Join Chalkbeat Colorado’s free each day e-newsletter to get the most recent reporting from us, plus curated information from different Colorado retailers, delivered to your inbox.
Leaders of Riverstone Academy, which backers have referred to as Colorado’s “first public Christian college,” gained’t reveal the place the college has been positioned since its unique constructing was closed in late January over well being and security issues.
Jeremy Dys, a lawyer for the Pueblo County college, stated by e-mail on Wednesday that the elementary college is working at an “alternate location within the space for just a few weeks till it’s anticipated it would transfer again to its earlier location.”
However a choice Wednesday night time by the county planning fee dealt a blow to that plan. In a 5-4 vote, the commissioners rejected a advice for a particular use allow that may enable sure varieties of faculties on the property the place Riverstone had been positioned.
The planning fee vote isn’t the ultimate phrase on whether or not the controversial college can return to its unique constructing in an industrial space, however it’s the most recent stumbling block for founders who quietly opened Riverstone final summer time with out guaranteeing it met zoning, constructing, fireplace, and well being codes.
The college, which is at the moment receiving state funding, describes itself on its web site as a public elementary college providing a “Christian basis.” Regardless that the college is tiny — serving about 30 kindergarten by way of fifth grade college students — its existence is notable as a result of if backers get their approach, it might upend years of authorized precedent barring public colleges from offering non secular training.
Emails obtained by Chalkbeat point out Riverstone was created on the behest of a conservative regulation agency to be able to spark a spiritual liberty lawsuit that might go all the way in which to the U.S. Supreme Courtroom. Public non secular colleges have by no means existed in Colorado as a result of the state structure prohibits them.
Riverstone and its authorizer — Training ReEnvisioned Board of Cooperative Training Providers, or ERBOCES — filed a lawsuit difficult the ban on Feb. 13.
Some planning commissioners expressed alarm at Wednesday’s assembly that Riverstone desires to find in an industrial space the place heavy vans and equipment often journey.
Fee member Karim Ayoub stated his worst concern is “a child selecting to stroll to highschool after which ending up beneath a cement truck.”
“I feel that’s the precise mistaken space for a faculty,” stated Brad Lisac, the chair of the planning fee.
Not everybody agreed.
“The individuals who shall be attending this college can be doing it by selection,” stated Fee member John Wark. ”Dad and mom could make selections concerning the security simply as nicely and higher than we are able to.”
The dialogue additionally highlighted confusion about what sort of college Riverstone is. Some commissioners stated a letter offered by the college advised that it’s a vocational college that serves highschool college students studying abilities like welding. They have been stunned to study it serves youngsters as younger as kindergarten.
Planning Commissioner Robert Reinert described the information as “an enlightenment” and stated of the unique college website,“That isn’t an space for that age group.”
Riverstone is an elementary college that teaches studying, math, science, and social research. The college additionally advertises trades-based electives. That features constructing with Legos, making wood Pinewood Derby automobiles, and go-karts, Quin Friberg, Riverstone’s govt director, advised Chalkbeat final fall.
Friberg didn’t attend Wednesday’s assembly. Riverstone was represented by Chris Pasternak, an actual property agent, and architect Dave Weihrich.
Whereas the planning fee rejected Riverstone’s bid for a particular use allow on Wednesday, the three-member Pueblo Board of County Commissioners might make a distinct resolution in March. Faculty leaders are additionally interesting the stop and desist order from Pueblo County officers that led to the college constructing’s closure in January.
The closure got here after months of concern by county officers over a bunch of code violations on the website. A number of paperwork and interviews with county officers present that Riverstone’s leaders didn’t observe routine procedures for in search of permits, inspections, and approvals from native officers earlier than opening the college.
Reinert requested Pasternak at Wednesday’s assembly, “What are you going to do to persuade us that you simply aren’t going to maintain breaking the principles? You’ve finished it persistently thus far.”
After a pause, Pasternak responded that the college had moved out of its unique constructing.
“They’re conscious of this course of and every little thing that’s required of it,” he stated.
In response to an open data request from Chalkbeat asking for any doc displaying the title or tackle of the college’s present location, Riverstone officers despatched a screenshot of a brief textual content that was despatched to Riverstone mother and father after the college constructing closed that linked to an internet kind with extra data
When requested for entry to the shape, college officers advised Chalkbeat, “The shape hyperlink is now not energetic.” They stated by e-mail they don’t have any data with the title or tackle of the college’s short-term location.
A spokesperson for the Colorado Division of Training stated Riverstone has not up to date its tackle with the state. Pueblo County officers stated they hadn’t been alerted about Riverstone’s new location. It’s unclear if that location meets well being and security guidelines for colleges.
Dys, who’s concerned in Riverstone’s lawsuit in opposition to the state, questioned why the placement the place “30 susceptible youngsters” are attending college must be revealed.
Riverstone’s unique location on Aspen Circle was posted on the college’s web site and social media, the ERBOCES web site, and was on file with the state.
Ann Schimke is a senior reporter at Chalkbeat, protecting early childhood points and early literacy. Contact Ann at aschimke@chalkbeat.org.
