Jeffco School Board Member's Child Threatened Amid Patriotic History Plan Controversy?

Following another day of student protests over a controversial Jefferson County School Board proposal to stress patriotism and downplay civil disorder in American history curriculum, news has surfaced about investigations into an alleged threat against the child of at least one school board member -- and another has come forward...

By Michael Roberts

September 25, 2014

Audio By Carbonatix

[
          {
            "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
            "component": "23668565",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "STN Player - Float - Mobile Only ",
            "component": "23853568",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "Editor Picks",
            "component": "17242653",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18838239",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - 2x Rectangles Desktop, Tower on Mobile - Labeled",
            "component": "24956856",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25 
          
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18838239",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
            "component": "17676724",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          }
        ]

Following another day of student protests over a controversial Jefferson County School Board proposal to stress patriotism and downplay civil disorder in American history curriculum, news has surfaced about investigations into an alleged threat against the child of at least one school board member -- and another has come forward to talk about a similar experience from some time ago.

Yesterday's most prominent student protests took place at Chatfield and Dakota Ridge high schools. The Chatfield Student Walk-out Facebook page notes that Jeffco superintendent Dan Dan McMinimee "will be at our school [Thursday] during access, come to get your questions answered!"

This tactic didn't work too well yesterday. McMinimee met yesterday with students from Alameda International High School -- and many of them walked out of school after his presentation. See a video about that below.

Then, last night, Fox31 that both the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office and the Jefferson County School District confirm ongoing investigations into alleged threats made against the child of an unnamed school board member.

In addition, John Newkirk, another of the school board conservatives whose polices have stirred so much controversy, told the station that he and his family were threatened a couple months after he was elected, in November 2013.

As evidence, Fox31 shared a censored image of derogatory graffiti....

...and Newkirk also mentioned that someone had responded to a decal on his car featuring a happy family by fashioning a meteor that appeared ready to smash into them.

"It's one thing to throw rocks at me," Newkirk said. "I'm an elected official. But when you target the family, that crosses a line."

A Jefferson County School District employee ultimately confessed in regard to the sticker and received two weeks of paid administrative leave as punishment.

The sheriff's office isn't sharing the name of the board member whose child was allegedly threatened, since the investigation is ongoing. Here's a 7News report about Superintendent McMinimee's appearance at Alameda International High School and the subsequent walkout.

Send your story tips to the author, Michael Roberts.

Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

A message from Michael Roberts: If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of essential stories and to investigate issues that matter.

Support Today