District overview
Funding structure, how it compares to peers, and where major projects stand.
District 70 serves Pueblo West, Pueblo County and Rye with about 10,600 students (NCES). Colorado funds districts mostly by a per-student formula plus local property taxes. A five-member board, one director from each of five director districts, adopts the budget each spring and approves policies. In 2026 the district has an interim superintendent, a court case over a board appointment and a vacant District II seat.
Superintendent Ronda Rein left effective July 1, 2026. Assistant superintendent Bob DiPietro is interim superintendent under a 2026-27 contract. The board has discussed a search in closed session.
A court ruled on Aug 11, 2026 that the appointment to the District II seat was improper. The seat has been vacant since Sept 11 and the board interviewed applicants Oct 20.
The 2026-27 budget was adopted May 26 with revenue up about $3.24 million. State per-student funding was about $11,694, up about $490.
The board approved the district's first comprehensive strategic plan (2026-2029) on June 23, 2026 and is writing board norms.
The ruling found some earlier meetings broke the Open Meetings Law and that the appointment was done improperly; the posted records show the board is appealing and filling the seat.
External NCES figure; board materials read did not state a headcount.
Built from community engagement run with the Colorado Forum and Prosono from January 2026, the three-year plan focuses on closing the gap between earning credits and real adult readiness, including life skills and financial literacy.
Not specified in the plan summary
Director Anne Ochs resigned Dec 16, 2025. The board interviewed candidates in Feb 2026, the president appointed Susie Carnes, and a court ruled that appointment improper in Lewis v. District 70 Board. The board must fill the seat within 60 days of the order or the president must appoint.
Legal costs are paid from district funds; the amount was not stated in the pages read
Superintendent Ronda Rein's position became vacant July 1, 2026. Bob DiPietro was appointed interim on April 21 and his contract was approved June 23.
General fund
Two of five director seats are expected on the November 2027 coordinated election ballot: District I (Dr. A.J. Wilson) and District II, which is currently vacant after a court ruling. Districts III, IV and V were filled in the November 2025 election.
Official source · verified Nov 7, 2026
Practical guides to school phone policies, district budgets, and administrator hiring.
Explore resources →Built from the board's public agendas, minutes and attached memos on its meeting portal (Nov 2025 to Nov 2026) and the board's YouTube recordings.
We read every agenda, packet, recording, and set of minutes, and write up the decisions that affect families — each one linked to the document it came from.
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