The Dolores School Board of Education appears to remain split on whether or not online education opportunities should be offered to students in the district.

School board members had more discussion on the matter at its June board meeting, although no decisions were made.

Superintendent Alesa Reed, who proposed online schooling options, said about 13 elementary students have already left the district to pursue their education online, which helped spark the conversation of adding an online option for families who wish to travel or have more flexibility.

One staff member shared that she had spoken with the families of the children who had left, who said they’d be willing to do online schooling with Dolores if the district established a program.

Retainment of enrollment numbers and revenue were two reasons given for implementing an online option. It was also noted that online schooling through the district would allow students studying online to still have connections with their peers through district specials, events, sports, community activities and more.

Board member Julia Anderson said she felt as if moving to an online option at some point was unavoidable due to so many schools and families opting for online schooling. But she questioned whether the district could add a caveat that would require an adult to supervise children during the school day to ensure they are doing their schoolwork.

Board President Maegan Crowley consistently voiced her concerns throughout the discussion, saying implementing online options now felt “too rushed.” She asked how online schooling fits in with Dolores School District RE‑4A’s mission and vision and questioned how schooling alone could affect a child’s well-being long-term, citing past experience with online schooling during COVID-19.

Though the online students would be able to attend events where their peers will be, Crowley said remote students would be alienated from students attending school in person.

The Dolores school board received a construction update and briefly discussed salary increases and a new track.

In a presentation from Artaic Group which is overseeing construction of the new high school, a representative said steel framing is complete and mechanical, electrical and plumbing is underway. Roofing and exterior insulation work is also progressing.

An Artaic representative said they are working closely with the Colorado Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management on flood mitigation efforts.

High schoolers are expected to move into the new school in December. Once the students and staff are successfully moved into the new building, middle school students will be moved to the old high school. The old middle school will be torn down.

The board celebrated Dolores High School student Nathan Gaddis, who recently placed 27th in the national Voice of Democracy essay contest. After competing at state, Gaddis advanced to the national competition in Washington D.C. where he won $2,000 for his essay.

In other brief business, the board touched on proposed salary schedule adjustments, including raises and step increases aimed at remaining competitive with neighboring districts.

bduran@the-journal