The local district received an outpouring of public comments during the last few weeks over the decision to standardize bell times across grade levels. This decision is intended to counteract the district’s bus driver shortage.
Special to the Daily
As a core tenement of its charter agreement with the school district, Eagle County Charter Academy seeks to have a student population that mirrors the greater community.
In 2012, the district, through its charter review process, emphasized the school’s need to have a student population that was more consistent with the demographics of Eagle County. Since then, the school has made concerted efforts to provide equitable access for all community members. However, the school has made less significant strides than it originally hoped.
composed of 7.3% Hispanic students, 1.1% Asian students, 0.8% Black students and the remainder white students. In addition, 1.1% of its students qualified for free and reduced lunch.
A screenshot from Wednesday’s school board meeting shows Travis Ward, a parent, speaking out against the school district’s decision to require masks for the remainder of the school year.
Tensions regarding the mask mandate at Eagle County Schools reached its peak at Wednesday’s school board meeting.
With only a few days left in the school year, nearly 40 parents and community members attended the meeting and nearly 20 voiced their opinions, both in person and via email, regarding the district’s continued enforcement of a mask mandate at the schools.
“We really appreciate your comments, I respect your bravery and your passion to come here and tell us what you think and how you feel about your kids and to see all these people advocating for your students and you students’ rights,” said Kate Cocchiarella, president of the Eagle County Board of Education. “It’s been a long time since we’ve seen protest posters and it just warms my heart.”