KSJD Local Newscast - April 17, 2025

On Tuesday, the Montezuma-Cortez District Re-1 School Board is set to take up the issue of how to handle allegations made against its personnel. The agenda for the board’s regular meeting includes an executive session on “options for responding to false/defamatory allegations presented to law enforcement.” At the board’s meeting on March 25, the attorney for the district, Brad Miller of Colorado Springs, recommended scheduling an executive session on the topic. He said sanctions can be applied if people make irresponsible accusations against district employees. The concern about allegations apparently stems from a complaint made to Cortez police in 2024 that said District Superintendent Tom Burris failed to report possible sexual abuse of a student by a teacher. State law requires certain professionals, including school officials, to report suspected or alleged child abuse. The allegation resulted in Burris being charged with a Class 2 misdemeanor. Ultimately he reached a diversion agreement with the District Attorney’s office under which the charge was to be dismissed if he met two conditions. At the March 25 meeting Miller voiced concern about people making accusations during the “public comment” portion of meetings. He said such speech is not completely protected by the First Amendment. According to its agenda, the board may decide to take action on the matter immediately following the executive session on Tuesday.