Montrose, COLO.--The Montrose Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) knows that our local schools are facing significant challenges in regard to facilities and capital improvements, as well as enrollment challenges. As a result, when this year’s Secure Rural Schools funding was allocated to the county, the choice was clear—100 percent of the funds would be dedicated to help improve local educational facilities. The BOCC presented a check to one of the recipient school districts—the Montrose County School District—on June 20th.

“This was probably the easiest decision of my term," said Chairman of the Board Keith Caddy. "We are proud of our local schools and equally proud to be able to allocate the discretionary portion of this funding to schools serving Montrose County youth."

The funds will be distributed to Montrose County School District RE-1J ($258,833.96), West End School District RE-2 ($12,536.52), Delta County School District ($8,498.86), and Norwood School District R-2J ($2,484.72). The calculation for disbursement of the funds is based on a per pupil count of the school districts serving students within Montrose County.

The funding is derived from the Secure Rural Schools Act (SRS Act), a bill that provides funding to rural counties and schools located near national forests across the United States. Counties historically have the option of earmarking a portion of the funds to both local schools and county road and bridge operations; however, the Montrose Board of County Commissioners recognized the challenges facing local schools and dedicated the entire allotment to improving our local education infrastructure.

Montrose County School District Superintendent Stephen Schiell indicated that the funds will go towards improving the entryway security at Oak Grove Elementary and Olathe Elementary schools. “We are tremendously appreciative of the County Commissioners’ willingness to adjust their budget in order to improve school security at two of our elementary schools,” said Schiell.