Overwhelming community support for a bond issuance to raise more than $114 million for schools was one of the big impressions Durango School District 9-R’s next superintendent, Karen Cheser, took away from her first visit since being named to the position.
Last week, Cheser spent several days in town – meeting with current Superintendent Dan Snowberger as well as 9-R’s leadership team and visiting several schools. She also met with charter school leaders and administrators at Fort Lewis College.
“It’s definitely obvious the community supports the school district, and that’s a big plus,” Cheser said in a telephone interview Monday. “I’m excited about the bond and some of the initial plans for that. There was quite a bit of community input and planning that has happened, and I think the new career center is going to be transformative for students,” she said.
Cheser said work remains to bring to fruition projects financed through the bond issuance.
However, starting out with money in place to build a career technical education center and to rebuild Miller Middle School illustrates elements are in place for 9-R to improve its educational services.
The bond issuance provides $10 million to finance the career technical education center, which will provide classrooms, laboratories, kitchens and work space for students taking welding, woodworking, culinary arts, auto mechanics and other career fields. It also includes $40 million for an on-site rebuild of Miller Middle.
Of her observations of the district, she said: “I’ve seen phenomenal teaching, I feel like there are strong leaders with a very supportive community. I saw people, overall, who are willing to do whatever it takes to ensure the students succeed. There’s no reason why the district can’t be No. 1 in the state.”
Cheser met with Animas High School Head of School Sean Woytek to familiarize herself with the charter school’s move to FLC. In addition, she had conversations with FLC President Tom Stritikus about AHS’s move and 9-R-FLC relations.
To begin familiarizing herself with 9-R’s curriculum, Cheser also met with Dylan Connell, 9-R’s director of instruction and professional development, and with Vanessa Giddings, director of student support services, to learn about services to students with special educational needs.
She’ll meet with principals this week via Zoom, and Zoom meetings will continue before she arrives in Durango on June 19, she said.
Cheser said the school district is also organizing Zoom meetings with the community and 9-R staff members, which will be conducted before her arrival in town.
Julie Popp, 9-R spokeswoman, said the district is working on a community meet and greet with Cheser, which will likely be held via Zoom, but details have not yet been finalized.
Finally, in Durango’s tight real estate market, Cheser said she was pleased to find a potential home during her visit, and she is in the process of closing on it.
“Hopefully, within the next few weeks, I will have had a chance to meet many, many people who work in 9-R. I’m trying hard not to push myself on people since I am not the superintendent yet,” she said. “But I think it’s extremely important that I learn as much as possible and get to know as many people as possible before I get there.”
parmijo@durangoherald.com
