Candidates for the Greeley-Evans School District 6 Board of Education emphasized the critical issue of funding during a recent forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Greeley-Weld County. The forum, held on Thursday, served as a platform for candidates to share their qualifications and visions for the board, which oversees educational policies and budgetary matters for the district.
Kyle Bentley, Weston Edmunds, Deana Lemos-Garcia, and Robyn Roggy participated in the discussion, while Jeremy Waters was unable to attend. The upcoming election, scheduled for November 4, 2024, features four out of seven board seats up for grabs, each with a four-year term.
During the forum, candidates unanimously acknowledged the district’s urgent need for funding. They warned that without adequate financial resources, challenges such as retaining quality teachers, managing class sizes, and ensuring student safety could escalate. “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,” Edmunds stated. He highlighted that schools with secure entrances are inherently safer than those with external units, which pose significant safety risks.
The discussion also addressed the importance of improving aging school facilities. Both Edmunds and Roggy expressed concern about the mental health of students, emphasizing the impact of loneliness. “I heard on the radio that the No. 1 mental health problem in our country today is loneliness,” Roggy remarked. She linked this issue to a growing reliance on technology, suggesting it undermines personal connections and contributes to safety concerns in schools.
Controversially, Bentley countered Roggy’s assertion, noting that the pressing safety issues are related to gun violence and substance abuse. “To the best of my knowledge, we didn’t take a gun from a student last year, but with our dealings with the Greeley Police Department, they said that illegal gun carrying is on the rise,” he said. Bentley emphasized the need for proactive measures to prevent weapons from entering schools.
As the candidates responded to questions about attracting and retaining teachers, they reiterated the importance of funding. Lemos-Garcia stressed that the issue encompasses more than just salaries. “I recognize the importance of improving the student-to-educator ratio as well and ensuring that our facilities are safe,” she said. Community culture and support were also highlighted as essential factors in retaining educators.
The election date approaches quickly, with ballots already mailed to residents. Voters must return their ballots by 19:00 on November 4, 2024. To ensure all residents have access to the candidates’ discussions, the forum will be available on the League of Women Voters’ YouTube channel in the coming days. For more information on the candidates and issues on the ballot, residents can visit weldvotes.gov.
