Long-standing grudges are fueling an attempt to remove every member of the Pawnee School District governing board, says one of the targets of the recall.
“It’s a close community out here, and there are friends who are upset with some of the decisions we made as board members,” said Jake Henderson, who is completing his first year on the board. “That’s what got us here today.”
A petition was approved by the Weld County Election Department last week, and the recall election was set for Dec. 14.
Recall supporters say the board has been fiscally irresponsible.
Recall committee member Karen Cass declined to talk about the issue but offered a written statement: “The intent of the recall of the Pawnee School District Re-12 board members is to retain the voice of the community about the critical concerns affecting our school and community. It is felt that the current school board members have failed to uphold their financial responsibility and leadership roles necessary for the greater good of the students and the community.”
All four board members are subject to the recall: Henderson, the board secretary; president Donald Johnston; vice president Wayne Shoemaker; and treasurer Mary Burson.
A fifth member, Steve Wolfe, recently resigned.
The Pawnee district educates about 75 students and is centered in Grover, 50 miles northeast of Greeley. Surrounded by the Pawnee National Grassland, the district includes farms and ranches, as well as the towns of Hereford and Keota.
Grover’s population is roughly 150.
Henderson, who has lived in the town for six years, has two children in the local school. He says the board has been more than fiscally responsible.
In fact, Henderson said, the board got a $54,000 grant to get laptop computers and other new technology into the schools.
“The district is in good shape,” he said. “I don’t know where the fiscal irresponsible claim is coming from.”
He said much of the discontent with the current board has been coming from an employee who was recently terminated after 18 years on the job.
“There’s a lot of misinformation floating around the community,” Henderson said, “and they are being voiced by those who just have a grudge against the board.”
Monte Whaley: 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com
