Teachers of Mesa Valley School District #51 huddled around a laptop computer perched on boxes outside the School Board meeting at R-5 High School May 20, 2025 because, unlike at other school board meetings, this time the Board members suddenly decided to let only 52 people into this meeting. The designated room capacity where they held the meeting is 335. (Photos: Sean Henry via FB, 5/21/25)
“Maximum occupancy” is the highest number of people that, according to building codes and fire safety regulations, can safely and legally be in a building or space at the same time. The number is calculated based on factors including the size of the building, the number of exits, fire safety systems and local codes. Maximum Occupancy limits are designed by experts to prevent overcrowding, ensure safe evacuations and protect building occupants, so there should have been no realistic concern about exceeding room capacity for this meeting. Yet despite a generous maximum occupancy of 335 people in the room, unlike at any of their prior meetings, the District 51 School Board suddenly decided to restrict access to their meeting to just 52 people.
Why?? Did they ever give any reason?? It would be very interesting to know what topics were up for discussion/vote that night. It usually takes something quite notable to draw so many teachers to the meeting!
The teachers union should sue the school board for violating the open meetings law.
The arbitrary limitation of 52 people is typical of the way the Haitz/Lema/Smith D51 School board is being run: baseless “rules” , references to non existent policies; obstructionism to undermine progress for teachers in their negotiations.
What was the deal???
When asked about the school board’s sudden limitation on attendance at this meeting, D-51 Superintendent Brian Hill answered, “We limit the number of occupants in the room at board meetings for safety and security purposes.” D-51 School Board President Andrea Haitz said, “While we understand the concerns raised by MVEA [teachers’ union] members and others who wished to attend in person, it’s important to clarify that we must prioritize safety and comply with both fire code and room capacity regulations. Unfortunately, in past meetings in previous years, these safety protocols were not always properly followed, so we have made a concerted effort to ensure we are now in full compliance.” Neither Hill nor Haitz gave any explanation about how they arrived at the number of people they decided to let in to the meeting.
Source: Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, “Tension at D51 board meeting as MVEA member attendance capped.” Nathan Deal, May 22, 2025. https://www.gjsentinel.com/news/western_colorado/tension-at-d51-board-meeting-as-mvea-member-attendance-capped/article_736c069e-4197-4180-aa81-bc67b49725b5.html
Sounds like total BS. Members should be allowed to attend when policies that will affect them are on the docket.