Rocky Mountain Voice

Tag: Education

Durango School Board pauses decision to ban LGBTQ+, Black Lives Matter flags in classrooms
Approved, Local, Rocky Mountain Voice

Durango School Board pauses decision to ban LGBTQ+, Black Lives Matter flags in classrooms

By Jen Schumann | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice In a room charged with emotion, the Durango School Board's decision to revisit their flag policy left the community holding its breath. The Durango School Board met Oct. 15 to discuss the district's recent choice to take down LGBTQ+ Pride and Black Lives Matter flags from classrooms. The controversy began when a parent lodged a complaint on Sept. 11, arguing that Black Lives Matter and the Pride flags are political symbols. The parent claimed these flags promoted political agendas in a school setting. In response, Durango School District 9-R implemented a policy on Oct. 1, requiring the removal of these specific flags, while allowing standard Pride flags to remain. This decision ignited community and teacher concerns, leadi...
Millions in tax dollars went toward programs taught by those fanning flames of anti-Israel protests
Approved, National, The Daily Caller

Millions in tax dollars went toward programs taught by those fanning flames of anti-Israel protests

By Jaryn Crouson | Daily Caller Professors connected to anti-Israel protests head programs that received millions of taxpayer dollars, according to a report released Wednesday by government transparency group Open The Books. The Department of Education has spent $283 million on foreign studies grants since 2020, with over $22.1 million going towards programs studying the Middle East, Open The Books found. The study analyzed the top three grant recipients, Indiana University, Columbia University and Georgetown University, and found that each highlighted anti-Israel professors as distinguished staff in their programs. “These universities all have multibillion dollar endowments,” Amber Todoroff, deputy policy editor at Open The Books, told the Daily Caller News Foundation. “They...
Reports of school threats, safety concerns surge in Colorado
Approved, denvergazette.com, State

Reports of school threats, safety concerns surge in Colorado

By Nicole C. Brambila | Denver Gazette Driven by a surge in school threats and safety concerns, Safe2Tell saw an “unprecedented” 74% increase in reports in September compared to last year, according to the Colorado Attorney General’s office. Established by the Colorado Assembly in 2017, Safe2Tell Colorado is a harm and violence prevention program that allows students and the community to anonymously report safety concerns. September’s monthly report shows 4,729 reports, outpacing the previous record set earlier this year. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE DENVER GAZETTE
Colorado districts hope voters support tax measures for new school buildings, scholarships, and more
Approved, Chalkbeat Colorado, State

Colorado districts hope voters support tax measures for new school buildings, scholarships, and more

By Yesenia Robles | Chalkbeat Colorado More than 30 of Colorado’s 178 school districts are asking voters to approve a local tax measure in this November’s election. The number of requests on the ballot isn’t more than in some past years. But what has gone up is the amount of money districts are requesting — nearly $7 billion. There are two types of tax measures districts are putting to voters this year. Bond and capital measures would mostly go to pay for new school buildings, renovations, new air conditioning in some districts, and safety upgrades. Mill levy overrides would raise operating dollars that would mostly help increase staff pay and add more career education opportunities for students. READ THE FULL STORY AT CHALKBEAT COLORADO
In search of new child care money, more Colorado communities look to hotel guests
Approved, Chalkbeat Colorado, State

In search of new child care money, more Colorado communities look to hotel guests

By Ann Schimke | Chalkbeat Colorado Three western Colorado communities hope to raise new dollars for child care through taxes paid by out-of-town visitors who stay in hotels or short-term rental housing. La Plata and Grand counties and the City of Montrose all have lodging tax measures on the November ballot, with at least some of the proceeds intended to help make child care easier for local residents to find and pay for. The three communities are the latest in a string of mostly mountain resort areas to ask voters for permission to spend lodging tax dollars on housing and child care. The idea is that local workers power the tourism industry, so visitors should contribute to efforts supporting a stable workforce. READ THE FULL STORY AT CHALKBEAT COLORADO
In Colorado, four schools win national Blue Ribbon recognition for excellence
Approved, Chalkbeat Colorado, National

In Colorado, four schools win national Blue Ribbon recognition for excellence

By Ann Schimke | Chalkbeat Colorado Four Colorado schools are among more than 350 nationwide to be named 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools for high achievement or progress in narrowing achievement gaps. Zach Elementary in Fort Collins and DSST Cedar High School in Denver won the designation for achievement on state math and literacy tests. Mesa View Elementary in Grand Junction and Skyview Middle in Pueblo West won for shrinking test score gaps between student subgroups and the overall student body The U.S. Department of Education announced the Blue Ribbon schools on Monday. Of the four Colorado winners, one is a charter school — DSST Cedar, which is a part of Denver’s largest charter school network. Private schools are eligible for Blue Ribbon designation, but none were among the...
On list of 15 best schools in Colorado, only three are public schools
Approved, kdvr.com, State

On list of 15 best schools in Colorado, only three are public schools

By Samantha Jarpe | Fox 31 News A recent study has revealed the top schools in Colorado, many of which are located in the Denver metro area. Niche, a ranking and reviews website, released its 2025 rank of best schools and school districts in the country on Monday. The list includes both private and public schools. The public schools also encompass traditional, charter and magnet schools as well. READ THE FULL STORY AT FOX 31 NEWS
Increase in school threats seen all over U.S. this academic year
Approved, gazette.com, National

Increase in school threats seen all over U.S. this academic year

By Morgan Sweeney | The Center Square, via The Gazette Schools in at least 35 cities or counties across Virginia have been targeted in social media or direct threats since the beginning of the school year, as a wave of school threats washes over the country. Law enforcement has found most of them baseless, some coming from out of state. Nonetheless, no corner of the commonwealth has been left untouched. Threats have been investigated all over Virginia from Richmond, Virginia Beach, and Fairfax counties, to Danville and Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools, Roanoke and Lynchburg, Smyth and Wise counties, Orange and Spotsylvania counties, and Northumberland and Richmond counties. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE GAZETTE
Two students face charges over alleged false threats to Colorado Springs-area schools
Approved, gazette.com, Local

Two students face charges over alleged false threats to Colorado Springs-area schools

By Mackenzie Bodell | The Gazette Multiple local law enforcement agencies responded to several online threats being made against Colorado Springs-area schools Wednesday, and two local students face charges over false threats, officials said. The two students are from two separate local schools and are facing charges for their "participation in spreading false information regarding threats to schools locally and nationwide," according to an El Paso County Sheriff's Office news release. One student faces charges involving alleged interference of an educational institution, and the other faces charges for alleged false reporting and the interference of an educational institution. Their names were not released Wednesday because they are minors. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE GAZETTE
Greeley teacher arrested, accused of assaulting elementary student
Approved, kdvr.com, Local

Greeley teacher arrested, accused of assaulting elementary student

By Morgan Whitley | Fox 31 News A Greeley teacher was arrested for allegedly assaulting an elementary-aged student. On Aug. 30, Greeley School Resource Officers were made aware of an alleged assault between an adult teacher and a 6-year-old student at Maplewood Elementary, located at 1201 21st Ave. According to Greeley police, they were notified of the alleged assault by Greeley-Evans School District 6 administrators and security. The teacher, 40-year-old Joshua David Wainscott, was placed on administrative leave by the district after the allegations were made. READ THE FULL STORY AT FOX 31 NEWS