“We’re taking steps in the proper direction… But it’s not done… This isn’t full accountability,” one Black Forest Hills Elementary School parent said.
AURORA, Colo. — Amid mounting pressure from parents and a petition demanding action, Black Forest Hills Elementary School Principal Amanda Replogle will no longer hold her position. The move comes in the wake of an incident where a man attempted to grab a child during recess, sparking concerns over school safety protocols.
The Cherry Creek School District released a statement on Friday that provided little clarity on Replogle’s departure, leaving it unclear whether she resigned, was terminated, or was reassigned within the district. In a letter dated April 24, Replogle acknowledged the misstep, stating, “I, along with district leadership, own that mistake.”
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The incident in question occurred on April 19 during fifth-grade recess at Black Forest Hills Elementary School in southeast Aurora. Police reported that a man was observed on school property, approaching children, and allegedly attempting to grab a young boy.
One parent, Dante White, recalled the school’s initial response as inadequate, stating, “The school sent out, like, an automated message, super vague, just saying like a man had come onto campus, briefly engaged some of the students, and then left.”
White’s son was among those present during the incident, and witnessing his best friend being grabbed by the man deeply affected him. White expressed shock at the lack of immediate action by school staff and the failure to secure the perimeter promptly.
“Immediately after that, the third grade went out [for recess]. The person is still on the loose. They didn’t even call 911… Like, how does this even happen?” said White.
He said his son, and many others, experienced trauma from the incident, unable to return to school for several days.
“When he was able to go back to school, you know, that first recess, he just couldn’t do it. Couldn’t go out there, he was too freaked out by it,” said White.
But, even outside of school, and in his own home, his son continues to grapple with fear and anxiety, “We’re in public now and he’s afraid. I mean the other day he went to go take a shower after baseball practice and he was like, ‘Dad, will you come upstairs with me?’ He was afraid to even be alone upstairs because of this,” said White.
White appreciates the initial change in leadership as a positive first step, but emphasized the need for comprehensive safety measures, including improved fencing, surveillance, and better training for resource officers. Even though his son will move on to the middle school next year, he says school leaders should be held accountable.
As the district moves forward, Chuck Puga, former Smoky Hill High School’s principal, has been appointed as interim principal for the remainder of the academic year. The district stated this decision is part of their commitment “to ensure a safe and positive end of the school year.”
The district plans to appoint a new principal for the 2024-25 school year within the coming weeks. They also outlined changes taken to reinforce security at the southeast Aurora school. They include:
- District security has worked with Black Forest Hills staff to review all security protocols, including the district’s Standard Response Protocol and criteria for when to call a SECURE status.
- District security worked with paraprofessionals (TAs) to reconfigure supervision at recess to improve line of sight. Students will be kept closer to school and not allowed to be on the field near the fence and public sidewalk.
- There will be additional security and police patrols in the area through the end of this school year and increased presence of district security coordinators at the school.
- Adding administrative support for the school and working collaboratively to define the safety needs of the community.
- Prioritizing the needs of students through mental health resources and alternative options for indoor recess.
- There will be additional security at all outdoor end-of-year events at the school.
- The school has reinstated the Watchdog Dads/Moms group to provide additional support to the school community.
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