Dear Durango School District Families,
I want to begin with what I know to be true: The young people in our schools are doing remarkable things every day. Your children are the reason our teachers and staff show up with such dedication, and they are the reason I am proud to lead this district. I also want to be straightforward with you about some of the challenges we are navigating together — because you deserve honesty, and because you are our partners in this work.
What is happening with school funding
Colorado's investment in K-12 public education has declined significantly over the past decade — from 42% of the state budget to just 29% today. (The state of Colorado ranks 49th out of all states in funding for K-12 education.) This is not a small shift. It is a structural change that affects districts across the state, and Durango is not immune. We fully support the work of the Colorado Education Association and other advocacy organizations pushing for fair, sustainable school funding. That fight matters, and we stand behind it.
Enrollment trends in our community
At the same time, we are experiencing declining enrollment — a trend driven by rising housing costs that make it harder for young families to put down roots in our region, and by lower birth rates that are affecting communities across the country. Fewer students means adjustments to how we staff and structure our schools. These are difficult decisions, and we do not make them lightly. We know that every change affects real people — your neighbors, your children's teachers, members of our community.
What we are building for your children
Even as we face budget pressures, we remain committed to creating future-focused, opportunity-rich experiences for your children. We are actively growing private partnerships and pursuing alternative funding so that a smaller budget does not mean a smaller vision. Here is what is underway:
- The Ignite Mobile Learning Lab — Made possible through Durango Education Foundation’s (DEF) fundraising campaigns and community investment in hands-on learning.
- The SOIL Outdoor Learning Lab — Sustained through grants and the generosity of private donors who believe in learning connected to the natural world.
- The upcoming ICON Workforce Development Center — Will occupy the Florida Mesa Elementary building once it is vacated, offering expanded career and workforce training pathways for our students. We are actively pursuing federal grants and additional funding to bring this vision to life.
What I see in our schools
Families, students are choosing our district when they have other options — and that does not happen by accident. It happens because our educators are creating something genuinely special. I want you to know what I witness when I visit our schools:
- At Needham Elementary School, I watched preschoolers — 3- and 4-year-olds — thoughtfully describe the adaptations they had designed for imaginary animals. Then I saw 4th graders bring those same designs to life using 3D printers. The confidence and delight in those little voices is something I will not soon forget.
- At Riverview Elementary School, 2nd-grade reading buddies sat side-by-side with kindergarteners. You could hear a pin drop. Those younger students were completely captivated, hanging on every word. That is connection. That is what school can be.
- At Escalante Middle School, I saw students plan a camping trip with real investment, use Micro:bits for the first time, make jam, and wrestle with meaningful questions about the world. And I witnessed something I will carry with me for a long time: When a student with special needs had a breakthrough moment in math, the whole class erupted in cheers. That is the culture we are building together.
These are not isolated moments. Your children are experiencing curiosity, collaboration, creativity, and community every day — alongside strong academic learning. That combination keeps every door open for every student, no matter what path they choose.
State testing (CMAS) begins next week
Starting next week, students will participate in the Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS). We want you to know what this testing is, why it matters, and how you can support your child.
CMAS is a valuable opportunity for your child to demonstrate what they know and what they can do. These assessments are designed to reflect the rigorous, real-world thinking we cultivate in our classrooms every day — and our students are ready.
The results matter in concrete ways:
- They help teachers and school leaders evaluate our programs and identify what is working well and where we can grow.
- They inform specific, personalized plans for individual students — so we can build on strengths and provide the right support for each child to excel.
- They give our community a meaningful measure of student achievement and reflect the excellence that our students, families, and educators bring to DSD every day.
The best preparation is simple: a good night's sleep, a healthy breakfast, and your encouragement. Please make every effort to have your child present and on time during testing windows. Their participation matters — for them, for their school, and for our community.
Thank you
Thank you for trusting us with your children. Thank you for being engaged partners in this community. We are navigating a challenging moment in public education — but we are doing it together, and I believe deeply in where we are headed.
If you ever have questions, an idea, or simply want to share what is on your mind, please reach out. My door is open.
With gratitude,
Karen Cheser, Ed.D.
Superintendent, Durango School District
[email protected]