Staff responses to a “pulse check” survey on the climate and culture at Aspen School District show that staff feel valued and empowered to do things that create value, too, but they also struggle with an “unhealthy” amount of stress and say that quality communication is lacking.
On Feb. 22 the public health order that mandates masks in Pitkin County will expire. And new guidelines from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment suggest schools become mask optional. The Aspen School District plans to follow those guidelines, but some students have mixed feelings about the change.
In a bit of economic irony, inflation plus some significant facilities needs has sucked the air out of a $20 million cushion of discretionary funds that the Aspen School District had in its back pocket as part of a $114 million bond for facilities work and staff housing.
With this weekend ringing in the new year, there also are new chapters in the more than 140-year history of The Aspen Times as a new publisher, Allison Pattillo, takes the chair as well as new owners in Ogden Newspapers taking control on the business side.