I understand why some community members are asking questions about building a new school while the district is discussing enrollment declines and budget challenges. Those are fair questions, and they deserve a clear answer.
The answer starts with understanding that enrollment trends vary across our entire district. Durango School District covers more than 1,100 square miles, and different areas are growing in different ways. One of the places seeing steady residential growth is the Three Springs area, where more young families are choosing to live and raise children.
At the same time, Florida Mesa Elementary, which has long served that area, is now more than 70 years old. While it has been cared for over the years, the building was not designed for modern elementary learning or the population growth occurring nearby. Continuing to invest heavily in an aging facility no longer made long-term sense for students or taxpayers.
In 2024, Durango voters overwhelmingly approved the Investing in Our Schools bond, which included funding for a new elementary school in Three Springs. That funding is legally separate from the district’s operating budget, which pays for teachers, staffing and daily school operations. The new school is being built because voters chose to invest in safe, modern learning spaces for future generations of students.
Last week, we officially broke ground on that school. Standing in that open field, surrounded by piñon and sagebrush, it was easy to imagine the future: children learning, playing, growing and building community there for decades to come. That moment represented more than construction. It represented a community investing in its kids.
At the same time, our district is facing important questions about enrollment shifts and how best to serve students across all schools. Earlier this spring, the district recommended transitioning Sunnyside Elementary students to the future Three Springs school. We know that recommendation brought strong emotions and real concerns from families, and I want the Sunnyside community to know those voices were heard.
The Board of Education chose to pause that recommendation and instead begin a broader districtwide enrollment review. Questions about school size, enrollment trends, educational opportunities, transportation and long-term sustainability throughout the district deserve thoughtful community discussion.
This review is not about reducing schools to numbers on a spreadsheet. It is about understanding how we continue to provide strong educational experiences for students across our district while also being responsible stewards of taxpayer resources.
Over the coming months, the board and district will invite community input in multiple ways. There will be opportunities for families, staff and community members to share perspectives, ask questions and help shape future decisions. We genuinely want that partnership.
Public schools belong to the community. The best decisions happen when people stay engaged, informed and willing to work together, even when conversations are difficult.
The new Three Springs Elementary School reflects one important reality about our district: Some parts of our community are growing and changing. The broader enrollment conversations ahead reflect another reality: We must continue adapting thoughtfully to meet the needs of students across the entire district.
Both things can be true at the same time.
At the center of all of this are kids. Every student in Durango School District deserves safe schools, strong opportunities, caring adults and learning environments where they can thrive. That remains our focus, and it will continue guiding the conversations ahead.
Dr. Karen Cheser is superintendent of Durango School District and a longtime public educator who was recently named the 2025 EmpowerED Digital Superintendent of the Year by CoSN and AASA.