Moffat County Schools Pitch $37 Million Bond With Early Wins

Steamboat Springs —"We celebrate what we're building in Moffat County, with or without a $37 million bond."

That is the line that anchors the latest entry in the Moffat County School District’s "Whiteboard" column, published by the Craig Daily Press. The piece is scheduled to appear after the Nov. 3 election, a timing choice that underscores the district’s attempt to decouple its operational momentum from the political outcome of the upcoming ballot measure.

To hear them tell it, the future is bright regardless of whether voters approve the funding package. The district argues that the foundation for student success is already laid, pointing to specific initiatives currently underway across its campuses.

The most immediate example is the Early Childhood Center, which is a few months into implementing a new curriculum for its youngest students. The district describes the start as "flying," noting that preschoolers are receiving an educational beginning focused on play-based learning and relationship-building. Kindergarten teachers, the Craig Daily Press reported, say these students arrive prepared to thrive because they have already received one or two years of services.

This emphasis on early readiness is part of a broader narrative the district is pushing in the weeks leading up to Election Day. The $37 million bond on the ballot would fund capital improvements and infrastructure, but the Whiteboard column insists that the curriculum, leadership, and community engagement are already producing results.

At Sunset and Ridgeview Elementaries, the focus is on literacy and community connection. Both schools are launching their "One School, One Book" events this year, selecting the Roald Dahl classic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. For Sunset, this is the second year of the program; for Ridgeview, it is the first. The project involves every student in every class reading the same book alongside their parents, with the community invited to participate. The event is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Craig.

The district points to last year’s reading of The Lemonade War at Sunset as a precedent, describing it as a "massive hit" that brought school and families together. The hope is to replicate that engagement this year, using a shared literary experience to strengthen the bond between the school and the neighborhood.

Leadership changes are also cited as evidence of upward momentum. Sandrock Elementary is under new administration with Monroe Walker III stepping into the principal’s chair. The Craig Daily Press describes Walker, a former collegiate athlete, as "off and running," noting that his team is working to transform the school’s culture. Early parent survey results at Sandrock have shown significant year-to-year improvement, with parents reporting that they see the staff has turned the school into a "powerhouse of learning."

The district also highlights Maybell Elementary, describing visits to the school as revealing a "peace-filled classroom" where diligent learning and friendships are forming. Similarly, Craig Middle School is noted for its focus on both history and future; the school recently installed a board in its front hallway celebrating top achievers by name from state assessments over the past five years, while simultaneously working toward future goals for seventh- and eighth-graders.

The question is whether these qualitative improvements will be enough to sway voters who are weighing the $37 million price tag. The district’s strategy is clear: by showcasing current successes in curriculum, leadership, and community engagement, they aim to demonstrate that the investment will be built on a strong, existing foundation rather than starting from scratch.

As the election approaches, the district’s message remains consistent. The bond is a tool for physical infrastructure, but the educational gains are already happening in classrooms from Maybell to Craig.

"The future of Moffat County schools should not be ignored or forgotten," the paper wrote, "and how can it, when it shines so brightly?"