Twenty fifth-grade students in the school’s Student Council — on hold during the COVID years but now back in action — peppered Buell with questions at the Impact Career Innovation Center. Students got a rare peek into what it’s like to be mayor and guide decisions for the City of Durango.
Buell talked about setting policies, brainstorming ideas with councilors, and getting information out through different channels such as press releases and social media. She talked about her “Walk and Roll,” where she walks her dog and has an informal chat with residents about specific issues.
Listening to community members helps Buell understand what matters most to them, sometimes in unexpected ways. For example, pickleball was not something Buell was familiar with. But when hundreds of people packed Durango City Hall to request new courts, she listened.
“I was surprised that this was a priority in our community. Turns out, we were behind the ball — and we needed to get in front of it.”
A student asked Buell how City of Durango leadership is different from elementary school leadership.
“Think about: Who are your citizens?” said Buell. “Students and families at your school, right? What do they need? What are they struggling with? How can you help them?”
A student said trash around the school can be a problem. Buell used this as an example of how the City Council might tackle the problem: Hear feedback from citizens, research the issue, talk about solutions, agree on the best idea, then create a budget.
Buell said it’s not always easy for leaders to make decisions.
“I’m accountable to citizens that I will do what I say I’m going to do,” she said. “You try to make everyone happy … you just can’t do it. But if you really believe in things — like childcare or housing — you need to stand by your decisions. I remember that I’m representing the entire city, not just one neighborhood.”
Riverview Student Council meets twice a month before school and has had high interest and attendance. Activities are varied, with a focus on keeping Riverview students informed and getting involved with the local community. The students handle school announcements and participated in the Durango High School Homecoming Parade.
This spring, they are planning to participate in Better World Day, a national event during which students present learning projects, engage in acts of service, and work in partnership with each other and their local communities to positively impact the world around them. In honor of the day, Riverview Student Council members will organize a food drive to stock Durango Food Bank and support families in need.
This demonstrates the Durango School District’s Portrait of a Graduate vision for our schools to be a place where children become great scholars and active citizens with the capacity to make a positive impact.
