The decision means Sunnyside will continue operating through the 2027-28 school year. When Three Springs Elementary opens in fall 2028, Sunnyside students will transition directly to the new school.
“Few decisions are more difficult than a school closure and consolidation,” said Durango School District Board of Education President Kristin Smith. “We recognize the heartbreak of saying goodbye to a school that has served generations of students and families. At the same time, we must make difficult decisions in the face of declining enrollment and inadequate funding.
“Our commitment now is to walk alongside our students, families and staff with compassion and care throughout this transition. Looking ahead, we will engage our community, families, staff and students in shaping our Future-Ready DSD plans, ensuring that the difficult decisions we make today help us build a strong and sustainable future for every student.”
Learn more: Future-Ready DSD: Planning together for the next generation
The decision follows more than five months of public discussion, community feedback and Board review of enrollment, student experience, transportation, facilities, finances and long-range planning.
“This was not an easy decision, and we recognize how deeply the Sunnyside community values its school,” said Superintendent Dr. Karen Cheser. “Our responsibility is to plan not only for today, but for the students and families we will serve for years to come. We are committed to working closely with Sunnyside staff and families throughout this transition and honoring the community and legacy they have built.”
Community feedback helped shape the recommendation
While DSD formally presented the Sunnyside consolidation recommendation to the Board in April 2026, the foundation for this decision was rooted in extensive community work. Through ongoing efforts by the district’s Long-Range Planning Committee, Finance Advisory Committee and Budget Committee, community members, staff and leadership spent significant time examining shifting enrollment patterns, facility needs and long-term funding realities before any formal recommendation was made.
Following the April recommendation, the Board spent several months gathering additional information and hearing from the community before making a decision. Approximately 160 people attended an April 27 community forum at Sunnyside, where 42 speakers spoke in opposition to consolidation. A second community forum was held May 5 at Florida Mesa Elementary, and more than 80 written responses were submitted through the district's online feedback form.
Community feedback reflected a range of perspectives, including concerns about school identity, belonging, rural access and student stability, as well as considerations related to educational equity, staffing, enrollment and long-term financial sustainability.
Feedback also helped change the district's original recommendation. Rather than asking Sunnyside students to transition first to Florida Mesa Elementary, the final recommendation allows students to remain at Sunnyside until Three Springs Elementary opens, eliminating an additional school transition.
What happens next?
The Sept. 22 vote marks the beginning of a transition process — not the end of the conversation.
With nearly two years before Three Springs Elementary opens, DSD will work with Sunnyside staff, students and families to plan for the transition, build connections and help shape the culture of the new school community.
The district will launch a community engagement process to gather input on how the Sunnyside facility can be repurposed to serve the local community in the future. It’s important to note that the Sunnyside Library branch, which is independently managed by the Southwest La Plata Library District, will continue operating without disruption.
The Sunnyside decision is also part of DSD's broader Long-Range Planning Committee work, which can be seen on the Future-Ready DSD website hub page. The district will continue studying enrollment, school boundaries, facilities, educational opportunities and community needs as it plans for a strong and sustainable future for students.
Learn more about the Sunnyside decision, review background materials and community feedback, and follow future updates on the Sunnyside Elementary Recommendation webpage.
Explore the broader enrollment, demographic, financial and facilities trends shaping long-range planning at Future-Ready DSD.