Extra Points
Because of events that occurred earlier this week I am deviating a bit from my usual weekly format and including only an Extra Points opinion piece in this week's Keeping Our Focus.
At the end of last Tuesday’s board of education meeting director James Sanchez read a letter requesting I immediately resign my position as superintendent of schools. I have attached that communication to this link and encourage each of you to read it for yourself. It is my understanding board member Phil Varoz is in full support of his request, based on the letters they have been circulating around the community in tandem questioning my work ethic (see this link), claiming I have dictatorial control over the district and its employees, and criticizing the outcomes we are producing when it comes to student learning and achievement.
In response I immediately offered my resignation to board president Michael Lobato, as I have always felt I would happily move on if the board no longer thinks I am the person to do this job. I really do not want to work for people like Sanchez and Varoz, especially if they truly believe the lies they are spreading throughout the community about my work habits and the results the outstanding educators of this district are producing. Mr. Lobato did not have the board act on my offer at that time.
I actually appreciate that the basis of Sanchez’ request for me to resign is that he feels, based on annual ACT test results of our district 11th graders, we have not shown enough academic growth over the past 20 years. I have been advocating for the district to place its primary focus on improving academic outcomes for students for many years, and this certainly brings that conversation to the forefront!
At the end of last Tuesday’s board of education meeting director James Sanchez read a letter requesting I immediately resign my position as superintendent of schools. I have attached that communication to this link and encourage each of you to read it for yourself. It is my understanding board member Phil Varoz is in full support of his request, based on the letters they have been circulating around the community in tandem questioning my work ethic (see this link), claiming I have dictatorial control over the district and its employees, and criticizing the outcomes we are producing when it comes to student learning and achievement.
In response I immediately offered my resignation to board president Michael Lobato, as I have always felt I would happily move on if the board no longer thinks I am the person to do this job. I really do not want to work for people like Sanchez and Varoz, especially if they truly believe the lies they are spreading throughout the community about my work habits and the results the outstanding educators of this district are producing. Mr. Lobato did not have the board act on my offer at that time.
I actually appreciate that the basis of Sanchez’ request for me to resign is that he feels, based on annual ACT test results of our district 11th graders, we have not shown enough academic growth over the past 20 years. I have been advocating for the district to place its primary focus on improving academic outcomes for students for many years, and this certainly brings that conversation to the forefront!
I first came to work in Center in June of 1996 as the district’s middle-high principal, then became superintendent of schools in August of 1997 after Gary Kidd left for a position in Littleton. I bought a house in town and immediately sent my three children, Anne (4th grade), Stefan (2nd grade), and Adam (1st grade), to school in Center. Each attended our district continually, except for a year or two when I went through a divorce, until they proudly graduated from Center High School in 2005, 2007, and 2008. Priscilla, my “oops” child, has attended Center Schools since preschool and is now a 6th grader at Skoglund Middle School. The educational opportunities my kids have received have not been perfect. However, Anne, Stefan and Adam were each college ready when they received their diplomas and we have continued to work together as a staff, administration, and governing board to improve instruction. The education Priscilla is receiving is far
greater than that which her three older siblings received. I say this in comparison to Varoz who, at the first meeting he attended last November before he was even sworn in to serve, told a story about how his daughter began kindergarten in Center but when her needs were not being met he had to make the decision to transfer her to another district. He was superintendent of schools and he felt the best solution to a problem like this was to move his child instead of working to improve the instruction for ALL kids? Phil will be telling everyone I yelled at him at our last board meeting. This is exactly what I yelled at him about. In a very loud and angry tone I asked him, “where did you send your kids to school?” I have sent mine here, Phil, in bad times and good.
When I came to the Valley in 1996 I quickly learned I was supposed to be embarrassed to be working in Center, and by all means I should not allow my kids to actually be educated here. People I met would offer me condolences when they found out I worked here. The condition of the district was one in which we were losing kids to surrounding schools by the dozens, very few high quality/highly qualified professionals would apply for our open teaching and administrative positions, and student behavior was, to say the least, extremely challenging.
Based on Center Schools annual reports (many written by Varoz) and history from the early 1990’s the situation in Center Schools was as follows: The district first experienced an embezzlement scandal related to its business manager misusing charge accounts for personal purposes in an amount bordering
Based on Center Schools annual reports (many written by Varoz) and history from the early 1990’s the situation in Center Schools was as follows: The district first experienced an embezzlement scandal related to its business manager misusing charge accounts for personal purposes in an amount bordering
$100,000. When this was uncovered by former Center Schools director of finance Margaret Dalby, action was taken to press charges against the perpetrator who sadly, before this would be resolved, committed suicide. News stories from the time indicate a significant amount of money was recovered from the man’s family, but nobody seems to be sure if this was equal to the amount that was taken. Varoz was superintendent at the time and, not too long afterward, was bought out of his contract by the board of education because of varying disagreements. I have found no record of a financial document saying what this cost, but community members and employees from that time believe it to have been in the range of a 65,000 to 85,000 dollar lump sum payment. He also may have collected his last year’s salary from November through June without being required to attend to his job. I suppose Varoz may have thought he was sticking it to the school board that secured his resignation, but as a superintendent who has worked tirelessly to access much needed funds for our students, he was really just sticking it to the children of Center Schools.
Demographics from the time indicate our student population hovered around 700 kids: 85% of them Hispanic, 8 to 10% Anglo, and 7 to 10% Native American. Roughly 75% of our students qualified for free or reduced lunch, so were deemed to be living in poverty. I can find no statistics related to the portion of students who were English Language Learners at that time. In comparison, today 95% of our students identify as Hispanic and the remaining 5% are made up of a mix of Anglo and Native American students. Today, more than 50% of our children have at some time qualified for English as a Second Language instruction services, and roughly 90% of our students qualify for free and reduced lunch. Though our population was quite challenging back then, it is clearly even more so today.
The 1995-96 Center High School graduation rate was 34% and the dropout rate was listed at 9.7%. Statistics also show Center Schools promoted 69 students from 8th to 9th grade in the spring of 1990 when Varoz was still superintendent, 11 of whom dropped out during their 9th grade year (a 15.9% dropout rate for that cohort alone), with an end result of only 17 kids receiving diplomas as part of the Center High School Class of 1994. That year’s annual report proudly stated that 8 of these students intended to go to college and 12 of them received a grand total of $12,306 in college scholarships. Of those 12 scholarship recipients only 3 were Hispanic. So, a district with an 85% Hispanic population that began with a cohort of 69 kids that it whittled down to 17 ended up with a graduating class of which at least 52% were Anglo. I’ll let you determine the overall significance of this. In comparison Center High School graduated 33 students last May from a class that began with 38 at the beginning of 9th grade, 100% of which were Hispanic, and they earned a grand total of $250,000 in scholarship money. The most recent Center High School graduation rate (2013) was 93%. The most recent Center High School dropout rate was 1.7%. This does not include the additional 4 students who graduated from our alternative high school last May, one of them a year early. In fact, in May 2007 we actually graduated a total of 17 students from our alternative high school; equal to the entire Center High School class of 1994!
1994-95 behavior statistics show there were 10 out of school expulsions, and 139 out of school suspensions for periods of at least one full day and up to two weeks. By comparison only 1 student was expelled out of school in 2013-14, and zero were suspended into their home. Though much maligned by Varoz and Sanchez, this turnaround is the result of our strict discipline philosophy steeped in our taking full responsibility for educating our kids no matter how poorly they behave. What do you suppose kids in the early 1990's were doing with their time when they were expelled and suspended into households where both parents had to work all day?
Regarding ACT scores: In the early 2000’s the Colorado state legislature passed a law requiring all 11th graders be tested annually on the ACT. In the 1990’s only students who intended to go to college, such as the 8 listed in the class of 1994, took the test, and they did so voluntarily.
In 2010 our district composite ACT score was 15.9. By spring 2014 it was 16.6; heading upward. The state of Colorado average for both of these years was 20.6. What is not clearly stated in these statistics is the fact that all students must take the ACT no matter their mastery of the English language. Sanchez and Varoz’ call for my resignation is because they want to hold me personally responsible for our 16.6 11th grade ACT average.
I do take full responsibility for this, but want you to be aware of these additional facts. 40 students took the test in spring 2014, 14 of whom (35%) did not arrive in Center Schools until they were already in high school. More than half the students who scored below our school average of 16.6 have been in the district an average total of only 2 years each. The average composite of these 11 students was 14.6. If you factor those students out the school average becomes 17.6. If you look deeper you will find that the average composite score for the 18 students in this cohort who have been attending Center Schools for their whole education career is 18.1. This is still not above the overall state average, but when you consider that 100% of these kids are Hispanic, this actually puts them above the state average performance for all Hispanic students listed at 17.5. Consider that 90% of these students also qualified for free and reduced lunch, and once again we come in above state average, that of 17.5 for free and reduced lunch students. On a final note the average performance in Colorado for Anglo students was 21.8 this year. Ours was 25.
In 2010 our district composite ACT score was 15.9. By spring 2014 it was 16.6; heading upward. The state of Colorado average for both of these years was 20.6. What is not clearly stated in these statistics is the fact that all students must take the ACT no matter their mastery of the English language. Sanchez and Varoz’ call for my resignation is because they want to hold me personally responsible for our 16.6 11th grade ACT average.
I do take full responsibility for this, but want you to be aware of these additional facts. 40 students took the test in spring 2014, 14 of whom (35%) did not arrive in Center Schools until they were already in high school. More than half the students who scored below our school average of 16.6 have been in the district an average total of only 2 years each. The average composite of these 11 students was 14.6. If you factor those students out the school average becomes 17.6. If you look deeper you will find that the average composite score for the 18 students in this cohort who have been attending Center Schools for their whole education career is 18.1. This is still not above the overall state average, but when you consider that 100% of these kids are Hispanic, this actually puts them above the state average performance for all Hispanic students listed at 17.5. Consider that 90% of these students also qualified for free and reduced lunch, and once again we come in above state average, that of 17.5 for free and reduced lunch students. On a final note the average performance in Colorado for Anglo students was 21.8 this year. Ours was 25.
At Tuesday’s meeting James Sanchez stated that "our teachers should be embarrassed by these results." In doing so he is holding most Center Schools staff members accountable for an education none of us really ever had the opportunity to provide.
I can offer two examples that more accurately show what is going on in relation to our efforts to prepare kids for the world after high school. The first is the fact that a student who scored a 12 on his ACT two years ago during his 11th grade year raised that score to 15 by the end of his senior year, after only 1 full year of instruction in our district. This was good enough to get him into a community college, where he received a scholarship and now attends. What is most impressive is that his score in reading alone jumped from only 9 to 17. This is a fine example of instruction and growth, and it is just not an unusual occurrence in our district. The second piece of evidence is the fact that we have data that shows more and more Center High School graduates are going to, staying in, and being successful in college by the time they are 2 years out of high school. This figure has risen from only 20% in 2004 to 78% in 2013.
I can offer two examples that more accurately show what is going on in relation to our efforts to prepare kids for the world after high school. The first is the fact that a student who scored a 12 on his ACT two years ago during his 11th grade year raised that score to 15 by the end of his senior year, after only 1 full year of instruction in our district. This was good enough to get him into a community college, where he received a scholarship and now attends. What is most impressive is that his score in reading alone jumped from only 9 to 17. This is a fine example of instruction and growth, and it is just not an unusual occurrence in our district. The second piece of evidence is the fact that we have data that shows more and more Center High School graduates are going to, staying in, and being successful in college by the time they are 2 years out of high school. This figure has risen from only 20% in 2004 to 78% in 2013.
Add to this the pesky little detail that Center Schools is now, for the first time since the passage of the Accountability Act of 2009, a fully Accredited district (see story at this link), and that Center High School is poised to receive a 6th straight CDE Center of Educational Excellence award for growth and achievement, and you can see that perhaps Sanchez and Varoz may be taking a bit of a superficial look at what is really going on in the district. The fact of the matter is Center Schools and Center High School are viewed as a state model when it comes to improving student achievement and educational opportunities for children. Because of that our staff members should be embarrassed and I should resign?
One additional topic that both Varoz and Sanchez seem to be quite concerned about is how much I am paid. In February 2014, after quite a bit of community input, all five members of the board of education (including Varoz and Sanchez) voted to raise my salary to $126,000 per year, not including healthcare costs, and to extend me an offer of a two-year contract. A little background on this: In 2008-09 my salary, not including health care costs, was $115,000. In 2013-14 my salary, not including health care costs, was $111,000. This represented a $4,000 decrease over the course of 5 years, one of which I served as both superintendent and middle-high principal. Each of those years my contract was for only one year. I would have been perfectly happy working for this same exact amount for the 2014-15 school year on a one year basis except that by February the gigantic headaches Varoz and Sanchez had already been causing the district led me to ask the board for a raise if it wanted to keep me from searching for a job elsewhere. I did get offered another job, for $185,000 per year. However, I chose to continue working in Center. Ironically I have Varoz and Sanchez to thank for my raise, as after listening to many community members who supported it, they both voted for it.
One additional topic that both Varoz and Sanchez seem to be quite concerned about is how much I am paid. In February 2014, after quite a bit of community input, all five members of the board of education (including Varoz and Sanchez) voted to raise my salary to $126,000 per year, not including healthcare costs, and to extend me an offer of a two-year contract. A little background on this: In 2008-09 my salary, not including health care costs, was $115,000. In 2013-14 my salary, not including health care costs, was $111,000. This represented a $4,000 decrease over the course of 5 years, one of which I served as both superintendent and middle-high principal. Each of those years my contract was for only one year. I would have been perfectly happy working for this same exact amount for the 2014-15 school year on a one year basis except that by February the gigantic headaches Varoz and Sanchez had already been causing the district led me to ask the board for a raise if it wanted to keep me from searching for a job elsewhere. I did get offered another job, for $185,000 per year. However, I chose to continue working in Center. Ironically I have Varoz and Sanchez to thank for my raise, as after listening to many community members who supported it, they both voted for it.
Some final concerns I would like to address include the personal attacks Sanchez and Varoz have made regarding my work habits and job performance. Sanchez has all but accused me of being a dictator, coercing everyone in the system, from board members, administrators, teachers, to classified staff members to do things my way. The reality is I have helped to create an outstanding professional work environment steeped in the pursuit of excellence where decisions are made in a collaborative fashion, focused on kids, and people are held accountable for fulfilling their duties. If you want to verify this just take time to talk to our employees and ask them what they think.
Both Sanchez and Varoz accuse me of being gone from work for greater than 50% of the time; Sanchez actually says up to 60% of the time. I am not sure what their definition of “gone from work” is, but here is mine. This would mean I have removed myself from the presence of the district for no good reason other than to just be away. My work contract is 220 days, allowing me 16 days during the school year to do work on behalf of the entire San Luis Valley guiding teacher Professional Learning Communities toward developing curriculum and assessments aligned to Colorado standards. I also get 20 vacation days, and enjoy all typical school holidays, such as spring and winter break, just like students and other staff members. When I work for the Valley I am also working for Center, as our teachers and kids are direct beneficiaries of this effort. Additionally, if going to Alamosa once a month to attend the San Luis Valley Superintendent Advisory Council meeting to support the operation of our BOCES and to network with other superintendents is being “gone,” then I am guilty of this. If travelling to Denver numerous times to meet with CDE personnel about grants and services pertinent to the school district, to advocate for Center Schools in the legislature, or to learn how to implement the many educational reforms the legislature has placed before us is being “gone,” I am guilty of that too. If travelling to Arizona using my vacation days or district allotted bereavement time because of my father’s failing health and subsequent death is being “gone,” I am guilty of that as well. If being invited by the Commissioner of Education and Colorado Legacy Foundation at their expense to represent Colorado and the United States at the Global Education Leadership Exchange Program meeting in New Delhi, India to learn from worldwide experts about future trends in education that could help Center Schools students is being “gone,” I am once again guilty. Personally I would prefer spending every work night in my own house with my wife and child. However, to effectively lead a successful school system I sometimes need to be on the road on behalf of the district. No matter where I am, be it on the road for school or on a vacation day, I always do the work I need to keep the district running, and I am completely aware of what is going on in our schools. Just ask the people I work with.
In a letter James Sanchez has been circulating along with a communication from Phil Varoz (see this link) he states, “For the last 15-20 years for whatever reason the board has failed.” and “That leads me to believe that the superintendent has had sole controlling authority for all this time and has been a failure.” I don’t know what this means; I don’t follow his logic. I believe Center Schools is a far better place today than it was when Varoz left with his retirement nest egg taken off the backs of the children of Center Schools. Most importantly, I take offense to Sanchez’ words on behalf of great people like Janet Kuntz, Chris Hintz, Paul Pacheco, Ernie Myers, Kim Martinez, Archie Gallegos, Brian Arellano, Miguel Cendejas, Margaret Faron, Michael Lobato, Yuri Cendejas, and Richie Barela who effectively governed this district and led us through most challenging times. Because of their hard work and dedication we are reaping the rewards of Center Schools once again being a great place to send our kids, being a great place to work, and having an outstanding statewide reputation.
Having attempted to build a better working arrangement with Sanchez and Varoz through hard work conducted with help from the Colorado Association of School Boards, only to have them stab us in the backs regarding promises made to work more cooperatively, I am done cooperating with them. I will continue to work for Michael Lobato, Yuri Cendejas, and Richie Barela if they want me, but will refuse to put up with Sanchez and Varoz' attacks on me and our staff. There was once a time when my greatest dream was to work out my career here in Center until Priscilla graduates in May of 2021. I still hope for that. However, Becky and I will also be spending weekends packing up our house just in case the influence these guys have on the district grows larger than it is. The letters they have been circulating ask for community input. If you agree with them, I encourage you to contact them. If you don’t, please do so as well. Your child's education is too important not to tell them what you think.
You can reach Sanchez at 719-580-4719 or send him an email at [email protected]. Varoz can be reached at 719-588-1380 or [email protected].
Both Sanchez and Varoz accuse me of being gone from work for greater than 50% of the time; Sanchez actually says up to 60% of the time. I am not sure what their definition of “gone from work” is, but here is mine. This would mean I have removed myself from the presence of the district for no good reason other than to just be away. My work contract is 220 days, allowing me 16 days during the school year to do work on behalf of the entire San Luis Valley guiding teacher Professional Learning Communities toward developing curriculum and assessments aligned to Colorado standards. I also get 20 vacation days, and enjoy all typical school holidays, such as spring and winter break, just like students and other staff members. When I work for the Valley I am also working for Center, as our teachers and kids are direct beneficiaries of this effort. Additionally, if going to Alamosa once a month to attend the San Luis Valley Superintendent Advisory Council meeting to support the operation of our BOCES and to network with other superintendents is being “gone,” then I am guilty of this. If travelling to Denver numerous times to meet with CDE personnel about grants and services pertinent to the school district, to advocate for Center Schools in the legislature, or to learn how to implement the many educational reforms the legislature has placed before us is being “gone,” I am guilty of that too. If travelling to Arizona using my vacation days or district allotted bereavement time because of my father’s failing health and subsequent death is being “gone,” I am guilty of that as well. If being invited by the Commissioner of Education and Colorado Legacy Foundation at their expense to represent Colorado and the United States at the Global Education Leadership Exchange Program meeting in New Delhi, India to learn from worldwide experts about future trends in education that could help Center Schools students is being “gone,” I am once again guilty. Personally I would prefer spending every work night in my own house with my wife and child. However, to effectively lead a successful school system I sometimes need to be on the road on behalf of the district. No matter where I am, be it on the road for school or on a vacation day, I always do the work I need to keep the district running, and I am completely aware of what is going on in our schools. Just ask the people I work with.
In a letter James Sanchez has been circulating along with a communication from Phil Varoz (see this link) he states, “For the last 15-20 years for whatever reason the board has failed.” and “That leads me to believe that the superintendent has had sole controlling authority for all this time and has been a failure.” I don’t know what this means; I don’t follow his logic. I believe Center Schools is a far better place today than it was when Varoz left with his retirement nest egg taken off the backs of the children of Center Schools. Most importantly, I take offense to Sanchez’ words on behalf of great people like Janet Kuntz, Chris Hintz, Paul Pacheco, Ernie Myers, Kim Martinez, Archie Gallegos, Brian Arellano, Miguel Cendejas, Margaret Faron, Michael Lobato, Yuri Cendejas, and Richie Barela who effectively governed this district and led us through most challenging times. Because of their hard work and dedication we are reaping the rewards of Center Schools once again being a great place to send our kids, being a great place to work, and having an outstanding statewide reputation.
Having attempted to build a better working arrangement with Sanchez and Varoz through hard work conducted with help from the Colorado Association of School Boards, only to have them stab us in the backs regarding promises made to work more cooperatively, I am done cooperating with them. I will continue to work for Michael Lobato, Yuri Cendejas, and Richie Barela if they want me, but will refuse to put up with Sanchez and Varoz' attacks on me and our staff. There was once a time when my greatest dream was to work out my career here in Center until Priscilla graduates in May of 2021. I still hope for that. However, Becky and I will also be spending weekends packing up our house just in case the influence these guys have on the district grows larger than it is. The letters they have been circulating ask for community input. If you agree with them, I encourage you to contact them. If you don’t, please do so as well. Your child's education is too important not to tell them what you think.
You can reach Sanchez at 719-580-4719 or send him an email at [email protected]. Varoz can be reached at 719-588-1380 or [email protected].