Animas High School has been created to address the diverse educational needs of our community’s young people. The school has developed a personalized, project-based learning environment from an extremely successful curricular model where students are well-known by teachers and challenged to meet high expectations. Stu-dents and families who share a desire for academic rigor are encouraged to join us. We look forward to collaborative and cooperative relationships with school districts and educators in Southwest Colorado. As our August opening approaches, we wish to correct some possible misimpressions.
In a May 8 letter to parents, Durango High School Principal Diane Lashinsky stated that DHS was unable to create a master schedule for next fall, implying that AHS was intentionally causing this delay by not releasing names of enrolled students. AHS is acutely aware that uncertainties of enrollment make planning difficult for both schools and has done everything allowable under privacy laws. In fact, on April 14, we provided 9-R the total number of ninth grade AHS enrollees residing within 9-R boundaries, but could not release specific names without violating the privacy of the enrolled students. Thus, we should not be held responsible for DHS’s delay in de-veloping a master schedule.
Further, media reports have linked our school to an anticipated enrollment drop of 200 DHS students and resulting staff cutbacks. With a total 2009-10 enrollment of 100 students, including students drawn from districts other than 9-R, AHS clearly could not cause such a drop.
Stories like these counter the collaborative, community-building goals embedded in the AHS model and shared by 9-R’s new strategic plan. We look forward to a continued, cooperative relationship with 9-R and other districts. We seek partnerships with local organizations interested in furthering the education of all our youth, not only to prepare them for college, but hopefully to pave the way for them to return as college graduates to pursue careers here in our region. The purpose of Animas High is to build community, not to divide it.
Jim Judge, president, Animas High School board, Durango
