[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6135399,"mediaKeyId","5674069-cb9db2f9b946aacff567afd9c53105c0","parentId",5674069,"title","Durango bond update: Miller project nearing certification; elevator delay could last into September","audioSeconds",244,"startMs",1635000,"endMs",1879000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5674069-cb9db2f9b946aacff567afd9c53105c0&start=1635&end=1879","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5674069-cb9db2f9b946aacff567afd9c53105c0/thumbnail_1635000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6135399/Colorado/Durango-bond-update-Miller-project-nearing-certification-elevator-delay-could-last-into-September","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6135399-854b04f813e7c4d8883af1cdf668da78/orig.mp4?Expires=1773645135&Signature=EOOaEI0ZqpaTVsDbQTkb97GNOYx2VQyEQqvifJgr29eMa9~S2LHzZiSfTNvwKI62etONeAPB6N4QDY1VkVVB5YpXaVdhA1LhfePbWzeEup1A9rN8B-V~w98~d9aBHYVPGAyVosF8dVhBpJPiQqHId7GKapqM2QgOWdTZMExeZJKciqvtIj5ELK9B8bT5NZljjoGw0gZ8MM95WOPuSTwVETWktsG29EN9~UZrAd-LIXZ1TDIDKq3hsZTn7pV82D5CN-iP3CXwyqQgkd~YsKWOvVemSZAuQ2W6nvpWvJ71C4Uf~QNFQLioO6lxlj-vuHv6xY7T3pss1GNbBxzdLzaqrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Durango School District, CO","date","2025-08-20T18:56:06Z","article","Jacobs program staff updated the Durango Board of Education on Aug. 19 about progress across the district’s bond projects, saying most work is on schedule but a handful of contractor-supplied parts and site issues are delaying final closeouts.

Key points
- Miller renovation: Jacobs’ team said the Miller project’s first construction review is trending positively and that staff “don’t have any concerns” about securing CHIPS verification after a second round of testing and a final submission. The project team said some items remain in contingency that could be used to pursue additional points if needed.
- Bond commitments and contingency: the presentation showed the bond program near full commitment; managers said the district’s reported committed total will rise next month following a large contract the board approved earlier in August. Remaining contingency was described as roughly 4–5% of the program and likely to shrink to about 2–3% after the upcoming contract commitments—roughly in the low millions of dollars.
- Elevator at Durango High School: one elevator car required newly fabricated parts two days before inspection; Jacobs told the board the operator is being replaced and new parts were being fabricated and rushed to the site. Worst-case schedule given to the board was a Sept. 12 finish, though managers said they expect an earlier completion if the vendor meets its delivery commitments. A single elevator outage is restricting access to the library area; some classes have been temporarily relocated.
- Miller site work: managers reported irrigation-pressure problems and weed issues after hydroseeding; they said irrigation repairs are imminent and plantings are expected within two to three weeks after repairs. For the new football scoreboard, a vendor backed out of foundation work two weeks before installation; the team said it engaged an engineer, obtained stamped drawings and is pricing excavation and foundation work to resume installation.
- Other projects: secure vestibules and roofing packages are substantially complete; HVAC upgrades at Riverview and Escalante are wrapping up and entering testing/commissioning; Big Picture High School renovation has permits and construction is starting with a spring completion on the contractor schedule.

Why it matters: the bond program includes multiple active school renovations and system upgrades that affect student access, building safety and fall operations. The elevator outage is a site-specific operational impact; irrigation and landscaping delays affect outdoor spaces and athletics scheduling.

District direction and next steps: Jacobs said they have pressed vendors for overtime and deliveries to shorten the elevator outage. They will provide a status update later this week on the elevator and irrigation timelines. Program managers said they will apply remaining contingency funds strategically for any final scope needs and will provide an updated committed-total figure in the next monthly packet.

No formal votes tied to construction were taken at the Aug. 19 presentation; the board had previously approved the large contract referenced in an earlier meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Durango School District Board of Education Regular Session on August 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Jacobs program staff updated the Durango Board of Education on Aug. 19 about progress across the district’s bond projects, saying most work is on schedule but a handful of contractor-supplied parts and site issues are delaying final closeouts.","taxTitle","Durango School District No. 9-R, School Districts , Colorado","taxId",38609,"location","Colorado","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6135404,"Parent reports ICE activity near elementary; Durango schools say they investigated and reminded staff of visitor protocols",230,419000,649000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5674069-cb9db2f9b946aacff567afd9c53105c0&start=419&end=649","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5674069-cb9db2f9b946aacff567afd9c53105c0/thumbnail_419000.jpg","/articles/6135404/Colorado/Parent-reports-ICE-activity-near-elementary-Durango-schools-say-they-investigated-and-reminded-staff-of-visitor-protocols","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6135404-4b88352b8704414f40f6f2aa218df2dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1773645135&Signature=b1WEypJyjgLzeUyPJM6ipu32SBZ3RKKlmWu7Gh1lkiP0uMfv19czwrxwS6AHS1Fc6TTZJsiaOqHwHl7L0Xuw6zKtAg85~D43hBnkZ-KmzrSaf0e0pP4wLAfhUVnhU3M5LQQdVvih0333hNoDO8Kaawn57izSnCIGd45DW5NJamOD1f9bHalnvET91iSkJ~VdSHQDLfkUYwbYpaw~-ow-9lJJG~KDpm0EU3XV1CVghQyAIYNSmRRaHOowVvfLCAFIVizDEiuZIgnZig8d71cFHs3pi3m03iPE0rmvQmNi104k5bSIKN86vBMF0KSMq8judJm9zEUzyzfdtE34F2lyaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Durango parent told the Durango Board of Education on Aug. 19 that an eyewitness followed ICE vehicles through neighborhoods near Gilbert Park Elementary on the first day of school, prompting calls for the district to protect students.

The parent, Jenny Hill, identified herself as the mother of two Gilbert Park students and told the board she received the account from an eyewitness, “Enrique,” who she said followed ICE vehicles after an arrest downtown and saw them travel through the neighborhood around Park Elementary. Hill said she provided Enrique’s contact information so district staff could follow up.

Why it matters: parents said they were alarmed that ICE activity could occur near a school, and asked the district what it would do to protect students and families, especially at a school the board said is highly diverse.

Superintendent Dr. Chester said district staff immediately contacted the school, the district safety director and local police after Hill’s comment and that those checks found “no examples of this” activity at school sites. “We are not aware of this,” Chester said, and added the district would follow up to confirm details with the named eyewitness.

Chester told the board the district has “very specific protocols” for handling visitor or law-enforcement presence at school entrances: front-office staff are trained to verify documentation, principals are instructed to contact the district office immediately, and family liaisons are monitoring community concerns. Chester said the district would re-send family-facing and staff-facing protocol reminders.

Board members and staff also discussed limits on the district’s authority. A board member asked whether the district could keep federal agents off campus; administrators said they could not legally bar law enforcement from parking outside a school, but they would deploy security staff and contact police if such a presence were known. Chester said the district would “immediately have our security people there” and escalate to police when notified.

What the district will do next: district leaders said they will (1) contact the reported eyewitness to verify details, (2) re-send the family letter and staff protocols that outline visitor verification steps, and (3) continue monitoring campus safety in coordination with police and the district safety director.

The board did not take formal action at the meeting; the matter was addressed as public comment followed by staff follow-up and monitoring.","A Durango parent told the Durango Board of Education on Aug. 19 that an eyewitness followed ICE vehicles through neighborhoods near Gilbert Park Elementary on the first day of school, prompting calls for the district to protect students.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6135384,"Durango board discusses CASB resolutions; signals opposition to vouchers and support for nonpartisan state board elections",359,5176000,5535000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5674069-cb9db2f9b946aacff567afd9c53105c0&start=5176&end=5535","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5674069-cb9db2f9b946aacff567afd9c53105c0/thumbnail_5176000.jpg","/articles/6135384/Colorado/Durango-board-discusses-CASB-resolutions-signals-opposition-to-vouchers-and-support-for-nonpartisan-state-board-elections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6135384-cdf5cfdc774a50c0c5e4e0069254d821/orig.mp4?Expires=1773645135&Signature=ecAmODYFeXrIP4RWkKJxZamaFIYwmQFa05M~jUHHRzJJhEHuwo4xA8Kj5EQjd64MbcjezpN8W9LCU~CZUiy5N-OGfO4tC~0TC3rbZkuusdsISCh8FFVzrCIb1f-ZR7LyDv3ymf89fWS8rnYkvAidos8iiWN5rHubG6Xgm-iiqmWKM0BDw~jXakktKufzW1e7rVbR2ZY35wVCbEkSRfJs4KLmTnuA9U~tEzsUQ6-VrmrlVq7iFaJDvgq2MRV8SMPYIQU6fx1f3U32J8aRKfJ87~GsXjjxhPRwZLcicI~pZp3UpedOZMaSGmCBzAb7LFhfDOYhYgKLUk2fMNPhlNrLDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Durango Board of Education reviewed proposed resolutions from the Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB) at its Aug. 19 meeting and provided direction for the district’s CASB delegate ahead of the association’s process.

What the board discussed
- Vouchers: board members discussed a CASB resolution that would oppose voucher legislation unless it included full and permanent funding for public schools. Several directors said they preferred a stronger stance and asked the district’s CASB delegate to support language that simply opposes establishment or expansion of voucher programs; the board signaled support for opposing vouchers absent full, guaranteed funding.
- Federal funding rescissions: board members reviewed a resolution drafted to oppose federal funding rescissions for districts; several directors said the draft read like background material rather than a discrete resolution and suggested it needed rewriting or should be opposed as written.
- Nonpartisan State Board elections: several directors supported a CASB resolution to make Colorado State Board of Education elections nonpartisan, arguing it would return focus to education expertise and reduce partisan influence on state education policy.
- Alternative education campuses: the board supported a CASB resolution that would treat alternative education campus (AEC) results differently in state reporting to avoid penalizing districts that operate alternative campuses with different timelines and student needs.

Why it matters: CASB resolutions shape the association’s legislative platform and advocacy priorities for the state legislature and for state-level education rulemaking. Board direction helps the district’s CASB delegate vote at the association’s delegate assembly.

Formal actions: earlier in the meeting the board voted to find the superintendent in compliance with policy OEO2 (emergency superintendent succession); that compliance finding was approved by voice vote. On CASB resolutions the board provided direction to its appointed delegate, Director Erica Brown, rather than taking a formal vote on specific CASB items.

Next steps: the district’s CASB delegate will carry board direction into the association’s resolution process and report back to the board.","The board reviewed proposed Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB) resolutions. Directors signaled they would oppose state vouchers unless fully funded, back a CASB proposal to make State Board of Education elections nonpartisan, and expressed mixed views on several other proposed resolutions.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6135389,"Durango schools tighten cell-phone rule: phones must be stored off students' person, district cites neuroscience research",97,1153000,1250000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5674069-cb9db2f9b946aacff567afd9c53105c0&start=1153&end=1250","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5674069-cb9db2f9b946aacff567afd9c53105c0/thumbnail_1153000.jpg","/articles/6135389/Colorado/Durango-schools-tighten-cell-phone-rule-phones-must-be-stored-off-students-person-district-cites-neuroscience-research","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6135389-412cfebcc02ebe021dce766d1826f1a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1773645135&Signature=VToClrYUF-J6YWAXxv80AoNlwYwrNVq58BYPEDw1OAoEpgLraf171ihX-m2wmYICRxd9Hybwyv1OhKHBXGLFF17JXkRMGUHjffbB7w0kW3K-wZ6amE8a-6sU~LfRAwC5ep0mTQBd9490vyh3iDdN7AjuzuGjJXs4UDvIQM7D7aQdH9~dhCMdtkGgZNUnty4M3O6blV2JGgRc3kROG6~GKj~z9TcaIiynVDTeS2iNahri9xzQuoWIeYumj4sEQ0XtE~pV7TkKMksMeSphaQwkCBgjIOzf7MGM7H39yVvypuvwpNeLawAKjGARPtLXfDwJ0eWedaITiColfbBfYBHiKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Durango School District staff told the board Aug. 19 that the district updated its student cell-phone rule to require phones be kept off students’ persons and out of sight during class time.

What changed: staff said the policy clarifies that phones must be physically off a student’s person and not left on desks; acceptable practices include storing phones in a classroom caddy or other out-of-sight location. District officials said this is an enforcement clarification rather than an entirely new ban.

Why it changed: staff reported training and information from a summer conference about the neuroscience of attention and smartphone distraction. Presenters at that event and a district communication from Dr. Hurrell, the district’s technology/learning staff, emphasized that having a phone in sight reduces working memory and increases distraction even if the device is unused. The district said that prompted stricter enforcement guidance so phones are not visible in the learning space.

Implementation: administrators said front-office staff and principals are trained on visitor and device protocols, and that the district will re-send family-facing communications. Board members asked for copies of the staff message and the district said it would forward Dr. Hurrell’s message to the board.

No formal action was required at the meeting; staff said they will provide the revised policy language and an accessible summary to the board and families.","Board members said the district updated its cell-phone policy to require that student phones be kept off their person (for example, in a classroom caddy or other storage) after district staff attended a conference summarizing research on phone distraction and working memory.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6135394,"Durango reviews Portrait of a Graduate baseline; plans grade-level badges and clearer success criteria",776,4135000,4911000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5674069-cb9db2f9b946aacff567afd9c53105c0&start=4135&end=4911","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5674069-cb9db2f9b946aacff567afd9c53105c0/thumbnail_4135000.jpg","/articles/6135394/Colorado/Durango-reviews-Portrait-of-a-Graduate-baseline-plans-grade-level-badges-and-clearer-success-criteria","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6135394-b54555832899edf198cb95cdc69ebbb6/orig.mp4?Expires=1773645135&Signature=cEhwiaoBwX1~xtrzm0kmpR8BaBqsuh3DNunr-KAB89EEyo~f3-fVDeQLvDrCPG71LCAUQlHqV7VmcnncEBsFS51yk7ypYmKWYfTKn-5egK86hkxaYznVIqlf9rcL07nkw3H-oiG0NGtHFR0a1GmYv2oKDh8J-asLKs~9O9ccOrUOpF0HtNzkCNMTm2E1FiGA1h7NjBtgtKWxeASJQHY29vU2i5XOjivO1C3~c6ihmpEEgknWh2tuu2DoLwJWpXT~gJCSA9RqWl35yvwv0vz~fOsDEXbAHnUDvSYq~JJGnjMyTvVRyjm7uilS2fBN9vnzmHXR~e0G0XCCp6DTq-nfsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District leaders presented the board on Aug. 19 with the first monitoring report for the Portrait of a Graduate results policy and outlined a plan to make the system easier for teachers and more meaningful for students.

The presentation described the current monitoring as a baseline year: participation in the district’s artifact-based system varied by competency, and staff recommended a redesign to make instruction and assessment clearer. Superintendent Dr. Chester told the board the report establishes a baseline and that the district is proposing several changes to the program.

What staff proposed
- Grade-level badging: staff recommended selecting eight success criteria per grade so that a smaller, consistent set of competencies is taught and assessed each year rather than asking teachers to cover all 24 success criteria at once. Under the proposed sequencing, students would cycle through the full set across multi-year spans.
- K–2 language and unit integration: staff said they will provide K–2‑specific language and model units to help early-grade teachers directly teach the competencies. The goal is to embed the success criteria in existing units so artifacts are a natural outcome of instruction rather than an add-on.
- Teacher supports and exemplars: the district will convene a Portrait of a Graduate “rock stars” group of teachers and coaches to develop exemplar projects, artifact rubrics and capstone examples and to pilot pilot classroom furniture and learning-environment approaches.

Why it matters: the change shifts the metric from a single-year artifact-count to a developmental, repeated demonstration of competencies and aims to increase teacher clarity and student ownership. Board members said they preferred the proposed grade-level approach and asked for a revised monitoring rubric at the September meeting.

Next steps: staff will return to the board with updated K–2 language and an implementation schedule for grade-level badges; the board plans to review the revised monitoring report in September.","At its Aug. 19 meeting the board received the first monitoring report on the district’s Portrait of a Graduate results policy. District staff said data show partial participation and proposed a shift to grade-level 'badges' with eight success criteria per grade to improve clarity and teacher workflow.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Durango bond update: Miller project nearing certification; elevator delay could last into September

Parent reports ICE activity near elementary; Durango schools say they investigated and reminded staff of visitor protocols

Durango board discusses CASB resolutions; signals opposition to vouchers and support for nonpartisan state board elections

Durango schools tighten cell-phone rule: phones must be stored off students' person, district cites neuroscience research

Durango reviews Portrait of a Graduate baseline; plans grade-level badges and clearer success criteria