During their April meeting, the Montezuma-Cortez school board heard about solar, graduation caps and graduation requirements and approved the new salary schedule.
The board also celebrated the seniors who are receiving scholarships and thanked senior Cruz Hernandez for his work as a student board representative.
In the superintendent’s report, Tom Burris provided an update on the new mill levy oversight committee. The committee is made up of a banker, business owner, two teachers, a District Accountability Committee and a charter school representative, two teachers and two community members. The members are Ed Merritt, Cody Wells, Roxanne Stevens, Julie Engel, Kasey Hamerschlag, Melissa Carver, Jenny Todacheeny, Rafe O'Brien, Allen Maez and Kelli Hargraves.
Burris added that he has been in touch with David Kimmett of JUWI Inc., which is working on the Canyonland Solar Project near Goodman Point. Burris asked Kimmett if they would place panels at the school to let students learn about solar. Right now, they are discussing 20 panels.
Middle school Principal Drew Pearson presented science curriculum for the board’s consideration, and Executive Director of Student Academic Services Jim Parr announced that this is the last week of state testing.
The board discussed the book “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness” by Jonathan Haidt, noting that many schools are taking cellphones completely out of classrooms, including smart watches and earbuds to help with student mental health and overall focus in the classroom.
The board was informed of proposed legislation that could affect the district, including one that would require a no-gender-specific dress code to accommodate transgender students. This would also include misgendering or “dead naming” these students, something that could lead to civil penalties if students are misgendered or required to use a name they no longer wish to use.
While the district has a police for a nonlegal name change, they noted they may need to adopt a new policy.
Another would be a state-mandated curriculum that would require education on red flag laws and unsafe use of firearms in the home.
Among the citizens who addressed the board, Melanie Evans, who identified herself as a child welfare professional, asked that the district have yearly training for teachers and other personnel about mandatory reporting.
Last year, Burris was charged with a Class 2 misdemeanor for failing to report alleged sexual abuse of a student by a teacher. An investigation then found no abuse occurred, and in February, Burris reached a diversion agreement that required him to create a reporting safety plan for the district, and receive additional training on the mandatory reporting law. If he meets those requirements, the charges will be dismissed.
The board addressed Burris’ salary in discussion items, saying that it was not required to be shown on the salary schedule since it is “negotiable,” adding that most districts don’t list their superintendent’s salary.
MB McAfee asked whether coaches’ salaries could be raised, noting the impact coaches and sports can have on students.
She also questioned why Burris’ salary wasn’t included on the salary schedule.
Graduation caps were also discussed, with Principal Jennifer Boniface acknowledging that feathers and other cultural representation, Bible verses and more would be allowed. She added that students would be required to explain how they were decorating their caps, however, to avoid potential controversial, graphic or inappropriate art.
In action items, the board approved the 2025-26 salary schedule, despite a “nay” vote from Mike Lynch and Paul Beckler. Prior to the vote, Lynch voiced concerns about the schedule, wondering if the raises had been done equitably across all positions.
The board also approved a LOR Foundation donation to expand mental health services at the school clinic, and expand the clinic itself.
Boniface also provided details about new graduation requirements, noting that a foreign language will now be required, and career-bound students will be asked to complete an internship or something of that nature before graduation. She also discussed credits, ensuring students know which classes to take and rumors about advanced options in the high school being removed, which she said was not true.
The board then moved into an executive session to seek legal advice to respond to “misleading and defamatory allegations given to law enforcement.” After the executive session, the board approved initiating legal action as discussed.
The next board meeting is Tuesday, May 6 at 6 p.m.
