the D20 offices on Chapel Hills Drive; some expressed support while others voiced opposition and demanded LaValley's resignation.

Once the meeting began at 6 p.m., board members spent two hours hearing comments from 62 people while another 160 watched the meeting online.

At issue are comments LaValley made in July, in a video updating the district's status to the local Church of All Nations.

A particular part of his comments upset many parents: "If you see objectionable material, go to the teacher or librarian -- or better yet, take several others with you who are like-minded. If you don't get a satisfactory answer, then go to the principal or superintendent, or bring it to our attention on the Board of Education."

Another development that raised concern were accusations that the community group Advocates for D20 Kids displayed the names and political affiliations of all district principals during a recent public meeting -- something that one man who said he attended the meeting, disputes.

That led a group of parents to organize Thursday's demonstration, and to fill the board room to capacity.

Some parents defended LaValley and his fellow board members, saying that they're doing a great job and show how much they care about the district and its quality of education.

However, many parents -- as well as teachers and even a few students -- said that the recent developments set a dangerous precedent by switching authority from teachers to parents, and shows a lack of trust and disrespect for teachers who are already overworked and underpaid.

In fact, some teachers spoke on behalf of other teachers who declined to appear at the meeting because they don't want to become targets, adding that the district's atmosphere is so negative, they'll leave if it doesn't improve.

Timm Hoffman, a parent of biracial children in the district, said that the situation also threatens minority students; district officials confirm that five books containing themes of race, gender and sexuality are being challenged for continued inclusion at the Chinook Trail Middle School Library.

"They have left the definition of (everything) ambiguous, so they can lump (together) things like true history, slavery and what they would deem woke-ism, and keep it lumped under that," he explained.

But Derrick Wilburn, a leader in Advocates for D20 Kids, says that his group and LaValley have only the district's best interests at heart.

"I have no problem with the school board president -- or any school board member -- encouraging parents to be more involved in children's education, and knowing what's happening," he said. "We have every right to know what's taking place inside of our schools, what's being taught to our children -- and frankly, I can't understand why anybody would be against that."

During board remarks after the public comments, LaValley responded only by reading a previously-released statement on the controversy: “I want to say to any teachers, principals or other employees who watched the video I made this past July that my intent was simply to encourage parents to be involved. I never intended to upset or offend anyone. Teachers are the backbone of this district and I have nothing but respect and admiration for each of them.” 

District officials said that prior to Thursday's protest, opponents had scheduled a similar protest for Friday but it's unclear if that one will happen.

In a related matter, district superintendent Tom Gregory announced that he plans to retire from his position next summer; he emphasized that his decision is unrelated to the current controversy.