A former president of the Pueblo School District 60 Board of Education is raising red flags about a new charter school proposal at the former Chavez Huerta K-12 Preparatory Academy campus.
Barb Clementi, who once led the Pueblo D60 board, voiced her concerns during a public comment session on June 24 and in a July 24 interview with the Chieftain. The charter school plan, spearheaded by Steven Varela and the Pueblo Choice Schools board, would require a waiver of the state’s 18-month charter application timeline to open in time for the 2025-26 school year.
“You can’t stand up a school in 90 days,” Clementi said. “Anyone who knows education knows it takes more than just a building and some people to make a school.”
Clementi also criticized the board’s choice to partner with ACCEL Schools, a for-profit company that manages over 70 charter schools nationwide. “I do not want a for-profit charter school in Pueblo,” she said. “It takes money away from our kids. It’s that simple.”
She raised additional concerns about possible conflicts of interest, pointing to Board Director Brian Cisneros, who is related by marriage to Varela. Clementi questioned whether personal agendas influenced the decision to close Chavez Huerta and push for a new charter in its place. Cisneros had voted against renewing Chavez Huerta’s contract and later opposed its request to seek outside authorization — decisions that helped lead to the school’s closure.
Clementi also claimed emails from Varela and Cisneros bore a striking resemblance to a letter written by Brad Miller, an attorney and school choice advocate. “What special consideration is being given and to whom?” she asked. “Is any applicant being given preference?”
Cisneros, Varela Reject Allegations of Favoritism
Cisneros confirmed his relation to Varela but denied any conflict of interest. “We’re related through marriage — no more than other board directors who have family in District 60,” he said, adding he’s open to hearing from any group interested in using the former Chavez Huerta site.
Varela echoed the sentiment. “We’re Pueblo. We are all related, right? Somehow, we are all cousins,” he said. He also rejected the suggestion that his and Cisneros’ emails were ghostwritten, calling the claim “prejudiced.”
Clementi stood by her remarks but emphasized they had nothing to do with ethnicity. Miller, for his part, said he had no role in the letter and isn’t connected to the charter proposal.
Varela noted the charter application was nearly complete and expected to be submitted by July 25. The goal is to open the school by fall 2025 or, at the latest, the 2026-27 school year. However, he anticipates pushback from board members Dennis Maes and Bill Thiebaut, who opposed granting a waiver at the June 24 meeting.
“For the sake of the children… come to us in February and let us do our work,” Thiebaut said during the meeting.
Maes later told the Chieftain that the alignment between those supporting Varela’s proposal and those who opposed Chavez Huerta’s appeal for outside authorization “certainly looks suspicious.”
While only Cisneros and Maes agreed to speak with the Chieftain about the charter proposal, Thiebaut responded via email saying his opinions were already on record.
ACCEL Schools’ Vice President of Communications, Courtney Harritt, defended the organization’s model, stating they are “committed to expanding access to high-quality public school options” and helping communities during uncertain times.
“We’d be proud to serve the West Pueblo community,” she said.
Katie is a senior who has been on staff for three years. Her favorite type of stories to write is reviews and features. Katie’s favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry.
Leave a Reply