Board Briefs—November 7, 2007 In This Issue... Public Comments Board Member Reports Highlights from Superintendent's Report PEAK Update Englewood Middle School Update Late Bus Service for Englewood Middle School     Demographic Study Colorado Health Foundation Grant Future Board Study Sessions Consensus

Public Comments
Three parents, from Englewood Middle School, addressed the Board about the need to continue late bus service at EMS to allow students who reside in the north area of the district to participate in after school activities and academic tutoring. They encouraged the Board to provide this service to allow students to be involved in after school activities, stating this involvement enhances learning and carries on to high school. Mentioning that they thought there was a promise to provide bus services when the discussions to close Flood took place.

Board Member Reports
Ms. Hunt mentioned that she received the City's Annual Report that sighted programs that involve cooperation between Englewood Schools and the City. She encouraged the Board to continue this type of work.

Highlights from Superintendent's Report
Dr. McCabe stated that the unofficial election results indicate that Ms. Vicki Howard was elected to the Board of Education and Ms. Karen Miller was re-elected to the Board. He congratulated the winners and thanked the candidates for running and for their interest in Englewood Schools. Dr. McCabe announced his resignation as superintendent at the end of his contract June 30, 2008.

PEAK Update
Ms. Susan Keene, Director of PEAK/New Frontiers, presented information on the PEAK/New Frontiers activities and involved the Board, administrators and audience in activities that demonstrated methods used to ready the brain for learning and improve the learning process using movement and art techniques. Information was provided on the increases made by students participating in PEAK learning. Peak does not replace art class, it provides methods for teachers to use that incorporate art into teaching reading and writing skills. Studies show that PEAK activities stimulate and motivate students to learn.

Englewood Middle School Update  
Ms. Braun, Principal at EMS presented a DVD that included students, staff, and parents of Englewood Middle School talking about the decision to combine Flood and Sinclair into EMS, the process of combining the schools and this year's outcomes. The success of the school is clear. The student count is 523 and class sizes are good. The new Middle Years IB program is providing exciting learning opportunities to students. Parent involvement has greatly increased along with volunteers. Also adding to the success are department meetings on late start days, excellent training and grade level meetings everyday to discuss kid issues. Although there were some concerns at the beginning of the process to create Englewood Middle School people see the school as providing an excellent learning environment where students feel safe and excited about their school.

Late Bus Service for Englewood Middle School    
The Board approved the hiring of a bus driver to provide a late bus for Englewood Middle School. The Board discussed the need for late bus service for after school activities and academic help at EMS. Ms. LaPlante provided information on the demands on the transportation department mentioning 211 hours of overtime in the past month, the limit on the number of hours drivers are allowed to drive and the fact that there are not enough drivers to provide the after school bus at EMS. Board Members discussed the cost and their concern that if service were provided this year there most likely would not be money to sustain the service next year. Considering the students who travel from the north end of the district, the value provided by after school activities, and the Board's strong desire to support the successes occurring at EMS the late bus service will continue.

Demographic Study
The Board approved  accepting part one of the proposal from Strategic Resources West, Inc. to perform a comprehensive demographic study for Englewood Schools. This study will provide the district with information on enrollment trends and projected enrollment, birth rates, residential property trends, populations break down by age, and other factors, allowing for long range planning and more effective decision making.  

Colorado Health Foundation Grant
The Board approved for expenditure the Colorado Health Foundation Grant in the amount of $90,000, which will support a full time ADMH mental health counselor at the EHS health center. Ms. Neubert explained this grant provides the opportunity for students from EHS, CFAHS and ELA to receive mental health services from the clinic located at EHS.

Future Board Study Sessions
Dr. McCabe stated that every time the Board is reorganized, study sessions have been done for training, management, team building, and understanding the work of the District along with the Strategic Plan and goals, programs, technology, and infrastructure. Several additional topics and possible times were suggested for these study sessions. The Board agreed that the sessions are important for all as they provide necessary information and develop positive working relationships.

Consensus Items
The Board approved the following consensus items:
a. Personnel Recommendations & Addendum
b. EHS Textbook Approval-Earth Science-2nd Reading

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