The Montezuma-Cortez District Accountability Committee on Monday held its first meeting of the new school year with a push to recruit parents as voting members.
The committee hopes to find members from Cortez and Towaoc and from business and teaching professions.
Responsibilities include attending meetings the first Monday of the month from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and providing feedback and input about school finances, accountability, parent engagement and charter renewal.
Longtime member Monica Plewe informed the DAC that she wouldn’t return this year. She expressed frustrations with the Montezuma-Cortez school district and Board of Education, saying that they have ignored the DAC and its efforts to help improve the school district.
“A break is good,” she said, adding that new leadership and ideas could help the DAC’s efforts with the school board.
She credited Jim Parr, executive director of student academic services, with helping to get out DAC surveys and to increase the DAC’s visibility in the district. And she advised DAC members not to give up any of their four times to report to the board, since they are opportunities to stand and to be heard in the public meetings.
During her presentations, the board listened and asked questions.
The DAC said the board needs to continue improving its communication, as the DAC presents ideas and input from parents and the community to the board, but these things are often not received.
“I am done for now,” Plewe said.
Other members of the DAC thanked Plewe for her contributions and discussed going on to other items in their agenda but decided to table the items for their September meeting so new members could help plan for the school year.
Those who are interested in joining the DAC can take part in their next meeting, Monday, Sept. 9, at 5:30 p.m. at Meeting Room 1 in the district office, 400 N. Elm St. in Cortez.
