The Dolores RE-4A school board on Monday was updated about its BEST Grant high school building project, received a presentation on MTSS and discussed potential pay levels for teachers.
During the public comment period, a parent named Mary described her daughter’s recent reluctance to go to school and urged the district to put more emphasis on supporting children’s development and emotional well‑being to help restore their love of learning.
Matt Prinster of Artaic Group updated the board on the BEST Grant high school construction project, saying the new high school remains on track for winter 2026-27 occupancy and the agriculture lab is expected to open in August 2026.
Brittney White, the district’s MTSS coordinator, presented next. An attendance check-in showed:
- Chronic absenteeism (missing 10% to 20% of school) is 14% in the elementary school, 14% in the middle school and 26% in the high school.
- Extreme absenteeism (missing more than 20% of school) is 4% in the elementary school, 11% in the middle school and 16% in the high school.
- Combined, absenteeism reaches 18% in the elementary school, 25% in the middle school and 42% in the high school.
White’s report also showed that in 2024, third through eighth grades had 25.1% of students meeting or exceeding expectations in CMAS math, below the state average of 34.2%. She attributed the gap to challenges in “attracting/retaining professionally licensed math teachers.”
The district aims to match state standards for students meeting or exceeding expectations by 2028.
In her superintendent report, Superintendent Alesa Reed said the strategic plan meeting will be held Monday, April 27, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
During discussion items, the board considered a possible donation to Operation Graduation’s upcoming trip for graduates and discussed teacher base pay. Reed told The Journal on Thursday that she hopes to raise the district’s starting teacher salary to $43,000 to remain competitive with Mancos and Montezuma-Cortez. The current starting pay is $41,571.
Her proposal would not change the salary schedule, but would start new teachers on Step 3 ($42,716.40) or Step 4 ($43,288.85) instead of Step 1 as a recruitment incentive.
“Depending on the level (they start on), we would keep them at that entry level for a couple of years. It would still be better for them financially, rather than be on Step 1 and move up the salary schedule.”
Board President Maegan Crowley said she wasn’t sure whether the approach would attract new teachers if they remained at the same step for several years. The board decided to revisit the idea in April.
During action items, the board approved a $1,500 donation to Operation Graduation, approved new hires and handled additional business.
New hires include Barbara Gail Perkins as a K-12 substitute; Tim Passell and Kevin Vaughn as assistant high school baseball coaches; and Brandon Randy as head high school baseball coach.
The next Dolores school board meeting will be held Monday, April 13, at 6 p.m.
