BOARD OF EDUCATION
DURANGO SCHOOL
DISTRICT 9-R
MINUTES
President Brevik called the meeting to order at 6:06 p.m. Roll was taken and President Brevik, Dr. Jones, Mr. Patterson, Ms. Paulson, Mr. Seiter, and Mr. Short were all present. Mr. Horvath was absent and excused.
Mr. Patterson made a motion to approve the agenda as presented, which was seconded by Dr. Jones and unanimously approved.
ITEM #3 – ENDS MONITORING
ITEM #3A – ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS
Dr. Michalski and Mrs. Deeds presented the report on Adequate Yearly Progress for 2004-05, along with Cindy Smart, Jean Thweatt, and Marcie Denham. 9-R met all targets of the national accountability system, No Child Left Behind. Dr. Michalski indicated that the district made AYP this year in all 94 target areas, and the largest target increase was in grades 9-10 math. There was a large reduction of unsatisfactory performance in the students with disabilities sub group. The district will continue its focus on decreasing unsatisfactory performance while increasing advanced performance in all sub groups at all grade levels.
Mrs. Deeds explained the new format, and asked the board to let her know if changes were desired. The new format starts with a reminder of what we’re monitoring, and then goes to data analysis, and then jumps to significant conclusions. We tie the conclusions to the action plans, which will then be put into the school accountability plans. The principals explained that with Alpine Literacy, all schools are using the same forms and data can easily follow a student through school. Board members talked about ILP’s (Individualized Learning Plans), CSAP scores, assessments, identifying successes in certain grades, and how evaluating the data has promoted a K-12 connection.
President Brevik stated that at the last meeting Mrs. Gallegos had mentioned some areas of the budget that she was concerned about. Bondi and Company, the school district’s auditor, sent us a letter asking if we had any specific areas of the budget that we would like them to pay particular attention to. Mrs. Brevik said that as we begin to lose state support in areas of the budget, we end up going into the general reserve fund to help support those areas. She intends to ask the auditors to look closely at those areas, and said that if there were concerns over the budget to please let her know so she can pass it on to them.
President Brevik apologized for being negligent during August in getting letters out to people who have spoken before the board.
She said that Mr. Walt Heikes had a concern about hiring teachers in the special education area and wanted the board to look at the recruitment of teachers in special skill areas. This was turned over to Michael Brennan in our Human Resources area.
There will be comment later in the meeting on what we plan to do to help with the initiatives of Referenda C and D.
President Brevik introduced the board candidates that were in attendance. Melissa Youssef, Jeff Schell, Joe Goulet, and Mike Matheson will all be on the ballot in November.
Mr. Bill Bowlby felt that all this posturing about test scores has a negative impact and gives us an incomplete picture of the child. He asked what CSAP scores really tell us and stated that schools focus their efforts on not what is best for students. Not everything that matters is measurable. An increase in test scores can show a decrease in learning.
Dr. Jones agreed that what you measure is what you get, and what counts most is not measurable. It’s a good speech.
Mrs. Vicki Gallegos asked what the board is doing to ensure the fiscal soundness of this district. She said her questions are still not answered and felt that if the deficit is not $900,000, then it should not be over-exaggerated. She asked how the transportation override was going to help, since the enrollment figures have been dropping since last year. She questioned why there was not a multi-year plan already in place as EL-7 states.
Ms. Paulson felt the taxpayers were entitled to answers to the questions that Vicki raised.
Ms. Bliss Bruen talked about the monitoring of EL-3, which she felt needed further discussion. The board self-evaluation meeting hasn’t taken place, the issue of communication isn’t going to go away, and several points in the consultant’s report need to be addressed. She suggested having DAAC help with monitoring, and asked the board to respond to the report presented by the consultant.
Mrs. Brevik stated that the board had done a radio spot on For The Record and we have talked about doing it regularly. The difference between distance and distinguish is important, because we do not want to distance ourselves from the administrators and superintendent.
Ms. Paulson mentioned the forum on Civil Rights and Education on September 23 at Fort Lewis College where she will be moderating a session, and one in Cortez on September 22.
ITEM # 6 – REPORTS
ITEM #6A - SUPERINTENDENT
We received word today that Vonnie Wilkinson, a science teacher at Escalante, is a finalist for CDE Teacher of the Year, and will be leaving for Denver today. This is a well-deserved honor.
We sent a letter to all individuals on the CTE Task Force, inviting them to attend the DHS Open House and take a student class schedule and visit with the teachers in the CTE area.
This morning we met with LEAD to talk about the transportation override. Deborah has set up a schedule of opportunities to meet with a variety of groups, and if board members are interested, please add your name to the list.
A meeting was held at DHS on Friday, which Dr. Jones and Mrs. Brevik attended. We also ended up with a group of about 10 parents that had heard a rumor that the welding certification was going to be taken away and that the teaching that was done last year wasn’t going to be validated. Regardless of how this incorrect rumor got started, the meeting went well and the students are anxious to work with the new teacher. This was an overwhelming thing to do to a new teacher, but he did fine and met a lot of the parents.
Dr. Barter stated that Mrs. Doney was prepared to speak this evening about the various budget issues that Mrs. Gallegos brought up.
Molly May, a sophomore at DHS, is the new commissioner of community relations. She said Student Council is focusing on Homecoming, with the theme “My Big Fat Greek Homecoming”. She talked about the Queens Assembly and the talent show, and passed out a schedule of tentative homecoming activities.
DHS has raised $3000 so far for the hurricane victims, by holding a car wash and a special presentation of the play “Proof” by the drama club. She said they are going through the Red Cross, so they can give the money directly to the students. She invited the board to join in the Homecoming Parade.
ITEM #6C – LINKAGE/BOARD DEVELOPMENT
Ms. Paulson talked about the linkage on September 27 called Reality Check, which will teach us to promote resiliency in our students with regard to drug use. Peter Tregillus will be the moderator, and there are six other panelists. Ms. Paulson will be doing a short session on the White Bison Model. The program starts at 6:00 p.m.
President Brevik indicated that Mr. Horvath had suggested that we align ourselves with one of the issues on the November ballot, since the election is so close to the legislative session that we had planned for the end of October. President Brevik asked board members to sign up for information sessions on Referenda C and D, visit the schools open houses, or speak on behalf of the transportation override.
ITEM #6D – BOCS
Ms. Paulson reported that the BOCS meeting was held on Monday with the new Executive Director, Tom Lawson. The Med-Tech program is up and running, Andy McGruer has resigned as the coordinator for Destination Imagination, and BOCS will add video conferencing to it’s next meetings in Silverton and Pagosa.
The board took a break at 7:29 p.m. and returned at 7:42 p.m.
There were no discussion items.
ITEM #8 – DISCUSSION/ACTION
ITEM #8A – MONITORING OF GP-3 BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES
President Brevik asked if there any areas where we are not in compliance or areas that we want to give specific plans of action on? Ms. Paulson suggested having an attorney look into the taping of our debriefing sessions after our meetings. Ms. Brevik said that was done, and because we don’t do business or make decisions during that time, we’re fine. It is a process where we discuss how we conducted our business that evening.
Mr. Seiter felt that we have taken initiatives from the community and moved forward with them, we’ve identified areas in our work sessions that we need to be proactive on, and we have provided feedback to the superintendent, and legally we are in compliance.
Dr. Jones made a motion to approve the monitoring report showing that the board has performed in compliance with GP-3 Board Responsibilities. Mr. Seiter seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
ITEM #9 – MONITORING OF EL-3 TREATMENT OF STUDENTS, PARENTS, AND COMMUNITY
President Brevik stated that Mr. Horvath’s suggestion was to table this item. She stated that Mr. Tschirki had commented on areas that he thought needed supplemental monitoring, specifically on EL-3 and EL-4. She stated that the original motion was to table this until after we were able to discuss it.
Mrs. Brevik said that things were identified during the drug search and lock down at the high school, and they are not included in this report. She said that for these reasons and Mr. Horvath’s reasons, she would like to table this. Dr. Jones asked if Mr. Horvath had said that this should be tabled until after we do our self-evaluation? Mrs. Brevik said that was the original intent.
Board members and the superintendent talked about issues ranging from possible groups that could do supplemental monitoring, whether additional language was a concern, the fact that DAAC has been monitoring this with a survey for the past few years and incorporating it into the school accountability reports, and Mr. Tschirki’s report which is also a supplemental monitoring. Mr. Seiter, Mr. Patterson, and Mr. Short agreed that we have talked about this at length, listened to all the concerns, taken the phone calls and letters, and discussed it. This matter was taken care of, and we need to focus more on the future. Dr. Barter agreed that the drug search and lock down should be added to this report.
Dr. Jones made a motion that we accept the report as in compliance with the exception of Item #8, which would be in partial compliance, with the notation that there was no reference of the board concerns with regard to the drug search and lockdown issue that occurred at the high school. Ms. Paulson seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Mr. Horvath has asked to be on this committee. President Brevik said that there is not a charge yet, because we haven’t had the discussion, but the committee needs to be approved in a business meeting. Mr. Patterson made a motion to put together a committee to talk about possible policy changes and wording changes, which would consist of Mr. Horvath, Ms. Paulson, and Dr. Jones. Mr. Seiter seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Board members indicated that the committee could always be disbanded if not needed.
Ms. Brevik appointed Ms. Paulson as the alternate voting delegate to attend the CASB Delegate Assembly on behalf of the board.
ITEM #8E – NOMINATION FOR THE CASB REGION 9 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Pagosa Springs has asked for support to nominate Sandy Caves as a candidate for the CASB Region 9 Board of directors. They need the support of three school districts in order to submit her nomination, which will be voted on at the CASB conference. Dr. Jones made a motion to approve the resolution to nominate Sandy Caves to the position of Region 9 Board of Directors for the Colorado Association of School Boards. Mr. Short seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
There were no action items.
ITEM #10 – CONSENT AGENDA
ITEM #10A – MONITORING REPORT: EL-17 STUDENT CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE
ITEM #10B – MONITORING REPORT: EL-21 FUND RASING
ITEM #10C- RESOLUTION TO TRANSFER SPECIFIC OPERATING
TAX
ITEM #10D- RESOLUTION TO TRANSFER TO FOOD SERVICE FUND
ITEM #10E – HUMAN RESOURCES
ITEM #10F – REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING MINUTES,
AUGUST 16, 2005
ITEM #10G – SPECIAL SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGMINUTES,
AUGUST 18, 2005
ITEM #10H – SPECIAL SCHOOL BOARD MEETING MINUTES,
AUGUST 30, 2005
President Brevik asked to pull off Item D, Transfer to Food Service Fund, as she wanted to know if we were making any progress. Mrs. Doney indicated that this year we had to transfer $87,000 in order to bring food service to the break-even point. Last year we had new kitchens, we authorized overtime, we had coolers shut down and weren’t compensated for the loss of profit, and we have high demands from parents to serve better food.
Mrs. Doney went on to say that this board has been very diligent with the budget. Even with the transfers this year, it appears that we will end 2005 in the black. The budget that is adopted in June is preliminary, and we won’t know our actual money until after the October count. We adopt a preliminary budget so that we can hire staff. The Finance Advisory committee is involved throughout the budget process, and the auditors like the conservative budget. She explained that she never wanted to start school and have to lay off teachers, which could happen if the preliminary budget in June is flawed.
Dr. Jones made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda, Items A-H as presented, which was seconded by Mr. Seiter and unanimously approved.
Board members talked about the September 27 linkage, and agreed to hold a follow-up special meeting/work session on September 20 to finish up work from their last meeting. At the October meeting the budget will be approved, the Finance Advisory Committee will report, and the DAAC membership will be approved.
Dr. Jones made a motion to adjourn at 8:45 p.m., which was seconded by Mr. Patterson and unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Kristy Rodri
District Clerk to the Board of Education
Approval:
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