BSVDWatch.org

BVSDWatch.org has been on the fence about wether we should endorce any BVSD board candidate. Though we're late to the game we've decided to go ahead and endorse who we feel are the people we hope can "think different".

We feel Ed Gazvoda and John Satter have a more critical eye for things and would ask more questions that can help keep BVSD honest. We admire anyone who wishes to devote part of their life to the BVSD board of education and the community and we applaude all the participants. We hope to see even more people participate in the process the next time around.

As an aside, school board candidate Laurie Albright was asked to sign the Washington School petition over the weekend (see article below) and she refused.  By her refusal we can only assume she is not behind this petition drive and we cannot forget that we need the voices on BVSD to be listening as well, we all know this fight for Mapleton will be next.

Anyone else see a strange dichotomy in our community?

Student at Boulder High may be charged as a sex offender for attempting to streak across a football field. See this Daily Camera article. 

Then...

A hundred Boulderites shed their clothes for the annual "Naked Pumpkin Run" down Pearl Street. This year was the ninth year of the event, and "no run-ins with the police were reported." See this Daily Camera article. 

BVSDWatch.org is very disappointed with BVSD in pursuing the reported legal action against the student who streaked at a BHS football game. Although the student exercised poor judgment, it seems that pressing for a harsh permanent stigma on his character and record are disproportionate to the event. In addition, it could easily lead to yet another incident of controversial community division and bad press for Boulder and BVSD, as well as an inordinate use of  of BVSD money, time, and emotional energy. Certainly the student needs some form of punishment, such as the suspension he has already received. Maybe community service of some kind might be in order. But labeling this student as a sex offender, while a hundred others are celebrated for the same kind of behavior, borders on the ridiculous, in not injustice.

Please, BVSD, consider some balance in your actions.

Since the article in The Daily Camera last Saturday (link), the Washington School Neighborhood Association (WSNA) has decided to go forward with their petition. From the Camera article:
 

"The City Council on Tuesday night gave the go-ahead to a proposal put forward by developer Jim Leach to build six houses and 34 condos, which would make up a co-housing community on the grounds of the century-old school. Neighbors opposed to the project said it's too large and too dense and doesn't fit into their neighborhood."
 
WSNA sent out a press release today (link) announcing their decision to circulate a petition which, if they get the required 7,200 signatures, will bring the issue of the Washington School redevelopment to Boulder voters. From their press release:
 
"Our Association is asking Boulder voters to support the public’s right to play a greater role in land use policy issues, particularly on publicly owned land.  The City and the Boulder Valley School District have for more than two years presided over a process where citizen input has been muted, ignored or given only token consideration at best.  The resulting development plan has evolved ever so slightly, but only to become worse, not better."
 
BVSDWatch.org supports the efforts of WSNA and we hope the Boulder community will as well. If you are interested in signing the WSNA petition, contact us and we will forward you to someone who has one of the official petitions. Of course you must be registered to vote in the city of Boulder to sign such a petition.
 
Click here to visit the WSNA website to read more about their efforts and keep up with their progress.
 
 

We are just learning about a concerning issue at Foothills Elementary regarding a high level of formaldehyde inside their portable classrooms. We don't have enough information at this time to go into much detail, but from what we have heard from a few concerned parents is that there is controversy surrounding the measured results of the formaldehyde in the portables, and BVSD's handling of the issue.

BVSD has spent $10,000 already on measuring the portables at Foothills to see if the levels of formaldehyde exceeded standards put out by OSHA. Results from BVSD's testing company Quest showed that they measured amounts of formaldehyde did not exceed OSHA standards. But here is where it gets interesting. We hear that an employee of the Boulder County Public Health Department questions the validity of the test Quest conducted, and that OSHA standards apply to worker health and not for acute persons, which includes children. Said public health employee has been in contact with BVSD & Chris King about their concerns and options for moving the students to another location while more tests were conducted. BVSD decided to not follow their suggestions.

As things develop we'll post more info. Until then, if you have questions or concerns about the issue we recommend contacting Melisa Zahn, the Principal at Foothills Elementary at 303.443.1847 or  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , as well as Chris King, BVSD Superintendent, at 303.447.5100 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it If you really feel like inclined, contact The Daily Camera's school reporter, Amy Bounds at 303.473.1341 or  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

For more information on the subject of formaldehyde in school environments visit this link.

Update: We understand that BVSD did do another test (only at the urging of parents) and the Boulder County Health department (and Foothill parents with science backgrounds) say the levels are within acceptable limits. We are glad BVSD took the extra time and spent the extra money to reanalyze the Foothill Elementary portables. Everyone involved seems to be happy with the method of the second test and of course relieved to hear there are no levels of formaldehyde that would be detrimental to the health of the children.