ASD Family News - Dec 25

Dear Families,

As we move into the heart of winter—a season filled with holiday celebrations, shorter days, and the return of snow—we remain focused on the routines that help our students stay safe, stay on track for learning, and stay connected.

‘Tis also the season for snow days, and we want to remind you what we’re doing to keep our students and staff safe when the roads are bad, and how we make decisions around inclement weather. Our team follows a clear and consistent Inclement Weather Process whenever conditions are questionable, and student safety is always our first priority. Our buses are equipped with automatic chains, multiple braking systems, and other safety features that make them among the safest vehicles on the road. Our drivers are highly trained in winter and mountain driving and are prepared for a wide range of conditions.

If school is in session, it’s because we’ve determined that roads are safe for buses and families. At the same time, you know your roads and your young drivers best. Families always have the option to keep students home, bring them in later, or provide transportation if conditions in your area feel unsafe, especially during the season’s early storms when less-experienced drivers are still gaining confidence.

Unless safety is a concern, we want to see your students in school every single day. Consistent attendance remains one of the strongest predictors of student success. We’re encouraged to see attendance improving compared to last year, but our current chronic absenteeism rate is still 31%. This means that too many students are missing important learning time. Please continue to make your student’s daily attendance a priority.

As we approach Winter Break, I also want to share a quick update on how the new cell phone policy is going. Districtwide, about 1% of students receive a phone violation in a typical week. At the high school, the weekly average is closer to 2.5%, which is still a small fraction, but a reminder that phones remain a daily distraction. The encouraging news is that the data is steady, and students are continuing to adjust well to the expectations. Thank you for reinforcing at home that school is a space for learning, connecting with peers, and staying present.

We’re grateful for your partnership in helping our students learn, grow, and thrive. Wishing you and your family a safe and happy holiday season.

Sincerely,

The Board held two listening sessions in early December--one with community and one with staff—to receive input on the two potential sites for the new PK–8 school: district-owned land on Vista Boulevard and a location on the high school campus. The Board met on December 10 and heard from additional community members on these options. No decision was made.

What’s next: The Board will hold two Board meetings in January that will include agenda items on the site selection:

• January 7: Regular Board meeting will include agenda item to review options, discuss pros and cons, and evaluate additional financial details

• January 21: Special Board meeting (same time and location) to select a site and approve a mid-year budget adjustment

Resources to learn more:

Pagosa Springs High School has expanded its Career & Technical Education (CTE) offerings in recent years, giving students more opportunities than ever to explore hands-on, career-aligned learning. Today, nearly half of PSHS students take at least one CTE class. Program pathways now include Automotive, Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources, Building Trades, Business, Computer Science, Metal Fabrication, and Health Science.

CTE courses are designed to prepare students for life after high school—whether that means entering the workforce right away or continuing on to college or advanced training. Many classes offer industry-recognized certifications, helping students gain job-ready skills and a strong foundation for high-demand careers.

A key partner in this work to improve CTE access and programming across the community is Build Pagosa. Build Pagosa is a grassroots nonprofit that has spent more than a decade strengthening the regional workforce through CTE programming, apprenticeships, and job placement. Build Pagosa helps bridge the gap between rural workforce needs and educational opportunities by investing in facilities, equipment, teacher development, and student experiences across multiple CTE pathways. Together, these efforts are expanding opportunities for students, supporting local employers, and building a stronger economic future for Archuleta County.

The CTE offerings that are available to students because of Build Pagosa and PSHS help all students prepare for career and college. In 2025, Build Pagosa awarded its first-ever student scholarship. Former PSHS and CTE student Sofia Talamante received the $5,000 Trista Nauman Scholarship in May to attend Universal Technical Institute (UTI) in Sacramento, where she will complete a 72-week program in diesel, automotive, and electric vehicle mechanics.

Build Pagosa and Archuleta School District are also collaborating on an exciting long-term project: constructing a Regional Workforce Center adjacent to the high school. After years of fundraising, Build Pagosa has raised $4 million for this project and is now in the final stretch, with opportunities for sponsors to fund and name classrooms, desks, and other learning spaces. Additionally, Build Pagosa has secured $1.9 million in in-kind support for the dedicated CTE facility. In October, the ASD Board of Education voted unanimously to help fund the architectural and engineering work needed to move this project forward. Anyone who’s interested in supporting this project should reach out to Build Pagosa Executive Director Will Ridlehoover at will@buildpagosa.org.

Heather has served as the Archuleta School District’s School Board Liaison since 2022 and stepped into the HR Director position as well in 2025. She is known for her highly organized approach, thoughtful attention to detail, and ability to navigate complex policies and processes. If you’ve attended a school board meeting that ran smoothly and stayed on track, chances are Heather Schultz played a key role with her well-prepared agendas and ability to stick to timelines.

Originally from Texas, Heather first discovered Pagosa Springs while vacationing with her family and immediately felt like “this is home.” At the time, she was earning her teaching degree in Texas. A few years later, when the School Board Liaison position at ASD opened, she applied and was hired. She brings a background in administrative leadership, including working at a multifamily corporate office, and more than a decade of experience working in schools as a paraprofessional, substitute, and eventually a teacher.

What Heather loves most about her role is the people. She also enjoys the many facets of her work. She especially enjoys supporting the Board. She recently launched an online district-wide discrimination training to make it accessible for all staff.

Outside of work, Heather and her partner, Todd, love hiking, skiing, camping, and spending time outdoors with her family. She has two children: her son, who is a recent college graduate, and her daughter, who graduated from Pagosa Springs High School last year and is currently attending Tarleton State University in Texas.