The Sopris Sun has a new classroom space connected to our office here at the Third Street Center. Written on the blackboard (thanks to Contributing Editor James Steindler, also our youth journalism program lead) are the four pillars of ethical journalism: seek the truth and report it, minimize harm, act independently, be accountable.
A recent article we published, “Health insurance mismanagement creates long-term financial headache for Roaring Fork School District,” received myriad responses. Among them, several Sopris Sun readers and RFSD Superintendent Dr. Anna Cole herself pointed out a serious factual error.
It was falsely stated that Dr. Cole, with approval by the RFSD Board of Education, enacted the new health insurance plan for teachers and staff which has led to a nearly $6 million budget shortfall. In fact, the decision was approved in the spring of 2023 and launched July 1, 2023 under the leadership of former superintendent Dr. Jesús Rodríguez. Moreover, the plan was researched over the course of two years, predating Rodríguez’s tenure, and not so hastily adopted as the article inferred.
In light of our mistake, an opportunity.
Tucker Farris, author of that article and several others on varying topics, joined me recently to meet with Dr. Cole so that we too may participate in accountability (pillar #4). Both of us incidentally alumni of RFSD schools, it was not unlike being called into the principal’s office.
From that conversation it became starkly evident that the district is hard at work rectifying mistakes made during leadership transitions compounded by dynamics outside their control — namely, declining student enrollment thanks to the Valley’s aging population (in part) and potential state funding cuts for K-12 education. On top of all of it, RFSD contends with the same polarized political climate that is testing our social fabric at large.
According to Dr. Cole, her administration strives for transparency as they bring the district’s financial reality into focus. The complexity of the topic, and its sensitivity, warranted a more careful investigation by The Sopris Sun, and we regret having rushed to publish a submitted piece, albeit with much editing. As one reader pointed out, the use of an anonymous source and leaked video were “salacious” given the public availability of most the information.
As a small, community-driven news source, The Sopris Sun relies on our readers to draw attention to the stories we may be missing, and it is our responsibility to report those stories responsibly, with utmost accuracy, lest we contribute to the prevailing climate of general distrust.
For failing to deliver a more complete report, we apologize. I personally apologize to Dr. Cole and other district leadership, as well as our readers, for falling short in our service. It is my commitment to do better given the important role The Sopris Sun has to play now and for as long as possible.
I also want to acknowledge the hard work of former Sopris Sun reporter Jeanne Souldern who faithfully carried the RFSD beat for years in adherence with our standards of ethics. We are pleased to welcome Annalise Grueter to pick up that coverage with Jeanne now directing her writing skills toward more creative endeavors. And we of course wish her all the best.
Throughout this process, I have learned more than a few things. As we continue onward through the fog, I am grateful for the now constant reminder of our ethical pillars, acting as a compass, thanks to our participation in the education of future journalists.
May The Sopris Sun assist our community in finding solutions as a reliable conduit for informed and helpful dialogue. In so doing, may we elevate every organizations’ mission — “to ensure that every student develops the enduring knowledge, skills and character to thrive in a changing world,” in the case of RFSD.
