Montezuma Cortez School District supports equal funding split among local districts

The Montezuma County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) convened on May 27, 2025, to discuss the allocation of funds to local school districts and discretionary spending for the upcoming year. The meeting focused on the distribution of Title I funds, specifically addressing how to split the 25% allocation among the Montezuma Cortez, RE 1, and Mancos school districts.

The initial discussion centered on the 25% allocation, with representatives from the Montezuma Cortez School District advocating for an equal one-third split among the three districts. This proposal was supported by the other districts, indicating a collaborative approach to fund distribution despite the limited financial resources available this year.

Following the consensus on the 25% allocation, the conversation shifted to the remaining 50% of the funds, which are discretionary. The commissioners acknowledged that they had not prepared to discuss this portion but welcomed input from the school representatives. The discretionary funds had previously been utilized for road projects, but there was a suggestion to also consider splitting this amount equally among the school districts, similar to the earlier allocation.

One commissioner expressed support for distributing the discretionary funds equally, noting that this practice had been common in previous years. They highlighted the importance of addressing road projects but indicated that impact fees would cover specific needs in the Dolores District, allowing for flexibility in the allocation of discretionary funds.

The meeting concluded with a general agreement among the commissioners and school representatives to further explore the equitable distribution of the discretionary funds, emphasizing the need for collaboration and support for local education. The next steps will involve finalizing the allocations and ensuring that the funds are utilized effectively to benefit the school districts and their students.