| Alpha Fourteen Communication Archives, news from inside the A14 Beltway |
Martin Niemöller (1892-1984) was an ardent nationalist and prominent Protestant pastor who emerged as an outspoken
public foe of Adolf Hitler and spent the last 7 years of Nazi rule in concentration camps.
Niemöller is perhaps best remembered for the quotation:
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out --
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out --
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out --
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me -- and there was no one left to speak for me.
public foe of Adolf Hitler and spent the last 7 years of Nazi rule in concentration camps.
Niemöller is perhaps best remembered for the quotation:
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out --
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out --
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out --
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me -- and there was no one left to speak for me.
FOR THOSE WHO DID NOT HEAR A HISTORICAL EVENT TOOK PLACE IN ADAMS 14 DURING THE OCTOBER
11TH BOE MEETING. HISTORICAL BUT IN MAY WAY SAD AS THE MAJORITY OF THE BOE (4 TO 1 VOTE) HAD
TO CENSURE THE SITTING BOE PRESIDENT FOR MISCONDUCT. THIS CAN NOW BE SEEN ON THE LOCAL
GOVERNMENT CHANNEL 8 AND WILL BECOME PART OF THE OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE BOE. A STORY
ALSO APPEARED IN THE DENVER POST. I HAVE POSTED BELOW MY COMMENTS PRIOR TO VOTING WITH 3
OTHER BOE MEMBERS TO UPHOLD THIS SANCTION, IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT VOTES I HAVE
HAD TO TAKE IN THE PAST 4 YEARS.
My Comment:
We have in a number of occasions heard this statement from this Dias. “Today is a dark day for Adams County School District
14”. Every time this statement was made the finger was pointed at the Board of Education member who voted the
conscientious of their constitutions and opposite to the chair of this Board. Well tonight is truly a dark day for Adams 14
because for the first time in my recollection we will be voting on the censure of a member of the A14 Board of education.
However this vote may turn out to be the one true action that constitute a dark day for our district.
You have already heard a number of reasons for taking this step for this action by another members of the Board. I personally
have in my office a folder of recorded information outlining the deed over the past 6 years of the chairs actions.
While the chair may boast of her adherence to following the letter of state statute, district policy or Roberts Rules, she has
failed to demonstrate the compassion it takes when you are in trusted with the live and education of our community to also
seek the spirit of the law, a spirit that begins with a true love for its people who are struggling to perform what seems at times
to be an impossible task.
I for one and I believe many in our community would consider ourselves blessed if we had the intellectual ability of the chair of
this board, however we are not governed by intellect alone as we in the human race are also guided by a spirit and a heart that
demonstrates a compassion for the struggles of those less fortunate than ourselves. It was for this reason that our Creator who
made us in His image provided us not only with a body, a mind, but yes a spirit that is the center or our relationship to our
fellow man or women.
Reconciliation with any board member was impossible with the chair once you have been targeted by the chair, unless it was
on her terms and your terms only.
In the words of the chair several weeks ago what I must do this evening I do it because as an elected official of this community
I must perform the task of my position on this Board and vote to censure the President of the Adams 14 Board of Education, I
will vote yes on this motion.
11TH BOE MEETING. HISTORICAL BUT IN MAY WAY SAD AS THE MAJORITY OF THE BOE (4 TO 1 VOTE) HAD
TO CENSURE THE SITTING BOE PRESIDENT FOR MISCONDUCT. THIS CAN NOW BE SEEN ON THE LOCAL
GOVERNMENT CHANNEL 8 AND WILL BECOME PART OF THE OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE BOE. A STORY
ALSO APPEARED IN THE DENVER POST. I HAVE POSTED BELOW MY COMMENTS PRIOR TO VOTING WITH 3
OTHER BOE MEMBERS TO UPHOLD THIS SANCTION, IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT VOTES I HAVE
HAD TO TAKE IN THE PAST 4 YEARS.
My Comment:
We have in a number of occasions heard this statement from this Dias. “Today is a dark day for Adams County School District
14”. Every time this statement was made the finger was pointed at the Board of Education member who voted the
conscientious of their constitutions and opposite to the chair of this Board. Well tonight is truly a dark day for Adams 14
because for the first time in my recollection we will be voting on the censure of a member of the A14 Board of education.
However this vote may turn out to be the one true action that constitute a dark day for our district.
You have already heard a number of reasons for taking this step for this action by another members of the Board. I personally
have in my office a folder of recorded information outlining the deed over the past 6 years of the chairs actions.
While the chair may boast of her adherence to following the letter of state statute, district policy or Roberts Rules, she has
failed to demonstrate the compassion it takes when you are in trusted with the live and education of our community to also
seek the spirit of the law, a spirit that begins with a true love for its people who are struggling to perform what seems at times
to be an impossible task.
I for one and I believe many in our community would consider ourselves blessed if we had the intellectual ability of the chair of
this board, however we are not governed by intellect alone as we in the human race are also guided by a spirit and a heart that
demonstrates a compassion for the struggles of those less fortunate than ourselves. It was for this reason that our Creator who
made us in His image provided us not only with a body, a mind, but yes a spirit that is the center or our relationship to our
fellow man or women.
Reconciliation with any board member was impossible with the chair once you have been targeted by the chair, unless it was
on her terms and your terms only.
In the words of the chair several weeks ago what I must do this evening I do it because as an elected official of this community
I must perform the task of my position on this Board and vote to censure the President of the Adams 14 Board of Education, I
will vote yes on this motion.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2011
Interview with Adams-14 Board Member Elect, Larry Quintana...
Interview by Karl Emmerich
There is no ‘big I’ or ‘little U’ in ‘T-E-A-M’”, stated the Adams-14 Board Member Elect, Larry Quintana, adorned in a veteran’s cap and a
Denver Bronco’s jacket and over a McDonalds breakfast. We took a casual moment with Adams-14's most outspoken board member for a
recap on the past and a preview of where one of the most tumultuous school districts in Adams County is headed.
Larry Quintana is stepping back onto a new board this November and with a renewed crusade to unify not only the district with its purpose,
but to also bridge the gap between the community and its necessary supportive role in Adams-14 education.
And while Larry is clearly capable of channeling a purpose for the board (Larry’s dominant role in initiating a censure of former Board
Chairwoman Jeannette Lewis on an ‘enough is enough’ platform was well-noted), his chances of accomplishing the two levels of
unification will be all-the-more bolstered by the board elections of both Dave Rolla (a well-respected and dedicated district instructor) and
Mary Morton (a protégé of Larry Quintana with similar ‘kids first’ ethics).
“The others weren’t any less qualified, but I think the community spoke regarding [who and] what they wanted... boardmembers who would
go talk to the people...we will have a much more cohesive board and this translates into getting things done.” Larry’s words echo his
emphatic commitment to uniting the community over education by first uniting the Adams-14 board in its purpose.
So now that the board is united, how do you actually unite a community heretofore split over the effectiveness of the previous board under
its former director? Here is where Larry Quintana may have yet another chip in his corner given his directorship of yet another community
program, “One Community,” a nonprofit organization charged with the task of sponsoring education and programming to break down the
geographic, ethnic, and cultural barriers to community growth and interaction. In recent years, “One Community” has sponsored numerous
programs including summits for community leaders to explore the issues we collectively face as a community and how we –as a team– can
best address them.
“Community Unification” to Larry Quintana and the new Adams-14 Board is best-defined as a goal that must rest squarely upon the
shoulders of the Adams-14 Board and its district staff. “We need to best encompass the needs of the parents and students by reaching out to
them and being much less focused on simply enforcing rules and policies... these are people and should be treated as players in the role of
education of our children...” When asked about the success of present and past parent liaison programs in the schools (one brought quickly
to mind was the ‘senior mentor program’ wherein community seniors formally discussed their real world experiences with children in the
classrooms), Larry was equally critical: “They’re not generating [enough] parent participation. What needs to happen is that administration
needs to see parents as being part of the community and treat every student as being the most important.”
On Bilingual vs Immersion Policies. The context of ‘unification’ is hardly addressed without considering what it means for Adams-14's
predominantly hispanic communities being integrated not only into the system, but into what is decidedly now, an immersion program in
Adams-14 (English as the predominant instructional language). “We learned,” says Larry, “that through the 5th grade, students who spoke
only Spanish did no better or worse than those students who spoke English.” The message here, according to Larry, is that forcing
instruction in English –rather than permitting a bilingual approach–doesn’t necessarily enhance academic success and this factor is a
concern to this returning board member. “We might consider using one or two schools in the district to adopt bilingual education just to test
whether it might be a good approach for the entire district...”
And what about other Adams-14 solutions? They’re coming. But perhaps equally exciting is ‘how’. The new Adams-14 Board is results-
driven and equally bent on using a results-driven protocol. Take for example, the board’s concern in uniting the students and families of
Adams-14 across racial and cultural lines... “We met with someone,” says Larry, “who has had strong results in bringing together the
Caucasian, Latino, and African American student interests. Robert Vashaw and myself visited a school in Aurora in which its Administrator,
Dr. Cassidy, took a gang-dominated school and was able to bring everybody together by forming three separate PTO groups –one for each
ethnicity. After holding separate meetings, their leaders then met with each other. We need to look at programs like this.
“Common Academia” is yet another program being considered, in which students can freely transfer from one school to another within the
district, without concern about falling out of line with their course studies. It’s yet another level of synchronization which the new Adams-14
School Board seems well-equipped to achieve in its renewed quest to stay in step with parents, students, and the community at-large.
Interview with Adams-14 Board Member Elect, Larry Quintana...
Interview by Karl Emmerich
There is no ‘big I’ or ‘little U’ in ‘T-E-A-M’”, stated the Adams-14 Board Member Elect, Larry Quintana, adorned in a veteran’s cap and a
Denver Bronco’s jacket and over a McDonalds breakfast. We took a casual moment with Adams-14's most outspoken board member for a
recap on the past and a preview of where one of the most tumultuous school districts in Adams County is headed.
Larry Quintana is stepping back onto a new board this November and with a renewed crusade to unify not only the district with its purpose,
but to also bridge the gap between the community and its necessary supportive role in Adams-14 education.
And while Larry is clearly capable of channeling a purpose for the board (Larry’s dominant role in initiating a censure of former Board
Chairwoman Jeannette Lewis on an ‘enough is enough’ platform was well-noted), his chances of accomplishing the two levels of
unification will be all-the-more bolstered by the board elections of both Dave Rolla (a well-respected and dedicated district instructor) and
Mary Morton (a protégé of Larry Quintana with similar ‘kids first’ ethics).
“The others weren’t any less qualified, but I think the community spoke regarding [who and] what they wanted... boardmembers who would
go talk to the people...we will have a much more cohesive board and this translates into getting things done.” Larry’s words echo his
emphatic commitment to uniting the community over education by first uniting the Adams-14 board in its purpose.
So now that the board is united, how do you actually unite a community heretofore split over the effectiveness of the previous board under
its former director? Here is where Larry Quintana may have yet another chip in his corner given his directorship of yet another community
program, “One Community,” a nonprofit organization charged with the task of sponsoring education and programming to break down the
geographic, ethnic, and cultural barriers to community growth and interaction. In recent years, “One Community” has sponsored numerous
programs including summits for community leaders to explore the issues we collectively face as a community and how we –as a team– can
best address them.
“Community Unification” to Larry Quintana and the new Adams-14 Board is best-defined as a goal that must rest squarely upon the
shoulders of the Adams-14 Board and its district staff. “We need to best encompass the needs of the parents and students by reaching out to
them and being much less focused on simply enforcing rules and policies... these are people and should be treated as players in the role of
education of our children...” When asked about the success of present and past parent liaison programs in the schools (one brought quickly
to mind was the ‘senior mentor program’ wherein community seniors formally discussed their real world experiences with children in the
classrooms), Larry was equally critical: “They’re not generating [enough] parent participation. What needs to happen is that administration
needs to see parents as being part of the community and treat every student as being the most important.”
On Bilingual vs Immersion Policies. The context of ‘unification’ is hardly addressed without considering what it means for Adams-14's
predominantly hispanic communities being integrated not only into the system, but into what is decidedly now, an immersion program in
Adams-14 (English as the predominant instructional language). “We learned,” says Larry, “that through the 5th grade, students who spoke
only Spanish did no better or worse than those students who spoke English.” The message here, according to Larry, is that forcing
instruction in English –rather than permitting a bilingual approach–doesn’t necessarily enhance academic success and this factor is a
concern to this returning board member. “We might consider using one or two schools in the district to adopt bilingual education just to test
whether it might be a good approach for the entire district...”
And what about other Adams-14 solutions? They’re coming. But perhaps equally exciting is ‘how’. The new Adams-14 Board is results-
driven and equally bent on using a results-driven protocol. Take for example, the board’s concern in uniting the students and families of
Adams-14 across racial and cultural lines... “We met with someone,” says Larry, “who has had strong results in bringing together the
Caucasian, Latino, and African American student interests. Robert Vashaw and myself visited a school in Aurora in which its Administrator,
Dr. Cassidy, took a gang-dominated school and was able to bring everybody together by forming three separate PTO groups –one for each
ethnicity. After holding separate meetings, their leaders then met with each other. We need to look at programs like this.
“Common Academia” is yet another program being considered, in which students can freely transfer from one school to another within the
district, without concern about falling out of line with their course studies. It’s yet another level of synchronization which the new Adams-14
School Board seems well-equipped to achieve in its renewed quest to stay in step with parents, students, and the community at-large.
Communication for Board Meeting November 15, 2011
October 29, 2011 – I attended the Hispanic Community Action Summit sponsored by the White House. The breakout sessions at this summit
included Improving Education for the Latino community, Jobs and Economic Recovery, Presentations from the Office of Civil Rights, as well as
a number of other topics presented by a variety of White House staff members.
November 3rd, 2011 – Attended the KMS veterans day celebration, had a great time talking to veterans from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf
War as well as Iraq and Afganistan.
November 5th, 2011 – I did a presentation before a group called CO-LAS which is the Colorado Association of Latino Administrators and
Superintendents. I also attended the Playoff games between the ACHS Soccer and Heritage, I was a great game our guys as you know were
defeated by one point.
November 6th, 2011 – Went to the 9News Health Fair at the High School.
November 7th, 2011 – Attended the city council meeting where we were able to share our appreciation of the outgoing council members, Tracy
Snyder, Kathy Tieter, Palo Diaz, Tony Johnson and Mayor Natael. We the board of CCOC received an award for our efforts on One
Community over the past 7 years from the city of Commerce City.
October 29, 2011 – I attended the Hispanic Community Action Summit sponsored by the White House. The breakout sessions at this summit
included Improving Education for the Latino community, Jobs and Economic Recovery, Presentations from the Office of Civil Rights, as well as
a number of other topics presented by a variety of White House staff members.
November 3rd, 2011 – Attended the KMS veterans day celebration, had a great time talking to veterans from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf
War as well as Iraq and Afganistan.
November 5th, 2011 – I did a presentation before a group called CO-LAS which is the Colorado Association of Latino Administrators and
Superintendents. I also attended the Playoff games between the ACHS Soccer and Heritage, I was a great game our guys as you know were
defeated by one point.
November 6th, 2011 – Went to the 9News Health Fair at the High School.
November 7th, 2011 – Attended the city council meeting where we were able to share our appreciation of the outgoing council members, Tracy
Snyder, Kathy Tieter, Palo Diaz, Tony Johnson and Mayor Natael. We the board of CCOC received an award for our efforts on One
Community over the past 7 years from the city of Commerce City.
New Board Members Comments:
I want to welcome both of the newly elected members to the Adams 14 BOE. Both are well know and well respected members of the A14
community. Mr. Rolla as we all know was not only a graduate of the A14 system but taught and coached in our district for many many years. I
look forward to working with Dave and gather his insights and knowledge as a former member of the teaching profession.
What can I say about Mary Morton, she is another of may pillers in the Adams 14 community. Her passion for the children in our district goes
beyond her children, her grandchildren but to the total children in A14. Mary like Dave comes from a great family background although not
always from Commerce City. Several years ago I was chatting with a very sweet lady, very frail and suddenly she addressed me in Spanish. Me
preguntaron de qué parte de Nuevo México es usted, yo estaba un poco de nuevo porque nunca me había encontrado con esta señora, yo soy de
Mora, Nuevo México, cómo sabía que yo estaba de Nuevo México. Ella entonces le respondió que aún hablan con su Nuevo México acento) (I
was asked, from what part of New Mexico are you, I was a bit taken back because I had never met this lady, I am from Mora, New Mexico, how
did you know I was from New Mexico. She replied, you still talk with your New Mexico accent) I would later find out that is lady from my home
state of New Mexico is one of the few remaining WWII veterns who joined the Army soon after her husband was drafted. Enough said I knew
right then and there that this lady from my home state raised the kind of person who will be a great addition to the A14 BOE.
Communication for Board Meeting November 22, 2011
November 11, 2011 – Attended the Veterans Celebration at ACMS, it was a great effort on the part of the staff and students a great presentation
for the veterans. We had 3 or 4 veterans present and like the celebration at KMS we need to reach out to the veterans organization here in A14
and get them involved in our community. Later on the 11th I attended the JrMROTC Ball had a great time as usual and even had a chance to
share a dance with my lady.
November 14, 2011 – City Council swore in their newly elected council members, Rick Teater, Crystal Elliott, Steve Douglas and re-elected
member Jim Benson, later the city hosted a gathering for those present.
November 16, 2011 – At the ACHS PTSO I was able to present on behave of the Commerce City Organization a check for $2000.00 to the
Adams City Marachi Band, I was informed that this may go towards refurbishing the costumes worn by the group as they are in need of some
work.
November 18, 2011 – The ILC sponsored a dinner catered by the students from the culinary arts class at Bubbas Bristo. The students prepared a
full course Thanksgiving meal and I believe feed over 100 individuals.
November 21, 2011 – Attended the City Council meeting.
I want to welcome both of the newly elected members to the Adams 14 BOE. Both are well know and well respected members of the A14
community. Mr. Rolla as we all know was not only a graduate of the A14 system but taught and coached in our district for many many years. I
look forward to working with Dave and gather his insights and knowledge as a former member of the teaching profession.
What can I say about Mary Morton, she is another of may pillers in the Adams 14 community. Her passion for the children in our district goes
beyond her children, her grandchildren but to the total children in A14. Mary like Dave comes from a great family background although not
always from Commerce City. Several years ago I was chatting with a very sweet lady, very frail and suddenly she addressed me in Spanish. Me
preguntaron de qué parte de Nuevo México es usted, yo estaba un poco de nuevo porque nunca me había encontrado con esta señora, yo soy de
Mora, Nuevo México, cómo sabía que yo estaba de Nuevo México. Ella entonces le respondió que aún hablan con su Nuevo México acento) (I
was asked, from what part of New Mexico are you, I was a bit taken back because I had never met this lady, I am from Mora, New Mexico, how
did you know I was from New Mexico. She replied, you still talk with your New Mexico accent) I would later find out that is lady from my home
state of New Mexico is one of the few remaining WWII veterns who joined the Army soon after her husband was drafted. Enough said I knew
right then and there that this lady from my home state raised the kind of person who will be a great addition to the A14 BOE.
Communication for Board Meeting November 22, 2011
November 11, 2011 – Attended the Veterans Celebration at ACMS, it was a great effort on the part of the staff and students a great presentation
for the veterans. We had 3 or 4 veterans present and like the celebration at KMS we need to reach out to the veterans organization here in A14
and get them involved in our community. Later on the 11th I attended the JrMROTC Ball had a great time as usual and even had a chance to
share a dance with my lady.
November 14, 2011 – City Council swore in their newly elected council members, Rick Teater, Crystal Elliott, Steve Douglas and re-elected
member Jim Benson, later the city hosted a gathering for those present.
November 16, 2011 – At the ACHS PTSO I was able to present on behave of the Commerce City Organization a check for $2000.00 to the
Adams City Marachi Band, I was informed that this may go towards refurbishing the costumes worn by the group as they are in need of some
work.
November 18, 2011 – The ILC sponsored a dinner catered by the students from the culinary arts class at Bubbas Bristo. The students prepared a
full course Thanksgiving meal and I believe feed over 100 individuals.
November 21, 2011 – Attended the City Council meeting.
Communication for Board Meeting December 13, 2011
December 2, 2011 – Attended the Commerce City Business and Professional
Awards Dinner at Werth Manor.
December 4, 2011 – Participated in the discussion on the issue of fracking which
has become an issue with residence in the northern enclave of Commerce City,
the big question on this issue is not knowing what chemicals are being used in the
process of fracking and the effect on members of the community when these
chemicals enter the environment.
December 5th, 2011 – I was attended the city council meeting where I introduced,
not that he needed to be introduced, Dave to the members of the city council as
the new A14 represenative.
December 6th, 2011 – Attended the Commerce City lighting of the lights event at
the civic center.
December 8th – 11th, 2011 - Participated in the annual CASB Conference, as
usual it was a very good conference, great and inspirational speakers and always
an event to get updated on issues that affect our school districts. I was a nominee
for the one of two positions open as a director of CASB for Region 5, I did not get
elected however I am now well versed on the process for running for this office
and will be putting together a document for future Adams 14 directors interested
in trying out for the office. To my knowledge no one has ever shared this process
with BOE members or at least A14 members and I was amazed on how little
individuals who knew of the process were willing to share that information. I will
be getting this information out to as many directors as I can reach. One more
item on that note was we as a board were not made aware of who the A14
delegate to the conference was until I found out shortly before the voting took
place and ended up scampering to get Mr. Vashaw on as our delegate.
Once again for those who did not have a pencil and paper handy earlier my web
site url is www.queskorner.net and you can click on Alpha 14 Chronicles button
for an in depth review of my activates and commentary on my reflections of A14
items. I am going to try to be more diligent in keeping this information updated
on my web site.
I want to close by taking a moment to wish the Adams 14 family, our students,
their parents or guardians, our classified staff, our teachers and the
administration as well as my colleges on the BOE a blessed and a very Merry
Christmas and a very Happy New Year, to quote the words of one of my favorite
Christmas songs, Feliz Navidad
Prospero Año y Felicidad.