Oops. It looks like the Jefferson County Education Association’s poor planning has struck again. The recall petition language has been released and it’s factually a disaster. Here’s the ballot petition language (Ken Witt is the example used, but all the petition language is the same). Let’s go through this piece by piece.
First and foremost, Complete Colorado just did a piece on Jeffco Superintendent Dan McMinimee’s salary. His salary is $220,000, not the $280,000 that Jeffco United for Action (aka the JCEA) is claiming in this petition. In short, these claims are entirely inaccurate. In addition, with all the complaining that the JCEA is doing about the board lawyer, there’s not a chance that is not public.
But, what about the nearly $300,000 that Jeffco School Board Member Lesley Dahlkemper’s business partner accrued from the district? Aside from our reporting on it, there’s been no media coverage at all. Does anyone have any proof of work product resulting from this contract?
The next claim that the union makes is that the board members have violated open meeting laws. But, when? The union has never produced any evidence of this, and the board has denied this in other media outlets.
As far as the next claim that students walked out due to protests over the AP U.S. History controversy. Let’s remember, again, the walkouts were planned far in advance of the AP U.S. History issue, and the walkouts were meant to be a protest of pay-for-performance measures the board was asking the teachers to adopt, not AP U.S. History.
Finally, the petition asserts that over 700 teachers have left the district due to this board. In past interviews, the district has noted there are slightly more departures than the year before, but said that the unions’ claims are wildly inaccurate.
There is not a single truthful statement on this petition, and that is in violation of the petition law. Here’s how the law (C.R.S. 1-12-103 (2014)) reads:
1-12-103. Petition for recall – statement of grounds
Eligible electors of a political subdivision may initiate the recall of an elected official by signing a petition which demands the election of a successor to the officer named in the petition. The petition shall contain a general statement, consisting of two hundred words or less, stating the ground or grounds on which the recall is sought. The general statement may not include any profane or false statements. The statement is for the information of the electors who are the sole and exclusive judges of the legality, reasonableness, and sufficiency of the ground or grounds assigned for the recall. The ground or grounds are not open to review.
But, what if it only contains false statements?
I'd be happy to provide a half dozen additional (non-breitbart) sources for you if it really matters
Well that's a convenient world you live in…one where you may pick the truths that best fit your desires. Did you happen to verify any of the (several) sources cited in the breitbart article?
Maybe this copy of the actual email stating “JCEA supports a sick out but they can’t officially organize one. It’s up to us!”…I suppose maybe this union rep was just lying
http://completecolorado.com/pagetwo/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/JeffCoEmail.png
Checked out the documentation being used to fuel this discussion. If you actually did any research on the authors of breibart.com, they are known to "stretch the truth", falsify information, and just blatantly lie. Wouldn't say this is a credible source . Would definitely not let my students use it to support an argument.
Taylor Jessen , some times it's hard not to sound condescending, but really??? Obviously you're not an econ teacher nor have you ever drafted, managed, or approved a budget, so let me help.
You might notice that for FY15 there was a line item budget of $280,000. The actual expense for that period was $241,613. Now, indeed for FY16 there is a $282,200 budget for that line. The board has (rightfully) accounted for the highest possible expense. Mr McMinimee's FY16 final earnings will be partially dependent upon the performance measures and fringe benefits afforded to his position. When compared to Ms Stevensen's total compensation represents about a $15K delta…which, frankly, WAS THE ENTIRE POINT OF THIS ARTICLE.
Sorry, the all-caps probably weren't necessary, but for crying out loud, stop ingesting the union rhetoric and apply some friggin common sense
Erin, does the language not specifically claim that the $280K equals $80K more than jus predecessor?
@Taylor Jensen, I was there at the request of a paent and escorted by a Board Member. Also, it's hard to "spie on teachers" who were not even there. I wonder how much they were paid for NOT BEING THERE!
I'm simply clarifying that the language on the petition is not a lie, as this article claims. You guys can keep districting with other irrelevant points, but nothing changes the fact that this article's claim that the petition's language is not accurate is simply not true. The petition language is factual.
Here's Jeffco's budget that says McMinimee will make $282,200 next year. Check out page 111. Which source is more valid – CPP or the actual budget itself? http://www.boarddocs.com/co/jeffco/Board.nsf/files/9XKJVK4EFBA1/$file/Proposed%20Budget%201516%20WEB.pdf
It's also proven that Jen Raiffie was spying on teachers in the Standley Lake parking lot with a video camera and board member Julie Williams at her side last September.
Well, if you really want transparency why don't you help us understand how much money your household has contributed to the JCEA (via union dues or else-wise) and any positions that your husband has held with either the JCEA or the CEA. Actually, I haven't any expectation of an honest answer from you, so don't bother…
If you want to actually do something meaningful work with the JCEA (or let Chris do it) to work with the body of governors elected by the people of Jefferson County to mold the district that you (and I) want it to be. DO NOT waste resources on a recall that WILL NEVER succeed.
Why don't you spend a bit of energy in reflecting on why the new board was elected and some of the accomplishments (despite RIDICULOUS JCEA opposition) that they've made?
I have an enormous respect for your husband and the other educators that dedicate their careers to educating the students of our community, but this irrational rank-in-file, union driven attack is utterly absurd and ultimately divisive.
Give me 1 tangible accomplishment that will be gained by recalling this board versus campaigning union approved candidates against them after their term. There's 1 and only 1…MORE INFLUENCE for the JCEA…and to wrap that up in #SupportJeffco(students) is disgustingly dishonest.
Don't waste your time here, you've got too much work to do propagating your petition of lies in an attempt to garner the 15K needed signatures
It's already in the news and been proven that a Union backed lawyer is tied to the recall Maggie.
Not likely that two were separate walkouts since the teachers were distributing to the students what to say and how to accomplish the walk out and that was all very well documented in numerous press reports. Not likely that all of the press reports and the flyers that were distributed to students by teachers would indicate this was not organized as a separate walk out I think there are enough smoke and mirrors to make Jeffco residents wonder….
Mr. Hammon, I am still waiting for a reply to my question about me being a union rep….. You will see when it's all said and done that this has nothing to do with politics and all about giving students a good education! I'm done arguing with you, thanks for the great motivation to get out their and to collect as many signatures as I can!
I think the point has been missed you may not be a Union member but you are using the Union activists. So you crawled into bed with the Union and you remain tied to the Union as they are being so helpful in getting all of this completed.
Erin Murphy Schow So, you want to recall a BOE because the previous Superintendent was underpaid? How in the world is that their fault…she QUIT before ever trying to work with them to negotiate a new salary. B/T/W, McMinimee makes less than 10 of his counterparts in the State who actually manage smaller districts.
Erin, yes, Union members who direct actions are "Union Bosses". The caricature in your head of a cigar smoking pudge-bellied italian man are part of your bias. If you are a union member and direct people to act in behalf of the union, you qualify!!! BTW–I've spoken with two of these "Student Organizers". Nice Kids. Parents are teachers and active union members/supporters. Their Children cannot speak intelligently in-depth on the subject. SPARE ME the independent-minded student spiel. It is false. Touting these claims put you at risk of not being labeled as unable to identify someone who is educated on a subject vs. someone who is not.
Erin, you can listen for yourself: http://www.cpr.org/news/story/high-teacher-turnover-colorado-may-hurt-students.
If I demonstrate you you conclusively that the JCEA is funding the recall effort will you admit that this recall is about politics and "Jeffco United for Action" is an astroturf group?
You didn't read the article did you?
Rene Mellberg-Chavez ,
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2014/10/02/emails-reveal-teachers-union-rep-organizing-colorado-sickouts/
Erin Murphy Schow , I'm glad we agree on the $15K amount…to bad this erroneous document specifically states "$80,000 more than the prvs sup"…but hey, never let facts stand in the way of union rhetoric
Mr Hammond, again….why did you imply that I am a union rep??? Where is your fact checking? Please share with us this mysterious money trail you are eluding to.. The union excuse is nothing but a distraction tactic because you can't face that there is a real problem with the BOE 3….
Proven????? By whom??? You all!??
So that makes her a "union boss?" Or a teacher? I ask again, where are the emails from the "union bosses," as in the president or the staff members? (Spoiler alert: there are none).
I don't understand how your question pertains to the factual basis of the recall petition. It says he was hired "for $280,000." His total compensation package is $280,000. Therefore, he was hired for $280,000. The fact that this is $15k more than DR. Stevenson's package–despite her 12 years more experience and the fact that she had a doctorate– is certainly a compelling concern that I share, but it's neither here nor there in terms of determining the legality of the petition language, which is factually correct and legal.
Erin Murphy Schow , the teach was(is) the union representative for that location.
Then why compare it to Ms Stevenson's base salary (exclusive of PERA matching & benefits)? As demonstrated here when compared equally the difference is $15K not $80K:
http://completecolorado.com/pagetwo/2015/07/08/jeffco-superintendent-states-largest-school-boss-making-less-than-10-of-his-cohorts-15000-more-than-predecessor/
Why is this article lying? Trying to conflate the teacher sickout with the student walk-outs? Clever, but well.. no, it's not really clever at all. It's just a lie.
Why is this article lying? Dan McMininmimininmiemmiemmieneinmie's got a $280k package, not 220. Can't win a straight fight? Gotta lie to your sheeple?
Dan McMinimee's total compensation package is $280,000. This includes salary, PERA, and benefits, and well has bonuses.
Greg: What do you mean by "meet the standards." What standards?
Kristopher: That link does not show any emails from any "union bosses." It's a teacher's email. Where is the email from the union boss? Furthermore, is it remotely possible that multiple issues prompted the walk outs? Teachers over one issue, students over another?
Ray Randolph , follow the $$$'s bro
Who, exactly, has the agenda here?
Kristofer Hammon so if a Union is involved, they must be running the show? Quite the logical leap there. I'm a highly involved parent, not a teacher, never involved with the JCEA.
Stay off the sidewalks! Jen's here!
Which facts would those be?
Denver?
Jeffco is among the LOWEST teacher attrition rates in the state AND the teachers leaving are unlikely to meet the standards –Colorado Public Radio
As usual, you all resort to lies to attack teachers, parents and children to push your warped agenda. This is a community lead recall that is founded on the basis of actual facts not conjured up stories.
Walkout were planned and this FACT has already been proven. These blatant lies and violation of the law is par for the course.
Maggie Hunt , are you a Jeffco resident? Does your husband pay dues to the JCEA?
Let me share this fact…I am not nor ever have been employed by Jeffco Schools nor have I ever been a member of JCEA!!
Wow, nothing like stalking people's FB pages, but Am still not sure who is the union rep spewing rubbish.
Probably because union reps are spewing this sort of rubbish:
"we got this girl! Hoping to send Chris to the rally tonight! Niki Cannon I wish DCSD parents could get this going, I believe that their BOE has done much worse than Jeffco's. Although they did hire the super that was in charge of secondary education and under who's watch they now have to give back that $4.2 million.
Okay let's face it, they both pretty much suck and are incapable of running a school district…"
Well…except for the emails from the JCEA union bosses detailing their plans for a walkout well in advance of any APUSH talks:
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2014/10/02/emails-reveal-teachers-union-rep-organizing-colorado-sickouts/
Walkouts were NOT planned in advance and NOT about pay-for-performance! Don't you think 700 teachers in one year is outrageous??
Why do you keep saying the union? This is a parent led effort, maybe you need to check your facts…
So…it looks like the language was already approved. Can you clarify?