Support for Franco Wederski’s appointment
In response to an article featured on September 26 by Ashlyn Giroux, I would like to express my strongest support for Franco Wederski in his newly appointed position on the Estes Valley School Board. I am personally acquainted with Franco and his wife DeAnna; therefore, I can vouch for Franco’s integrity, commitment, and vision for the Estes Valley BOE. According to the Estes Valley BOE website vision statement, it considers it “both culturally and educationally sound to have persons of diverse backgrounds on the school district’s staff.” Franco is a confessing Christian and, therefore, embodies this value.
In addition, the BOE claims to be an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against, among others, the religious persuasions of its applicants. Franco’s personal religious views should not be considered in his ability to lead and make sound decisions for the Estes Valley school system, yet Barb Ayres suggested he be disqualified for the very reason that he expressed his religious views publicly. The last time I checked, freedom of religious expression is a right guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
Thirdly, it would be very remiss of the Estes Valley public to attempt to remove Mr. Wederski because of his religious views, as the Board unanimously voted by acclamation to elect him. If that ridiculous line of logic is pursued, then all three candidates should be disqualified, as all three were included in the acclamation.
In conclusion, Turning Point USA, the club Ms. Giroux stated that Franco hopes to start in Estes Park, is neither a “partisan” nor a “religious” group, as Ms. Giroux stated. According to their mission statement, they exist “to educate young people about the importance of limited government, free markets, and freedom.” And by the way, the Equal Access Act of 1984 makes it illegal for schools to discriminate against clubs based on their religious, political, or philosophical views. A political or religious club is allowed to meet on a school campus if participation is voluntary, it meets during non-instructional time, and it is not endorsed by the school itself. Franco is 100 percent within his rights to pursue getting a chapter started in the Estes Park schools.
Franco’s appointment to the BOE was both legal and in complete compliance with Board policies and vision, and I have no doubt he will prove to be a valuable member of it. I urge the Estes Park community to disregard the worn-out arguments of the local progressives that having a godly person in office will create “political tensions” among our community. Godly values promote decency, morality, and community responsibility, and we all benefit, both now and in the future, when we embrace and promote that in our schools.
Martha Clark, Glen Haven Resident