The Montezuma-Cortez Re-1 School Board heard an urgent plea Tuesday from a representative of the Children’s Kiva Montessori School.
Kiva board Vice President Julie Suckla said because the charter school is flourishing, with 115 students in kindergarten through eighth grade, it needs to move out of its home in a former warehouse in downtown Cortez. Kiva parent A.J. Dillon begged the school board to visit the Kiva, saying it is in “crisis mode” and is “turning students away and losing potential teachers.” Suckla suggested a task force to seek a solution. She said the Re-1 administration’s current home in the former Downey school on Elm Street would be a better fit for the school. But Re-1 Superintendent Lori Haukeness said the district’s priorities now are demolishing the old high school and upgrading Panther Stadium. Board members agreed the Kiva’s need is real but a solution is not likely to be found by the start of the next school year.
