We've got a real treat for you on this special interview-only episode of the Get More Smarter Podcast. We have Colorado Times Recorder columnist Logan Davis joining us to discuss his recent in-depth investigation into the Woodland Park school board controversy. His seven-part story is an absolute must-read, and there's so much more to it than we could cover in this interview. So, let's dive right in!
Unveiling the Bigger Picture:
Logan Davis has been hard at work on this story since June, meticulously piecing together an intricate puzzle surrounding the Woodland Park school board. The tale we uncover shares eerie similarities with the events in Jefferson County that resulted in the sweeping recall of right-wing school board members in 2015.
The Woodland Park situation isn't just confined to this quaint Colorado community; it's part of a nationwide experiment funded by influential groups with deep pockets. These endeavors are intricately tied to the implementation of American Birthright Standards, which the National Council for the Social Studies said would, among other things, “have damaging and lasting effects on the civic knowledge of students and their capacity to engage in civic reasoning and deliberation.”
Tracing the Origins of Transformation:
Logan’s story begins with a pivotal event—the election of a new school board majority in Woodland Park in 2021. To fully grasp the context, it was crucial to understand whether the community was genuinely discontent with the previous board or if there was a coordinated effort behind the scenes.
Once the new board was installed, they wasted no time in making some rather eyebrow-raising decisions. Including the hiring of a person whose name should be familiar to anyone who was engaged in the Jeffco School Board recalls in 2015, and another until-now-unknown lawyer who may well have been the brains of the operation the entire time.
Enter Brad Miller and Ken Witt:
Two prominent figures entered the scene—Brad Miller an attorney with apparently big designs on Colorado school curriculum and Ken Witt, a former Jeffco School Board member who was one of those who lost his job at the hands of Jeffco voters in 2015.
Radical Changes and Growing Concerns:
With Brad Miller and Ken Witt holding the reins, radical changes began to unfold. However, the Woodland Park community really took notice of these changes and began to grow increasingly concerned.
You’re going to have to listen to the whole interview to get the full story, but we know this is one you’re not going to miss, and if you’re anything like us, you’ll have a Woodland Park School Board tab open in your browser on election night 2023.
Until next time, this is Ian, reminding you to the one podcast that is absolutely guaranteed to let you tell all your friends that you spend at least an hour a week Getting More Smarter! Don't forget to subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. For bonus content and more political insights, visit GetMoreSmarter.com. If you have thoughts, questions, or rants to share, send them to us at angryrants@getmoresmarter.com.
Episode 168.5: A Small Colorado Town's School Board Madness (feat. Logan Davis)