CMC president responds to bill that would limit community college offerings in Colorado

Earlier this month, presidents from seven state universities and colleges, including Mesa State in Grand Junction, voiced opposition to a new bill that, if passed, would allow community colleges to offer a limited amount of four-year degrees. Colorado Mountain College already offers two four-year degrees and has plans for two more. KDNK's Amy Hadden Marsh spoke to CMC interim president Dr. Charles Dassance to find out how the bill could affect CMC.

CMC Supports Colorado ASSET Bill

At a meeting late last week, the Colorado Mountain College board of trustees voted to support the Colorado Asset Bill. The bill is being discussed by state lawmakers, and if passed, would allow some undocumented students to pay in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities, like CMC.

KDNK's Eric Skalac spoke to CMC Senior Vice-President Jill Boyle to find out why the board voted to support the bill.

Fiscal Cliff Fallout Could Reach Public Schools

Lawmakers in Washington have just two weeks to avoid some $600 billion in tax hikes and federal budget cuts. And as the stalemate between President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner drags on, residents here are bracing for the fiscal cliff fallout that could start to reach us in January. KDNK's Ed Williams reports on what federal budget cuts could mean for local schools.

Local educators featured on Teacher Wall

KDNK participated in sharing teacher's stories on a Teacher's Wall presented by the American Graduate program. Click the link to watch four of the videos.

Banned Books Week in Garfield County

The Garfield County Public Library District and the Roaring Fork School District are thinking about censorship this week. KDNK's Amy Hadden marsh has this report about the local take on National Banned Books Week.

RE-1 Update with Interim Superintendent Diana Sirko

Earlier this year, former Aspen Public School superintendent Diana Sirko was selected as the interim superintendent for the RE-1 school district. Sirko took the job after superintendent Rob Stein stepped down from the position in July.

KDNK's Amy Hadden Marsh recently spoke with Sirko to get an update on her tenure as superintendent.

ACS Raising Matching Funds for Grant

Earlier this year the Aspen Community School was awarded a competitive state grant called Building Excellent Schools Today—also known as the BEST grant—to renovate its aging campus in Woody Creek. ACS has to raise matching funding before it can get the grant money from the state, and last week teachers and faculty kicked off a capital campaign to raise those funds. KDNK's Ed Williams talked with COMPASS executive director Skye Skinner about the grant and its importance to the school.

Ross Montessori Recommended for $12 Million BEST Grant

Carbondale's Ross Montessori school was recently selected as a recipient for a competitive state grant of nearly 12 million dollars that they'll use to buy land and construct a new school building.

The Building Excellent School Today--or BEST--grants are only awarded if the receiving institution can raise a matching contribution which leads some schools to file for waivers that reduce the required amount of that matching contribution.

In the case of Ross Montessori, they'll need to raise a matching contribution of around 1 million dollars in order to collect the nearly 12 million dollar grant.

KDNK's Eric Skalac recently spoke to Tami Cassetty--one of Ross Montisorri's founders--about the school's previous attempts to secure BEST grants and about their plans to raise the necessary matching funding.

Superintendent Questioned in Special Meeting

Last Friday, the Roaring Fork School District board of education announced a special meeting for Monday. The public came out to discuss issues regarding superintendent Judy Haptonstall, who was criticized last Spring when she and the school board fired Glenwood Springs elementary school principal Sonya Hemmen. As KDNK’s Eric Skalac reports, the timing of the meeting was questioned by many in attendance.

Superintendent Questioned in Special Meeting

At an open forum this week, the Roaring Fork School District took public comments on the performance of superintendent Judy Haptonstall.

The Board of Education also issued a press release outlining mechanisms that will be used to gather input on Haptonstall’s performance.

According to the Board, a confidential online survey will be implemented by a third party firm, and board members will accept confidential input during office hours and through personal emails. Additionally, public comments will be accepted during three scheduled board meetings:

On November 29th at 5:30 pm and on December 14th at 4:00 p.m. at the School District Office, and on December 16th at 8:00 a.m. at the Limelight Lodge in Aspen during the board’s retreat. 

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