For the past two years, the Douglas County Board of Education/superintendent have sounded the warning bell of declining enrollment in Highlands Ranch. During this critical time in DCSD, numbers were crunched, meetings were held, and dozens and dozens of parents were emailing and speaking at Board of Education meetings. Tough decisions were made on school closures. The conversations started heating up in the fall of 2024 to April 2025 when three schools were announced to close in 2026.

On the other hand, Sterling Ranch was booming with kids! They had no schools and desperately needed one.

During this time, John Adams Academy (JAA) was applying to DCSD to open their “classical” charter school in Sterling Ranch. In December, the board majority comprised of Christy Williams, Becky Myers, Tim Moore, and Kaylee Winegar voted to allow JAA to apply directly with the Charter School Institute and avoid the BOE/DCSD oversight altogether. This was a political move with permanent consequences for DCSD and Sterling Ranch.

One of the responsibilities of the BOE is to oversee the development and implementation of school improvement plans, including charter school applications and renewal processes. The ramifications of the majority board directors’ vote are dire. This charter will not have to share any information with DCSD, including their budget and number of students per grade, which affects transportation and infrastructure. DCSD will also have no line of sight to student assessment, academics, and student health. If there is a problematic or dangerous child at school who transfers out of JAA, the accepting school will never know because they will not receive records.

On June 17, the Charter School Institute approved JAA. The school will be built on the Sterling Ranch land that was earmarked for a future district-run school. The first year JAA will receive approximately $4.6M from the state that could have been used for the public neighborhood school that was voted on to open in 2027. If they hit their projection of 850 students, JAA will receive approximately $11M per year, with zero DCSD oversight.

Actions have consequences. Williams, Myers, Moore, and Winegar shirked their duty to keep this charter under district watch. This school will be on an island, not part of the DCSD Family. Their decision is irrevocable. And Christy, Becky, Tim and Kaylee own it.

Bridget McEowen

Highlands Ranch

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