Accomplishments Since 2021 | D51 School Board
Since 2021, the Mesa County Valley School District 51 Board of Education has achieved several significant milestones aimed at enhancing educational outcomes, financial stability, and community engagement. Key accomplishments include:
Academic & Student Success
📚 Improved academic outcomes across core subjects: reading, math, science, and social studies🧠 Adopted a stronger reading curriculum to improve early literacy outcomes.
🎓 Increased graduation rates, ensuring more students are prepared for college, career, and life.
📵 Implemented a district-wide cell phone policy to reduce distractions and improve classroom learning.
Strategic Vision & Planning
📈 Implemented a 3-Year Strategic Plan focused on student achievement, staff support, and community engagement.🗺️ Initiated a new 5-Year Strategic Plan in 2025 to guide long-term growth and continuous improvement across the district.
🎯 Established district-wide accountability systems, aligning everyone—students, staff, families, and the community—toward shared goals.
Financial Stewardship
💰 Increased general fund reserves to ensure financial stability (10% minimum reserve).📊 Conducted market analyses to make salaries more competitive across positions.
🏦 Passed a Bond and Mill Levy Override (MLO) in 2024 with no tax increase to support facilities, safety, and staffing.
🧱 Completed Grand Junction High School on time and under budget.
✂️ Cut $1.3 million from Central Office for district-wide reinvestment.
Staff Support & Retention
💼 Increased starting teacher salary from $37,500 to over $50,000 (33% increase).📈 Raised average teacher salary by nearly 40% from 2020 to 2024.
🧾 Transitioned to Steps & Lanes pay structure for transparency and fairness.
🧑⚕️ Improved health insurance coverage for staff.
🚪 Retained teachers outperforming the state average (17%).
Governance & Community Engagement
📘 Implemented BoardBook for easier community access to policies, agendas, and videos.🧹 Cleaned up and modernized board policies, improving clarity and usability.
📚 Created an onboarding process and board workbook to train new board members and support long-term governance continuity.
These accomplishments reflect the Board's unwavering commitment to fostering a high-quality educational environment, ensuring fiscal responsibility, and engaging the community in the collective pursuit of student success.