Yesterday we shared with you an email that Board Member John Newkirk stayed up late to write, shifting blame and attempting to change the story about the mass confusion and upset caused to the Maple Grove, Manning, Everitt Middle School, and Sobesky communities when Mr. Newkirk raised a suprise Motion at a Board Meeting. http://www.supportjeffcokids.org/to-tell-the-whole-truth/
Of course, that was dissected and backed up with screen shots and facts. Apparently Mr. Newkirk just isn’t willing to give up and admit he made a big mistake but would prefer to point fingers at everyone else.
Here’s his newest email to us and the Golden Newsletter:
—–Original Message—–
From: Newkirk John J <jnewkirk@jeffco.k12.co.us>
To: judy_d
Cc: Shawna Fritzler <fritzlersm@aol.com>; Jonna Levine <jlevine922@yahoo.com>; Fellman Jill C <jcfellma@jeffco.k12.co.us>
Sent: Tue, Apr 14, 2015 9:56 am
Subject: Re: Golden Newsletter 04/12/15
On Apr 13, 2015, at 5:13 PM, Judy Denison wrote:
“Will include all responses in Golden Newsletter…”
Thank you, Ms. Denison, and I encourage all concerned to carefully reread the attached Wheat Ridge Education Alliance (WREA)proposal dated December 31, 2014 and posted on the district’s January 9, 2015 weekly update.
The WREA Wheat Ridge Plan B proposal claimed to be “supported by principals and many teachers of the above-mentioned schools, Wheat Ridge families,” and “the BOE members we spoke to.” As Ms. Fellman is the only BOE member in the WREA, this suggests that Ms. Fellman supported the proposal. While Ms. Fellman’s more recent statements express a desire to distance herself from the matter, I remain hopeful that the Wheat Ridge community will be adequately served by their district representatives.
Ms. Fritzler’s response expresses a desire to “ensure that ALL parents and community [members] have the ability to actively participate as stakeholders.” To have denied the WREA members a place at the discussion table would strike against this very point, and I trust Ms. Fritzler is not suggesting that only certain community members be allowed to participate and not others.
Respectfully,
John J. Newkirk,
Secretary
Jefferson County Board of Education
jnewkirk@jeffco.k12.co.us<mailto:jnewkirk@jeffco.k12.co.us>
Including the snide comments about our email and who is defined by the word “ALL” and the other snide comment about Ms. Fellman, Mr. Newkirk must not realize that there’s even more documentation that shows that he is WRONG, as well as being petty, snotty and rude:
Here’s the apology from the WREA:
The committee has worked to promote and increase awareness about Wheat Ridge schools through outreach to the 17 schools serving our city. We developed a directory of schools with information for residents, held a community meeting to introduce schools to residents, and researched programs to connect the schools to the community.
• Closure of Wheat Ridge 5-8 Middle School, transfer of 7th and 8th graders to Jefferson High School and creation of a 7-12 school at the current Jefferson School.
• Movement of Stevens Elementary into Wheat Ridge 5-8 building.
• Relocating Sobesky, a school serving emotionally challenged children from across the district, from Lakewood into the current Stevens Elementary school building.
• Changes to articulation areas in Edgewater and Wheat Ridge would be implemented and a Gifted and Talented (GT) program would move to Everitt Middle School.
Genevieve Wooden
Chair, Wheat Ridge Education Alliance
City Councilmember, District IV
A mistake was made and a formal letter containing TWO apologies to the community for disruption and affirmation that the plan was not supported by the entire WREA.
So…why can’t Mr. Newkirk apologize to the community and just move on?
Why does he write this –
“Ms. Fritzler’s response expresses a desire to “ensure that ALL parents and community [members] have the ability to actively participate as stakeholders.” To have denied the WREA members a place at the discussion table would strike against this very point, and I trust Ms. Fritzler is not suggesting that only certain community members be allowed to participate and not others.”
In response to this –
“We greatly appreciate the opportunity to respond and ensure that ALL parents and community have the ability to actively participate as stakeholders of the public schools their children attend.”
Why do this? The packed meetings at those schools made it VERY clear that there were community members who didn’t feel they had an opportunity to be heard before a suprise motion was made! What children does this serve? What community does this serve? How is THIS being accountable to the community?