MEMO FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

10 YEARS AND GOING STRONG

Ten years ago, during CASB’s annual convention, a group of superintendents and board of education members gathered to discuss how to combat the one-size fits-all legislation being passed at the Capitol.  The legislature was focused on Denver and other Front Range school districts, taking little notice of the good work being done in the rest of Colorado, particularly in Colorado’s small, rural schools.  Although CASE and CASB were doing their best to balance the needs of all of their members, it was decided that rural schools needed to have their own recognizable presence in the state and at the legislature – it was then the Caucus was formed.

From the start, our goal was to be THE VOICE for rural schools in Colorado.  For too many years rural concerns had been limited to pro-active administrators, board members or community leaders who took it upon themselves to bring an issue to the forefront.  Such disjointed efforts, however, were too formidable and too costly to be effective more than intermittently.  Rural schools were losing out.  We needed a new strategy.

By speaking as one and presenting a clear, unified voice on behalf of rural schools and their communities, we have been able to articulate our unique strengths and challenges.  Issues that are important to small schools and communities have been and continue to be voiced loudly and clearly to the governor, legislators, the state board of education, CDE and others who make decisions of importance for our children, and in ten short years we achieved what we set out to do.  People now turn to the Caucus when they have questions regarding the impact of legislation or policies on rural school districts.  Our members are sought out to serve on state boards and committees.  Our input has led to the creation of bills and policies that directly benefit rural schools and led to the dismissal of others that would have put us at a disadvantage.  We are THE VOICE for Colorado’s rural schools.

This success, however, was not achieved by one or two people alone.  It has been a group effort from the start.  We have succeeded, and I am able to do my job because the Rural Caucus is your voice.  Though we may be small in size, by joining together we have ensured that your voices are heard and acknowledged and that your concerns are at the forefront of what is being discussed around the state.

Because this is our tenth anniversary and because we have so many new members, I decided to dedicate this edition of the Caucus Connection to our history, our members, and our operations.  I hope the information provided is informative and helps you feel a greater connection to the Caucus and what we are striving to achieve.

Thank you for all of your help and support,

Paula Stephenson

Executive Director

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