Adams County School District 14 has defeated the Colorado State Board of Education's historic attempt to reorganize the district.

In May 2022, the Colorado State Board of Education took a first-of-its-kind action to force the Adams County School District 14 into reorganization along with Mapleton Public Schools, Adams 12 Five Star Schools and 27J Schools. The elected boards of education in each of the neighboring school districts, the Adams County Board of Commissioners and numerous organizations unanimously approved formal resolutions in support of Adams 14 and opposing reorganization. Despite the collective opposition and concern of Adams County elected officials and educators, the state board still ordered reorganization. 

In a process that lasted nearly a year, culminating on Aug. 11, 2023, when the Reorganization Committee (comprised of members of each school district) voted 10-0 in favor of approving a report instead of a formal plan of reorganization, recommending the reorganization is not a viable option for any of the districts involved; one committee member abstained from voting. 

The committee submitted the report for review to Education Commissioner Susana Cordova, who accepted the committee’s recommendation to end the reorganization process on Thursday evening. Read the letter Cordova sent to Adams 14 on Aug. 31, 2023, in English or Spanish.

“Colorado’s School District Reorganization Act is an outdated, unproven process that does not work and has no place in the accountability system,” said Reneé Lovato, the president of the Adams 14 Board of Education and chair of the Reorganization Committee. “It did nothing except instill fear and uncertainty among our students, staff and community.”

“Our collective work and collaboration in support of our students will lead to true improvement. We sincerely thank those State Board members who knew the folly of this punitive action and stood with Adams 14. We thank Commissioner Cordova for her thoughtful consideration and decision,” Lovato said.

Adams 14 Superintendent Dr. Karla Loría stated, “We thank the other three school districts for showing the State Board that Adams County fights for each other. It is our fervent hope that the State Board will stop taking negative actions against Adams 14 and allow us to focus on our students.” 

Dr. Loría held a press conference on Wednesday, celebrating the latest performance framework ratings from the Colorado Department of Education. The 2022-2023 school year report showed several of Adams 14’s schools had notable academic improvement, and the school district itself improved its state accountability rating.

“Adams 14 schools are the center of this community,” said Adams 14 Board of Education Secretary María Zubia. “Our district survives. Our district will thrive.”

Adams 14 is committed to moving forward and will continue to focus on improving the educational experience of all our students with the support of students, parents and the community. Together, we will continue to thrive and confidently write our own history.