The tension and uncertainty swirling around North Routt Community Charter School intensified Monday as staff, parents and community members gathered for a pivotal board meeting following the controversial termination of Head of School Dan Kohler. 

The emotional forum brought forth pleas for transparency, reform and renewed trust, as voices from the NRCCS community pressed board members to confront governance, accountability and leadership challenges head-on.

At last week’s community meeting, board members outlined “three major incidents … amongst other judgment calls and performance issues” that led to Kohler’s termination: the application for a liquor license for a school fundraiser, the removal of religious post-its in a manner the board considered a First Amendment violation, and a personnel issue.

At the community meeting, the board confirmed that board member Jeremiah Shaw’s child was involved in the Post-It note incident. A community member provided a photo to the Steamboat Pilot & Today of one of the Post-It notes, which said “He’s Watching” with a doodle of two eyes. 

Shaw was absent at Monday’s board meeting, which was attended by nearly 50 people. Opening the meeting, longtime NRCCS teacher Annie Owen challenged the board to “create linkage between the administration, the staff and the school” after what she described as a period of disconnect and division. 

“We have developed an exceptional school model that sets precedence in Routt County,” Owen said. “But why do we not have potential families or students knocking at our door? … This is the time to make a change, so something like this doesn’t happen again.”

Amy Cosgrove, an NRCCS teacher who witnessed the school’s growth from humble beginnings in a barn, added to the calls for change. She contended that the board’s tendency to “manage daily operations” rather than focus on strategic governance had sown confusion and eroded trust.

She rebuffed a previously iterated remark by the board that NRCCS should be run like a corporation, with the head of school as CEO and students placed at the bottom of a rigid hierarchy beneath teachers, administrators and the board, in that order.

“Our students belong on the top of the pyramid, and every decision should center around their growth, their wellbeing and success,” said Cosgrove. “Unfortunately, some of the recent decisions by the board I feel have been influenced by personal beliefs and bias that are not based on the collective needs of our students and staff.” 

Bjorn Burk, an NRCCS teacher speaking on behalf of school social worker Caroline DuBreuil, echoed themes of grief in the wake of Kohler’s removal. 

DuBreuil’s statement focused on constructive next steps: implementing robust HR support for employees, ensuring comprehensive onboarding for the next head of school and demanding greater transparency from the board.

“Employees reached out to HR prior to Mr. Kohler’s termination with concerns about board operations, and received no guidance or follow-up,” said Burk, representing DuBreuil. “As a charter school without union representation or district oversight, our staff often feels isolated when seeking clarity, resources or support around workplace concerns.”

DuBreuil’s statement also raised concern about recurring leadership turnover, noting that the forthcoming interim head of school will be the fourth in six years and emphasizing the demands and lack of administrative support faced by school leaders.​

Owen spoke again, representing Cindy Gantick, a community member and substitute teacher who helped found the school. 

“I hope the truth comes out surrounding the real reasons why Mr. Kohler was abruptly moved from his integral role in the school,” said Owen on Gantick’s behalf. “I don’t feel like we’ve heard the whole story, like why a board member would have it out for him from the outset of his hiring.” 

“I think the board may have forgotten the difficult position he held, not long ago, when two staff members gave notice right before school started,” Gantick’s statement continued. “He and Carlie (Pedrini) frantically but successfully found replacements. This was no small feat. If there are things he did wrong, we have to remember and acknowledge what he got right.”

Aylin Lewallen, a Clark resident and member of the School Accountability Committee, reiterated frustration at what she deemed poor communication by the board regarding Kohler’s termination, arguing that the lack of transparency “demonstrates the lack of accountability this board believes they are responsible for.” 

“We have a community that doesn’t have much to go on, and obviously casting substantial doubt that the board made the right decision regarding Dan (Kohler)’s termination,” she said. “In fact, it makes it look like the board acted with ill will by using certain situations to purposely terminate Dan (Kohler) with bias on their shoulders.”

Lewallen said she intends to submit a formal open records request by the end of the week to access documentation about the decision and urged the board to cooperate promptly while respecting privacy protections.

“For Dan (Kohler)’s job performance, I personally do not see cause for termination … Parents and residents deserve to know what has really transpired,” Lewallen said, sparking applause from the audience.

Sandy Huber, local parent, tearfully apologized for her role in the liquor license application cited as an infraction in Kohler’s dismissal, adding that she takes “full responsibility.” 

“As you know, it’s not easy to raise money for our school, and since alcohol has been served in our school barbecue fundraiser for years, Dan (Kohler) gave us permission to apply,” Huber explained. “Our only goal then and now is to help the school and we acted in good faith.”

“Much of the situation has been based on what-ifs, not what actually happened. Maybe we should have known better, but the truth is that policies are confusing,” she continued. “It breaks my heart that something meant to strengthen our school ended up causing so much harm … Our friends, families and neighbors are turning against each other, and it’s devastating to see.”

As of Thursday, the Steamboat Pilot & Today had received over 15 letters in support of Kohler and criticizing the board’s handling of his removal, with some calling for his reinstatement as head of school. 

“I have known Dan Kohler as a fellow educator since 2013. Dan (Kohler) is an amazing teacher and leader,” wrote Rebecca Dybas-Nicholson, 20-year teacher at Soda Creek Elementary School, in a statement to the newspaper on Thursday. “He leads with his heart and is open, available and respectful.”

“My son started at the charter school in kindergarten and is currently an 8th grader,” she continued. “Dan (Kohler) has been available for any and all matters with our son, academic and social. Dan (Kohler) has made our son and family, and so many others, feel respected, seen, heard and cared for. He has made us feel safe … and has done the same for countless others.”

Former longtime Clark resident Danny Tebbenkamp, whose two daughters attended NRCCS and were taught by Kohler, sent a statement to the newspaper on Tuesday expressing skepticism as to the rationale behind Kohler’s termination. 

“(Kohler) was my youngest daughter’s favorite teacher because he was so kind to her and was so good as a teacher. He was also so good to us as parents in his communication,” Tebbenkamp wrote, noting his “shock” at Kohler’s dismissal. 

“There is more going on there,” he added. “This is not the first time the board has made questionable decisions.”

Two days after the Monday meeting, the board sent out a statement to community members announcing that Board President Kim Smith, Board Secretary Jenn Clements and Board Treasurer Elizabeth Wegner had stepped down from their roles.

“Susie Wyman, a local resident and retired teacher, was elected to serve on the board during the September 2025 meeting and will also be sworn in to replace the planned resignee,” the board stated. “There are no immediate plans to replace the remaining two seats as the board plans to revisit how its members are selected.” 

A board meeting will be held at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17 to elect a new president, secretary and treasurer, the statement added.

Smith did not respond to a request for comment on Thursday regarding her resignation. Emails to Clements and Wegner requesting comment were undeliverable.

According to Dybas-Nicholson, the four remaining board members — Shaw, Sarah Barr, Susan Boles and Sara Strom — all have children currently attending NRCCS.