Just before ground broke on Stapleton’s newest elementary school, DPS officials sent an email to community leaders alerting them of the new development. “I literally found out about this the day they started digging,” said SUN President Mike Victoria. “It would have been nice for them to make it at least appear that they cared about the opinions of the members of the community.” MCA President Liza Kampsta agreed. “We have tried so hard to keep community members involved in big decisions,” said Kampsta. “We stay connected with Forest City, and all the different city government institutions. “I really don’t know what happened here.”
Those in charge of the decision-making process for the new school say the lack of communication was certainly not intentional. “We absolutely intended to get some feedback and thoughts from leaders in the Stapleton community,” said board member Bob Clossson. “There were just some technical glitches that we were unable to overcome in time.” Closson explains that the issues started with email. “I wanted to email the people on the community education board, SUN, and the MCA,” said Closson. “But, with my new email account I could not find the blind carbon copy area in the new mail option. I didn’t want to have all of them to have to worry about a bunch of reply alls, so I simply didn’t send the email.”
The troubles didn’t end there. “I used to have a simple Nokia phone,” said Closson. “But now I have this fancy Samsung phone. I guess they call them smart phones. Anyway, it’s the darndest thing, but I am having the hardest time simply making a phone call. I think I have it all figured out now, but it is just a little late.”
Residents in the community are a little disappointed in the selection process. “In the end, it probably doesn’t make a difference,” said only somewhat concerned parent Bob Lilly. “It would have been nice to have been involved, but in the end, it’s elementary school. My kids will coast through junior high simply on the genetics of my good looks.” The board has assured the community they will be more cooperative in the future. “We are prepared to bend over (backwards) for people like Bob Lilly,” said Closson. “We will do whatever it takes to gain back the community’s trust.”]]>