Dolores Schools Celebrate Preschool Accreditation, Address Enrollment Concerns

Teddy Bear Preschool earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education for Young Children after a yearlong application and review process, the Dolores RE 4A school board learned at its December meeting. Board members were told that roughly 3 percent of preschools nationwide hold this credential, which reflects rigorous expectations for program quality, health and safety practices and early learning supports. For families, the recognition can mean greater assurance about developmental screening, staff qualifications and a stable early education environment.

The meeting also highlighted a concerning enrollment shift. Superintendent Alesa Reed said the district lost five students in November to online schooling, all from middle and high school, bringing total enrollment to 590. Reed called the trend alarming and said the board has not seen an exodus like this at this time before. The board discussed outreach to parents, exit surveys to identify trends and the risk that students who move to remote schooling may lose access to school based services such as meals, mental health supports and special education resources.

School operations and long term funding were front and center as trustees approved mill levy certification and discussed hiring procedures. Trustees said they trust administrators to recommend qualified staff but asked for more information about new hires so the board can be knowledgeable about who is working with students. The board approved a slate of new substitutes and coaches, including Quaylan Lambson and Rebekah Robindale as K through 12 substitutes, Tylee Mikkelson as a K through 8 substitute, Alexander Westfall as a third through twelfth grade substitute, Ben Doss as head high school wrestling coach, and Josh Edwards and David Hansen as assistant high school wrestling coaches.

Construction updates on the BEST grant project signaled continued investment in school facilities and local jobs. Artaic Group reported that the next step is pouring the concrete slab for the new high school, that structural steel fabrication is underway and that materials are expected to arrive in January. Permit documents for the middle school were submitted before Thanksgiving, marking the last major step toward final design approval. Project leaders emphasized purchasing supplies locally to support the county economy.

Students and staff also shared successes that reflect strong extracurricular programs. Four students qualified for the University of Northern Colorado math contest this year, up from one last year. Student Neveah Settles described the exam, saying, "It was extremely humbling," while the Bear Hands Lego Robotics team reported a second place regional finish and a first place award in one division.

The board will reconvene January 12 at 6 p.m. as it continues work on cellphone policy, staffing transparency and supports to keep students engaged in district schools.