School Views: Too many to thank at Thanksgiving
This time last year I wrote a column covering much of what I was thankful for, highlighting the work that Eagle County School District could do with our voters approving the 5B Bond Ballot in the 2023 election. I’m happy to report back to you now a year later that these tax dollars are hard at work. While this list is not exhaustive it does touch upon the many improvements that are underway throughout the district:
- Ongoing safety and security improvements at every school
- Edwards Early Learning Center expansion (additional PreK capacity)
- Gypsum Early Learning Center and workforce housing construction
- Various infrastructure improvements at Maloit Park that will result in another much-needed workforce housing project
- Updating and improving athletic fields at both Battle Mountain and Eagle Valley high schools
- New playground at Red Hill Elementary School
All of these projects and more are a direct result of our community voting to support our schools. Thank you for your support and continued belief in our district.
One thing to keep in mind is that bond dollars are designated specifically for capital improvements; they cannot be used to increase staff compensation. Funds to apply to compensation can only come from increased state funding (fat chance) or a local mill levy override.
I would be remiss to not take this opportunity to also thank our teachers and staff. The world of education has shifted dramatically since my career began, and it has brought challenges that I never could have imagined.
But the staff of Eagle County School District has been unwavering through it all. The start of this school year was trying and downright exhausting for many due to the numerous threats and swatting incidents. So if you see a teacher or staff member out and about throughout the community be sure to recognize them and their efforts. If you are a teacher or staff member reading this, know that I appreciate the work you do and the commitment you’ve made and continue to make in service to our students and our community.
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Our employees are not the only ones who continually show up and support our students. We are extremely fortunate to work with community partners that provide an unyielding amount of resources for our district. While that list starts with the Education Foundation of Eagle County, an organization that goes beyond advocating for our schools with events like Wild West Days and Project Funway and supports our teachers with their Apple Awards and classroom grants, it continues with organizations like Your Hope Center, which places a clinician in each one of our schools to provide mental health support for our students.
The litany of groups committed to supporting our staff members and students also includes Mountain Youth, YouthPower365, SpeakUp Reach Out, My Future Pathways, SOS Outreach, and many others. It is also important for us to remember and acknowledge the efforts of our local law enforcement. They are in our schools every day getting to know our students and monitoring their safety.
Mountain Pride also works tirelessly to create these inclusive environments and to ensure all of our students feel welcomed and seen inside of their classrooms and beyond.
Walking Mountains Science Center provides our students with opportunities to get outside of their typical classroom and continue the educational experience. We also continue to cultivate partnerships with Colorado Mountain College and Colorado Mesa University to help our students achieve credits and knowledge beyond their high school classrooms.
Our partnership with Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley is an innovative approach to combating the homeownership challenges faced by our community’s workforce. We’ve collaborated with them time and time again to provide opportunities for our staff, and we look forward to seeing how this partnership expands in the coming years.
The overwhelming support that exists across our valley never ceases to amaze me. From our very own Eagle County Chicken Man reminding passersby to vote or reach out for help, to our individual school parent organizations committed to aiding and celebrating the work happening in our buildings, we are fortunate to find ourselves in such good company. Such good company, that there are simply too many individuals and organizations to name off hand. What a great problem to have!
Thank you to all of Eagle County. It is truly our people who stand out from the rest and help to make this community what it is.
Philip Qualman is the superintendent of Eagle County School District. Email him at philip.qualman@eagleschools.net.
