Below is a community letter addressed to the Roaring Fork School District's School
Board regarding their finalists for Superintendent of Schools, signed by individuals who live between Basalt and Glenwood Springs or are former or current students and parents.
Voces Unidas reviewed resumes and other available public records on the three finalists -- Dr. Anna Cole, Tharyn Mulberry and Dr. Bill Wilson -- to do a comparison of their relevant experience.
The open letter closed on March 11, 2024.
Dear RFSD School Board Members:
We, the undersigned, write this letter to thank you for your public service and remind you that the next superintendent for the Roaring Fork School District needs to be a leader with a track record of success and experience in eliminating 40-point achievement gaps between Latino and white students. Anything less could translate to several more generations of Latino students who will graduate from the RFSD ill-prepared, further stifling the Latino community's ability to reach our full potential as a people.
In a district where nearly 60% of students are Latino and most are two to three grades behind their white peers, we need an experienced leader to step up to the challenge of what is likely to be one of the hardest jobs in their career.
The chronic, long-standing equity issues that disadvantage Latino students in the RFSD are not new. But the consequences have grown considerably because we have either ignored them or been ineffective at addressing them. Past superintendents and school boards lacked either the vision, courage or knowhow to begin to address these systemic issues. Given the amount of work that is needed to catch up, we cannot afford a novice leader. To do the same, and expect a different result is the very definition of insanity – and would be considered by many of us as a dereliction of duty to Latino students.
While we have many concerns about the lack of Latino involvement in the superintendent search process to date, it also remains unclear whether you requested evidence from your finalists on how they have led successful efforts to drastically reduce the achievement gap in other school districts. We’ve found no evidence in the public record, nor have you published such evidence from any of the candidates.
We insist that the school board release evidence proving that your finalists are experienced in successfully addressing significant achievement gaps in other schools or school districts.
We cannot afford another three, five or 10 years for someone to learn on the job. Latino students deserve a superintendent with a demonstrated record of success in dramatically improving student outcomes in a comparable school district. Their learning and growth should not be compromised for any reason, least of all for the sake of career development.
Unlike the constitutional right of every student to receive a quality education, it is a privilege – not a right – to be a teacher, principal, superintendent, or even a school board member. We are grateful that you have chosen to serve to represent the interests of all communities, not just those who today hold power and privilege, and ask that you maintain that standard throughout this search process.
Every student in the RFSD — including Latino students — deserves the best possible opportunity to learn, grow and thrive in our community. It is incumbent upon the school board to provide that opportunity by hiring an experienced superintendent for the district. And if you deem you don’t have a candidate with the necessary experience and qualifications in the pool, start the process again.
Thank you.
Respectfully,
Marissa Molina
Jose Molina
Alex Sánchez
Esmeralda Veliz
Liah Ramirez
Yesenia Silva Estrada
Evelyn Balleza
Jesus Velazquez
Lorenza Tapia
Sonia Bonilla
Junior Ortega
Omar Sarabia
Ana Chavira
Christopher Menjivar Cornejo
Rogelio Vizcaino
Yamilet Velazquez
Stephanie Ayala
Tyler Geddes
Ashley Montañez
Samantha Portillo
Briseyda Noriega
Ines Burbano
Elizabeth Sanchez
Ale Chavira
Alejandro Chavira
Leticia Burbano de Lara
Brianda Cervantes
Mari Jimenez
Josefina Jimenez
Ana Lopez
Eva Rojas
Guadalupe Medina
Keila Valenzuela
Ignacio Barrantes
Edgar Barrantes
E. Christina Flores
Veronica Peña
Maribel Obreque
Yeymy Munoz
Christina Montemayor
Sabrina Ferguson
Miguel Hernandez
Zabdi Fuentes
Patricia Juarez
Chelsea Krabbe
Rosa Esparza
Kimberly Andres-Martinez
Cristina Perez
Ruth Ana Argueta
Ashanty Velazquez
Aracely Garcia
Alejandra Martinez
Karina Gutierrez
Nancy Mondragon
Monica Quevedo-Ortega
Angelica Diaz
Heidi Flores-Walmsley
Michael Flores-Walmsley
Maria Lidia Dominguez
Christina Montemayor
Paloma Hammond
Lorena Vargas
Alyssa Mortell
Gladys Arango
Itzel Lugo
Greisi Villalta
Aline Sanchez
Sophia Corral
Veronica Chacon
Ana Perez
Gislea Merlos
Renee Espinoza
Indhira Barron
Daniela Rivera
Mathias Nicol
Beatriz Soto
Martha Nila
Susana Chavez
cc: Hon. Susana Córdova, Colorado Commissioner of Education
Hon. Miguel Cardona, U.S. Secretary fo Education
Hon. Catherine E. Lhamon, Asst. Secretary for Civil Rights, U.S. Dept. of Education