An Oct. 5 headcount revealed 661 students, down 57 from last year. That translates to a loss of $176,722 in state funding, according to Superintendent Scott Cooper.
“We will be looking at the budget for ways we can pull back, and will likely have dip into our reserves to balance the budget,” he said.
The school holds $3.2 million in reserves.
Dolores school board president Linnea Vass attributed the drop in part to job losses in the local construction and oil and gas industries.
“We had quite a few families move away after Triad and Skanska left,” she said.
Also the new high school in Cortez might have attracted students who otherwise would have gone to Dolores. What may be cut from the budget is still up in the air.
Playground grantThe Dolores School District was awarded a $110,500 grant to build a playground on the east side of campus.
The grant was awarded from the Colorado Health Foundation’s healthy spaces program. Initial ideas include resurfacing the basketball court and installing a volleyball court and obstacle course.
“It was born out of middle schools students expressing a need to do something during recess,” said secondary principal Jenifer Hufman.
Students will give input on what they would like to see built. Hufman said the new playground will include “buddy benches” where shy or lonely students may sit, and be invited to join a game.
As part of the grant requirements, the playground facilities will be open to the general public during non-school hours, Hufman said. Construction is expected to begin next summer.
School to FarmThe success of the Montezuma School to Farm Project’s garden on the Dolores campus has officials considering folding it into the regular school curriculum and budget.
The program provides student instruction on agriculture and nutrition for schools, and the harvest is used by school cafeterias.
Constant fundraising to pay for the program makes it a challenge to keep the program afloat long term, Cooper said. Mancos, Cortez and Dolores schools contribute $26,000 for the program, which costs $40,000 to run, and the rest is raised through grants and individual donations.
“If we want to keep this. I think we need to embrace it in a bigger way,” Cooper said.
He said the school will explore creating a school position within the regular budget for the Dolores portion of the School to Farm program to make it more sustainable.
Americorps pays for part of the staff, and volunteers help out as well.
jmimiaga@the-journal.com