At its September meeting, the Colorado State Board of Education voted to remand a charter school application decision back to the Montrose County School District. The move came after the district’s Board of Education had rejected Montrose Classical Academy’s proposal to open a new charter school, citing concerns about finances, academics, governance, and readiness.
Montrose Classical Academy appealed the local board’s decision. On Thursday, the state board voted 8-1 that the rejection was not in the best interest of students, the school, or the community. As a result, Montrose County School District must reconsider the application. If it is denied again, another appeal can be made to the state board.
The board also approved Uncompahgre BOCES for conditional reauthorization as an agency for alternative teacher preparation in several endorsement areas. Requirements were identified for full authorization by September 2026.
Additionally, the board announced upcoming rulemaking hearings to update Educator Licensing Act rules and consolidate educator license endorsement rules into a single set of standards. These hearings are scheduled for November.
Six student artists who participated in the U.S. Congressional Art Competition were recognized by the board: Celeste Escobar (Thomas Jefferson High School), Michelle He (Fairview High School), Katherine Lopez (Cheyenne Mountain High School), Diana Salas (Rangeview High School), Eliana Ginther (Arvada High School), and Olivia Lewis (Horizon High School).
Other actions included updates to school finance rules such as language supporting Census block data collection and special education funding. The board also moved forward with rulemaking for administering Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Start-up funding established through Senate Bill 25-315. This fund aims to help districts launch or expand programs connecting high school students with college and career opportunities by outlining fair distribution of funds, eligibility criteria, and allowable uses including course materials and staffing.
An update on preliminary school and district frameworks was provided; final reports will be released in December following further review processes.
“The Colorado Department of Education’s vision is to create equitable educational environments where all students and staff in Colorado thrive. Our role is to improve student outcomes and ensure students and families across Colorado have access to high-quality schools by serving, guiding, and elevating our state’s 178 school districts and BOCES,” according to a statement from CDE.
