A local cannabis purveyor was recently spotted at the new charter school in town. But don’t get it wrong.
To enter the Beech Street schoolhouse, Garrett Smith rang the door buzzer. He was immediately provided a laminated visitors badge when stepping inside the door.
“This is the same thing we do everyday,” he said, chuckling as he hung the school pass around his neck.
Garrett Smith, owner of The Herbal Alternative, runs one of four Cortez medical marijuana dispensaries. Visitors wishing to tour his Lebanon Road facility must also don a guest pass.
Smith went to the school bearing a gift. After presenting a $1,300 donation to the new Kiva Montessori Charter School, he and colleague David Pozzi toured the two-classroom school. About 75 elementary students are enrolled at the school, which opened this year.
Josh Warinner, executive director of the school, said the contribution would help to offset cost for student services, ranging from lunch programs to classroom instructors.
“It’s all about the students and their education,” said Warinner.
Asked about potential criticism from the community for accepting money from a gangapreneur, Warinner said the school would never reject a donor’s gift.
“Our goal is to help students and our school thrive,” said Warinner. “The focus shouldn’t be on where the money is coming from.”
During the school tour, students gathered in small groups, some students sitting in the hallway to study, others zigzagging through the hallways high-fiving Smith and Pozzi. Teachers paced the classrooms, “guiding” students with “individual learning” when needed. It wasn’t your parents’ traditional school environment.
“We don’t have desks,” said Warinner.
After the tour, Smith said he was impressed with the progressive approach utilized to teach students at the charter school. He reiterated it was an honor to help impact the needs of local school children.
“Education is the key in life, and we’re happy to know that we can help make a difference in our community,” said Smith.
