The Imperative for New Leadership in Academy District 20

5 min readNov 18, 2024

Photo of Aaron Salt sitting on stage, looking on as Pastor Steve Holt of The Road at Chapel Hills addresses the audience at the May 2022 ‘Hold the Line’ event, with dim lighting and a modern church setting in the background. — Aaron Salt at Sean Feucht’s Hold the Line event in May 2022

A Critical Examination of Aaron Salt’s Tenure

Leadership should embody commitment, transparency, and a steadfast dedication to the welfare of its constituents in the heart of our community. Aaron Salt, the current president of the Academy District 20 (ASD20) school board and a Pikes Peak Library District board member, has been a prominent figure in local governance. However, his recent actions and decisions have raised significant concerns about his leadership and commitment to our community.

A Leader Planning His Departure

While making decisions that have profound and lasting impacts, Aaron Salt is actively planning to leave the community. In his superintendent job application to a district in Arkansas, he cites a desire to “move back east and closer to family.” This revelation prompts critical questions about the alignment of his actions with the long-term interests of the community he currently serves.

Table listing superintendent search applicants for the Huntsville School District in Arkansas, titled ‘Huntsville School District Superintendent Search Applicants,’ including names, cities, and states of candidates such as Aaron Salt from Colorado Springs, Colorado, and others from various U.S. locations, compiled by McPherson & Jacobson, LLC, a recruitment firm based in Omaha, Nebraska.

Leadership Failures Undermining Trust

A series of leadership shortcomings have marked Salt’s tenure:

Inconsistent Participation: He has a history of skipping in-person board meetings and canceling work sessions, hindering the board’s ability to address pressing issues effectively.
Lack of Accountability: Salt has failed to hold fellow board members accountable for their absences, fostering a culture of inconsistency and lack of responsibility.
Controversial Policies: Under his leadership, the board has pursued divisive policies, including restricting access to specific books, banning Pride flags in schools, arming teachers, and closing vital community resources like the Rockrimmon Library.

Controversial Role in Woodland Park School District

In addition to his positions in ASD20, Salt serves as the Chief Operating Officer of the Woodland Park School District RE-2. His role there has been associated with further controversy:

Middle and High School Merger: The Woodland Park school board, with Salt’s involvement, announced plans to merge its middle and high schools. This decision, communicated via email without community consultation, has sparked frustration among parents and community members who feel excluded from significant decisions affecting their children.
Impact on Students and Families: The merger is a response to declining enrollment in Woodland Park Middle School, yet it raises concerns about the stability and quality of education for students who will experience significant changes in their learning environment.
Prioritizing Charter Schools Over Public Interests: The merger facilitates the expansion of Merit Academy, a charter school expected to enroll over 500 students next year. Board member Keegan Barkley questioned whether this move benefits Merit Academy students at the expense of public school students, highlighting a potential misalignment of priorities.

Impact on the Community

The closure of the Rockrimmon Library and the controversial policies implemented under Salt’s leadership have tangible negative consequences:

Educational Disruption: Students have lost access to essential resources that support their academic growth and development.
Community Disengagement: Families are deprived of communal spaces that foster connections and engagement, eroding the fabric of our community.
Erosion of Trust: The lack of transparency and community involvement in decision-making has led to distrust in local governance.

Long-Term Consequences of Short-Sighted Decisions

As Salt prepares to depart, the ramifications of his leadership will linger:

Financial Burdens: Taxpayers may bear the costs of implementing policies and measures without thorough community consultation and considering long-term impacts.
Educational Setbacks: Schools may struggle to recover from disruptions caused by abrupt policy changes, resource limitations, and declining enrollment.
Loss of Community Resources: Closing vital institutions like the Rockrimmon Library diminishes residents' quality of life and educational opportunities.

The Evidence: Salt’s Own Words

In his superintendent application to a district in Arkansas, Salt explicitly states his intention to move back east and closer to family. This acknowledgment raises concerns about his commitment to the community he currently serves. Making significant decisions while planning to leave calls into question the motivations behind his actions and their alignment with the community’s best interests.

Screenshot of Aaron Salt’s application for the superintendent position at the Huntsville School District in Arkansas, detailing his current role as Chief Operations Officer for the Woodland Park School District in Colorado. It includes his stated reason for leaving: ‘Looking to move back east and closer to family,’ dated October 31, 2024. — Aaron Salt’s application citing his intent to move closer to family.

An Opportunity for Change: Upcoming Elections

Importantly, Salt and two other ASD20 board members are up for re-election approximately a year from now. Additionally, three school board seats in the Woodland Park School District will be up for election in 2025. These upcoming elections present critical opportunities for the community to:

Re-evaluate Leadership: Assess the performance and commitment of current board members in both districts.
Elect Committed Leaders: Prepare to support candidates who are genuinely dedicated to the community’s long-term success and well-being.
Restore Balanced Governance: Re-establish reasonable majorities on the school boards to ensure decisions reflect the community’s values and priorities.
Initiate Positive Change: Begin addressing and remedying the impacts of current policies and decisions that have not served the community’s best interests.

A Call for Committed Local Leadership

Our community deserves leaders who are fully invested in its present and future. It’s imperative that we:

Demand Accountability: Hold current leaders responsible for actions and decisions that impact our community, ensuring they act in the community’s best interests.
Engage in Governance: Attend board meetings, participate in discussions, and stay informed about local policies to ensure that decisions reflect the community’s needs and values.
Advocate for Transparency: Insist on open communication from leadership positions, especially regarding decisions with long-term effects on our schools and community resources.
Prepare for Elections: Begin now to identify and support candidates committed to serving our community with integrity and dedication. Then, learn how to help them effectively.

Moving Forward Together

We stand at a pivotal moment where community involvement can steer the future toward positive outcomes. By uniting and advocating for leadership that prioritizes the needs and values of our community, we can ensure a prosperous and inclusive environment for all.

Let’s commit to staying engaged, informed, and proactive in shaping the future of Academy District 20 and the Woodland Park School District. Our collective voice is powerful; together, we can foster a community that reflects our shared values and aspirations.