"Education is the foundation upon which we build our future."
-Ronald Reagan
About Thomas (tom) wenzl
Words from Tom
There’s a great divide in this community between the direction the parents, grandparents, and members of the community want the school district to go toward educating students (reading, writing, math proficiency), and the direction some school administrators want to go to influence the minds of students. We’re not going to please everyone. Most voters are dissatisfied with the current direction of the district and are screaming for change.
Students, and by extension parents, have a right to what is termed a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). This phrase is found in many legal documents. The piece of that phrase that is open to interpretation is “Appropriate”. Parents would point to traditional standards, while certain progressive minded administrators would say they have a better perspective on what is more appropriate and this is the crux of the issue.
Who gets to decide what is appropriate? If the parents don’t know or don’t answer the question, the school district is very skilled at pointing out their expertise in determining what is appropriate and will claim they have that right. In fact, if we analyze other situations, like bullying or sexual harassment, its not the bully or the one who is harassing someone else who determines that there is bullying or harassment, but the one being bullied or harassed is the one who expresses the harm they feel. By the same standard, the one receiving the education has the right to determine what is appropriate. Students, with the advice of parents, determine what is appropriate for them. Not the school.
Parents want transparency and the right to have a say in their students’ education. The school district has not been providing either of these items. Unfortunately, it’s about control of the student’s education (and mind) and I, as a candidate, believe parents aren’t getting what they feel is an appropriate balance of input.
Tom's Background
Tom recently retired in 2022, following a remarkable 35-year career as a utility engineer, with 26 of those years spent in Canon City. His unwavering commitment to integrity, dedication, and problem-solving has set a gold standard for his approach to every facet of life. Along with his wife Carol, Tom devoted seven years to serving as Friday night cooks and Bible study leaders at the local homeless shelter, Loaves and Fishes. He has also contributed his leadership skills to church boards, successfully spearheading a fundraising and building campaign for a local church. Tom's passion for community service continues to shine, as he currently serves as an Associate Pastor at a local church.
Having a heart for children, Tom and Carol adopted two boys from the
Fremont County Foster system. They have 7 children, all of whom have gone through the Canon
City School system.
Tom's Beliefs
Empowering students to reach their fullest potential in education, character, and life is a collective effort that involves the partnership of parents, teachers, administrators, and families. The journey with friends whom students love and admire is what motivates them to jump out of bed in the morning, while teachers live for those 'aha' moments when fundamental processes 'click' in a student's mind. As a parent of special needs children, Tom values the crucial role parents play in the public school system and understands the unique challenges that many students face in their educational journey. He strongly believes that amazing teachers are essential to help these students overcome those challenges.
Tom is committed to fostering transparency in the school district, as he believes that the community expects and deserves it. Furthermore, he believes that students deserve a say in curriculum choices, lunch menu options, and the artwork that adorns the walls of their school. Students should not be overburdened with social or cultural programming and should have the freedom to express their individuality in a safe and nurturing environment.
Get Involved
As a school board candidate, I am reaching out to you, the public, for your help and support. Education is the foundation of our society, and our children's future depends on the decisions we make today. I am committed to ensuring that every student in our community has access to quality education and the resources they need to succeed. But I cannot do this alone. I need your help in spreading the word about my campaign, volunteering your time, and contributing to my campaign. Your support will make a significant difference in my efforts to improve our education system and help our children reach their fullest potential. Let us work together to create a brighter future for our children and our community. -Tom Wenzl