Candidates for the Greeley-Evans School District 6 Board of Education identified funding as the primary concern for the district during a recent forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Greeley-Weld County. The nonpartisan organization, dedicated to protecting and expanding voting rights, partnered with the city of Greeley and the school district for the event. Candidates Kyle Bentley, Weston Edmunds, Deana Lemos-Garcia, and Robyn Roggy participated in the discussion, while Jeremy Waters was unable to attend.
With four out of seven seats on the school board available in the upcoming election on November 4, 2024, the candidates outlined their qualifications and visions for the district. The roles of board members encompass setting the district’s vision and policies, hiring and evaluating the superintendent, and overseeing the budget and curriculum for schools in Greeley, Evans, and Garden City.
During the forum, candidates unanimously agreed that the district is facing a significant funding crisis. This financial shortfall could potentially impact the retention of quality teachers, class sizes, and even student safety. “The reality is we have half a billion dollars worth of work that still needs to be done in our schools, which includes removing portable classrooms,” said Edmunds. He emphasized that the safety of students is compromised when school buildings lack secure entry points, particularly those with individual units outside.
Addressing the need for improved facilities, the candidates also highlighted the safety risks posed by aging buildings. Both Edmunds and Roggy raised concerns about the increasing prevalence of mental health issues among students, particularly loneliness. “I heard on the radio that the No. 1 mental health problem in our country today is loneliness,” Roggy noted, attributing this to the rise of screen time over personal interactions. She suggested that this cultural shift could result in safety issues within schools.
Bentley, however, countered this perspective, asserting that the most pressing safety concerns involve gun violence and drug issues, specifically fentanyl. “To the best of my knowledge, we didn’t take a gun from a student last year, but our dealings with the Greeley Police Department indicate that illegal gun carrying is on the rise, and many younger students are being caught with firearms,” he stated. Bentley expressed his commitment to proactive measures to prevent firearms from entering schools.
The discussion returned to funding when candidates were asked how they would attract and retain teachers. Bentley and Lemos-Garcia emphasized that the issue extends beyond salaries. “I would be remiss if I didn’t mention compensation,” Lemos-Garcia said. “However, factors such as culture, environment, and support are also crucial.” She also underscored the importance of improving the student-to-educator ratio and ensuring that facilities are safe.
As the election approaches, ballots have been mailed to residents and must be returned by 19:00 on Tuesday, November 4. To provide residents with the opportunity to learn more about the candidates, the forum will be made available on the League of Women Voters’ YouTube channel. For further information about the candidates and issues on this year’s ballot, residents can visit weldvotes.gov.