Briefs School Board

Summer Experience program lacks funding for next year
This summer the Gunnison Watershed School District was allotted $100,000 from payment in lieu of tax funds for the Summer Experience, a free enrichment program offered to students throughout the district. At a school board meeting earlier this week, Todd Witzel, principal of the Gunnison Middle School and the program’s principal, discussed successes and downfalls, as well as potential funding for next year. Witzel said while the program proved effective, it is not sustainable. He added that he hopes the proposed mill levy will provide a solution to funding for the program.

Bus routes edited and downsized for current school year
Certain school bus routes were cut and others were trimmed in an effort to save money and increase efficiency throughout the district. In Crested Butte, routes were cut from four to three, mostly due to the difficulty in finding local drivers. Currently, all school bus drivers in Crested Butte come from Gunnison. A mini-bus is now being dispatched to pick up smaller groups of students in remote areas. The district will continue this practice for two weeks before taking feedback from drivers and community members, at which time it may make adjustments.