Letter to the Voters April 24, 2024 by George Welsh Dear . . . In my 25 years as a superintendent of schools in Colorado, I learned the importance of a strong and functional State Board of Education. When the State Board focuses on what’s best for kids, families and school districts benefit! During that time I also met Kathy Gebhardt and marvelled as, time after time, she made the seemingly impossible come true. It’s my suspicion many of your communities have greatly benefitted from Kathy’s selfless work. If not for her initiation of the Giardino lawsuit at the turn of the century, Colorado’s Building Excellent Schools Today program would not exist. Her advocacy resulted in the State of Colorado admitting responsibility when it comes to the physical condition of schools. When BEST was established, Kathy helped to establish how dollars would be distributed. How many children do you know who have benefitted from new or upgraded facilities thanks to a BEST grant? Many of you may also remember Kathy’s dogged fight for adequate funding through the Lobato lawsuit. Though her victory in the trial court was overturned at the Supreme Court level, much of the evidence she presented led to positive change for rural schools and those with high concentrations of at-risk students. It is my opinion this year’s proposed improvement of the funding formula can draw a direct line to inequities highlighted by Kathy in that trial. At the State Assembly in April, Kathy was unanimously nominated by delegates from across each of the counties of the 2nd congressional district to be the Democratic candidate for the Colorado State Board of Education. Unfortunately, an opposition candidate has emerged to challenge her in the primary election. This opponent is well funded and closely aligned with Democrats for Education Reform and the “Charter Schools Fix Everything” movement. I’m sure this candidate has positive intentions. However, she is no Kathy Gebhardt, defender of, and believer in public education. As a result, I’m doing something I’ve never done before. I’m asking you to contribute to a political campaign. Please, please, please, consider a donation to support Kathy’s candidacy. Her first battle will be her toughest; the primary election. Anything you can offer to help . . . 5, 10, 15, 20 dollars or more, will ensure we have an advocate for effective, equitable, public education, including in rural settings. If you wish to volunteer, donate or join her campaign, you can do so at: www.GebhardtForColorado.com Sincerely, George Welsh