Superintendent: master-planning meeting delayed for more detailed cost estimates; summer facilities and a 24/7 'ReachOut' hotline announced

Superintendent Bode told the Estes Park School District R-3 board on March 23 that the district’s next master planning committee meeting was rescheduled to March 26 to allow time for a detailed commercial contractor estimate aligned to the state building assessment.

"We needed some additional time to allow for the completion of a detailed commercial contractor estimate aligned to the building assessment," Bode said, explaining the schedule change. He said the committee needs more refined financial data before evaluating options and next steps.

Bode listed several planned summer facilities projects, saying work is scheduled for summer to minimize disruption: resurfacing the preschool playground, irrigation improvements and field regeneration, repairs and renovations to high school locker-room showers and benches, replacement of the Prox card key system, and crack sealing and vegetation restoration across the district.

On finance, Bode said statewide funding projections (about $167 million) will have minimal impact on the district’s revenue because Estes Park School District R-3 is “fully funded through local property tax” and recaptures a portion of categorical funding. He told the board the district expects a budget similar to the current year while managing rising operating and insurance costs and competitive compensation for staff.

Bode also announced the district has launched a ReachOut crisis hotline, describing it as a 24/7 service to provide counseling and social-emotional support for students and families. "That's the name of it. But you don't have to be in crisis to utilize it," he said, noting the service is staffed by counselors nationwide through a third-party provider (described on the record as a national vendor). Bode said the district will share more information with families about hours and access.

Board members asked clarifying questions about the preschool resurfacing and whether hotline counselors are local; Bode answered that the resurfacing will cover the whole preschool play area and that the hotline uses a nationwide team rather than local counselors.

Bode closed by reminding the board of planned summer maintenance timing — much of it scheduled for July — and reiterated that the district will continue outreach about summer feeding and other family-facing programs.

Next procedural steps noted in the meeting: the master planning committee meeting was rescheduled to March 26 to consider updated cost estimates; building principals will evaluate building-level spending by the end of March to finalize purchases and budget planning.