The amount of time kids take for recess each day is steadily declining, according to obesity-fighting Denver-based nonprofit LiveWell Colorado. One reason why, notes the Loveland Reporter-Herald, is that academic standards are going up and kids are spending more time in the classroom.

Whether you consider the trade-off good or bad, it's no consolation to the 49 school districts across the state that are grappling with financial strains significant enough to be mentioned by state auditors. The number of school districts reporting problems, such as declines in property tax collections, is up from 43 districts last year, according to The Denver Post. Nineteen school districts—including schools in Littleton and Brighton—are in the worst financial situations, with auditors citing multiple "warning" indicators at each one.

In other education news, Colorado Education Commissioner Dwight Jones has been selected as superintendent of the Clark County, Nevada, school district, which is the nation's fifth-largest and includes the city of Las Vegas. Clark, who beat out a super from Texas for the job, says in a statement, "I look forward with enthusiasm to working with the educators, school staff and community in Clark County, and I will make the transition to Nevada as soon as I can ensure a smooth exit from Colorado" (via The Denver Post).