At its Monday night meeting, the Mancos RE-6 school board swore in two student members for the 2025–26 school year, reviewed the upcoming mill levy election and discussed safety and the strategic plan.
The board heard from member Rachel McWhirter, Superintendent Audrey Hazleton and high school social studies teacher William Custer about the students selected to serve.
The two students, chosen through an application and interview process, were introduced as Mancos High School senior Greta Thompson and sophomore Rhett Brown.
Thompson told the board she had been excited when she heard the board was adding student seats last year and was thrilled to be selected this year.
“We’re in such a safe community and that the board wants to hear from us as well … what you have is really just making sure that every student feels heard,” Thompson said.
Brown shared an idea with the board.
“One idea I had is definitely helping students be able to pitch their ideas to the board and help them communicate with the board better,” Brown said.
Hazleton swore in Thompson and Brown after introductions.
During citizen comments, Mancos Elementary School second grade teacher Shanti Savage voiced support for the upcoming mill levy election, noting concerns from teachers and community members.
Staff worried that only newly hired teachers would benefit from the override, while current teachers would face higher taxes without a pay increase.
Savage said all teachers would receive a raise and added that a committee – made up of staff, parents and community members – would be formed if the override passes.
Community members also expressed concern about the override, saying “we already pay too many taxes to the school.”
“In Mancos, we actually pay the smallest percentage of our operating budget out of any of the surrounding districts from local taxes,” Savage said.
DAC member Tigo Cruz also spoke in support, saying it was difficult to attract and retain quality teachers because of low pay.
In her superintendent report, Hazleton outlined three goals: cultivating a healthy community, ensuring engaging learning and building cohesive, sustainable systems.
As an example, Hazleton said students recently held their annual Crunch Off – which included a walking field trip to Fenceline Cider.
“Children crunched on local apples, practiced fine motor skills while peeling, coring and spiralizing and sampled locally pressed cider,” Hazleton said.
Hazleton also mentioned the High School Student Alliance, the upcoming Healthy Kids Survey and the music program and fifth-grade class’s Nov. 5 event, “To Honor and Remember.” She described it as a hybrid celebration of Día de los Muertos and Veterans Day.
She addressed safety, noting that on Oct. 10, the District Safety and Security Team reviewed a recent evacuation event – considered successful.
“However, this was a stressful event that taxed district staff, students and parents in a variety of ways,” Hazleton said. “The team has identified the five improvement areas and action planning is underway.”
The five areas were communication, preparedness, role clarity, reunification, individual student needs and technology/communication devices.
The goal is to finalize improvement plans, assign leaders and set a timeline by the end of November.
The district will also reconvene its Student Resource Officer committee while the town of Mancos searches for a new marshal.
Hazleton presented a strategic plan report. The new plan mirrors the Portrait of a Graduate competencies: integrity, teamwork, growth mindset, practical skills, problem solving and civic mindedness.
The next Mancos school board meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10.
