Editorâs note: This is part of a series in which the Montrose Daily Press will recap the top stories of 2020. The stories will run this week, concluding New Yearâs Day.
Educators and students adapted to the new learning environments that continuously evolved throughout 2020 as COVID-19 safety precautions changed.
Despite only months left in the 2019-2020 academic spring semester, Montrose County School District educators transitioned to remote learning. After transitioning to distance learning for a few weeks, Gov. Jared Polis announced an extension of school closures through April 30. The closure was previously set to expire on April 17 after it went into effect on March 23.
Thousands of dollars worth of iTunes gift cards; plane tickets to Texas; hotel bookings and home improvement materials, including a grill and smoker â all are items an arrest affidavit alleges a former Montrose County School District employee spent district money on, with more than $235,000 used to buy items from Walgreens over the course of about five years.
Robert âSteveâ McEwin was the districtâs director of technology. He was arrested last week on suspicion of felony-3 theft of more than $100,000; using a forged academic record and second-degree forgery (both misdemeanors). Formal charges are pending. McEwin is free on bond and due in court in January.