As a member of the Telluride High School Accountability Committee and parent of two children (sophomore and junior this year) in our public school system for 12 years, I have long observed our school system administration. I want to thank our previous and current school district Board for hiring Superintendent Kyle Schumacher in 2011. His selection of High School Principal Mike Conran has proved to be an exceptional decision. By many reports most of the high school teachers are happier and more productive than ever.  The science curriculum is being fully re-evaluated with the goal of providing Advanced Placement science course offerings again in the near future. The Visioning Process initiated by Mr. Schumacher has already improved communication between parents, the community and the administration. I participated in this process and as a result, I anticipate clearer and more rigorous goals for our schools, especially in preparing our younger students for those most important high school years. The school website has been revamped and is very informative, providing current information with almost daily updates. The Infinite Campus website - updating students and parents about grades, attendance, and academic progress generally - has been improved and more widely utilized by teachers, parents and students. I and many parents are looking forward to increased student ACT and SAT test scores over the next several years.  I encourage the community and the current school Board to continue giving the new Telluride school administration the necessary support and resources to follow-through on these policy changes and improve student achievement and well-being.

Sincerely,

Chris Johnson

Smart Meters Meeting June 13

Editor:

This is a follow up to our letter three weeks ago regarding the new electric "smart meters." We sent the letter with roughly 80 signatures to the San Miguel Power Association Board, had an in-depth meeting with representative Wes Perrin, got an e-mail answer from Board President Rube Felicelli and then we attended the Board meeting in Ridgway on May 31.

The positive response is that there will be a meeting in Telluride on Wednesday, JUNE 13, in the Community Room (in the old library) to talk once more about costs and benefits of smart meters and the suggested opt-out fee of $300/year.

The meters are already being installed as you read this, so this is indeed a very last minute effort to get "smart." It is not too late to opt out.

Please come to the meeting! If you can't be there is person send an e-mail to your representative Wes (Town), Michael (Lawson Hill, Sawpit) or Rube (Mtn Village, Ophir, Trout Lake) < HYPERLINK "mailto:wesperrin@telluridecolorado.net" \t "_blank" wes@telluridecolorado.net>, < HYPERLINK "mailto:msaftler@montrose.net" \t "_blank" msaftler@montrose.net>, or .

See you on the 13th!

– Bärbel Hacke and Elisabeth Gick