The Montezuma Cortez School District Re-1 discussed a pair of pertinent issues at its first meeting of the new year Tuesday. The board covered items ranging from Montezuma-Cortez High School Principal Gordon Shepard, to an extended effort for the Colorado Department of Educations BEST grant applications that would secure monies, through grants and matching school funds, for district school renovations and a new high school.
One highlight of the meeting was the address from Denver Attorney Kathy Gebhardt, who represented plaintiffs in Laboto vs. State case, which was a landmark lawsuit against the state of Colorado that found Colorado legislature on school funding unconstitutional.
The reason the district did it was for the kids, she said after the meeting. The reason I did it was for the kids, and ultimately so that the kids rights are vindicated. The lawsuit originated from San Luis Valley school districts, and gained momentum as other school districts, individuals and education experts from around the nation joined in taking legal action against the state. Montezuma County was an integral part of the case, with two Cortez teachers, Matt Keefauver of Kemper Elementary School and Justine Bayles of Cortez Middle School providing testimonials in court. It was emotional, said Gebhardt of their testimonies. There wasnt a dry eye in the room. She told the board that the defense for the state claimed that the case was merely a method to get more funds for the school districts that could not be attained through legislature. Gebhardt said that the case was not to find and secure more money for school districts, but to show that it was the responsibility of the Legislature to do so. The judge agreed, and found in favor of the plaintiffs. Another item discussed at the meeting was the retirement of Shepard from M-CHS, which will become effective at the end of the 2011-2012 school year. The board also discussed the possibility of submitting an application for the Colorado Department of Educations BEST grant, Building Excellent Schools Today, which is due by March 2, 2012. The district has applied previously and been denied for a near $70 million master plan for refurbishing of district facilities, but is allowed another opportunity to apply for the grant, which would allocate funds for a possible construction of a new high school and renovations to existing schools. Chief of Operations Michael Canzona explained that the grant needs to be addressed if the board wants to act for the possibility of securing the funds. If its the intent to get a new school, than a grant application is a good thing, if not, then we dont apply, said Canzona. Were really pushing the window for folks to get their work done on this. Canzona said that many of the districts buildings were constructed mid-century and that there are issues concerning the structural integrity of the districts facilities. School board member Pete Montano offered an alternative to new school construction, suggesting that money would be better spent to upkeep the existing facilities. Lets take care of what we have, said Montano. My gut feeling is, that is what the voters would say. School Board Vice President Jack Schuenemeyer preferred to pursue the grant money.
I just hate to sink more money into that high school, said Schuenemeyer. Id say lets give it a shot. Board President Tim Laniers concern centered on the voters and if they would agree to help pay for new facilities, that would match the BEST grants funds. Would the bond pass? I think the voters would be more against it than for it, said Lanier. School Board Treasurer Brain Demby is concerned over the fast approaching deadline. Im steaming over here, said Demby. Why did we wait? I feel like a kid left out at Christmas. With the deadline at the beginning of March, a decision from the board whether to move forward or abandon the effort is needed, and according to Canzona, its a discussion that needs more immediate attention. It is unclear whether or not the state will offer the BEST program after 2012. The BEST grant, which requires voter approval, relies on a 48 percent match from the school district, which would ultimately come through tax dollars, with the remaining 52 percent granted by the Colorado BEST program.
Reach Brandon Mathis at brandonm@cortezjournal.com.
