Cortez Middle School

Last month, Montezuma-Cortez Middle School was named as one of the top schools for music in the United States for its commitment to music education. The National Association of Music Merchants Foundation selected only 78 elementary, middle or high schools in the entire country for their music merit award. The school was one of only two in Colorado that made the list. And Governor Jared Polis and Democratic lawmakers’ ten-year plan to reduce property taxes cleared its first legislative committee Tuesday.

Teachers are pleading with school board members to address urgent and critical staff shortages in the Montezuma-Cortez school system. The pleas came from teachers, principals, and other staff at the board’s regular meeting on Tuesday.

The Positive Youth Advocates are a group of Cortez Middle School students who work to help their community and school. KSJD's Jeff Pope talks with Cortez…