HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. —
EDITOR'S NOTE: The Douglas County School District clarified that it offered STEM School a three-year deal in January that had yet to be accepted. The school board is now considering rescinding that offer, and instead offering a one-year extension of the charter to give both sides time to negotiate.
The Douglas County School Board (DCSB) may vote to rescind a proposed three-year charter agreement with STEM School down to a new one-year extension over questions surrounding the recent shooting that killed a student.
The DCSB may vote on a new resolution that specifically mentions the May 7 school shooting in which two students are accused of entering the school with guns. Nine students were injured, including Kendrick Castillo, who died while trying to stop one of the shooters.
“....the STEM incident has raised questions about school safety and security that may impact the terms and conditions of STEM’s charter school renewal and charter contract….” a proposed resolution before the school board says.
The new resolution also cites the school district’s prior “disagreements” with STEM School before the shooting and several other issues relating to transparency, training and hiring of staff for mental health.
In response to the new resolution, STEM Executive Director Penelope Eucker sent a letter to parents Monday afternoon asking them to speak out in support of the school at Tuesday’s board meeting.
The board meeting will be held in the school district's administration building at 620 Wilcox St., Castle Rock at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18.
LETTER TO PARENTS | Read the full letter to parents here
In the letter, Eucker cites the school’s academic excellence and efforts made by the school to meet the needs of kids with special needs and mental health issues.
RELATED: 1 student killed, 8 others injured when classmates open fire at STEM School Highlands Ranch
“The tragedy of May 7th, 2019 will be woven into the fabric of our community going forward. But it in no way defines our community, now nor in the future,” Eucker’s letter said.
FULL RESOLUTION | Read the full resolution here
9Wants to Know has received a copy of a letter sent by the school district to Dr. Eucker expressing disappointment with her message to parents.
You can read the letter in full below:
Dr. Eucker,
In the correspondence we received from you, it was stated that the Board should, "reconsider its decision to restrict the school to a single-year renewal..." This is not an accurate portrayal of the proposed action.
As you know, STEM was not willing to accept the resolution passed in January that recommended a three-year renewal term. It was jointly agreed by both the District and STEM to make efforts to resolve this disagreement. Unfortunately, these negotiations were interrupted with the horrific tragedy. Because this occurred so close to the end of the school year, and for obvious reasons, these negotiations were not reconvened due to all of us directing support to students, staff, and the families of STEM.
Because of this, and the fact that the charter expires at the end of this month, it was proposed to extend STEM's current contract for another year. This would provide ample time for STEM's leadership team and our District to reconvene the conversation regarding an appropriate renewal term and conditions.
It is unfortunate, that the message conveyed to your community is that the District is "not more supportive of STEM." I have never experienced a more valiant effort supporting a school going through a crisis, than what was provided by the District for STEM. I sincerely hope you understand that the proposed actions by the Board provides grace to the timing of these unusual and tragic circumstances.
I would appreciate if you would provide your community with accurate information. I genuinely respect the need for recovery.
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