The wind has officially changed

I want to give a personal shout out to Chuck Rose. During last week’s groundbreaking for the new high school he spoke to the inevitability that Salida will become known, statewide for excellent educational opportunities. I have had the good fortune to sit on a couple committees where this kind of talk is common. Within countless local circles, it’s a given.

Teachers, parents and administrators recognize our excellence, and soon we will have a new high school. This building will be the physical embodiment of a community that supports and recognizes public education as vital to a thriving community and a functioning democracy. Some of you may point to the school you attended as being better because they taught Arabic or Mandarin, and I could point to the multiple swimming pools in my own Wisconsin  high school as being somehow “better,” but  how do we rate a system where a teacher may be kayaking with her students while explaining hydro-dynamics —in July? And how do we place a value on a school system where teachers ask me personal questions about my kids that shows an amazing level of both insight and concern, while we are at Safeway?

This is not a swanky high-dollar ski town. Something else is going on here. We have a unique mix of small town values, a unified “corporate culture” at the three campuses, and a group of highly-qualified teachers  —and soon we will have an anchor building that respects this fusion.

Perhaps you are someone who is looking to move here, to retire or perhaps relocate your family? If so, consider that there are many new folks like you, and this energy has helped to create a education-centric subculture in Salida that is coming into its own. I do not mean to imply that those of us that have lived here for many years didn’t recognize the value of education, hardly. I simply believe our time has come.

My ramblings should not be taken as the optimistic blather of someone who hopes to sell young Cherry Creek families on the quality of our schools.  Jeff Chamberlin, the owner’s rep on the project has stated many times that he has built many schools around the state but has never seen a more involved community than Salida.

So, I am grateful to our public officials for doing more than just getting on board. Chuck and others have helped to make education a real issue because they care. So, listen for that sucking sound as parents and educators from around the state recognize how our community prizes education. The winds have changed, and they are blowing our way.

Is there someone who needs a shout out in this process, or some teacher who moved you? Let us know below.

P.S. I shot the image of Chuck in the heat of his passion. As an aside, there are city council and (his) mayoral seat coming available this fall. Please consider running or at least talking it up with your friends. Don’t let this election sneak up on us. We need progressive minds. -bd