Regular Meetings will continue to be held at the District Office, and Work Sessions will alternate at different schools throughout this school year. “This schedule allows us to get out of the formal setting of the district office and into the schools,” said Board Treasurer Rick Petersen. Work Sessions are generally held on the second Tuesday of the month, and alternate with Regular Meetings on the fourth Tuesday of the month.
“The newer Board members haven’t had a chance to visit some of the schools because of COVID,” said Board Vice-President Erika Brown. “We’re eager to get back into the schools and see the great work that’s happening.”
Board members say the overall goal for this decision is to improve communication and connection – particularly after the past two years of physical distancing and virtual meetings due to the pandemic. They said that there are many benefits to visiting schools for working sessions, including the following:
- Board members and district leadership will be able to build relationships in person with school staff and community members.
- Community members living near each school will have easier access and travel time to attend meetings in person.
- Community members and district staff will be welcomed inside schools and experience their unique identity, local pride, and sense of place.
- Meetings will include a showcase of the host school, and some sessions will double-up to showcase another school in the district (see schedule, below). The showcases may include interactions with students along with a project, program, or strategy that exemplifies the district’s Portrait of a Graduate vision.
The public is invited to attend all district Board meetings. Regular meetings held at the District Office will continue to be live-streamed. Working sessions at the schools will not be live-streamed to encourage in-person connections and avoid disruptions due to unreliable Internet connections in some areas. Work sessions will still be audio-recorded and made available to the public on the district’s website. At work sessions, board members do not make decisions and there is not an opportunity for public comment. At Regular Board Meetings, the public may sign up for comment here.
2022 Board of Education Meeting Schedule
- September 13: Work Session at Riverview Elementary School, 2900 Mesa Ave., Durango
- September 26 (note Monday date) : Regular Board Meeting at District Office, 201 E. 12th St.
- October 11: Work Session at Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School, 11274 Colorado Hwy 140, Hesperus
- October 25: Regular Board Meeting at District Office, 201 E. 12th St.
- November 8: Work Session at Needham Elementary School, 2425 W. 3rd Ave., Durango (Miller Middle School will also be showcased)
- November 29: Regular Board Meeting at District Office, 201 E. 12th St.
- December 13: Regular Board Meeting at District Office, 201 E. 12th St.
2023 Board of Education Meeting Schedule
- January 10: Work Session at Park Elementary School, 510 E. 6th Ave. (Juniper Elementary School will also be showcased)
- January 24: Regular Board Meeting at District Office, 201 E. 12th St.
- February 13: Work Session at Durango High School, 2390 Main Ave.
- February 28: Regular Board Meeting at District Office, 201 E. 12th St.
- March 14: Work Session at Animas Valley Elementary School, 373 Hermosa Meadows Road
- March 28: Regular Board Meeting at District Office, 201 E. 12th St.
- April 11: Work Session, Escalante Middle School, 141 Baker Lane (Big Picture High School will also be showcased)
- April 25: Regular Board Meeting at District Office, 201 E. 12th St.
- May 9: Work Session at Sunnyside Elementary School, 75 County Road 218 (Florida Mesa Elementary School will also be showcased)
- May 23: Regular Board Meeting at District Office, 201 E. 12th St.
- June 13: Work Session at District Office, 201 E. 12th St.
- June 27: Regular Board Meeting at District Office, 201 E. 12th St.
For more information about Board of Education meetings, click here.