06/02/2026
From Montrose County School District RE-1J Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Carrie Stephenson
"Dear X,
I am reaching out personally tonight because I want you to be aware of a serious matter that is moving very quickly and has significant implications for Montrose County School District, our students, our staff, and our community.
The President of the Board of Education, Neisha Balleck, has called a special meeting for tomorrow night at 6:30 p.m. to consider placing me on suspension based on allegations that are unfounded, based on hearsay, and part of an ongoing effort to undermine and discredit my leadership. The agenda for the public meeting can be found here: https://go.boarddocs.com/co/montrose/Board.nsf/Public. This is happening with very little notice and at a time when our district is in the middle of critical work related to student achievement, safety, hiring, facilities, budget planning, and long-term improvement.
I recognize that not every person in this community has agreed with every decision I have made as superintendent. In a diverse community like Montrose County, I would not expect that. I also do not believe the community is best served by a superintendent whose primary goal is to make everyone happy. The community deserves a superintendent who is willing to make difficult decisions when those decisions are in the best interest of students, staff, families, and the long-term health of the district.
What concerns me most about tomorrow night’s meeting is not simply that the Board is considering suspending me from my duties as Superintendent. It is the speed, the lack of community input, and the request on the agenda that would give the Board President sole decision-making authority, in collaboration with the district’s new and controversial legal counsel, to appoint an interim superintendent if the Board votes to place me on suspension.
That is an extraordinary amount of authority to place in the hands of one board member, especially on such short notice and in the middle of a matter with enormous consequences for the district. I believe this is rushed, destabilizing, and not in the best interest of students, staff, or the Montrose County community.
Over the past six years, our district has made significant progress. I have included a list below of just some of the accomplishments because I believe it is important for community members to understand the broader context of the work that has taken place during my tenure. This work did not happen by accident. It happened because of the commitment of our teachers, staff, school leaders, families, community partners, and district leadership to keep students at the center of our decisions.
I am asking for your support. I understand there may not be public comment at the meeting, but I would be grateful if you would consider contacting Board members directly to express your support for me and for the work I have led over the past six years. At a minimum, I hope you will express concern that a decision of this magnitude should not be made hastily, with only 24 hours’ notice, and without meaningful community awareness or input.
This is not good for kids. It is not good for staff. It is not good for the stability of the district. And it is not good for Montrose County.
Thank you for considering this. I know this is short notice, but I wanted to reach out to people who understand the importance of steady leadership, due process, and protecting the progress our district has made.
Sincerely,
Dr. Carrie Stephenson"
District Accomplishments During My Tenure as Superintendent
Financial Accountability: During my first year as superintendent, I uncovered more than $500,000 in embezzlement and took the necessary steps to address it. That was a difficult but important example of the accountability and fiscal responsibility I have tried to bring to this role.
First-Ever Master Capital Plan: We completed the district’s first-ever Master Capital Plan to guide long-term facilities decisions in a responsible, needs-based, and transparent way.
Grant Funding and Capital Improvements: MCSD has secured millions of dollars in grants for safety, facilities, and professional development, including a recent BEST grant of more than $6 million. These investments have allowed the district to make significant capital improvements and address facility needs without increasing taxes on the Montrose County community.
Strategic Plan: We just launched a new Strategic Plan that outlines a clear path for improvement over the next five years. The plan reflects the work of many voices across the district and community and provides a focused roadmap for strengthening student learning, improving systems, supporting staff, and preparing students for life after graduation.
Safety Teams: We introduced MCSD Safety Teams in 2023. These teams bring together mental health professionals, social workers, nurses, behavior coaches, school resource officers, and administrators to proactively support students before concerns escalate.
Student Su***de Prevention and Wellness: While no prevention system can claim sole credit for any outcome, it is significant that MCSD has not lost a student to su***de in more than ten years. Our Safety Teams are a critical part of our proactive prevention and student wellness work, and the district was recently awarded approximately $900,000 over the next three years to continue this work.
Career Pathways: MCSD created and expanded Career Pathways, now offering 16 programs of study connected to real careers. Students have access to hands-on learning, internships, work-based learning, concurrent enrollment, extracurricular opportunities, college credit, and industry-recognized credentials.
The “Big Three” Graduate Goal: We set a goal that by 2029, 100% of graduates will leave MCSD with college credit, an industry credential, or a high-quality work-based learning experience. At the end of last school year, we had already reached 71%.
Science of Reading: All K-5 teachers, interventionists, and elementary leaders have been trained in the Science of Reading, strengthening early literacy instruction across the district.
Mastery Learning: We launched Mastery Learning to align standards across the district and clarify expectations for what students should know and be able to do. This work is helping create greater consistency and higher expectations across classrooms and schools.
Advanced Placement Growth: We expanded access to Advanced Placement coursework and tripled the number of students participating. MCSD students are now exceeding the national average on 13 of the 15 AP exams offered in the district.
High-Quality Curriculum: We invested in high-quality instructional materials in literacy and science to support stronger teaching and learning.
Elementary Art, Music, and PE: We protected and expanded a well-rounded elementary education by guaranteeing that every elementary student receives consistent instruction in art, music, and physical education from dedicated, specialized teachers.
School Libraries: We strengthened school libraries by increasing annual funding, improving student access to books, resources, and literacy-rich environments.
Expanded School Options: We expanded school choice opportunities for students and families through Outer Range, Black Canyon High School, and PEAK Academy. PEAK now serves students through hybrid in-person, online, and homeschool pathways.
Open Enrollment Improvements: We revised open enrollment practices so families can more easily choose the school that best fits their child, rather than being limited only by neighborhood boundaries.
Parent Choice and Curriculum Transparency: We revised district policy and practice regarding potentially controversial instructional materials to strengthen parent notification and choice. The goal was to ensure parents remain the first decision makers regarding what is appropriate for their own child, while still supporting schools in providing high-quality instruction and a respectful learning environment.
Improved Student Engagement: Chronic absenteeism has dropped from 54% to 31%, reflecting a stronger focus on student connection, family engagement, and school-based support.
Technology Modernization: We modernized the technology department to improve efficiency, strengthen systems, and reduce reliance on outside contracts.
Staff Compensation: We made historic investments in teacher and support staff compensation, helping MCSD become the most competitive district on the Western Slope.
Employee Benefits and Wellness: We enhanced benefits and expanded wellness support for staff, recognizing that the strength of the district begins with the adults who serve students every day.
Fiscal Responsibility: We made significant investments in staff, programs, and systems while remaining fiscally responsible.
Family Communication: We strengthened communication with families through tools such as TalkingPoints, with more than one million messages exchanged between schools and families in just the first 22 weeks of this school year.
National Recognition: MCSD received the Lighthouse Award for Innovation from AASA, The School Superintendents Association, recognizing the district’s innovative work.
Professional Recognition: I was nominated and invited to join the National Organization of Distinguished Educators, a group of superintendents from across the country. I am the only superintendent representing Colorado. Additionally, I have been a requested presenter at the Colorado Association of School Executives multiple years in a row. "
Montrose County School District Board of Education - Meetings and Minutes
