April 23, 2020

Dear Parents/Guardians:

As you all may be aware, on Tuesday, April 21^st, Governor Polis issued an order that all in-person learning is suspended in Colorado for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. The Mancos School District will continue with our on-line learning protocols and procedures for the remainder of the school year.

Governor Polis also gave us direction to begin to develop three plans related to the start of the 20/21 school year. The outline of the plans are as follows:

• Plan A is assuming we start school as we would normally each fall, meaning we are all on campus as usual.
• Plan B assumes we will start the school year in the fall but it will look significantly different based on social distancing requirements that may still be in place.
• Plan C, and we all hope this is not the case, begins the 20/21 school year using an on-line format.  Please note, if we continue with the on-line format for the 2020-2021 school year, it will look different from the current practice, meaning my expectations to our principals will be to significantly increase the rigor and expectations of our student and their on-line learning. 

At this time, we simply do not know what plan we will be directed to follow, and we are simply in a wait and see mode. Over the next several weeks, my leadership team and I will be developing both Plan B and Plan C. Governor Polis indicated the key to our returning to school rests on the increased availability of tests and the creation of a vaccine to combat the COVID-19 virus.

There are a few other items I would like to discuss with families. First, we are planning to hold Graduation on May 29^th on the football field. We are working with Montezuma County Health Professionals in order to adhere to local and state guidelines regarding Graduation (This is also contingent upon board approval).  More detailed information regarding the Graduation ceremony will be sent out to families.

Secondly, we will be refunding fees paid for spring athletics and spring field trips. In regards to the 8^th grade Grand Canyon trip, I am going to try and have this year’s 8^th grade students go to the Grand Canyon next year, either in the fall or make it an 8^th/9^th grade trip next spring.

Finally, many of you virtually joined our Board meeting last week, and you all heard me paint a fairly grim picture regarding the 20/21 school year budget. At this point, we simply do not know where the budget will land for next year. As of today, the latest news I have received is to expect a flat budget with a slight chance of a small increase for rural districts. A flat budget I can easily handle, with no impacts to our students or staff. It is too early to sound the alarm on anything budget related. The Colorado State Joint Budget Committee is expected to reconvene on May 14^th, and we should begin to receive more specific answers soon after that. On my conference call Monday, Governor Polis stated he is very supportive of K-12 education, and assured Superintendents he will do his best to reduce a negative impact to Colorado school budgets. Speaking for the Board of Education, and myself, our goal will be to adopt a fiscally responsible budget that has the least amount of negative impact on our students and teachers as possible.  We are committed to continue to provide the quality of instruction that both our students and families have come to expect, which includes moving forward with our current Project Based Learning initiative.

Please look forward to further communication from our building principals regarding end of year items. Tentatively, we are looking at our last day of instruction being May 14^th. The week of May 18-21 will be used for the return of Chromebooks and other educational items needing to be returned.  Students’ personal belongings that have been left at school will be available for pickup at this time.  May 18^th will also be the last day of food delivery.  

I really want to thank you all for your support, patience, and understanding during this difficult time.  I understand how challenging this has been for us all, and appreciate everyone stepping up to the challenge.  Mancos Strong!

Sincerely,
Brian Hanson
Superintendent of Schools

 

If you have any questions please email leadership@mancosre6.edu and we will respond back to you within 24 hours.

 

 

 

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