Nation Watching Jefferson County School Board Race
GOLDEN, Colo. (CBS4)- In Jefferson County an election to recall three school board members will be closely watched because it could impact school districts around the country. That's why it's drawing national attention and money.
"I think the nation is watching and looking at 'Can you get this done and stay in place? Can you survive education reform?" said Jefferson County School Board President Ken Witt, one of the three Jefferson County School Board members facing a recall.
The two sides have dropped more than $1 million on door hangers, mailers and TV ads. And on the eve of the election both sides are blanketing neighborhoods in hopes of swaying last-minute voters.
Witt, Julie Williams and John Newkirk are the three school board members on the ballot. The other two school board member positions in Jefferson County are also up for a vote because the people who previously had those positions resigned.
The three are conservatives who took control of the board in 2013, hired a new superintendent, and proposed changes to curriculum that led to accusations of censorship.
Witt blames the unions for the recall.
"There has been turmoil in Jefferson County. The NEA and CEA chose to bring in 48 operatives from 18 other states to stir up unrest," said Witt.
The two sides have dropped more than $1 million on door hangers, mailers and TV ads. An estimated $500,000 has been spent on TV ads supporting the conservatives on the board which includes support from Americans for Prosperity which is funded by conservative mega-donors the Koch Brothers.
Shawna Fritzler, a parent and recall supporter, said getting the recall is an uphill fight, "It's about our kids. We don't have the kind of money to fight what's up against us."
