News from Woodland Park School District

Woodland Park School District Press Release
November 3, 2008

Woodland Park School District's auditors are conducting a forensic audit that began October 20, 2008 in response to inconsistencies they discovered in the 2007-2008 preliminary financial audit. Woodland Park School District, located in Woodland Park, CO. has a student population of approximately 2800 students and an operating annual budget of approximately 26 million dollars. This forensic audit has not been completed, but the investigation thus far has revealed that it appears a long-time and trusted District employee fraudulently manipulated our accounts over a period of at least four years for personal gains. The current amount discovered through the audit exceeds $500,000 and the investigation will continue until all years and accounts have been cleared. The employee has been terminated as a result of this discovery. No other District personnel have been implicated.

This employee was able to manipulate funds in such a manner as to avoid detection by our internal procedures as well as the annual financial audit. During the 2007- 2008 annual financial audit, auditors discovered larger than normal adjustments that were not present in previous years. This information led to a forensic audit that began October 20, 2008. Currently, auditors believe the activity began in the 2004-2005 school year. Years prior to 2004-2005 are also being investigated, but at this time no inconsistencies have surfaced.

As soon as questions were raised surrounding the 2007-2008 financial audit, the school district immediately implemented increased security precautions to ensure no further such activity could occur. The District is working closely with the auditors to develop additional internal financial policies and procedures to safeguard all District funds. We anticipate this to be an ongoing process while the District's financial department is being reorganized.

Since October 20, 2008, the District has been working closely with the Woodland Park Police Department. Their investigation may result in criminal charges which would be filed with the Teller County District Attorney. The school district will also pursue a civil suit against the former employee. The Colorado Department of Education Finance Department has been notified and is assisting the District in its investigation. The funds missing will not directly affect any current or future programming, teacher salaries, or operating expenses including transportation in the Woodland Park School District. District reserve funds will be used to temporarily offset any missing money while the District pursues all avenues to recover these funds. Potential recovery methods include District insurance, recovery through the civil suit, and any possible restitution resulting from criminal proceedings.

Woodland Park School District is deeply concerned about this matter and the breach of trust that has apparently occurred. It has always provided an outstanding education for all students and will continue to do so. Our goal and belief is to provide our students and staff with all the necessary support needed to continue our pursuit of academic excellence and cutting edge programming. Accountability to our community, students, parents and staff will always be a top priority as we move forward from this very unfortunate situation.

Due to the ongoing investigation, the upcoming civil suit and possible criminal charges, no further information or details can be released at this time.

Guy Arseneau, Superintendent of Schools
Woodland Park Teller Re 2

Woodland Park School District Press Release
October 23, 2008

Violations of district policy concerning financial records have been discovered as a result of the current accounting review. A district employee has been placed on administrative leave. All necessary precautions have been taken by the district and our auditors to protect district funds and records, and to ensure that no further violations can occur. The Woodland Park Police Department has been notified and is conducting its own investigation. The district is cooperating fully with authorities. Only limited details are available for release until these investigations are completed.

Guy Arseneau, Superintendent of Schools
Woodland Park Teller Re 2

Woodland Park School District Press Release
October 22, 2008

The annual audit of the Woodland Park School District has reported discrepancies. The district has requested that the school auditors, Johnson, Holscher & Company, return to conduct a thorough accounting review of all 2007-2008 district financial records. This review is currently in progress and a full report will be available upon completion.

Guy Arseneau, Superintendent of Schools
Woodland Park Teller Re 2

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Summit Elementary's Red Ribbon Week Poster Contest Winners

SUMMIT ELEMENTARY offered a poster contest during Red Ribbon Week. The posters show the dangers of tobacco, drugs, or alcohol for grades K -5.
Each grade level has a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winner. See photo for winners.

Kindergarten
1st place - Anaya Campbell
2nd place - Dusty Martinez
3rd place - Blayse Starling

First Grade
1st place - Dallas Martinez
2nd place - Amadeus Calzadilla
3rd place - Montana Dornsbach

Second Grade
1st place - Dianna Kimberlin
2nd place - Bea Kimberlin
3rd place - Eric Fox

Third Grade
1st place - Dema Degelman
2nd place - Natalie Graber
3rd place - Jackson Hammond

Fourth Grade
1st place - Tyler Keefer
2nd place - Savannah Perkins
3rd place - Alyssa Waite

Fifth Grade
1st place - Rebecca Mijares
2nd place - Logan Field
3rd place - Erin Babinski

Pumpkin Carving Contest Winners

PAL
Scariest
1.       Matthew Harangozo
Funniest
1.       Caylee Qualls
2.       Tyler Sloan

Old-Fashioned
1.       Collin Carver
Original
1.       Alex Richardson

Kindergarten
Scariest
1.       Hunter Drummond
2.       Matthew Lecky
3.       Ryan orth
Funniest
1.       Clayton Boutte
2.       Kameron Hooker
3.       Tera DeRemus
Old-Fashioned
1.       Michael Colvin
2.       Raymond Salvatore
3.       Dana Randolph
Original
1.       Kellie Richmond
2.       Audreyanna Freedle
3.       Connor Nelson

1st Grade
Scariest
1.       Morgan Mireles
2.       Cole McNally
3.       Nathan Estep
Funniest
1.       Kelton Hooker
2.       Cera Qualls
3.       Zakry Ludwick
Old- Fashioned
1.       Destiny Haycock
2.       Jack Byrne
3.       Bryce Raynsford
Original
1.       Sage Drummond
2.       Garrett Richardson
3.       Haley Prater

2nd Grade
Scariest
1.       Mylea Harangozo
2.       Noah Talbot
3.       Kenny Richmond
Funniest
1.       Katelyn Zeller
2.       Kristin Sloan
3.       Crystal Pickering
Old-Fashioned
1.       Isabelle Snyder
Original
1.       Meara Sauer
2.       Christopher Freed
3.       Elijah Price

3rd Grade
Scariest
1.       Kaden Bennett
2.       Emily Estep
3.       Ethan Davidson
Funniest
1.       Donnie Lasiter
2.       Lane Midcap
3.       Kaitlyn Davidson
Old- Fashioned
1.       Anna Schneiter
2.       Evan Owen
3.       Caitlyn Dana
Original
1.       Maia Pappadakis
2.       Samantha Lecky
3.       Owen Brown

4th Grade
Scariest
1.       Caleb Denniston
2.       Drake Conditt
3.       Jordyn Elwell
Funniest
1.       Drake Conditt
2.       Shelbi Rose
3.       Erica Purcell
Old-Fashioned
1.       Hunter Stone

2.       Shelbi Dane
3.       Jack Fisher
Original
1.       Eric Lays
2.       Dillon Noble
3.       Sonni Mire

5th Grade
Scariest
1.       David Flannigan
2.       Jake Jansma
3.       Michell Cruse
Funniest
1.       Laura Morand
2.       Sarah Bosch
3.       Malena Harangozo
Old-Fashioned
1.       Sarah Birkes
Original
1.       Grant Zeller
2.       Shelby O'Herron
3.       Alan Dillinger

Parents
Scariest
1.       Kathy Orth
Funniest
1.       Mandy Ferguson
2.       Mrs. Richardson
Original
1.       Kristi Jenkins
2.       Denise Fisher

Greetings, Panther fans! Now that November is upon us it is time for Winter Sports and Activities. Please take a moment to congratulate competitors and coaches from the Fall Sports as Woodland Park High School had a very competitive and successful Fall season.

The last of the Fall Sports to wrap-up were Cross Country, Football and Volleyball. Football finished with a 5-3 league record and a fourth place Southern League finish. The WPHS Volleyball team experienced the most successful volleyball season in a decade as their 2nd place District finish qualified them for the Regional round and an opportunity to go to the State Tournament. Though the Panthers were eliminated in the Regional Tournament, they still ended up in the top 16 teams in the state. Consider there are 67 4A volleyball teams...way to go ladies!

As a state qualifier, the Girls' Cross Country team enjoyed a commendable season and finished 15th at the State Meet in Fort Collins. The Boys' had one qualifier (Shawn Dubbs) who earned an 18th place finish in his race at State. Competition results would be incomplete without a mention of the WPHS Marching Band that made Finals at the State Competition and ended up with a 6th place 3A finish. Again, congratulations to all of the dedicated participants, sponsors and coaches who dedicated so much time and effort to their respective Fall activities.

Winter Sports Tryouts are just around the corner. Interested students need to get signed up a.s.a.p. for Wrestling, Girls' Basketball and Boys' Basketball. Tryouts begin on November 12th. The Winter Sports 'Meet the Coaches Night' is scheduled for November 18th at 6:30 p.m. and competition begins December 1st!

If you're looking for theatrical and musical entertainment, be sure to catch a performance at the Middle School or High School in November. The Middle School performances of Rumpelstiltskin, Private Eye and The Fairy Godmother's Assistant run November 13th through 15th and the High School production of Hello Dolly! opens November 20th and wraps on November 22nd.

Good luck to all of our participants in November. If schedule information is ever needed, be sure to go to www.highschoolsports.net.

As always,
GO GREEN!

News From WPHS