In a strong show of civic engagement, more than 50 parents, staff members, and local residents gathered Thursday evening at the Daniel C. Vallez Family Education Center to take part in one of the most significant community meetings in Westminster Public Schools’ recent history.

The meeting was part of the district’s Future Together Facilities Initiative (FTFI), a long-term planning effort designed to address declining student enrollment and aging school buildings. During the spring months, while the FTFI committee was gathering information, Dr. Jeni Gotto repeatedly emphasized that, “no decisions have been made” about school closures or building repurposing, but did acknowledge that difficult choices may be ahead.

“We know this is a challenging conversation, but it’s one that almost every school district has had to face,” said Dr. Gotto. “We are committed to being transparent, listening closely, and doing what is best for our students and community.”

Districts across the country are grappling with similar issues as enrollment drops due to shifting demographics, lower birth rates, and the rising cost of housing in the Denver Metro area. The challenge is balancing the responsible use of taxpayer-funded facilities while continuing to offer high-quality learning environments.

Participants in the meeting engaged in open discussions at six themed stations focused on:

• Vision and Values
• Criteria for Decision-Making
• Timeline and Communication
• Community Impact and Support
• Ideas for Repurposing Schools
• Feedback and Engagement

Community members shared ideas ranging from innovative uses for school buildings to ways of preserving neighborhood identity and supporting student success. The district also collected written feedback for further review.

“It was a great turnout and I loved that it was a non-confrontational atmosphere,” Board President Christine Martinez said at the May 13 Board of Education meeting. “I read many of the sticky notes and they provided really meaningful feedback.”

The FTFI committee will meet again in August to continue analyzing community input, enrollment data, and facility needs. Dr. Gotto confirmed that the Westminster Board of Education will be presented with formal options in late 2025 or early 2026, after extensive community engagement and data review.

In the meantime, those unable to attend the meeting are encouraged to share thoughts and suggestions by emailing FTFI@wps.org. Find out more about providing feedback: 

Feedback Details in English & Spanish

“This is not a one-time conversation,” Dr. Gotto said. “We’re building a roadmap together, and everyone has a role to play.”