Montezuma-Cortez School District Re-1 officials will have two minutes to try and convince the Building Excellent Schools Today Board that they should be granted $21 million to help build a new high school for the school district.
Superintendent Alex Carter and board member Jack Schnuenemeyer will be flying to Denver tomorrow in preparation for their presentation that will take place on Thursday.
Re-1 will not be the only district that will be giving a presentation to the BEST board on Thursday, as 70 other school districts across the state will be making pitches.
Carter said the district needs to be prepared and thinks they are. Re-1 is asking for the highest grant amount from BEST when adding the match amount that is another $21 million.
After Re-1 and the other school districts make their pitches, the BEST board can ask questions for about five minutes from each applicant.
It is for a huge grant, said Re-1 superintendent. We need to go and give our final pitch. We are asking for $21 million. We are asking for a lot of money.
The BEST board will then decide on Friday which districts should be placed on the short list as well as the ones who will no longer be considered.
Carter believes the districts who make the short list are given a great shot at securing BEST grant funds, but the results of the recipients will not be released until sometime in July.
If Re-1 makes the short list, Carter said Re-1 needs to get prepared to let the voters know how important is it for them to approve a bond in the November election.
You (would) operate as if you were awarded the BEST grant, Carter said while talking about what it would mean to be placed on the short list.
Carter conceded that Re-1 last year was initially placed on the short list when the district asked for around $40 million for several new schools. After being placed on that short list, it was taken off shortly afterwards.
Carter said part of his confidence on securing the grant is that BEST officials told the district to narrow its scope rather than ask for everything.
At tonights school board meeting, the board will vote on whether to appoint the superintendents secretary, Linda Diffendaffer, as the election official.
Carter said this appointment will be needed if the board decides to go forward with a bond election, as this is required by state statute.
The superintendent also said they need to convince the BEST board at its Thursday presentation that the community would support a $21 million bond to match the grant funds.
This is not a long term investment, it is a short-term investment, he said.
Carter said he thinks having a new high school would engage the community with traction that would bring enthusiasm.
They understand this is not a luxury thing, he said.
Reach Michael Maresh at michaelm@cortezjournal.com
