Addressing about two dozen people attending Wednesday’s forum, Carter said the district’s greatest challenge was increased funding sources. He said that annual per pupil funding for Re-1 students was $6,650, compared with students in Dolores and Mancos, who receive about $8,900 and $10,000, respectively.
“The kids of this region who are most in need and require the most resources compared to their more affluent peers get less funding,” said Carter.
Without additional funding, Carter said the district’s students would be unable to compete nationally. He added that the district was asked to do miracles without adequate resources.
“It’s just not realistic,” said Carter.
Carter said the local community needed to examine whether its students were a top priority. He then announced that he planned to request that voters approve a mill levy override next fall.
“The school district at this point, whether it’s this superintendent or the next guy or lady, is going to have to come to you and say, ‘We can’t do it without local resources,’” said Carter.
“The Cortez community is going to have to step up and say, ‘We care about or kids, or not.’”
Montezuma County Commissioner Keenan Ertel also spoke at the forum, which was sponsored by the Cortez Chamber of Commerce.
During a scheduled question-and-answer session, the Cortez Journal asked Ertel whether he would support a mill levy increase for academics as a taxpayer or an elected official. Ertel said he was hesitant to respond without first seeing the actual proposal.
“I can’t say yay or nay at this point,” he replied.
Carter chimed in, calling the question “ridiculous.”
Also on hand to speak, Southwest Memorial Hospital board chair Judy Schuenemeyer said officials had recently completed interviewing CEO candidates to replace Kent Helwig, who unexpectedly resigned in April. Schuenemeyer added that hospital officials planned to make an offer for the position by early next week.
City Manager Shane Hale was also invited to speak on behalf of the city. No officials from the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe were on hand.
tbaker@cortezjournal.com