Cortez-Montezuma RE-1 School District

The Colorado Times Recorder takes a closer look at a climate of chaos and fear that is reigning in the underfunded, understaffed district, where nearly a dozen teachers told the reporter that they would be fired if they spoke on the record.

In rural areas, public schools are often the only education option. If families in Colorado, Kentucky or Nebraska are allowed to divert state funds to private education, rural communities stand to suffer the most.