On May 30, 2020, a student in Poudre School District made an appalling post mocking the death of George Floyd. 

Despite the Fort Collins community’s flood of demands for his expulsion, superintendent Sandra Smyser made the decision to allow this student back into PSD schools. The message her decision sends is a simple one: students of color are not welcome or valued within her district, and their right to a safe and healthy learning environment is a lesser priority than allowing racists a platform. This, in junction with her decision to renew the districts contract with Fort Collins Police Services despite public outcry, is a reflection of her own views, her refusal to listen, and her refusal to represent the demands of the people in her district. 

Our community deserves better than this. Our youth deserve better than this. Our Black families, our Indigenous families, and our families of color deserve a superintendent who will allow their children to learn in an environment that uplifts them with dignity and respect. 

Superintendent Sandra Smyser cannot provide our community with any of those things. We are calling for her resignation following her disrespect of the children we expect her to educate. We are calling on her to step down so that someone who treats student of color with dignity and respect can take her place and educate our youth with the love and care they deserve.