D51 board approves pay raise, salary structure shift for teachers

A pay raise is coming for Mesa County Valley School District 51 teachers.

The teacher pay increase will start next semester thanks to a return to the “steps and lane” structure of payment that rewards educators for continuing their own education and for building experience.

The District 51 Board of Education unanimously voted to ratify the new contract at its meeting Tuesday evening at R-5 High School. Read More …

Some District 51 parents, students voice opposition to any mask requirements in schools

By Tom Ferguson | NBC 11

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) - Mesa County Valley School District 51 parents and student turned up in droves to Tuesday’s school board meeting. The board discussed the safety plan for the upcoming school year. That plan includes mask policies among others for faculty, staff, and students. Safety plan policies are subject to change according to circumstances, said the district.

District 51 is not requiring mask-wearing regardless of vaccination status at this time, nor is there any COVID-19 vaccine requirement. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending anyone aged two years and up and not vaccinated against the coronavirus to wear masks indoors and in crowded settings in its most recent guidance on the topic. Many at the meeting were wondering what direction the board will go in based off the new guidance.

According to Daniel Vaden, “Many of us are here today because we believe in medical freedom and the right to choose.” Concerned citizens showed up to make their voices heard, and to hear what the school boar is thinking. District 51 teacher Jen Schumann explained her view. “I’m here as a concerned teacher. I believe that it is a moral and ethical obligation to stand up on behalf of youth against any further COVID mandates that impact their ability to breathe.”

Many who showed up on Tuesday evening, both parents and students, are done with masks. District 51 student Charlotte Kristy said that, “It’s been really hard because I’m not able to show how I feel. Like I might be happy or like sad or really confused, and the teacher won’t be able to understand the question that I’m asking.”

The major theme from today’s gathering at the school board meeting: choice when it comes to wearing a mask. Andrea Haitz, who is running to represent District C on the school board, expressed that, “It’s not the government’s job to mandate masks and vaccines. That’s a very personal choice that parents need to have with their healthcare provider, and so we’re just here to see what the board has to say and be here to help support the parents.” Angela Lema, who is running for District E for the school board, agrees. “The most important thing are that parents and the kids get to decide these things, whether it’s masking or [getting vaccinated], we just want to make sure that they’re the ones in charge.”

No votes or final decisions were made Tuesday evening on the issue. There was no public comment period either, but the signs many people were holding read out their stances loud and clear.

Angela Lema announces candidacy for School Board District E

By JAMES BURKY James.Burky@gjsentinel.com

Angela Lema has spent years fostering success for students, as owner of The Salon Professional Academy, 432 North Ave. Now she wants to do the same for School District 51 kids.

Lema announced her candidacy for School Board on Tuesday. She’ll be running for the District E seat, which covers Clifton and Palisade. Although Lema doesn’t have children in the public schools, she still feels compelled to support the system.

“I’ve seen kids come through my program and they’re struggling after school. Based on that, I think we can do better,” Lema said. “Public school is about giving kids a relevant and good education.”

Lema is from Moab, Utah, and moved to Grand Junction in 1985. She eventually moved to Denver before returning to Grand Junction about 15 years ago.

That’s when she started The Salon Professional Academy.

Since then, the academy has produced hundreds of graduates, she said.

Lema thinks that because the academy is a post secondary school that deals with government compliance, and deals with federal financial aid, her experience is relevant to public education.

“I’ve been educating kids for 15 years. But we’re not just teaching hairdressing,” she said. “We’re teaching business, chemistry and anatomy. But I also think my background gives me enough of a unique experience to bring something new.”

Lema wasn’t planning to run until people in the community approached her, she said. After thinking it over, she realized that it would be a natural move for her to make, she said.

Plus, she thinks the end goal of public school and the academy are the same: prepare students for the workforce.

She thinks that District 51, though, needs to improve on that front. She also said teachers need to be supported by the district and school board.

Lema will be running for the seat held by Dr. Amy Davis.

David Combs, a longtime activist and community leader, announced his candidacy for the same seat on July 17.

For more information on Lema’s campaign, you can visit voteangelalema.com.

“I think school board is a big job and so my priorities are going to be helping students and teachers. I’m hearing a lot of frustration from everyone about the school district,” Lema said.

“I think I’m the best person to do both of those. I want to increase positive outcomes for students, support teachers and be fiscally responsible with taxpayer money.”