“This is not a story, this is a nightmare,” cries a mother whose daughter was a victim of an egregiously vile case of teacher abuse and misconduct by school leadership.

According to CBS Colorado, an investigation found that history teacher Leann Kearney groomed a young girl, a student at Columbine High School in Jefferson County School District. Kearney also worked alongside 10 mandated reporters — employees in the district — to declare the young girl “homeless” so she could move in with Kearney.

Investigators found emails between these employees confirming they knew the student wasn’t homeless, and yet they planned to help her conceal that from her parents.

When the student turned 18, she moved in with another teacher while Kearney was deployed; later, she went missing and was found in California with Kearney. The principal originally made excuses for what other school employees had done before eventually changing school policy.

A criminal investigation by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office into everyone involved in this matter is ongoing.

Jefferson County School District is the second largest school district in Colorado, serving over 75,000 students in 160 schools. Who oversees the safety and well-being of our children?

Parental involvement in education must no longer be merely an academic exercise. Instead, it is a necessary accountability check on school districts and their board members, superintendents, administrators, counselors and teachers.

Parental oversight and involvement in education could help prevent nightmares from ever happening in the first place. Here are some powerful ways every parent can get involved in their school district.

• Attend Board Meetings — in person or online. Monthly school board meetings allow parents to stay informed on changing district policies, ranging from discussions on the budget to the teachers’ union contract negotiations. Feedback in the form of public comments from parents with children in the district is especially persuasive in these board meetings.

• Join DAC (District Accountability Committee) meetings. Every school district is required by Colorado law to have a District Accountability Committee that typically includes parents of students enrolled in the district, teachers, administrators and community members. DAC committees help ensure the district is accountable by advising on spending priorities, reviewing district plans and monitoring their progress, and serving as a bridge between parents and school district leadership. Parents, if you aren’t on a DAC currently, get to know those parents who are! Contact your school or district’s administration team to get DAC’s contact information.

• Join SAC (School Accountability Committee) meetings. Like DACs, SAC committees are school-specific groups that provide oversight of individual schools. This is one of the most readily available paths for parental engagement in education. Contact administration to get the information you will need to join SAC. By attending these meetings, or even becoming a member, parents can advocate better for their children’s needs, stay informed, and continue building the relationships between school leadership and parents.

• Volunteer in the classroom, at school vents, after-school programs, fundraising and district-wide events. Getting involved with planning and executing science fairs, debate nights, sporting events, after-school tutoring programs or fundraising for a school supply drive are a few great ways to not only be a present parent, but also to supervise and oversee the activities of the school district. Nightmares can be prevented when parents see firsthand the interactions their children have with their classmates, teachers, and counselors. Parents can also explore opportunities they can do from home, such as helping teachers with stapling packets, putting together supplies, working on electronic needs, and more. This way, parents can still be involved, even when they cannot be there in person.

• Join PTA/PTO committees. A Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), sometimes named Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO), is another way for parents to provide oversight on the education of their children. These groups provide an avenue to address concerns, ask questions about different programs, and be a watchful eye over the events in the district.

Colorado needs parents who have resolved to be intentionally involved in their children’s school districts and classrooms. Don’t fret if you are not fluent in English. Schools still need helping hands and parent involvement across the board. All parents are welcome!

Remember, our kids are first and foremost our children. They do not belong to the school system.

Yazmin Navarro represents Colorado’s 8th Congressional District on the Colorado State Board of Education and is an Advance Colorado Institute Fellow in Growth and Opportunity.

Columbine High School in Littleton. (GETTY IMAGES

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