Parents’ voices should be welcome at school board

Grand Junction Daily Sentinel | October 29, 2021| Andrea Haitz

Most of us have heard the news that the National School Board Association sent a letter to the Biden Administration asking the Department of Justice and FBI to investigate and crackdown on “threats of violence and acts of intimidation” at local school board meetings. The letter was quickly published in the press and obvious outrage ensued.

As of Monday, more than 20 school boards have distanced themselves from NSBA triggering a letter of apology from NSBA. The letter states, “there was no justification for some of the language included in the letter. We should have had a better process in place to allow for consultation on a communication of this significance. We apologize also for the strain and stress this situation has caused you and your organizations.”

The letter goes on to state, “As we’ve reiterated since the letter was sent, we deeply value not only the work of local school boards that make important contributions within our communities, but also the voices of parents, who should and must continue to be heard when it comes to decisions about their children’s education, health and safety.”

The letter, the backlash and NSBA’s response bring up an important conversation about discourse in the “public square” and the fortitude of elected servants. School board meetings have been largely unattended by parents and rather boring until recently, according to District 51 Board President Tom Parrish. But that has all changed as parents are becoming more aware of divisive ideologies, hyper-sexualized curricula and gender confusion creeping into our schools. This has led to anger, frustration and a much more vocal outpouring to school board meetings.

I would have to agree with the Hon. Bob Schaffer, former U.S. House Representative, and current headmaster at Liberty Common High School in Fort Collins, who was recently interviewed on 1310 KFKA’s Mornings with Gail.

Concerning the public square and discourse, disagreeing with those elected, sometimes quite vociferously, is not only protected speech, but appropriate when those we elect fail to represent the interest of their constituents. In this case, parents and other stakeholders.

While threats of violence are never acceptable at school board meetings, upset and vocal parents should never be categorized as “domestic terrorists.” If there is ever an issue, it should be dealt with on a local level with local law enforcement and not by the federal government.

As Schaffer frankly stated, “we need to stop electing wimps.” Heated debate and public outcry have always been an aspect of elected office and sometimes that outcry, especially from parents concerning their child’s education, can be quite vociferous. Those running for elected office need to have a backbone. And to the extent that they can’t handle it, a resignation is appropriate.

Parents are frustrated and need to be heard, more now than ever. Our local school board, after a loud and vocal school board meeting, unanimously voted to limit public input. A sitting board member describing the Aug. 17 board meeting as a “despicable display” by parents, obviously is out of touch with the concerns and frustrations of parents. He went on to say that he “felt” threatened, even though no one threatened him.

I was at this board meeting, as were half a dozen guards and police officers. Nobody was threatened nor was there any violence. Just upset parents. My opponent described the event in a recent article in The Daily Sentinel and her disgust in the lack of civility by these parents. She describes being escorted to her car, along with the other board members by security; escorted through an empty parking lot as they sneaked out the back door and left us, parents, in the board room wondering where they went.

There is no doubt serving on the board of education is a thankless job. It may even be uncomfortable. But this doesn’t warrant violating the public trust. Parents are the primary stakeholder in their child’s education and to the extent the board of education is failing their students, things will get heated in the public square. As well it should. We need new, bold leadership on the board of education. One with a spine, and thick skin, willing to listen to parents even when it’s uncomfortable. Our kids deserve it. Our parents deserve it.

Andrea Haitz is a Grand Junction native, a mom and a business owner who is concerned about our community and kids.

Some District 51 parents, students voice opposition to any mask requirements in schools

By Tom Ferguson | NBC 11 News

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) - Mesa County Valley School District 51 parents and student turned up in droves to Tuesday’s school board meeting. The board discussed the safety plan for the upcoming school year. That plan includes mask policies among others for faculty, staff, and students. Safety plan policies are subject to change according to circumstances, said the district.

District 51 is not requiring mask-wearing regardless of vaccination status at this time, nor is there any COVID-19 vaccine requirement. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending anyone aged two years and up and not vaccinated against the coronavirus to wear masks indoors and in crowded settings in its most recent guidance on the topic. Many at the meeting were wondering what direction the board will go in based off the new guidance.

According to Daniel Vaden, “Many of us are here today because we believe in medical freedom and the right to choose.” Concerned citizens showed up to make their voices heard, and to hear what the school boar is thinking. District 51 teacher Jen Schumann explained her view. “I’m here as a concerned teacher. I believe that it is a moral and ethical obligation to stand up on behalf of youth against any further COVID mandates that impact their ability to breathe.”

Many who showed up on Tuesday evening, both parents and students, are done with masks. District 51 student Charlotte Kristy said that, “It’s been really hard because I’m not able to show how I feel. Like I might be happy or like sad or really confused, and the teacher won’t be able to understand the question that I’m asking.”

The major theme from today’s gathering at the school board meeting: choice when it comes to wearing a mask. Andrea Haitz, who is running to represent District C on the school board, expressed that, “It’s not the government’s job to mandate masks and vaccines. That’s a very personal choice that parents need to have with their healthcare provider, and so we’re just here to see what the board has to say and be here to help support the parents.” Angela Lema, who is running for District E for the school board, agrees. “The most important thing are that parents and the kids get to decide these things, whether it’s masking or [getting vaccinated], we just want to make sure that they’re the ones in charge.”

No votes or final decisions were made Tuesday evening on the issue. There was no public comment period either, but the signs many people were holding read out their stances loud and clear.

Haitz announces candidacy for school board

SENTINEL STAFF | Jul 3, 2021

With two seats up for re-election and one coming open due to term limits, the Mesa County Valley School District 51 will have at least one new face on its board of education.

One candidate officially announced her candidacy for the board in the upcoming November election.

Andrea Haitz, 51, a native of Grand Junction announced that she will run for the school board in District C.

The seat in District C is currently occupied by Trish Mahre.

In her press release, Haitz said she’s a mother of three, and former chairperson for District 51’s Public Charter Juniper Ridge Community School.

“As a mother of three, I am personally invested in a strong education system for my kids and yours,” Haitz said in the release.

Haitz said her goal is to put the focus on students.

“Politics over the years has divided the classroom putting students last," she said. “We need real world experience on the School Board. I will bring that real world experience and help bring our schools to the top not just for students but for teachers as well.”

Hatiz, who graduated from Central High School, also served on the Grand Junction Area Realtor Association Board of Directors and currently serves on the city of Grand Junction Planning Commission.

Haitz’s campaign website is www.Andrea4Kids.com. 

The District E seat, which Amy Davis currently holds, is up for re-election, and Tom Parrish is term limited in District D.