Montezuma-Cortez High School, over the last four years, has worked hard to increase the graduation rate and close the drop-out rate that faces our students. Students from low-income families and families of color are often at more risk than the rest of the student body.

While in Arizona (Journal, June 22), I had the opportunity to attend a conference about strategies that have shown impact with American Indian students here in the Southwest. While there I had enough time to attend the sessions during the day, and answer all my emails and phone calls at night. I appreciate the thought, but I haven’t golfed in years. I was there to improve the education that we offer our students.

As far as student conduct, it is not acceptable to discuss a student in a public forum, or at all outside of their parents or guardians. My comment is that Montezuma-Cortez High School has a student handbook that we work very hard to follow so that no student is given a special circumstance or an unfair punishment.

The beginning of the letter referenced elite students and the graduation guidelines. There wasn’t a question attached so I am making an assumption that the two are linked. The recommendations for graduation come straight from the Colorado Department of Education, and went through multiple local feedback forums so they would be tailored to our students’ needs. Visit http://cde.state.co.us/postsecondary/graduationguidelines to see the CDE’s recommendations.

I appreciate the feedback and am always open to questions. My email is jwayman@cortez.k12.co.us

Jason Wayman

Cortez

Editor’s note: Dr. Jason Wayman is the principal of Montezuma-Cortez High School.