The Montezuma-Cortez RE-1 school board on Tuesday announced that Rafe M. O’Brien had submitted his resignation to the board, effective June 22.
The district office is now taking letters of interest and recommendation for his seat in District A until Monday, Aug. 5. His seat was formerly held by Cody Wells.
Letters of recommendation must include letters from one local business owner and one civic leader. No more than five letters of recommendation should be submitted.
Letters of interest should include the candidate’s educational background, knowledge of how a school district operates and of board duties, why they wish to serve on the board and how they’ve been involved in community and school district.
Candidates must be registered to vote in the county and have lived in the district for the past year.
The new member will serve until the next board election in November 2025.
Final candidates will be invited for interviews during the board’s work session Tuesday, Aug. 6 at 6 p.m. According to Colorado law, a board has 60 days to fill the seat after declaring a vacancy.
Letters of intent can be mailed to the Montezuma Cortez School District RE-1 (ATTN: Debra Ramsey) 400 N. Elm St. in Cortez. They can also be emailed to debramsey@cortez.k12.co.us. Questions can be addressed to Ramsey via email or by calling (970) 564-4187.
On Wednesday, the board published a resolution of intent to include their mill levy override in the Montezuma County election on Nov. 5.
“It is the intention of the Board to participate in the coordinated election on the election date for a mill levy override for teacher and paraprofessional salary increases,” the resolution said.
Ramsey was appointed as the designated election official, responsible for the running the election for the district.
“The district’s superintendent and DEO are directed to keep the board apprised of the necessary deadlines and actions necessary or appropriate to submit a ballot issue for the above purposes to the voters in accordance with this resolution and comply with the Uniform Election Code and with TABOR and other applicable laws and election rules,” the resolution states.
If the mill levy override is passed, the district plans to increase teacher salaries to $50,000 a year, Superintendent Tom Burris said at Tuesday’s board meeting.
According to a community survey this summer, 60% of respondents showed support for the tax. Nearly 1,000 community members participated.
