A recent survey created by the Montezuma-Cortez District Accountability Committee for Montezuma-Cortez school district parents revealed mixed sentiments about school communication, leadership and support for educators, highlighting both strengths and areas for improvement in the district’s engagement with families.
The survey garnered 179 responses with an 87% completion rate, and parents from Montezuma-Cortez High School, Cortez Middle School, and Kemper Elementary School made up the greatest number of participants. MCHS parents made up 32.2% of respondents with 57; CMS made up 32.77% with 58 participants; and Kemper, 23.16% with 41 respondents.
Parents generally agreed that the district’s schools adequately prepare students for their next steps while praising teachers for their dedication. Out of those who responded to this question, 34.83% (62) agreed that their students were being adequately prepared and 28.65% (51) strongly agreed. Those who disagreed made up 14.04% of responses with 25.
Many noted that schools like Southwest Open School and Lewis-Arriola Elementary have excellent communication and school environment, with one parent saying, “SWOS does a great job making students and parents feel welcomed,” and another noting SWOS’s recent high test scores.
About Lewis-Arriola, a parent said, “Lewis is the best elementary school regarding communication and support for families.”
However, communication gaps were seen as a significant concern. Parents reported confusion over where to find information, with one parent noting, “I feel like I miss a lot because I’m not sure if information will come via text, email, Alma, Facebook or what.”
Perceptions on the school’s leadership also varied. While some schools were praised for their engagement with student families, district-level leadership faced criticism. Parents described the administration and superintendent as unapproachable and expressed distrust in the school board, with one sharing, “The school board needs to increase their transparency with parents, especially on difficult issues.”
Support for educators was another point of focus. Parents highlighted that teachers are overwhelmed, with overcrowded classrooms and other struggles, like retention, impacting student learning.
When asked about barriers to supporting their children’s education, the majority of responses pointed to issues such as scheduling conflicts, lack of communication, insufficient notice and feeling unwelcome. Some shared their concerns with school environment, noting issues like difficult access for handicapped individuals and a lack of support for programs like gifted education.
Parents, however, expressed their appreciation for the positive atmosphere created by teachers and the impact they have on the students in their classrooms, saying the teachers positively impacted their learning.
Many felt their children were safe and welcomed in their schools, with 35.39% (63) agreeing that their students felt safe and welcome, and 32.02% (57) strongly agreed.
Some parents also expressed their desire for more family engagement and help in learning the best way to support their child’s education at home.
