Jason Mietchen’s letter to the editor (Sept. 6) had a number of interesting points ranging from good observations to misinformed facts to snark. Mr. Mietchen is absolutely correct that the supporters of the upcoming bond issue need to make their case on why it’s needed. Regarding the financial transparency he calls out, that can be found on the district website (www.durangoschools.org) on the Financial Transparency page in the Finance Department’s resources.
Regarding the reduction of the number of students he calls out, those were online statewide students from the Colorado Connections Academy that Durango 9-R attempted to help by making the virtual school part of our district. That association ended and the Durango 9-R student numbers dropped. However, removing these numbers also shows the success rates of our students are higher and better reflect how students in our community are doing.
The statement Mr. Mietchen makes about the school board seeming “comfortable spending money they didn’t earn” is just snarky about the fact that it’s their job to approve and oversee the spending of the district on behalf of the community that elected the directors. But that is not as snarky as the reference to forcing teachers into government housing and using a “company store.” Any housing the district can help provide would be a potential benefit to attract staff at all levels to mitigate some of the high housing costs Jason calls out, not an internment camp.
Mick Souder, member of the Durango School District 9-R Financial Advisory Committee
Durango
