Delta County Joint School District 50J

TOP STORY: Delta County Schools are reporting positive outcomes from this year’s cell phone policy, reports the Delta County Independent. According to the report, Delta County School District Superintendent Caryn Gibson noted that teachers and students have overall adopted well to the policy, which prohibits cell phone usage at the elementary school level and only allows it during break times outside classroom instruction at the high school level.

TOP STORY: The uproar over a fourth grade social studies book which includes references to Governor Jared Polis’s sexual identity continued during a recent Delta County School Board meeting, reports the Delta County Independent. According to reporting, the district received over 50 written correspondences on the issue preceding the meeting, and 10 community members were able to comment in the allotted time.

Delta County School District will have three open seats on the School Board for the November 7, 2023 Coordinated Election. Friends of the River Uncompahgre (ForU) in Montrose is making a comeback the non-profit was originally formed in 2006. A program that expands access to fresh fruit and vegetables for people on food-assistance is currently underway in 25 states including Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and New Mexico. Farm Friday includes a report on solar farming and drought projections in the West.

On today’s KVNF Farm Friday, I spoke with Pete Kolbenschlag, executive director for Colorado Farm & Food Alliance, about a recent trip to Washington DC ahead of the 2023 Farm Bill. Delta County School District will boost its Athletic Fees next year by 40%. The VA Western Colorado Health Care System is hosting a Veteran’s Resource Tour beginning at 10 am Wednesday, April 12th at the Bill Heedles Rec Center in Delta.

In keeping with our election coverage, KVNF spoke with Delta County School District 50-J on Ballot Initiative 5B. Voters in Delta, Gunnison, Montrose and Mesa Counties are eligible to vote since the school district includes those counties.Advocates for people experiencing homelessness in Colorado continue to forge innovative new solutions. Eric Galatas with Colorado News Connection reports.KVNF Regional Newscasts air Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 8:00 a.m and 5:50 p.m. News tips and information can be sent to news@kvnf.org