Board Briefs—March 21, 2006 Updated 4/11/06 (See Updates) In This Issue... Highlights from Superintendent's Report Public Comments Board Reports International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program (PYP) at Charles Hay 6th Grades at Bishop and Charles Hay—2006-2007 Pilot Project Proposed Budget Cuts—Elementary and Middle Levels 2006-2008 District Calendar-2nd Review   2006-2007 Meal Prices Board Approval of Supplemental Budget Board Approval to Return to Regular Board Meeting Schedule Policy 1161-Regular Meetings—1st Reading Policy 6310-School Year—1st Reading Consensus Items

Highlights from Superintendent's Report
New EHS Principal—Dr. McCabe welcomed Ms. Linda Torres, the new principal for Englewood High School. Ms. Torres joins the District from Horace Mann Middle School in Denver. Before moving to Denver, Ms. Torres was a high school principal in Westminster.
FBLA—Dr. McCabe congratulated the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) for their recent awards in Web Design, Desktop Publishing, and Public Speaking. FBLA sponsors are Ms. Beth Hankle, Ms. Connie Martin, and Ms. Vickie Kennedy.
Destination ImagiNation—Dr. McCabe announced a Destination ImagiNation competition happening this Saturday at Douglas County High School, starting at 8:00 a.m. The District has 12 teams participating in this competition.
Middle School/High School Band Programs—Dr. McCabe explained that the middle school and high school principals have put together a tentative schedule for sharing the Band resource between EHS and Flood. The Band Director will continue to have Jazz Band and Marching Band first thing in the morning, followed by 7th and 8th grade classes, lunch, planning, and ending with an elective at EHS. Options for 6th grade are still being explored.

Public Comments
- Two Charles Hay teachers addressed the Board in support of the proposed International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program at Charles Hay.
- A community member addressed the Board in support of the proposed International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program at Charles Hay and in support of keeping 6th grade students at Charles Hay.
- Two Sinclair staff members addressed the Board regarding proposed cuts at Sinclair Middle School, stressing the importance of the Special Education and Assistant Principal positions at Sinclair.
- Three parents/community members addressed the Board regarding the possible merging of the Athletic Director and Dean of Students at the High School, saying a merging of these positions would negatively impact the athletic program.
- A Flood student addressed the Board regarding the Flood Band Teacher, Mr. Gunn, urging the Board to keep Mr. Gunn at Flood. She also presented the Board a letter from another student in support of Mr. Gunn.

Board Reports
- Mrs. Sherry Scaggiari attended a recent Library Board meeting. She said the District Art Show at the library was very successful with more than 800 people attending the opening reception.
- Ms. Karen Miller provided reports from recent Athletic Advisory Committee and Parks and Recreation meetings.
- Ms. Thompson reported on a recent Englewood Education Foundation meeting. The Foundation is working on strategic planning and is looking at how the Foundation can be more effective.
- Mr. Gorsky attended the CASB Heartland Hispanic Education Conference. The conference focused on parent and community involvement to help address the up and coming needs of the Hispanic population and other minority groups.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program (PYP) at Charles Hay
The Board approved Charles Hay Elementary School to pursue the application process for the IB Primary Years Program during the spring of 2006.

There was some discussion around costs to the District for this program. Ms. Vedra explained that there would be no additional costs to the District. The same training dollars that are being used now will be shifted to support this program.

6th Grades at Bishop and Charles Hay—2006-07 Pilot Project
The Board approved allowing the District to pilot a K-6 curriculum at Bishop and Charles Hay elementary schools for the 2006-07 school year, contingent upon there being enough students signed up to fill a classroom.

This new option provides families an additional choice for students entering 6th grade. Students at these two schools can choose to stay at the elementary school or attend one of the middle schools.

There was some discussion on what Band options would be available for 6th graders that stay at the elementary level. Options are still being explored, but the intent is to provide equitable opportunities for all 6th graders.

Proposed Budget Cuts—Elementary and Middle Levels  Handout
Dr. McCabe reviewed the proposed budget reductions at the elementary and middle levels, as well as additional District reductions, totaling $695,800. The reductions are detailed in the Board handout. There was discussion on the following:
District Newsletter—The format of the newsletter will change, the publication schedule will be reduced, and other District employees will absorb responsibilities for the newsletter, reducing the need for this resource.
Merging of Health and Physical Education—There was concern that merging this position would create additional holes in the exploratory classes offered at Sinclair. Because merging these classes reduces options by one, classes may be larger and students will have to repeat exploratory classes based on what is available. Dr. McCabe added that the merging of Health and Physical Education is a District-wide initiative. The District Health committee is working on a curriculum for the combined offering.
Special Education Resources at Sinclair—There are 24 Special Education students leaving Sinclair at the end of the year and 9 coming in, allowing for the reduction of a special education resource.
Assistant Principal Position at Sinclair—Sinclair will implement a Positive Behavior Support (PBS) program, which should cut referrals to the principal by half. The principal will also have the option of using existing staff to help out as needed.

Band—During this discussion, Dr. McCabe offered the Board another alternative for the middle school and high school Band programs. Instead of reducing a full FTE band resource at Flood, they could reduce this position to a .5 FTE. As the High School Band Director will share his time at both EHS and Flood, this keeps the equivalent of a full time resource at Flood. Board members agreed, by consensus, to this alternative. Making this change means finding other areas for reduction, which may impact upcoming Negotiations.

2006-2008 District Calendar—2nd Review   Handout 1   Handout 2
The Board approved the District calendars for the 2006-07 and 2007-08 school years. The school year will start a little later in August and end after Memorial Day.

2006-2007 Meal Prices   Handout
The Board approved the increase in meal prices as detailed in the Board handout.

Board Approval of Supplemental Budget  Handout
The Board approved a resolution for a Supplemental Appropriation—Designated Purpose Grants Fund as detailed in the Board handout.

Board Approval to Return to Regular Board Meeting Schedule  Handout
The Board approved returning to the schedule of using the first and third Tuesdays of each month—with the exception of July and December—for Regular Board Meetings. Only one meeting will be scheduled during July and December.

Policy 1161-Regular Meetings—1st Reading  Handout
The Board approved the 1st Reading of Policy 1161-Regular Meetings.

Policy 6310-School Year—1st Reading  Handout
The Board approved the 1st Reading of Policy 6310-School Year.

Consensus Items
The Board approved the following consensus items:
a. Personnel Recommendations
b. EHS Course Approval—Honors College Prep English  Handout
c. EHS Course Approval—AVID Elective Course  Handout
d. Extended Field Trip—ELA—Crow Canyon Archaeological Center

4/11/06 Updates
- Added Final Budget Reduction Information under Proposed Budget Cuts.

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