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District administrator flags La Jara maintenance costs, water-bill dispute with town; facilities fixes completed
Summary
District administrator Darren Edgar reported high maintenance costs at La Jara Elementary, described a March 2025 water-bill dispute with the Town of La Jara and summarized recent facilities work including gas-line replacement, new windows, plumbing repairs (about $18,000) and CHS parking-lot improvements.
District administrator Darren Edgar told the board on Sept. 23 that La Jara Elementary has experienced higher maintenance costs in recent years and that the district is likely to move to a new student information system; staff will evaluate PowerSchool for implementation next school year.
Edgar described an ongoing dispute with the Town of La Jara over a March 2025 water bill for La Jara Elementary. After consulting the district’s attorney the district sent a certified letter outlining its concerns; Edgar said the district would not pursue the attorney’s recommendations if the town removes the contested charges from the school’s bill. The board did not vote on the matter during the meeting.
Edgar also summarized recent and pending facilities work: La Jara Elementary had gas lines replaced, new windows and shades installed, and plumbing repairs costing about $18,000; the CHS parking lot is nearly complete and a new pump system performed effectively during recent rain. He said bids had been received for baseball dugouts and a press box and that staff member Brock Miller located a discounted supplier for presentation boards that the district needs to act on soon. Edgar said he sent an employee feedback survey on Sept. 15 and encouraged staff to complete it by Oct. 1 so results can be published later in October.
Why it matters: The water-bill dispute could affect the district’s operating costs if charges are upheld; equipment, repairs and contract awards reported by administration have immediate budgetary implications. The administration also presented enrollment and funding projections and a salaries-and-benefits comparison to support upcoming budget discussions.
