The State of the State and County

By definition, a pronoun is a type of word that replaces a noun.  We can only use pronouns to replace nouns when we have already referred to the noun at an earlier point. For example, “Sam likes grapes” would become “he likes grapes.”

Recently, the Idaho Legislature approved two bills that would define sex as either “male or female” and block government entities from compelling employees to use preferred pronouns that don't correspond with people's biological sex.

Isn’t it ridiculous that in 2024 America we would need legislation to protect our children and reinforce science and proper grammar?

However, in typical form, your Colorado Communist Democrats are pushing legislation which would in fact require public schools to use a student's preferred name and pronouns and to have a written policy enforcing it. The legislation also provides that intentionally or persistently refusing to call a student by their preferred name or pronouns is a punishable violation.

Gender is a scientific construct.  There are two chromosomes. Pronouns are dictated by proper grammar.  It is that simple. 

So at a time Colorado public school are failing miserably, Colorado Democrats want to further poison our children with improper grammar, science denialism and the sinister fiction of transgenderism.

The number of Colorado public school districts labeled by the Colorado Department of Education as poor performing continues to rise, and the number of schools that receive a top rating continues to decline. 

Colorado’s High School graduation rate is less than 77% which is lower than neighboring Red States. 

Charter Schools have been one of the few bright spots in the State.  Colorado Democrats introduced House Bill 1363, which would enable school districts to shutter charter schools and prevent the opening of new charter schools. 

Why?  While charter schools do fall under the purview of public school districts they operate with an independent school board and administration, and parents have a greater say in the education of their children.

Many charter schools resisted the sick and twisted COVID mask mandates and lockdowns and DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) propaganda.  Colorado Communist Democrats want them closed down.  It’s all about control. 

So Colorado Democrats will con your kids into choosing a gender, but you can’t choose their school.  Make it make sense. 

Colorado Democrats also pushed to make your schools more unsafe (HB24-1310) by reducing or eliminating the number of trained staff that could carry firearms, increasing the requirements and costs for armed security, and restricting how law enforcement can store firearms. 

Democrats disarm the good guys and girls and concentrate firearms in the hands of criminals.

It’s all by design. 

Let’s turn to Eagle County.  All three County Commissioners are Democrats, the School Superintendent is a Democrat, and the Board of Education members are all Democrats. 

The Colorado Department of Education has given Eagle County an improvement plan which essentially means the district is operating at a C- minus level and is at risk of failing. 

It’s not about money.  As I pointed out in a prior column, school district enrollment continues to decline.  

Enrollment peaked in the 2016-2017 school year with about 7,000 students.   In that year the school district had a total appropriated budget of $95.4 million and a general fund (i.e., operating budget) of $66.8 million. 

Current school year enrollment has declined to 6,300 students.  The total appropriated budget has almost doubled to $172.5 million (and the general fund to $104.7 million). 

So 7 years ago the school district was spending about $13,600 per student ($95.4 million divided by 7,000 students). 

Today it is spending $27,380 per student ($172.5 million total budget divided by 6,300 students). 

Again, I ask whether you feel like your child is getting a $27,000 per year education?

Yes, the total budget does include building and capital improvements, but why is the school district spending money for new facilities when enrollment is in steep decline?

What businesses expand their facilities when they’re losing customers?

Where is the money going?  Our schools are unsafe, and your Eagle County School District is funding DEI at the expense of math, science and English. 

It is important to note that there is one County charter school (and one State charter), and the County charter receives less funding than the school system as a whole yet produces superior academic results. 

Finally, our community is mourning the murder of a 9th grade student at Second Street Park in Gypsum.    It is a tragic and senseless act.  How is this happening in our once happy and safe community?

What are you not being told by your Superintendent, School Board and administrators and certainly not the Fail Daily? Yes, Colorado Democrats have pushed for illegal immigration and sanctuary status, and there are grave consequences. 

It is a sad state of affairs in the State, and our community is in deep trouble. 

Get involved as if your family, life and livelihood depend on it because they do.

Notice my proper use of pronouns throughout this column. 

Michael E. Wheeler
Eagle, Colorado