The D51 Foundation has stepped in again with a major $35,000 donation—this time to outfit ten schools with full 21st Century Digital Classrooms. It’s a big push to bring better tech tools to students and teachers across Mesa County Valley School District 51.

These funds will roll out advanced tech setups to ten schools, giving classrooms a much-needed modern facelift. The foundation’s goal? Smarter spaces, smoother teaching, and better learning—without making anyone jump through hoops.

Ten Schools, Ten Classrooms, One Clear Mission

There’s no guessing here. The donation has a target, and it’s sharply focused. Ten specific schools are each getting one full digital classroom.

That means more than just plugging in a few new laptops. These are full-on tech setups. Think teacher workstations, mounted display boards, interactive cameras—everything built in and ready to go.

And the schools on the list?

• Fruita Middle School

• Mount Garfield Middle School

• West Middle School

• Grand Mesa Middle School

• Bookcliff Middle School

• Redlands Middle School

• Fruita Monument High School

• R-5 High School

• Palisade High School

• Central High School

This spread covers both middle and high schools. No single community is being favored. Rural, urban, central, west—everyone’s in.

What Actually Goes Into a “21st Century Digital Classroom”?

This isn’t just a couple of iPads and a whiteboard. These classrooms are more like control centers for modern teaching.

Each room will include:

• A teacher computer

• Prewired electrical raceways to keep cords out of the way

• An Aquos Board (a big, interactive screen)

• A document camera

• An instructional audio system

• An interactive video camera

• Full installation and setup

It’s not just for flash. These tools let students collaborate, record lessons, project work to the class, and interact in ways that chalk and erasers just can’t offer anymore.

Tech and Innovation: The Foundation’s Leading Priority

The D51 Foundation isn’t new to this kind of giving. In fact, Technology & Innovation is listed right at the top of their funding priorities.

But it doesn’t stop there. Their three main areas of focus also include:

• Professional Learning for D51 staff

• Student and Staff Wellness

It’s not just about devices and screens—it’s about helping the whole school community run better. They’re supporting training, well-being, and everything that goes into making sure students thrive, not just pass.

And $35,000 isn’t a random figure either. It covers every component of those ten digital classrooms—from hardware to labor.

D51’s Tech Director Calls It a “Lasting Impact”

Dan Burke, the district’s Executive Director of Technology, didn’t hold back.

“We are incredibly grateful to the D51 Foundation for their generous $35,000 donation,” he said.

Then he got specific. He called out how these classrooms “enhance learning environments, foster collaboration, and strengthen our schools.” Not bad for one donation.

This isn’t vague praise. Burke knows what a difference this tech makes. He’s seen how it changes classrooms—from the way lessons are delivered to how students engage with content.

One sentence stood out: “We appreciate their partnership in making a lasting impact on our community.”

That’s the tone across the board: this isn’t a one-time photo op. It’s an investment meant to stick.

More Than a Donation—It’s About Equity and Access

Public education doesn’t move forward without support, especially when it comes to tech. Budgets are tight. Priorities are stacked. And digital tools are expensive.

That’s where foundations like D51 step in. They aren’t just funding shiny upgrades. They’re helping balance the scales.

By distributing classrooms across a wide mix of schools—urban and rural, traditional and alternative—the foundation’s making sure no school gets left behind.

Here’s a quick look at what this upgrade means at a glance:

A Bigger Picture Starting to Take Shape

This isn’t the first time the D51 Foundation has donated for tech upgrades—and probably won’t be the last.

Over the past few years, they’ve steadily expanded their reach. More classrooms. More tools. More professional training. The digital classroom push is part of a larger transformation.

And while $35,000 may seem like a drop in the bucket for a district with thousands of students, it’s what that money buys that matters.

Ten classrooms. Ten schools. Countless students impacted, year after year.