Welcome to the first edition of the “Roaring Fork Schools Update” covering school district news from Basalt to Carbondale to Glenwood Springs.This new informational column is presented by the Roaring Fork Valley Re-1 School District through the generous cooperation of the Post Independent.The Update will appear every other Tuesday on the Education page and is one part of a new school district initiative to help keep the community informed about RFSD news and issues. In fact, parents and community members can now e-mail one address at the school district offices to get questions answered in a timely manner. The new e-mail is Info@rfsd.k12.co.us. Or, as always, call the school district with questions at 384-6000.This week the district is hosting community meetings to continue to gather public input on the schools’ long-range facilities master plan. A final meeting is set for 7-9 p.m. tonight at the district office, 1405 Grand Ave. in Glenwood Springs.Superintendent Fred Wall said, “It is critical that community members and parents provide their input.” Planning consultants RTA Architects of Colorado Springs conducted original community meetings in April and May. The district-wide master plan addresses physical and educational deficiencies at all existing school and support facilities as well as possible new buildings, such as a high school at the North Face property in Carbondale. The current master plan draft includes recommended safety improvements and building projects. An eight-page summary of the master plan, including projects and costs in each attendance area, is available both electronically and in hard copy by either e-mailing fredw@rfsd.k12.co.us or calling the district office.-After the start of classes, the school district showed a count of 4,787 students, an increase of 23 students in overall enrollment compared to the previous school year. RFSD hired 49 new full- or part-time teachers across the district to fill instructor vacancies.-In other news, after receiving results this month of a district-wide housing needs survey and study prepared by analysts McCormick and Associates in Boulder, the school board is planning a housing workshop with local officials and organizations such as Healthy Mountain Communities. The housing study recommended building quality rental units for teachers and other essential employees on district-owned land south of Basalt High School, as well as two other long-term mixed development housing plans in Carbondale and the Spring Valley area of Glenwood Springs. School district land in the Oak Meadows area of Four Mile Road likely will be sold to establish a housing down payment assistance program.The complete housing study or a two-page summary is available through the district office. Watch for upcoming Update columns for information on school board candidate forums and ways to get involved in the local schools.