Board Briefs—August 21, 2007 In This Issue... Public Comments Board Member Reports Highlights from Superintendent's Report Advertising Policy GBGG-2 Annual Leave Suggested Resolutions for the CASB 2007 Delegate Assembly   Personnel Report Review Board Goals for 2006-2007 District Focus Review Board Goals for 2007-2008 Consensus

Public Comments
A parent addressed the Board about her concerns regarding the new identification cards and lanyards that are being worn at Englewood High School this year. Her concerns included the ten dollar replacement fee, the requirement that they be worn everyday,and safety saying they could be swung and used as a weapon for example hitting someone in the eye. Ms LaPlante replied that the lanyards are break-away to eliminate choking concerns and problems were not expected. The ids provide comfort and security and allow for instant identification.

Board Member Reports
Ms. Miller reported that at a recent Parks and Recreation meeting she learned that the in-line skate park is complete and will be open for scheduled events but will remain locked and not available all the time. She also had a preliminary meeting at EHS to establish a regular meeting time for Board Members to meet with Student Government.

Highlights from Superintendent's Report
Dr. McCabe stated that the negotiations with the Englewood Educators is at an impasse. The classified and administrative salary schedules are included under consensus items on the agenda tonight. Steps to reach an agreement with the teachers will continue. He stated the the new middle school is up and off to a good start with lots of the typical excitement associated with this time of year. The first student count will come after Labor Day. He also mentioned there will be a Special Meeting to re-adopt the Budget, as required by law, on Tuesday, October 9, 2007.

Advertising
Ms. Peg LaPlante presented information on possible advertising opportunities that would provide a new scoreboard for the EHS stadium and gym. The Board agreed that Ms. LaPlante should pursue this advertising opportunity and bring more information for their consideration.

Policy GBGG-2 Annual Leave  
This item was pulled from the agenda.

Suggested Resolutions for the CASB 2007 Delegate Assembly    
The Board approved four resolutions to submit to the Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB) at this year's Delegate Assembly. One supports legislation that would improve the fairness of funding to declining enrollment districts compared to growing districts and requests a review of the averaging formula. The second resolution addresses funding to serve all at-risk preschoolers and provide full day kindergarten for all students. The third resolution would allow districts to utilize individual student growth (longitudinal measurements) for the purpose of reporting student progress. This would allow for measurement of a student's individual growth and not a comparison of their progress in relation to their age group. The fourth resolution asks for appropriate funding of categoricals including Special Education, transportation, and English Language Learners, while the complexities required to serve these students continues to increase funding does not.

Personnel Report      
Mr. Chris Gramstorff presented an update on district personnel including classified and certificated, new additions, retirements and changes of assignments. This was general information, on numbers and positions for the 2007-2008 school year, not specific individuals. He observed that this year was comparable to past years with not a lot of change stating stability is a hallmark of the district.

Review Board Goals for 2006-2007*
Dr. McCabe reviewed the Board Goals and accomplishments for the 2006-2007 school year. The Board goals represent the Board's focus for much of the work done in the District. The Leadership Team, comprised of District Office administrators, dedicate much of their time to achieving these goals. Five goals were identified: Strategic Plan, Closing Flood, Teacher Evaluation Instrument, Balanced Leadership and Positive Behavior Support System. Dr. McCabe outlined the work comprised in achieving these goals and noted that other important work also was accomplished mentioning the selling of the Duncan property; the Comprehensive Appraisal for District Improvement (CADI), a careful evaluation of the district by a team of education consultants that will help shape the focus of the coming years; the Budget; the student count disagreement with CDE; safety issues; policy recoding; negotiation with Englewood Educators; plans for the disposition of the Flood property; addition of mental health services at the EHS clinic and re-embursement from medicaid.

District Focus*
Dr. McCabe discussed the focus for the district which he presented to the entire district staff at the opening of school meeting. Reviewing the District's Mission /Vision he emphasized "to develop the full potential of all students, through academically excellent programs." Discussing the Strategic Plan and its Priority Action Plans he stated these were enhanced and fit well with the Comprehensive Appraisal for District Improvement (CADI) plans for district improvement. The fourteen, CADI identified, strengths and assets of the District were listed along with the challenges and recommendations for improvement. A district wide committee met several time to review the CADI findings and develop a focus for the District. The focus features a commitment to student achievement including: (1) A district wide guaranteed and viable curriculum, (2) Effective models of instruction aligned across the district, (3) Systems thinking to align the district. Teachers will identify "essential learning" and best learning and teaching strategies will be matched to achieve essential learning targets. An essential component of the focus is timely intervention which demands an immediate response to a student failure to address any learning problem.

Review Board Goals for 2007-2008*
Dr. McCabe briefly reviewed three tentative Board goals for the 2007-2008 school year. The first goal is Commitment to Student Achievement the second goal is District Focus and Systems Alignment and the third is Planning for the Efficient Use of Resources. These three goals should drive the work of the district for several years. The central office leadership is committed to a shared vision to assure achievement of these goals. The Board is dedicated to effective planning, the use of data driven methods, and an understanding of the needs and expectations of the community so their work can support students and their families.

Consensus Items
The Board approved the following consensus items:
a. Personnel Recommendations & Addendum
b. Employee Salary and Benefit Schedules

Note: items marked with * are available as handouts on the School Board Meetings page.    

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