After nearly a decade in law enforcement, Dustin Gehring found himself at a crossroads. “At the time, I was married, we had kids growing up and the long hours were not congruent with having a family,” he recalled. The demanding nature of the job began to clash with his personal life, prompting a pivotal decision […]
Roaring Fork School District
Posted inEducation
Carbondale schools reaffirm commitment to music education amid challenges
Chris Bank, the in-school director for Jazz Aspen Snowmass (JAS), has stepped in to fill a critical gap in Carbondale’s music education for the 2024-25 school year. He acknowledges that Carbondale school’s music programming is pivotal, stating, “I am now hopefully the one-year person until they can get it back on track.” In response to […]
Posted inEducation
Downvalley schools see early enthusiasm for hands-on learning models
Introductory-level environmental education has become a staple for Valley elementary schools. Each year, Basalt Elementary, Crystal River Elementary and Aspen Elementary welcome full-time educators from Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES). This program, which started at the Aspen schools in 1975, is a cherished facet of elementary education for many local children and adults who […]
Posted inEducation
CO State Board of Educationvisits local school districts
The Colorado State Board of Education (CSBOE) visited the Roaring Fork Valley last week. State Board of Education Commissioner Susana Córdova shared insights with The Sopris Sun about what they learned. On June 11, Córdova and the CSBOE toured the Roaring Fork School District’s (RFSD) Meadowood staff housing project in Carbondale. Located near North Face […]
Posted inEducation
Roaring Fork schools enrollment ‘relatively flat’
The COVID-19 pandemic undoubtedly disrupted public education nationwide with the move to remote learning. This exacerbated educational inequalities and led to declines in student achievement, as well as shifts in student enrollment. Post-pandemic, public school enrollment trends show a decline, influenced by increased homeschooling and private and charter school enrollments. Many parents of public school […]
Posted inEducation
RFSD Safe haven policy comes to fruition
A safe haven policy, years in the making, was codified into policy during the Roaring Fork School District (RFSD) Board of Education meeting on May 8. The push for a formal policy intensified in March 2023 when the U.S. Border Patrol had a table at a career expo at Glenwood Springs High School. Their presence […]
Posted inEducation
RFSD embarks on journey toward equity and diversity
The quest for equity and diversity has taken center stage in a pivotal moment for the Roaring Fork School District (RFSD). With a student body of 60% Latino students, the district confronts significant challenges in fostering an inclusive educational landscape. A resolution passed at the April 10 Board of Education meeting marks the beginning of […]
Posted inEducation
RFSD testing goes online
Gone are the days of filling in multiple-choice answer bubbles using freshly sharpened #2 pencils. Students across the United States will welcome the digital age as they take the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) online.The College Board, which conducts SAT testing, states the exam evaluates students’ problem-solving abilities and measures literacy, numeracy and writing skills needed […]
Posted inLocal Government
Basalt Report: Last call to cast your vote
It’s time for Basalt’s voices to be heard! The Town of Basalt’s municipal election is currently underway, and the deadline to submit ballots is Tuesday, April 2 at 7pm. Ballots can be returned via mail or dropped in the ballot box behind Town Hall, located in Lion’s Park beside the Midland Spur. The mayoral seat […]
Posted inNews
RFSD Report: Cole named sole superintendent candidate; contract negotiations next step
On Tuesday evening, at a regularly scheduled meeting, the Roaring Fork School District (RFSD) Board of Education voted unanimously to offer Interim Superintendent Dr. Anna Cole the superintendent position. The timeline of Cole’s path to the position began in mid-August 2023 when then-Superintendent Dr. Jesús Rodríguez asked Cole to fill in as acting superintendent while […]