Superintendent Weekly Update

I was able to start my week with our 3rd Annual Strong Schools, Strong Community Luncheon. This annual event is an opportunity to bring together business and community leaders and partners to showcase our students, give a State of the District Address, and learn about ways to support D51 into the future. This year, we hosted the event in collaboration with Colorado Mesa University, giving us an opportunity to highlight the incredible work happening across D51, CMU, and CMU Tech to expand opportunities for students and strengthen our local education-to-career pipeline. Thanks to CMU for their partnership and to President Marshall for speaking about all the ways our partnership benefits students across Mesa County. You can read more about the event, the performances, and the partnerships that made the day so impactful below.

I also got out to Mesa View Elementary, Pear Park Elementary, and Orchard Mesa Middle School to present their Performance School banners to students and staff. This was Mesa View’s 6th year in a row as a Performance School, Pear Park’s 2nd year in a row as a Performance School, and Orchard Mesa’s 2nd year in a row as a Performance School. Orchard Mesa’s visit was extra special for me as a parent, because my kiddo attends the school. As the Superintendent, I’m proud of our Performance Schools, and as a parent, like many of you, I’m also proud of the school my child attends and the work the staff put into making his school experience amazing. These visits are always a highlight of my week and a chance to celebrate hard work, growth, and the collective effort it takes to reach this level of success. Congratulations to these schools and everyone who helped make it happen. A special shoutout to Principals Cohen, Moore, and Dr. Medved for leading their teams and students to achieve this milestone. The pride and excitement from students and staff were contagious.

I was also able to visit STEAM@Tope Elementary to sit on a Project-Based Learning panel this week. 4th-grade students studied the impact of fires on flood risk and came up with solutions to address prevention and safety. Shoutout to Principal Kennedy and all of the students and staff at Tope for pushing their thinking by tackling real-world problems! I was also able to visit the Palisade area for two events on Thursday. Principal Bollinger and I sat on a panel at the Palisade Chamber State of Palisade event to talk about education and the opportunities that D51 students have in our Palisade area schools. Thanks to the Palisade Chamber for having us. I was also able to hang out and have lunch with my Superintendent Student Advisory Group at Palisade High School. I love getting to meet and chat with our students to hear about what is working and where we need to improve. Shoutout to Principal Bollinger for being a great advocate on the panel and for creating space for me to meet with PHS students.

I hope everyone has a great weekend. Get out and support our football teams, who made the playoffs, and join me and the Pear Park Elementary School community tomorrow morning for the annual Panda Waddle 5k! See y’all out there!

Dr. Brian Hill

Superintendent of Schools

Mesa County Valley School District 51

brian.hill@d51schools.org

970.254.5193

As we move further into the 2025–26 school year, we want to share an update on our District’s financial picture and the challenges we’re preparing for. Keeping our community informed helps ensure we continue to make thoughtful, transparent decisions that support strong schools and successful students.

D51 ended the 2024–25 fiscal year in a stable position. Revenues came in slightly higher than expected, and spending was carefully managed to maintain responsible reserves. This stability allowed the District to provide one-time cost-of-living payments to staff this year while keeping funds set aside to protect against future changes in enrollment or funding. We also continue to cover 100% of employee-only health insurance—an important investment in our staff.

Enrollment has been declining across Colorado, and D51 has experienced a sharper drop than most. Since 2019–20, our student count has fallen by more than 2,000—nearly three times the statewide rate. Early projections show another 2.4% decline this year, or about 470 students.

Smaller kindergarten classes are replacing larger graduating classes, and while new housing and slightly higher birth rates may help in the long term, they haven’t yet reversed the trend. The District has decided to pause any school closures for this year, though continued enrollment changes may require future adjustments.

Funding continues to be affected at every level:

• Federally, nearly $2 million in education grants were temporarily frozen this summer, and future funding is still uncertain.
• At the state level, Colorado is projecting an $841 million budget shortfall next year, and District 51 continues to be ranked in the bottom eight in the state when it comes to per pupil funding.
• Locally, enrollment directly impacts per-pupil funding, adding pressure to our budget planning. District 51 continues to be the lowest funded district out of our comparable districts when it comes to locally supported Mill Levy Override dollars per student.

These combined factors make proactive financial planning essential. D51 is already taking steps to prepare for 2026–27 and beyond, including reviewing district-level positions and using attrition to minimize staff impacts, keeping school staffing aligned with enrollment, offering an early retirement incentive for staff, finding efficiencies that won’t affect classroom learning or student support, and engaging staff and community partners to explore sustainable solutions.

The Governor’s proposed 2026–27 budget was released last week. It includes continuing the gradual implementation of a new funding formula that could raise per-student revenue (the amount we receive per student). However, a change to a three-year average for student counts will likely offset any PPR increase by reducing the number of students we receive funding for. The proposal is still under review by the State Legislature, who will ultimately set next year’s funding levels, and we’ll share updates as more information becomes available.

As we plan for the future, D51 remains focused on three priorities: strong learning opportunities for every student, competitive pay and benefits to support and retain great staff, and long-term financial sustainability. We’ll continue to communicate openly with our staff, families, and community as new funding information becomes available.

Thank you for your continued support of our schools and students.

District 51 joined schools and universities across the country in celebrating First-Generation College Week, recognizing students who are the first in their families to pursue higher education. This celebration connects directly to our Strategic Plan’s focus on creating robust and aligned pathways that prepare every student for success beyond graduation.

Through partnerships with CMU and CMU Tech, our high school students have the opportunity to explore college and career options and earn college credit while still in high school. These experiences help students build confidence, reduce barriers, and gain a head start on their future goals. Congratulations to our first-generation trailblazers for paving the way for the next generation of D51 graduates.

On Monday, we hosted our 3rd Annual Strong Schools, Strong Community Luncheon in collaboration with Colorado Mesa University to celebrate the power of partnership and the strength of our education system across Mesa County. Nearly 200 community stakeholders and partners joined us for a day centered around connection, collaboration, and a shared commitment to education.

The event featured performances from all four D51 high school bands, appearances by their school mascots, and a special set from the CMU Rowdy Brass Band, filling the room with energy and school spirit. Together, we highlighted how our partnerships with CMU and CMU Tech continue to grow, creating more opportunities for students to explore, earn college credit, and prepare for life beyond D51. We also hosted a student panel with current and former D51 students who took advantage of concurrent enrollment while in high school. They shared the positive impact that the opportunity provided for them and how it has set them up for success now as CMU students.

While not always easy, this event also gives me the opportunity each year to share the realities and challenges our district faces, while expressing gratitude for the community that continues to support us, even through the hard parts. It was an inspiring day that reminded me just how much stronger we are when we work together.

A huge thank-you to CMU for partnering with us, to President Marshall for joining me in highlighting the power of education in Mesa County, and to the D51 Foundation for sponsoring the event. And thank you to everyone who took time out of their day to celebrate all the great things happening across D51, CMU, and education in Mesa County! #StrongSchoolsStrongCommunity

The Fall 2025 sports season brought exciting postseason success across District 51’s high schools. Grand Junction High School will host a first-round 4A football playoff at Stocker Stadium this evening, while Fruita Monument earned a 5A playoff berth and Palisade entered the 3A bracket ranked third in the state.

All four high schools qualified for state softball regionals, with Grand Junction and Fruita Monument hosting as top-eight seeds, and GJHS softball advancing to the 5A state tournament. Palisade and Central softball also reached the first round of the state playoffs, marking a strong showing across the district.

Fruita Monument and Palisade volleyball teams advanced to regional play, while Grand Junction boys soccer went undefeated to win its league and reach the 5A quarterfinals. Palisade boys soccer made the 4A state bracket for the first time in more than 20 years, showcasing the depth and talent across D51 athletics.

In individual sports, Grand Junction’s boys tennis team captured a 4A regional title at CMU, and a GJHS golfer brought home an individual state championship. Congratulations to all our student-athletes and coaches from Grand Junction, Fruita Monument, Central, and Palisade High Schools! You continue to exemplify the very best of competition, commitment, and character across District 51. And a huge thank-you to everyone who showed up to cheer them on this season. Your energy on the sidelines makes a bigger impact than you know!

This week, Bookcliff Middle School introduced an exciting new opportunity through the Riding for Focus Program, a grant-funded initiative that utilizes specialized bicycles to enhance students’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

After applying and interviewing last spring, Bookcliff teacher Jeff Lamble was selected to receive a grant providing 30 brand-new bikes and helmets for students. Over the summer, Mr. Lamble traveled to Morgan Hill, California, where he trained with educators from across North America to learn how to integrate the program into the classroom.

Now, those bikes have arrived and will soon become part of the curriculum, giving students a fun and healthy way to build confidence, improve focus, and develop lifelong fitness habits.

Shoutout to Mr. Lamble for his dedication and hard work in bringing this innovative program to Bookcliff Middle School!

Tuesday night, Grand Junction High School hosted its annual Letterman Ceremony, and it was a night full of celebration and school pride! The event recognized students who earned a letter in one of 20 CHSAA sports or in band, choir, or orchestra, a true showcase of Tiger talent both on the field and on the stage.

Over the past year, more than 275 students earned a letter, contributing to a total of 450 letter winners across athletics, music, and the arts. About 175 students attended the ceremony to be recognized for their hard work and commitment to representing GJHS with pride. Families were greeted by live music from the GJHS Jazz Band, who also performed at this week’s Strong Schools, Strong Community Luncheon.

It was a great evening celebrating the many students who go above and beyond, both in and out of the classroom. Congratulations to every GJHS student who received recognition last night!

The Battle of the Cats is the ultimate friendly rivalry between staff from Grand Junction High School and Fruita Monument High School, bringing together teachers, coaches, and staff for a fun night of basketball, laughs, and school pride.

This year, the Grand Junction High School Tigers took the win! Both teams brought energy and competition, and the spirit of the crowd made the gym come alive. From tip-off to the final buzzer, it was a great night of teamwork, laughter, and school spirit. Congratulations to our GJHS Tigers on taking home the win!

A big thank-you to Walmart for their generous donation of more than $19,000 in school supplies, and to our amazing community volunteers who helped get them into the hands of teachers and students across District 51!

These supplies will make a real difference in classrooms, providing teachers with the materials they need to keep lessons engaging and ensuring students have access to the basics that support learning every day. For many classrooms, this midyear refresh helps stretch tight budgets and restock items that have been well-loved and well-used since the start of the year.

We’re incredibly grateful to our Engaged and Supportive Community Partners, such as Walmart, and to our dedicated D51 Foundation Ambassadors who generously gave their time to sort and organize supplies. We also appreciate the D51 Warehouse team for their assistance in making the distribution possible. When our community comes together around education, every student benefits. #StrongSchoolStrongCommunity

New this year, join us at the Discover D51 Options Fair on November 19 to meet teachers, school and program leaders, ask questions, and find the best fit for your student’s learning journey. You’ll learn more about the programs below, and so many more!

• IB Diploma Programme @ PHS
  A rigorous, globally recognized college-prep path.
  Info Meetings: Nov. 10–Dec. 12 | Apps: Dec. 8–Jan. 14

• IB Middle Years Programme @ MGMS
  A bridge to global learning for middle schoolers.
  Info Night: Dec. 3 | Apps: Dec. 4–Jan. 26

• STEM Program @ CHS Innovation through science, technology, and engineering. Info Night: Dec. 1 | Apps: Dec. 2–16

• Pear Park Panda Waddle
  November 8, 10 a.m. at Longs Family Memorial Park
  Pear Park Elementary is hosting a community fun event to support its students! All proceeds will benefit the school’s outdoor education programs and physical education department, helping students stay active and engaged in learning beyond the classroom.

• High School Performances – The stage is calling!
  These performances highlight months of hard work from our student performers and directors. Please come out and support them!

• Fruita Monument High School — “Pinocchio”
  November 13-15, 7 p.m. at Fruita Monument High School. Buy tickets here.

• Grand Junction High School — “The Play that Goes Wrong”
  November 14 at 7 p.m. and November 15, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Grand Junction High School. Buy tickets here.

• FIRST Lego League Challenge Tournament
  November 15, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Fruita Monument High School
  Get ready for the FIRST LEGO League Challenge! This international STEM competition for students ages 9–14 inspires creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving as teams design and program LEGO robots to tackle real-world challenges.
• Discover D51 Options Fair – November 19
  Families can explore programs, pathways, and schools from across the district. It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn about the many ways D51 helps students discover their path to the future.