2022
Sept. 2022
- Roaring Fork Schools board hears support, criticism over LGBTQ+ support ‘toolkit’ | Post Independent
- Critics, however — including several members of the Cornerstone church in Basalt, along with Pastor Jim Tarr — turned out for the meeting. Representatives from the group expressed concerns about transgender students sharing restrooms and locker rooms with cisgender students, and students being put in uncomfortable situations around use of pronouns.
Oct. 2022
- RFSD doubles down on LGBTQ support with resolution | Aspen Daily News
- For the second time in a month, the RFSD’s board meeting was dominated by the general public’s interest in the district’s support of LGBTQ+ issues — on both sides of the debate.
- Slated to speak was Cornerstone Christian Pastor Jim Tarr, who also was on the waitlist in the previous meeting. Tarr’s church has previously stirred controversy by flying against mask mandates and welcoming in Evangelical speaker David Barton, who is flagged by the Southern Poverty Law Center as an extremist.Tarr was not present at the meeting. He did not immediately return a phone call to his Cornerstone Christian Center office for comment on this story.
2023
May 2023
- Roaring Fork Schools accept new sex ed curriculum; parents threaten to pull children from district as LGBTQ+ advocates speak of life and death issue | Aspen Times
- “Some of you in this room have the privilege of thinking that this is a simple curriculum change, but for others of us sitting here, we cannot help realize the position you take might be the difference between life and death for children in this valley,” PFLAG member Ashley Stahl said, referencing that sexual education plays a large part in the mental health of those in the LGBTQ+ community.
Aug. 2023
- LGBTQ+ advocates ‘double down’ on creating safe spaces amid rise in discrimination | Aspen Public Radio
- In response to a rise in anti-trans and anti-drag legislation across the country and instances of local discrimination, LGBTQ+ advocates are strengthening their commitment to safe spaces in the Roaring Fork Valley.
- While the PFLAG organization carried a strong presence throughout the night, the board also heard from a number of critics who showed up to air their opposition to the proposal, including Cornerstone Church Pastor Jim Tarr, who furiously stormed out of the room yelling remarks at board members.
- Some opposed to the curriculum said they planned to move their children to a home-school program if the curriculum was approved.
2024
May 2024
- Roaring Fork School Board passes Safe Haven Policy to protect immigrant students | Post Independent
- The Roaring Fork Schools Board of Education unanimously approved a Safe Haven Policy that safeguards the rights and well-being of immigrant students. This policy, which was heavily prompted by Voces Unidas, a local advocacy group, aims to establish a secure environment on school grounds.
2025
Jan 2025
- Roaring Fork School District faces potential budget shortfall as fund balance declines | Post Independent
- The Roaring Fork School District is preparing for financial challenges. A combination of declining revenues and rising expenditures has put pressure on the district’s financial stability and led to a projected $1 million budget shortfall.
Oct. 2025
- Roaring Fork school board discusses Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education resolution | Post Independent
- The Roaring Fork Schools District Board of Education discussed a new resolution on Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education (CLDE)
during their work session on Wednesday, ultimately deciding to table a vote until their Nov. 12 meeting in order to drive more community engagement on the topic before the resolution is enacted.
- The Roaring Fork Schools District Board of Education discussed a new resolution on Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education (CLDE)
2025 School Board Election
- Politicized issues, out-of-state funds and partisan support divide RFSD board race | Aspen Journalism
- Despite being a nonpartisan race where candidates’ party labels are not displayed on the ballot, the candidates have expressed opposing views on politicized issues such as a rise in school shootings, declining enrollment, and the merits of DEI and anti-racism policies and gender-inclusive sex education.
- Several major out-of-state contributions ranging between $1,000 and $2,500 from donors in Texas, Florida and Arkansas to Barr’s and Taylor’s campaigns have drawn additional attention to the race.
Nov. 2025
- Kathryn Kuhlenberg elected Roaring Fork School District Board of Education president | Post Independent
- Roaring Fork school board passes Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education resolution | Post Independent
- The resolution was passed after the board initially decided to table the discussion during their Oct. 22 work session in order to drive more community engagement around the topic. Roaring Fork school board Vice President Betsy After said the board heard comments that ranged from “it lacks teeth” to arguments that “it goes too far.”
Dec. 2025
- Nimmo sworn in as newest Roaring Fork school board member; Kuhlenberg returns, DeFrates elected board president | Post Independent
2026
Jan. 2026
- Enrollment drops slightly at ASD | Aspen Daily News
- Enrollment in the Roaring Fork School District dropped by nearly 4% over the last academic year. The district went from 5,842 students enrolled in the 2024-25 academic year to 5,621 students this academic year.
- Glenwood charter school seeks legal ruling on ability to bus students from neighboring district
- Re-2 Superintendent Kirk Banghart in October 2025 sent a letter to Roaring Fork District Re-1 Superintendent Anna Cole requesting an end to TRCS’s practice of busing students from New Castle, Silt and Rifle to the Glenwood Springs-based school.
Feb. 2026
- Roaring Fork School District parents express concerns about health curriculum
- The public comments are directed at the district’s first approved comprehensive health education curriculum, known as “The 3Rs” (Rights, Respect, Responsibility).
- Tuesday letters: Aviation initiative, rule of law, school concerns and more
May 2026
- Roaring Fork school board hears update on comprehensive human sexuality curriculum
- More than three years after the Roaring Fork School Board of Education adopted its comprehensive human sexuality curriculum, the topic remains a hot-button issue among parents and community members because of the intensity of the materials — leading some to claim the curriculum was adopted under “political motivations.”
- “We have a responsibility under the Safe Schools Act to implement curricula that keep kids safe,” she continued. “We have a legal and ethical responsibility as mandated reporters to use prevention and trauma-informed response to help survivors heal and make sure students have access to tools and resources.”
August 2026
More Perfect Union | Alliance Defending Freedom’s Plot to Wipe out Public Schools
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