for power outages

ity as a community where people want to buy homes and raise their families.”

Recent petition

e initial recall petition expired on April 24 and was required to have approximately 2,500 signatures. As of the Elbert County News press deadline on April 21, it was not yet known whether the signature cuto would be met, or what the next steps would be if it was not. Go online to elbertcountynews.net after April 24 for an update on the petition outcome.

Some members of the recall e ort said that their attempts to collect signatures were sti ed due to acts of intimidation.

“ e petitioners seem to be scared and intimidated by the negative reactions they’ve gotten from people who are against the recall,” Elizabeth resident Jessica Capsel, a petition circulator, wrote to the Elbert County News. “When we are out in public, we’ve been harassed and told to leave public places or private places with prior approval. I don’t think people realized how nasty this would get and it’s scared them.”

Capsel also says that Booth and/or her supporters have harassed members of the recall e ort through calls, texts, and in public on social media.

“ is whole situation is very sad. is group of disgruntled citizens continue to spread inaccurate information,” Booth wrote. “When that is brought to my attention, I and individuals who know me will correct the record. at is not harassment.”

Rumors of charter schools

So far in 2023, several Elizabeth School District employees have either resigned from their positions or have decided not to renew their contracts for the 2023-2024 school year.

Some Elizabeth-area residents who spoke on condition of anonymity reached out to the Elbert County News to express their fears that Booth and the Elizabeth School e perceived goal, according to the citizens who contacted the Elbert County News, is to reduce the sta and faculty numbers so that the district will require state intervention. e board would then aim to convert many Elizabeth schools into charter schools that would then be free from Colorado Department of Education curriculum requirements, the citizens who asked for anonymity believe. ey point to Tom Peterson, chair of the Elbert County Republican Party, as the leader of the e ort — a claim that Peterson atly denied in an April 18 email to the Elbert County News. ere continues to be an exodus from the public school. In our subdivision alone, over one half of the families have found alternatives to the Elizabeth public schools (e.g. charter school, homeschool, private, out of district public). I am very impressed with new Superintendent Dan Snowberger. He has the experience, skills and vision to do an excellent job. He understands the challenges of the district including funding, facilities, staing, growth, etc., and the need for the school district to support the values of the community and not contradict them. We have ve excellent school board members that will work with the new superintendent to ensure that the policies of the district represent the values of the community and make the Elizabeth schools an excellent choice for families in our community.”

Board are hoping to force out teachers on purpose.

Peterson also shared his thoughts on the state of the Elizabeth School Board.

“ e Elizabeth community is overwhelmingly conservative with strong support for school choice and parental rights,” Peterson wrote. “Parents want to know what their kids are being taught and are concerned with curriculum and policies that push a social agenda di erent from their own values.

Booth also pushed back against

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Booth wrote to the Elbert County News. “ e board of all school districts in Colorado select the curriculum that will be used in their local school district.”

Plans for future recall e orts

Supporters of the recall e ort are hopeful to continue their battle against Booth if their recent attempt falls short. Some aim to continue recall e orts with a future petition. Others hope to make changes to the board in other ways by running for a position in the fall 2023 elections.

“ is recall is not about politics or personal agendas. It is about doing what is best for our children and going back to the purpose of the Board of Elizabeth School District’s message of putting kids at the heart of everything they do,” Aviles wrote. “We need to hold our board accountable for their roles and core values which are putting students rst, exercising teamwork, and modeling excellence.”

Booth expressed her concerns for future recall e orts, explaining the expense that it would cause the district.

“I am deeply saddened that individuals wish to continue this campaign of misinformation and put district funds at risk that should be used to support our sta and increase compensation in the district,” Booth wrote. “Should a recall election be successful in being certi ed, it will be school district funds earned by our children that will be spent on this political attack instead of the important work of the district.”

Shawn McWhorter, who publicly launched the recall e ort, had not responded to requests for comment from the Elbert County News as of press time. e requests for comment were made through phone messages, emails, texts and social media.

To learn more about the Elizabeth School District Board of Education, visit elizabethschooldistrict.org/ domain/120.

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Need help with rising heat costs?

Rising heating costs may be hard to budget for this year, but help is available to Douglas County residents who are struggling. If you or someone you know needs assistance, apply now through April 30, 2023, for energy assistance through the State of Colorado’s LowIncome Energy Assistance Program (LEAP). For more information, visit douglas.co.us and search LEAP or email LEAPHELP@discovermygoodwill.org

Spring cleaning is at your curbside

Do you have hazardous waste from a painting project, old oil from your car’s maintenance, or other waste from your recent DIY project? This curbside service is available to Douglas County residents for $30. For details call 1-800-4497587 or visit douglas.co.us and search Household Waste Management

Do you own property in Douglas County?

Per Colorado law, Notices of Valuation are mailed to all property owners on May 1. Watch your mailbox for a postcard. Questions? Visit douglas.co.us/assessor

Need flood zone information?

If you live in unincorporated Douglas County, Flood Insurance Rate Maps and zone information are available by request. Visit douglas.co.us and search for Flood Plain Information. A form may also be requested by calling 303-660-7490 or visiting Public Works, 100 Third St. in Castle Rock.