By Heidi Ganahl | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice
A letter sent by parent-led organization Jeffco Kids First (JKF) to the superintendent of Jefferson County schools and its board of education on Feb. 7, urges them to acknowledge shocking and dangerous issues in the district.
Lindsday Datko, leader of JKF, asks that the district publicly implement immediate triage operations to address risks, and ensure accountability and adherence to sound processes, policies and laws. It ends with a call for a public update on these matters.
There is a board meeting Thursday, Feb. 13, at 5 p.m. at the Ed Center in Golden. Here is the link to participate virtually or live: https://www.jeffcopublicschools.org/about/board-of-education/board-meetings.
Some examples referenced in the communication from JKF are as follows:
Creighton Middle School family liaison: Open records revealed a two-year warrant for a family liaison at Creighton Middle School, with a criminal record, including criminal mischief and trespassing. Despite a criminal history, he was not prevented from working, which led to his arrest for allegedly molesting children in his office. This oversight is deemed unconscionable.
Hiring with criminal background: An employee with access to children was hired in October 2024, despite failing a background check because of multiple alleged drug felonies and probation violations. This highlights serious flaws in the hiring process.
Ewer incident: Former Jeffco Schools employee Imagine Ewer was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a student. Despite alleged flagged issues in her background, she was rehired at another Jeffco school, indicating a failure in the vetting process.
Teacher resignation: A teacher resigned “in lieu of termination” because of alleged inappropriate behavior with students. This teacher was allegedly subsequently hired at another school without the knowledge of the new school, posing a potential risk to students.
Chloe Castro case: Social worker Chloe Castro was accused of grooming, sexually assaulting, and violating a young boy. Despite complaints and a settlement agreement, she allegedly remained employed by Jeffco Public Schools, showing a lack of accountability.
Inappropriate teacher communication: A teacher allegedly sent inappropriate text messages to a young student from a personal cell phone. The investigation was allegedly halted when the teacher transferred to another high-risk school, indicating issues with reporting and oversight.
Minor declared as unaccompanied homeless youth: A minor was allegedly improperly declared as an unaccompanied homeless youth to facilitate moving with a teacher, who allegedly groomed her. This was done without proper parental involvement, raising serious ethical concerns.
Several other cases of misconduct are mentioned, among former employees who moved to other positions within Jeffco or neighboring districts without losing their licenses, pointing to broader systemic issues in hiring, termination and reporting.
Colorado faces alarming trend of teacher arrests for sexual crimes
Recent data reveals a troubling pattern in Colorado: a series of arrests involving teachers accused of sexual crimes against minors. These cases have sparked widespread concern among parents, educators and lawmakers, leading to calls for stricter safeguards and reforms in the education system.
One of the most shocking cases allegedly occurred in Steamboat Springs, where a preschool teacher was arrested and charged with three counts of child abuse. The alleged involvement of an educator working with the youngest students has heightened fears about the vulnerability of children in early education settings.
Similarly, in Montrose, a teacher at Colorado West Christian School was arrested for alleged inappropriate communications with a teenage student. This case highlights that the issue spans different levels of education, affecting both public and private institutions.
And, of course, the case that garnered the most attention is that of David Weiss, the former chief of JeffCO schools, and a former teacher and coach, who CBS Colorado reported was alleged to have been under investigation for child sexual abuse material before his apparent suicide.
The increase in reported cases has led to heightened scrutiny of the systems in place to protect students by legislators and activists.
The public discourse has also raised questions about how such incidents could occur within a system designed to protect children. Social media platforms have become a battleground for reactions, with many expressing outrage, shock, and a demand for stricter regulations. Parents are calling for more rigorous background checks, enhanced teacher training, and better monitoring mechanisms to prevent these crimes.
Proposed reforms include mandatory psychological evaluations for teachers, enhanced training on professional boundaries, and robust systems for anonymous reporting by students and parents. Additionally, law enforcement agencies and school districts are collaborating more closely, with some districts implementing zero-tolerance policies to deter potential offenders.
Community workshops and seminars are also being organized to educate parents on recognizing signs of abuse and understanding school policies regarding child safety. These initiatives aim to foster a culture of vigilance and proactive intervention.
The controversy surrounding how to best protect students has also ignited debates on privacy. Some have proposed installing surveillance cameras in classrooms to monitor teacher-student interactions, while others argue that such measures would infringe on privacy rights and create an atmosphere of distrust.
The psychological toll on students, parents and the community is significant. Schools and counseling services have seen an uptick in demand as affected individuals seek support to process trauma and rebuild trust in the education system.
The recent wave of teacher arrests in Colorado has put the state at the center of a national conversation on child safety in schools. As lawmakers, educators and communities grapple with this crisis, the state has the opportunity to lead by implementing rigorous safeguards that could serve as a model for others.
Ensuring the safety of students must be the highest priority. Through legislative action, community engagement and stricter institutional oversight, Colorado can take decisive steps toward creating a more secure and trustworthy educational environment for all children.
Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in commentary pieces are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the management of the Rocky Mountain Voice, but even so we support the constitutional right of the author to express those opinions.