The recent editorial, “Our View: Transparency: ‘Behind closed doors’ not uncommon, or illegal, but the public deserves to know of settlements,” (Herald, July 6) misrepresents how Durango School District handled a legal settlement and implies a lack of openness that we take seriously.
The editorial states that the settlement should have gone before the board and the public because of the amount. In fact, this was a legal matter paid by the Colorado School Districts Self Insurance Pool – not with district funds. We were advised during mediation that, because CSDSIP was covering the payment, the settlement would not require board approval. The board was informed, but it would not have been appropriate to discuss the settlement publicly at a board meeting.
More broadly, our district is committed to transparency and open communication. Public information is shared regularly through BoardDocs, our website, newsletters and active social media channels. Families and community members are welcome to information officer. We also respond promptly to Colorado Open Records Act requests.
We value our relationship with school families and the broader community and strive to earn and maintain public trust. While we welcome scrutiny and accountability, we ask that coverage of these issues reflect the full context and facts.
Karla Sluis, Public Information Officer, Durango School District
Durango
(Editor’s note: A lawsuit can reflect on an organization’s management and operations and should be publicly noticed. That the settlement amount came from a pool, to which all districts likely contribute, is not a reason to avoid public notice.)
