CC-V parents support former coach

A few parents were up in arms about what they perceived as the recent firing of Cripple Creek-Victor High School girls basketball coach Jaime Brown.

Before parents had the chance to speak out about their frustration at the Nov. 28 RE-1 school board meeting, board President Brent Kennedy read a statement that included a memo issued by the school district’s attorney Kelly Dude to the effect that the district has no legal obligation to renew any contract and that neither contract nor certified employees have the right to appeal a personnel decision made by the district administration.

“So, the appeal procedure that was scheduled for tonight’s meeting has been withdrawn,” Kennedy said. “We support our administration’s position and it is not our intent to micromanage them.”

Brown, who was in the audience, told the board that she informed the people speaking on her behalf that the appeal had been withdrawn. “They chose to speak anyway,” she said.

One mother, Kimberley Torres, said Brown was “the greatest woman ever to serve our community. ... What she has done for these girls is remarkable. ... We hope you will reinstate her.”

Several speakers suggested that the district allow Brown to serve as a volunteer so that “she can learn from her mistakes under the guidance of (other) professionals,” although no one, including District Superintendent Sue Holmes, mentioned exactly what those mistakes might have been.

Holmes said that personnel decisions are made by the building principals and not by the board of education.

Kennedy clarified that saying that the board has the ultimate authority in these matters. “We approve all hires and fires,” he said.

On the question of letting Brown stay on as a volunteer, Kennedy said the board would leave that in the administration’s hands.

Brown and most of the parents left after being thanked by Kennedy for their input.

Also On The Agenda

Next up at the meeting was a video presentation and discussion by members of Voices of Youth Changing Education. The group, which has grown from barely a handful of members a few years ago to more than 20 currently, has been working with teachers and students on a program to improve in-school behavior. They have also taken leadership training at Sanborn Camp and have started the district’s first Drive Smart campaign based on inspiration they received from Woodland Park students, who have won awards for their campaigns several years running.

Among the first action items for the board was the swearing in of Don Daniel, a former Victor City Councilmember who has served on the CC-V Parent Teacher Organization and District Accountability Committee, as the boards newest director.

Daniel’s appointment to the board brings it up to full strength for the first time in 18 months. Board director Nancy Byers was also sworn in. She was appointed earlier this year and was unopposed in the latest election.

Because of Christmas and New Year’s, the next school board meeting has been moved up and will be at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 12.