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Board Briefs Archive
Board Minutes |
This page contains the latest Board Briefs. Board Briefs provide a brief overview of a meeting and are posted after a Board meeting.
Board Minutes contain detailed information from each Board meeting and are posted after they have been approved by the Board, which happens at the next regularly-scheduled meeting.
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Public Comments
A gentleman who has been an Englewood resident since 1964 and is a past president of the Englewood Education Foundation, addressed the Board regarding the Flood property. Stating that the property is very valuable and he hopes the Board will be very mindful of that as they consider the sale of the property. He hopes the money from the sale of Flood will provide an income stream for Englewood Schools that will last for an extended number of years. He ask the Board to move slowly and carefully on this important transaction.
Another long time resident expressed similar concerns about the sale of the Flood property. He has heard rumors of possibilities for the Flood site and wants the Board to look at the many options possible for the property. Ms. LaPlante assured the audience that the district is moving slowly and carefully and is in the first stage of requesting proposals from developers. Ms. LaPlante also stated that a committee will look at proposals for the property. Applications to be on this committee are available on the district web site under the Site Index, look at Flood Property to find the application.
Another gentleman, who has resided in Englewood since 1951, stated the importance of being careful that the contract for the sale of the Flood property is done in a way that protects the schools' interest.
Board Member Reports
Mr. Gorsky reported that he and Ms. Hunt, along with four district employees, attended an International Baccalaureate (IB) training in Vancouver. He supports the concept of teachers planning together so all schools are teaching the same information. The IB philosophy supports the district's strategic plan and the CADI task force suggestion to have all school operate with shared and similar learning plans and techniques.
Ms. Howard stated that she is willing to assume the duties of the CASB Legislative Representative for the Board.
Ms. Miller attended a recent Parks and Recreation meeting where the Cushing Park skateboard issues were discussed. In the past eighteen months, thirteen complains from neighbors have been received. This is not considered to be a significant problem and no action is planned.
The golf course will re-open in May with a new name, Broken Tee.
Highlights from Superintendent's Report
Dr. McCabe told the Board that he traveled to Wray Colorado on Friday, February 15 to participate in the opening ceremony for the wind turbine the Wray School District had built. This project took five years to complete and will provide $100,000 a year to the Wray School District. Governor Ritter attended the ceremony along with many school officials.
Response to Intervention(RtI)
Ms. Gail Neubert provided a brief overview on Response to Intervention. The Colorado Department of Education is encouraging the Response to Intervention program as a way to address lagging and flat student test scores. The purpose of RtI is to improve educational outcomes for all students. The RtI program is designed to utilize resources for students in need of academic and/or behavioral support. RtI supports students where they are currently in the learning process and helps them progress. This approach values all students and requires support for every student by every entity of a students education from parents to classroom teachers to principals to district administrators to the Board of Education. RtI uses a collaborative problem-solving approach to identify student needs, implement targeted interventions and utilize data to measure student progress based on the intervention. Cherrelyn Elementary School is a pilot school for RtI and in the third year of implementing the program. Dr. McCabe stated that RtI fits well with the district's strategic plan.
Bond Refunding-Parameters Resolution
Ms. Peg LaPlante introduced Mr. Terry Casey and Mr. Dan O'Connell, from RBC Capital Markets who presented information on refunding a portion of the districts 1998 Bonds. Refunding bonds is not considered unless it provides a savings of 3% or more. By refunding the bonds now there will be a savings of approximately $588,958 to the Englewood taxpayers. The schools will not realize any additional monies as this is strictly a savings for the taxpayers. The Board approved the resolution to refinance the Bond.
Demographic Study
To help with long-range planning, the Board commissioned Strategic Resources West Inc. to do a demographic study of the Englewood School District. The results of the study were presented at the Board meeting. Based on birth rates and the median age of women (43) living in the district, it was determined that kindergarten enrollment in Englewood Schools will continue to decline. Most of the homes in Englewood are small and were built before 1951. Newer larger homes with more amenities, that cost about the same as homes in Englewood, are available in close by suburban neighborhoods. Families with children are choosing these newer neighborhoods. Englewood's enrollment has been supported for many years by Colorado's Finest Alternative High School (CFAHS). With more school districts offering alternative education programs there has been a drop in enrollment at CFAHS. The demographic study did not provide good news for the district; indicating the decline in enrollment will be slow but steady.
Budget Planning 2008-09
Ms. Peg LaPlante provided the following budget information: Budget Calendar; Enrollment Projection Process; Projected Funded Pupil Count; Budget Facts and Assumptions; Budget Unknowns; Budget Concerns; School Accountability Committee's Budget Priorities; District Accountability Committee's Budget Priorities; Board of Education Budget Priorities and Next Steps. The 2008-09 Budget must be adopted by June 17, 2008. By reviewing the items that are addressed in preparing the Budget the Board was reminded of the process and made aware of concerns that they will need to address.
Consensus Items
The Board approved the following consensus items:
a. Personnel Recommendations & Addendum
b. Policy JRA/JRC Student Records/Release of Information 2nd Reading
c. Policy KBB Parents Rights and Responsibilities 2nd Reading
d. Policy JLDAC Screening/Testing of Students 2nd Reading
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