Dear Tigers,

As we move through the final stages of exploring an athletic Co-Op with Sargent, I want to provide an important update to our students, families, and community.

At its meeting on December 4, 2025, the Upper Rio Grande School District Board of Education approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) stating that URGSD would enter into a Co-Op with Sargent for Football and Baseball, with the understanding that Cross Country and Track & Field would be revisited prior to January 1, 2026.

At the Sargent School Board meeting last night, their Board approved moving forward with Del Norte for Baseball and expressed interest in exploring another school district for football.

Because of this decision—and due to CHSAA’s requirement that schools declare their football classification by December 10th for the upcoming cycle—Del Norte High School has formally declared that we will participate in 8-man football next year as an individual team, not Co-Oped.

The URGSD Board will re-address the topic of a Co-Oping with Sargent at its meeting on December 15, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.

Although the broader Co-Op proposal will not move forward as originally planned, we appreciate the time, input, and collaboration shown by both our administrations, Boards of Education, our students, parents, and community members throughout this process. Your engagement has been invaluable.

It remains our hope that both districts will continue to work together to ensure students have athletic opportunities when their home school is unable to field a team. This spirit of cooperation has benefited students in the past and can continue to do so moving forward.

Thank you for your ongoing support of our athletes and our school community.

The Upper Rio Grande School District (Del Norte) and the Sargent School District invite all families, students, and community members to attend the second Joint Community Meeting regarding the proposed Del Norte–Sargent Cooperative Athletics Program.

Date: Monday, December 1, 2025 Time: 7:00 p.m. (Doors open at 6:45 p.m.) Location: Sargent Auditorium

This open meeting will provide an overview of the proposed Co-Op plan, including its purpose, benefits, and structure. Attendees will have an opportunity to share feedback, ask questions, and learn more about the next steps in the process.

We look forward to hearing from our community as we continue to work together in support of our student-athletes and the future of our athletic programs.

The Upper Rio Grande School District (Del Norte) and the Sargent School District invite all families, students, and community members to attend the first Joint Community Meeting regarding the proposed Del Norte–Sargent Cooperative Athletics Program.

Date: Monday, November 10, 2025 Time: 7:00 p.m. (Doors open at 6:45 p.m.) Location: Del Norte Auditorium 950 French Street, Del Norte, CO 81132

This open meeting will provide an overview of the proposed Co-Op plan, including its purpose, benefits, and structure. Attendees will have an opportunity to share feedback, ask questions, and learn more about the next steps in the process.

We look forward to hearing from our community as we continue to work together in support of our student-athletes and the future of our athletic programs.

Thank you to everyone who has completed the Del Norte–Sargent Cooperative Athletics Feedback Survey.  If you have not completed the survey, you can access it using this link: https://forms.gle/GBf9MEdqxL4MMh8c6

URGSD Election Update: Appointment & Ballot Clarification

The Upper Rio Grande School District Board of Education is pleased to announce that Emily Boyd was appointed to fill the recent board vacancy at the September 25, 2025, meeting. Additionally, Leroy Trujillo has formally withdrawn from the upcoming election.

In accordance with Colorado election law (C.R.S. 1-13.5-304), which allows a candidate to withdraw by affidavit but does not guarantee removal from the ballot after statutory deadlines, both names will still appear on the November 4, 2025, ballot.

Please be advised that votes cast for Emily Boyd or Leroy Trujillo will not be counted in the election results.

The four remaining candidates whose votes will be counted are:

• Engle, Amy
• Gallegos, Jeremy Lee
• Martinez, Jill A.
• Robertson, Patricia L.

Community members may click on each candidate’s name above to learn more about them and their desire to serve on the URGSD School Board.

The Election is to fill two (2) seats for board directors, both for four (4) year terms.

We appreciate the continued engagement and support of our community as we move through the election process.

The Upper Rio Grande School District Board of Education is proud to announce that Emily Boyd was unanimously appointed to fill the vacant board seat during its regularly scheduled meeting on September 25, 2025.

The Board extends its deepest gratitude to all who applied and interviewed for the position. Your commitment to serving our schools and community demonstrates the strength and dedication of the people we are fortunate to have supporting our district.

We are confident that Emily’s leadership, perspective, and passion for education will serve as a valuable addition to the Board. Together, we will continue working toward our vision for student success and community partnership.

As we look ahead, we are reminded that “We Are Tiger Strong”—a motto that reflects not only our pride but also the resilience, collaboration, and commitment of our students, staff, and community.

Upper Rio Grande School Board Candidates for the November 4, 2025 Election are:

Boyd, Emily

Engle, Amy

Gallegos, Jeremy Lee

Martinez, Jill A.

Robertson, Patricia L.

Trujillo, Leroy

The election is for two (2) seats each are four (4) year terms.

For more information on candidates please visit: https://tracer.sos.colorado.gov/PublicSite/SearchPages/CandidateSearch.aspx

The Upper Rio Grande School District C-7 will conduct a public random drawing to determine the ballot order of certified candidates for the November 4, 2025 Coordinated Election. The drawing will take place on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at 8:45 am, at the URGSD District Office located at 950 French Street, Del Norte, CO 81132. Members of the public are welcome to attend. This transparent process ensures fairness in determining the order in which candidates’ names will appear on the official ballot.

The Board of Education of the Upper Rio Grande School District is accepting applications from persons interested in serving on the Board of Education from the date of appointment until the next regular biennial school election in November 2027.

To be eligible for appointment, each candidate must be a registered elector of the school district for at least twelve consecutive months prior to the date of appointment. The applicant must also be a resident of the director district in which the vacancy exists.

Any person who meets the qualifications and who desires to be considered for the appointment is invited to file a written notice of such intention and a statement of qualifications with the secretary of the Board of Education by September 18, 2025, at 950 French Street, Del Norte Co 81154 or by emailing Sophia Cruz at scruz@urtigers.co or Aaron Horrocks at ahorrocks@urtigers.co.

The Board will interview prospective candidates on September 25, 2025, at a public meeting.   For further information, contact Sophia Cruz at (719) 657 – 4040.