Estes Park Schools work to meet district, student needs

Story by Suzy Blackhurst

New anti-bullying policy and response protocols have reduced incidences by 15% in one year; emphasis on attendance has improved attendance rate

Estes Park Schools face challenges of declining enrollment which impacts the school's budget in addition to social and cultural changes in the post-COVID learning environment. Credit: Patti Brown / Estes Valley Voice

Continually declining enrollment that year-by-year decreases funding available to pay both teachers and non-certified staff, the necessity to improve state accreditation ratings, and meeting the goals set by a community strategic planning committee are just a few of the challenges facing the Estes Park school system according to Ruby Bode, superintendent of schools.

While the student population has decreased every year for the past two decades, the loss has been especially drastic since 2019. In Colorado, program funding is based on enrollment. Current school enrollment is calculated at the 2023-2024 level of 950 students, 890 of whom are full time. Enrollment calculations for the current school year will be released by the state in January but Bode already knows the number will be lower again.

“In the past five years, enrollment has decreased over 100 students which equates to a loss of $500,000 $600,000 a year ,” Bode said during recent community round-table discussions sponsored by the League of Women Voters.

Lower funding equates to less money available for programming and salaries.

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https://estesvalleyvoice.com/2024/12/03/estes-park-schools-work-to-meet-district-student-needs/

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