Education

San Juan School Board approves COVID return-to-school plan

With less than a month to go before students return to school, just what that will look like is still uncertain. The San Juan School Board approved a “COVID re-entry plan” on July 16 that outlines three options for students as schools return from a public health crisis that has closed classrooms...

School board developing return-to-school plan

The San Juan School District is developing a plan to reopen local schools during the coronavirus pandemic and flexibility is the key, according to Superintendent Ron Nielson. “We are trying to build plans, trying to build around flexibility, with individual input in every case,” said Nielson at the...

Graduation for Class of 2020 to take place virtually this week

In one of the most unexpected conclusions to a school year ever, area students are set to receive diplomas this week from the five San Juan School District high schools. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in at-home education during the entire fourth quarter of the school year. While the hundreds...

San Juan schools face funding challenges

In addition to dealing with the uncertainties of a worldwide pandemic, the San Juan School District faces financial challenges related to paying competitive wages to teachers. Superintendent Nielson, Business Administrator Kyle Hosler, and Human Resource Director Matt Keyes discussed the challenge...

Virtual graduation to close 2020 school year

The virtual education of local students, mandated by the COVID-19 crisis, will evolve into a virtual graduation for students in the San Juan School District. At the May 6 meeting of the school board, normal, traditional graduation ceremonies will not be allowed for the Class of 2020. The meeting...

Sixteen local teachers earn test score bonus

Sixteen hard-working educators in the San Juan School District received a surprise during the last week of the school year: a $4,600 bonus. The teachers earned the bonus as a result of growth in the test scores of students in their classrooms. This is the third year of an incentive program that...

Despite virus, USU Blanding will honor grads

Utah State University (USU) Blanding will be honoring their 2020 graduating class this year despite the COVID-19 pandemic. The Class of 2020 consists of 29 certificates, 71 associate, 26 bachelor’s, and 14 master’s degree receipients. Nine of the 140 students receiving a degree or certificate will...

County high school seniors positive despite loss of senior year finale

The hallways and classrooms are deserted. The gymnasiums and cafeterias are silent. The school buses are empty. For youngsters of the 1980s, it seems like the world of the movie “Red Dawn” has come true. It’s not true, of course, but for the first time in modern history, life at schools in San Juan...

Nineteen locals earn Sterling Scholar honors

Two students from San Juan County earned the title of Sterling Scholar and 17 more were named runners-up at the annual Southeast Utah Sterling Scholar competition. The initial competition, scheduled to take place on March 18, was delayed because of the new coronavirus pandemic. Judges and officials...

Schools feed, educate thousands

Despite the fact that school buildings are closed to students, the San Juan School District is working at full capacity to educate and feed children. “Not to say that things are perfect, but we have seen a tremendous amount of teamwork,” explained Superintendent Ron Nielson. “It has been an...