BSVDWatch.org

Since you all have an active interest in the Boulder Valley School District, we want to share with you something very important and potentially one of the most dramatic effects we could have as a community on BVSD.  

For the last few years there has been a quiet movement growing that would like to make BVSD a smaller school district. We have been talking about it at BVSDWatch.org for a while, and over the last six months we have decided that now is the time to move ahead and support such an effort. This is not an idea we take lightly, and we believe any questions you may have, we have the answers. Much of the logistical, economic and technical details are completed and ready for your review. Please visit www.bvsdcape.org for more information. In a nutshell, we feel BVSD has become too large to manage, and at this point we do not think BVSD is reaching its full potential, and therefore neither our the kids in their charge. We are mobilizing a petition drive this summer, throughout Boulder County, to bring the issue to the voters this fall.

Here is what we could have with a smaller school district:

    • Higher performing students (nationally proven).

    • School boards and management who are accountable and responsive to the community, rather than dismissive of it.

    • More involvement by parents and community members, rather than being shut out.

    • Reduced impact on traffic and community services.

The Boulder Valley School District is changing in many ways, placing greater challenges on managing it, and greater stresses within the communities it serves. Size has become the greatest obstacle to improving the quality of our schools and the education of our children. Here are some examples of how BVSD is no longer serving its constituency:

    • Louisville M.S. and Casey M.S. remodel controversies.

    • The closure of Mapleton and Washington schools, and the sale of Washington.

    • Failure to improve conditions for our ESL population.

    • “Big box, one-size-fits-all” approach to school construction and operation without regard to diverse student needs.

    • Poor management of technology, as indicated 2008 audit by outside auditors.

Please join us by starting a public discussion. This document provides additional detail on the motivation for this petition, the process, and a list of a few of our current supporters. If you are willing to support this, please allow us to add your name to that list, and be willing to sign the formal petition when it begins circulating.

We have lots of great support from fellow Boulder Valley citizens (east and west sides of the county), city council members (past and present), teachers, and many other movers and shakers within the community already. We have been on the phone for the last month gathering support and I feel we have enough support at the top of the community food chain to allow for a serious discussion. Now we need your help. Please let us know what you think. When this petition drive gets going (and we are 90% there) we will also need active supporters, petitioners, and donations. If you can help in some way let us know. This won't get far without local support.


Thanks for your time and I hope we can earn your support.

Mike McDaniel

BVSDWatch.org