tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73958845641236316782024-02-06T21:39:33.699-07:00Meghann SilverthornCommentary on timely issues from Douglas County Board of Education member Meghann Silverthorn.Meghannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05594504266690757226noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395884564123631678.post-67925404914872249792016-06-09T16:24:00.000-06:002016-06-09T16:24:21.059-06:00What's going on with the BOE this summer?<div class="MsoNormal">
Usually, summers are a quiet period in school districts,
allowing a brief lull in the fast-paced administrative environment. Unique
circumstances in Douglas County, however, mean that your Board of Education
will be hard at work over the summer of 2016.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Tonight will be a special meeting on the 2016-17 budget, as
well as a few related topics. Board members have had several weeks to ask
questions and to receive information from staff. DCSD budget employees, led by
CFO Bonnie Betz and Budget Director Scott Smith, have been working overtime to
prepare a proposal for the board. Additionally, hundreds of hours have been
spent preparing answers to board members’ questions and to provide background
information. It is an impressive effort.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Some quick facts:<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->We’ll approve the budget this evening. This will
allow us to progress to other important issues before the district over the
remainder of the summer. By law, we must approve a proposed budget by June 30. <o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The meeting tonight is a special meeting,
meaning that we published the agenda four business days in advance (twice the
usual length of time), we are limited only to the topics at hand, and public
comment is also limited to agenda action items.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Every department has submitted budget summaries
in great detail. The amount of work that has gone into this is truly
exceptional.<o:p></o:p></div>
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After tonight’s budget is approved, the board will have a
work session on June 21<sup>st</sup>. We are overdue for another work session,
and this one will contain another big-rock topic: the Master Capital Plan. Many
people in the community have been attentive to various building needs over the
course of the last few years, and DCSD’s planning department and the Long Range
Planning Committee (LRPC) have worked very hard over the last few months to
pull a substantial document together. A work session will allow us to delve
into the plan in greater detail and provide a platform for a far more robust
conversation than a regular meeting. Since there are board members who would
like to discuss a tax measure for this fall, this will be the perfect time to
hear the district’s capital needs update.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Additionally, the Student Advisory Group will have a
presentation and proposal for us on the topic of P.E. waivers. I’m really
looking forward to hearing what they have to say. They have worked all year on
this proposal with other students, principals, and staff members. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In the first half of July, I’ve asked board members to let
me know their availability for another special meeting to discuss the interim
superintendent. If Dr. Fagen leaves DCSD by June 30, then the emergency
succession plan will trigger, with Dr. Steve Cook acting as superintendent. Mr.
Ted Knight is also named in the succession plan, but by mutual agreement, Dr.
Cook is the designee. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The acting superintendent is not the same as the interim
superintendent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To that end, the process
to appoint the interim superintendent will be as follows.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->This is a personnel matter, so will be handled
with some confidentiality throughout. <o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Each board member will submit his or her
preferred candidate. There will be one nomination per member, to keep equal
opportunity for all board members to advance his or her candidate.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Interviews will be conducted in executive
session at the special meeting. <o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->A public discussion will take place, with
certain parameters in accordance with state law.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->A vote will take place to designate the interim
superintendent.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The permanent replacement for Dr. Fagen will follow a much
more involved process. At each stage, the board will have choices available to
them. To begin, we will advertise for a search firm, but the board may decide
to pursue candidates in a different way. I will engage the board in late summer
to define the process and to determine the next steps. This will be a
deliberative process that, like the 2009-10 process, will involve the public.
During the search process, the interim superintendent will remain at the
helm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Finally, as promised, the July 19 meeting will include a
discussion on long guns provided to DCSD security. I am requesting a
presentation from Operations and DCSD Security on the details that we can make
available to the public, and the board may choose to take action. The public,
as in any regular meeting, will have an opportunity to comment.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
The following regular meeting will be August 16, after some
of our DCSD schools will have begun classes for the 2016-17 school year. If you have thoughts or you'd like to reach me anytime, please feel free to do so via <a href="mailto:msilverthorn@dcsdk12.org" target="_blank">email</a> or phone at (720) 839-4494. <o:p></o:p></div>
Meghannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05594504266690757226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395884564123631678.post-60448949474553365522015-12-16T14:42:00.000-07:002015-12-16T14:42:40.930-07:00BOE Meeting Update: 15 December 2015<div class="MsoNormal">
Meeting note: due to inclement weather, the board meeting
proceeded with an abbreviated agenda via Webex, an online platform with a
telephonic component. Livestreaming was available to the public, and the board
room was open to anyone who wished to come observe or make public comment.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Livestream archive link: <a href="http://livestream.com/DCSDK12/events/4570453">http://livestream.com/DCSDK12/events/4570453</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The agenda was as follows.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b>1.
Suspension of rules to permit electronic participation<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b>2.
Renewal of Lobbyist contracts<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b>3.
Approval of the accreditation report<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b>4.
Mil levy override setting<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>5.
STEM K-4 resolution</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>1. Suspension of rules to permit electronic participation</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The board has certain rules that govern its regular
meetings. In order for all board members to participate
electronically/telephonically, we had to vote to suspend the rules. I voted yes
due to inclement weather restricting the attendance of nearly all board
members. Several staff members were present in the board room, as were a few
members of the public and media. The motion passed via a 6-0 vote.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>2. Renewal of board legislative services contract</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Board contracts with JLH Consulting and Public Affairs
for legislative services. This contract must be renewed annually before the
legislative session begins, which will occur before the next regular meeting. I
voted yes, since I am familiar with the past work that JLH has accomplished and
the benefit it has had for the district, and I am satisfied that this contract
should continue. This motion carried 6-0-1 (aye-nay-abstention).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>3. Approval of the Accreditation Report to CDE</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Colorado
State Statute, C.R.S. § 22-11-206(4)(a)(I)&(II), requires that this
Accreditation Report be submitted with the FY 2014-2015 Comprehensive Annual
Financial Report and Audit. CDE provides a form for districts to complete. It
is meant to provide assurances that the district complied with state law and
generally accepted accounting principles. Audited financial statements provide
part of the assurances that the district has complied, as well as other
information provided by the district. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The
report was made available as part of the board agenda. Financial documents,
including the Comprehensive Financial Report and Audit, were included. This
report must be provided, statutorily, by 31 December to CDE, necessitating a
vote during this meeting. I voted yes because in reviewing the documents, I am
satisfied that the bar has been met for compliance with the law. The motion
passed on a 7-0 vote. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>4.
Mill levy override setting</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Statutorily,
the board needed to vote to certify the mill levy by 5pm on 12/15. This
deadline was the reason that the board met an hour earlier than usual.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The
mill levy override is authorized by voters, and stems from four separate
authorizations, totaling $33,713,000. The MLO is calculated as follows:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(Amount
required / Assessed valuation) x 1000 <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Voter
Approved Overrides: $33,713,000<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Assessed
Valuation: $5,620,055,765<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mill
Rate: 5.999<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
($33,713,000
/ $5,620,055,765) x 1000 = 5.999<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since
the total net assessed value in the District grew from $4.8B to $5.6B, a nearly
17% increase over one year ago, the recommended total mill levy rate dropped.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I
voted yes to set the mill levy at the recommended level. The district provided
a thorough explanation of the mill setting process and how it is related to
valuations, past voter authorizations, and how it includes other factors such
as abatements and bond redemption funding to satisfy our bonding obligations.
The mill levy is set for the current fiscal year; the motion passed 7-0.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>5.
STEM Expansion to grades K-4</b> (beginning 56:00 on the livestream recording)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The
purpose of this agenda item was to respond to a request by the Douglas County
Planning Commission (PC) to hold a hearing on issues related to the STEM
expansion. This request was made November 24. State statute dictates that not
only is this hearing at the sole discretion of the BOE, but also if such a
hearing is to take place, it must be within 30 days of the county’s request.
This would make <u>December 23</u> the last day for the hearing, otherwise STEM’s
request would be deemed approved.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Due
to the format of the board meeting, the original planned presentations by STEM,
the planning commission staff, and the district were not able to continue as
planned. I requested that Rob Ross, the district legal counsel, draft a
resolution stating that STEM would be conditionally approved based on eight
conditions that addressed the concerns laid out in the PC’s documentation. One
of those conditions would be that a hearing would take place so that all
concerns could be heard. Mr. Ross worked with Mr. Barry Arrington, the STEM
legal counsel, on this resolution.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some
facts:</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The STEM expansion had been under discussion for well over a year. STEM expanded their offerings to fifth grade for 2015-16. This program has been extremely popular, and STEM had made known that their plan was always to expand downward to K-4. The district had numerous positive and productive conversations with STEM board members and administrators about this plan. This effort was by no means rushed or hurried.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">December 23 is the deadline for the hearing to take place.
Unless a vote was taken by the BOE specifically to disapprove the STEM
expansion, if there is no hearing, then STEM’s request to the PC would be
deemed approved. Postponing the resolution until January 5, or <i>any other date</i>
past December 23, would not have had <i>any effect</i> on the PC’s request to the
district.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Contained in the resolution is a requirement for a hearing. This
hearing will take place and the PC staff, STEM, and the BOE will all participate
and will be able to voice their concerns and questions to the public. This hearing is unscheduled but must occur <u>no later than March 1</u>.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Postponing the resolution would have created an issue with the
students that are seeking to enroll in STEM because the district’s open
enrollment deadline is 5 January.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">If the district were to force STEM to wait until the open
enrollment deadline, then STEM would be accepting enrollments without knowing
if their expansion were even approved. If it were not approved, then all of
those students would have to be sent back to their neighborhood schools. There
would be <u>no opportunity for parents to make any other choice</u> because January 5
is the deadline.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">This resolution was not about open enrollment. It was about
giving the PC, STEM, and the BOE the chance to have a hearing at a later time.
The timing of any hearing held after December 23 is irrelevant in regards to
automatic approval. The only thing we can do is what we were doing: set
conditions that must be met for approval.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Public comment <u>was solicited</u> before a vote was taken. No one was
in the room to make any public comment. This opportunity will be made available
again when the hearing does take place.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The planning commission’s December 15 letter to the BOE
acknowledged that the board might decide to go forward with approving the STEM charter
amendment. They requested that, if we did, then we at least 1) require STEM to
abide by the PC’s conditions of approval set forth in the PC staff report and
2) extract commitments from STEM to meet with its neighbors that attended the
PC meeting and expressed concerns. As I note below, this was done via an
amendment and the approval of the resolution itself, which contained all of the
conditions of approval.</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There
were a few motions made on this resolution.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A
letter sent from PC staff on December 15 made the additional request to ask
STEM to meet with the two nearby businesses that attended the PC meeting to
express concerns about the expansion. A motion was made to add a condition to
require STEM to meet with these neighbors. I voted yes to alleviate any PC
concerns around this. It carried 7-0.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A
motion was made to postpone the resolution’s vote until a future time; January
5 was suggested but not made part of the motion. I voted no; as stated
previously, January 5 was an arbitrary date that occurred after the PC’s
statutory deadline of 23 December and would have occurred on the open
enrollment deadline. The motion failed 3-4.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A
motion was made to call the question (i.e. force an immediate vote on the
motion on the table, which was the entire amended resolution). I voted yes, as
I ensured that in the resolution, all PC concerns were included as conditions
for approval, and I knew that we would not meet again as a BOE before the PC
deadline of December 23. The motion carried and the resolution was passed, 4-3.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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What
happens if STEM doesn’t meet the conditions in the resolution? If they don’t,
then the approval is not finalized and the expansion will not take place.
Again, postponing or failing to approve the resolution does not affect the PC’s
request to have a hearing if no action is taken by December 23. Failing to
approve the expansion, however, will affect hundreds of children who are
entering the lottery and open enrollment for STEM’s proposed K-4 grades. I do
not believe that it is appropriate to inject this kind of uncertainty
needlessly into the process for STEM children, whereby they are forced to wait
until literally the eleventh hour to know whether the grades into which they
want to enroll their children even exist.<span style="color: #04000f;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Meghannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05594504266690757226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395884564123631678.post-45065056510528811442015-12-03T15:20:00.001-07:002015-12-03T15:20:42.398-07:00Thoughts upon being elected to serve as Board President<div class="MsoNormal">
It is my great privilege to have been elected on Tuesday
evening to serve as the president of the Douglas County school board.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I want to thank my predecessor, Kevin Larsen, who served on
the Douglas County school board for four years and as its president for two. He
truly cares about the DCSD community and poured his time, effort, and heart
into being a school board director. I know he will continue to do a lot of good
work for students as a private citizen.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The Douglas County School District has a new board of
education, and with it comes new opportunities. The district has opportunities,
both to build on past successes and to seek continuous improvement. The board
has opportunities, to come together with the sole purpose of providing a
quality education for our kids. I am not interested in looking backward. We
will move forward to serve our community. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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We represent the people of Douglas County—all of them. We
are agents; they have provided us with this district and entrusted us to manage
it. We will do the work that it takes to empower parents to ensure that they
can drive their children’s education. Our community wants a district that works
for them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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parents, students, citizens, and staff, our model of education is one of
constant improvement. </span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">We will show the people of our district that we have one goal: cultivating
a system that will help kids succeed. This will be our clear standard. I want
us to educate students, not advocate for adult interests. We will put kids
first—where they belong</span>.<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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We won’t always agree. But as Speaker of the U.S. House of
Representatives Paul Ryan has said, “We have nothing to fear from honest
differences honestly stated.” We will use our differences to contribute to a
robust discussion and to share ideas. We can do this and come to a better
understanding of one another, with the public as witness. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The citizens of Douglas County have chosen every one of us
on the board to act on their behalf. They have placed great trust in all of us.
I thank my colleagues for doing me the honor of allowing me to preside over
this board. I look forward to working with them and the citizens of Douglas
County to advance excellence in education for all of our students.<o:p></o:p></div>
Meghannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05594504266690757226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395884564123631678.post-21220114941140313652015-11-25T23:57:00.000-07:002015-11-25T23:57:22.431-07:00Special Meeting Rescheduled Due to Conflict <div style="white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Board of Education, although elected, is a volunteer group that donates its time to the people of Douglas County. No member is paid any salary, and each of us brings a unique background to the position of school board director. We benefit from this diversity.</span></div>
<div style="margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The District worked with the Douglas County Clerk and Recorder’s office to set a date for the new board members’ swearing-in ceremony within the statutory deadline. This date was set on November 30th, within the correct timeline according to statute [C.R.S. §1-1-106(5)]. Although it is customary for this ceremony to occur in the context of a business meeting, a swearing-in may legally occur at any time after the certification date. So, the new DCSD board directors arranged their private swearing-in ceremony on November 23rd.</span></div>
<div style="margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The November 30th ceremony was scheduled to meet statutory deadlines for swearing in new board directors, which was officially done on November 23 after the election was certified. Another item of business is the election of new officers. Within 15 days of the election being certified, C.R.S. §22-32-104 states that a special meeting must be called for the purpose of electing new officers. The last day to accomplish this without violating state law would be December 3. </span></div>
<div style="margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Because the November 30 meeting date is outside our normal meting schedule, one of our members, Dr. Jim Geddes, has a conflict involving a scheduled surgery. Dr. Geddes is a surgeon and builds his surgery schedule around BOE regular meetings, planning months ahead to accommodate both his medical practice and his board duties. </span></div>
<div style="margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">For something as important as board leadership elections, every member should have the opportunity to have a vote. The timing of professional obligations such as those detaining Director Geddes might be unfortunate. However, this is a special meeting by definition, and statutorily, the board secretary calls the meeting on any date in the range. </span></div>
<div style="margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The meeting date has changed to December 1 for this accommodation. Although a meeting date change would ordinarily not occur if a member had to miss a regular meeting, special meetings often come with unusual circumstances. </span></div>
<div style="margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We look forward to seating new officers and moving forward with the business of the school district. It’s a privilege to serve the citizens of Douglas County as we work to provide the best education for our kids.</span></div>
<div style="margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">TIMELINE</span></u></b></div>
<div style="margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3 November</b>: Election Day
<b>19 November</b>: Election results certified by the Douglas County Clerk and Recorder’s office
<b>30 November</b>: Statutory deadline for new board members to be sworn in
<b>30 November</b>: Special board meeting scheduled for swearing-in and board officer elections
<b>1 December</b>: New date for special board meeting after schedule conflict
<b>3 December</b>: Statutory deadline for special board meeting, 15 days after certification of election results</span></div>
Meghannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05594504266690757226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395884564123631678.post-18484594651154935232015-11-17T19:31:00.001-07:002015-11-18T11:08:32.733-07:00DCSD releases employee survey: FAQ<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I am delighted to report that today, DCSD has
launched a survey of all of its employees to solicit feedback on the four
pillars of our strategic plan: safety, choice, world-class education, and
system performance. This survey will help us provide a baseline of current
opinion so that we can understand how to improve in ways ranging from effective
communication to assisting teachers and building leaders in providing the best
education for kids. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> This will be the first part of our effort to
gather opinions from parents, students, teachers, and citizens across the
district. Having worked on this effort for nearly eighteen months, I am pleased
to see it come to fruition, and look forward to using the results to drive
continuous improvement in our district.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Here are some questions that I have seen today
upon the survey's release. I hope that this will help begin to answer them, and
that the district community has productive conversations going forward.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">What is the background on surveying
employees?</span></b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">In the past, DCSD has surveyed teachers and
community members without substantial fidelity. Best practices for surveys
weren't followed, such as using a rigorous protocol to ensure that the right
respondents were taking them, nor were representative samples of the community
guaranteed. DCSD had the disastrous experience of failing to ask
demographic questions in its most recent survey. Although valuable
information came out of that survey that was used in a number of ways, the
district could not guarantee that its results represented the community
accurately.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">In the summer of 2014, DCSD released an RFP for
a community survey. Several firms responded, with a variety of approaches to
the District's request. I was fortunate to be part of the staff review
process that looked over the packages and made recommendations about which to
employ. However, ultimately, disagreement about the recommendations, as well as
substantial cost, caused the majority of the board to choose not to take action with a survey
for this past fall, a year ago. (Note: no formal board action was taken.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Although I was disappointed (you might
guess that I was in the minority on this issue), I continued to work with staff
and the superintendent to determine a path forward on gathering feedback. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">What is this survey about?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">This particular survey is for staff, by staff.
It is meant to gauge the current understanding of the district's strategic
plan. The questions fall into the four strategic plan buckets: safety, choice,
world-class education, and system performance. There are additional
questions about how employees feel about DCSD as a place to work, and around
communications.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Who created and is administering the survey?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The district solicited staff across several
departments for survey questions. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Data integrity is an extremely important part
of survey best practice. The questions are hosted on a third-party
survey platform that ensures that there are unique respondents. The survey is
anonymous--no demographic or employee data is solicited. Standard practices
have been employed to allow employees to remain anonymous while allowing data
to be aggregated into building-level indicators. No one outside the district
should be able to take the survey, and no one will be able to take the survey
more than once. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">When will the survey be completed?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Employees have until November 20 to access and
finish the survey. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">How will the results be used?</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Understanding knowledge gaps is the first step
to making positive changes in the areas measured by the survey. The results
will be used to form an initial picture of the state of employee implementation
of the strategic plan. I am most interested in driving improvements as
we continue to gather feedback and learn how we can support staff
members.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">So is this the whole result of the survey
process? Is this the only survey that will be given?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">No, it is just the beginning. After discussing
survey approaches with staff, several paths forward emerged. Begin by measuring
staff understanding of the current strategic plan. Understand the baseline
viewpoints. Try again to work together as a board on a broader survey, perhaps
for parents, students, and/or community members. Come back to staff with
additional questions near the end of the year as we figure out what questions
staff members have, and where additional improvements are needed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
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at any given point. We must develop a more robust communications process and a
better feedback loop to improve our assessment of how we are doing. Today's
survey is a small part of that.</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Meghannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05594504266690757226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395884564123631678.post-32783118132826585852015-09-05T23:24:00.002-06:002015-09-05T23:26:48.513-06:00DCSD Average ACT Scores: Looking UpI am always pleased to note the accomplishments of our students. Whether it is through art and music talent, through achievements on the sports field, or through academic achievement, our students continue to improve every year in various areas.<br />
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Although our students are not defined by one test on one day, the state of Colorado requires the ACT test of all high school students. Unlike several other standardized tests such as PARCC, students take the ACT seriously. It has been viewed as a marker in high school achievement, not to mention used as a criterion in college admissions.</div>
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Here is a look at the 2010 ACT scores compared with the 2015 ACT scores. The comparison is not exact, as there is a school that tested in 2010 with no results in 2015 (eDCSD) and a few schools that tested in 2015 that did not test in 2010 (Legend High School, SkyView Academy, and the STEM charter school). </div>
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Students at schools which were tested in both 2010 and 2015 represent 83.6% of 2015 scores that held steady or rose. Another 13.9% were not tested in 2010 and made a strong showing for 2015, including two charters that had scores above the district average. The remaining 2.4% of students whose scores declined represent our two alternative schools, who have strong leadership in place to help guide students through improvements. </div>
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There are other bright spots. For example, HOPE Online, one of DCSD's charters, caters to special populations of students that are low-income, English language learners, or may otherwise face challenges. HOPE kids want to succeed despite these. They have pulled their ACT scores up by 1.6, a greater jump than any other school. This is an excellent indicator for HOPE Online.</div>
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DCSD parents, teachers, and staff have all supported our students, who have worked very hard to effect these improvements. I am very proud of them! </div>
Meghannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05594504266690757226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395884564123631678.post-61172988825746941812015-05-13T01:55:00.000-06:002015-05-13T01:55:18.828-06:00School-Based Budgeting<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is budget time again! DCSD is a rarity in terms of school
districts in that it allows schools to have a great deal of autonomy in how
they spend their budget dollars. Site-based budgeting gives local school
communities a greater voice in what personnel they want to hire, what
proportion of classroom teachers they want to have, and what programs they
would like to emphasize.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now that the Colorado General Assembly, or state
legislature, has adjourned and school districts are receiving budget numbers,
questions are beginning again about school-based budgets and how those
allocations work. Using an actual elementary school budget from this current
school year, I will walk you through the way the district allocates money to
schools, and how a school might spend its budget on its own priorities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It may be useful for you to consult the following infographics as you read. The information that follows is a narrative meant to accompany them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Where do the dollar figures come from? </b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9WI_H24uUCie-sUBvY7vyM1wjXYfOAjosRZI8wBkmgykiKbVSwneapca7WuYCW1Jl_H3yaMl8x-5m0fkUnAJpfmOUvqDzPs3S9iiZziWS7ruBMptd1tJKNE6T4mlHJr18sOWUzDnCbRY_/s1600/SBB+Allocation.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9WI_H24uUCie-sUBvY7vyM1wjXYfOAjosRZI8wBkmgykiKbVSwneapca7WuYCW1Jl_H3yaMl8x-5m0fkUnAJpfmOUvqDzPs3S9iiZziWS7ruBMptd1tJKNE6T4mlHJr18sOWUzDnCbRY_/s200/SBB+Allocation.png" width="154" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Click for larger image.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The school begins with a worksheet and a base student-based
budget pupil allocation (SBBPA). This amount is <b>$3,722</b>. This is based on a
proportion of projected state funding. Although the legislature passes a budget
every spring, this can change at any time due to unforeseen circumstances. For
example, several years ago, the state rescinded $9M from DCSD toward the end of
the year because its projections exceeded the actual revenues and it could not
pay DCSD the full amount promised.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every fall, enrollment is counted on October 1, or Count
Day. Budgets are completed before this date, but the actual count is where
schools reconcile their projections with their actual numbers and the final
budgets are set. Our notional school has 74 kindergarten students and 472
students in grades 1-6. Although the SBBPA will be the same, local mill levy
override dollars will be $30 additional per student in kindergarten, and $60
additional per student in grades 1-6. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The kindergarten total allocation is $277,648, and the total
for grades 1-6 is $1,785,104. Together these numbers add up to <b>$2,062,752</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is not the only funding available to the school,
however. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The district provides
additional funding support in several forms. First, there are non-discretionary
allocations depending on the school and its needs. Needs such as Gifted and
Talented, Special Education, English Language, and Literacy are funded. These
are non-discretionary because they are either required by law, like special
education, or are otherwise a constrained expense. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Non-discretionary funds add up to <b>$701,156</b> at
our school. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Discretionary expenses are not necessarily positions or
expenses that the school would want to do without, but rather are those that
have a certain amount of flexibility. These include the principal, heath
assistant, and the volunteer coordinator. These positions can have varying
amounts of contract hours so that the dollar allocation for these is discretionary.
Total discretionary funds at this school are <b>$135,244</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Other discretionary allocations are based on specific needs
such as the Student Success Act, which funds certain requirements laid out in
state law, and highly impacted school funds, meant to alleviate issues caused
by circumstances beyond a school’s control (e.g. small size). These funds add
up to <b>$52,300</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The sum of these different line items:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">$2,062,752 [SBBPA Total] <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">$701,156 [Non-Discretionary]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">$135,244 [Discretionary]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">$52,300 [Other Additional Discretionary]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">------------------<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>$2,951,452 [Total]</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>How is the school choosing to spend its allocation?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLnH-Uy43I2LHf-euAjki3R73glF6ASE9Wwwu5XjNF-9dMfHIQRRLO-HU3vT7x6FockMXecLjf6ApUAb25-AvalSTwU0T-010haZxAV4MCSFSi1tc6UGl4t2symKy7Qno90VgvuOBJ0hD/s1600/SBB+Spending.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLnH-Uy43I2LHf-euAjki3R73glF6ASE9Wwwu5XjNF-9dMfHIQRRLO-HU3vT7x6FockMXecLjf6ApUAb25-AvalSTwU0T-010haZxAV4MCSFSi1tc6UGl4t2symKy7Qno90VgvuOBJ0hD/s200/SBB+Spending.png" width="154" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Click for larger image.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In its budget worksheet, the school lays out its chosen
expenditures. A single FTE accounts for 2,080 hours per year. Using this
calculation, schools lay out personnel in terms of FTEs while giving each
individual a line item. They will have 37 classroom teachers (31.95 FTE), 3
administrators and 1 administrative intern (3.047 FTE), and 16 classified staff
such as office support and classroom aides (6.73 FTE). Some teachers and almost
all support staff are part-time, enabling the school to hire more individuals
than FTE and thus being able to meet its needs. Total FTE are <b>41.73</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Additional expenses include instructional supplies ($92,247;
printing, textbooks, etc.) and support services ($5,000; phone costs, mileage,
etc.). With these expenditures, the $2,951,452 is spent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The school, however, has a few small additional funding
sources at its disposal. Full-day kindergarten tuition proceeds and before/after
school care fees add up to $221,301 that the school may keep and decide how to
spend. This adds up to $405 per student in non-SBB dollars. The school chose to
pay an additional 2 FTEs entirely from this money, as well as contributions to
four more teacher salaries and one educational assistant with special training.
The total is <b>3.12</b> FTE spread out among seven positions. Additionally, $7,890
dollars for supplies will be allocated from this pool.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The total amounts are as follows, district-funded and
school-funded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">41.72 FTE + 3.12 FTE = <b>44.85 FTE Total</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">$2,951,452 + $221,301 = <b>$3,172,753 Total </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The dollar figure per FTE is $70,748. Per student, the
dollar figure is $5,811.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From all tax revenue sources, both local and state-based,
the 2014-15 funding is $6,764 per pupil, or the per pupil revenue figure (PPR).
This means that the dollars per student, as a percentage of state PPR, is
$5,811/$6,764, or <b><u>86%</u></b>. Taking away the school-raised dollars, the dollars per
student as a percentage of PPR—from district PPR sources—add up to
$5,406/$6,764, or <u><b>80%</b></u>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This means at least <b>eight of every ten dollars </b>that comes to
the district gets passed through to the schools. We believe that schools can
make informed decisions about their individual needs based on input from their
teachers, parents, and community. As the budget process continues over the
course of the next month until final approval, I look forward to conversations
with taxpayers about these important priorities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Meghannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05594504266690757226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395884564123631678.post-89833314460942886382013-09-24T23:54:00.000-06:002013-09-24T23:54:40.377-06:00Modern Learners and the Student PerspectiveOn two recent occasions, I had the privilege of attending both the kickoff Student Advisory Group meeting, and the Castle View High School Modern Learners evening panel discussion.<br />
<br />
The Student Advisory Group (SAG) is an official committee of the Board of Education. Several students from each high school work directly with the Superintendent and district administrators, creating an opportunity for the district and Board to hear directly from a focus group of students. We ask them to provide us with feedback on what they think about their education, and to help foster communication between staff, the Board and students. The space on the dais at Board of Education meetings designated "Student Voice" is primarily filled by SAG students.<br />
<br />
District staff led a group discussion with SAG members to help launch the pilot program for the student satisfaction survey. The district is cultivating teacher practitioners who continually adjust their instruction based upon feedback from their learners. The survey will be an important mechanism for teachers.<br />
<br />
Students have some very keen insights into what is satisfying to them as learners. When asked to describe what a great teacher looks like, these were some of the things they had to say.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>We will be more excited to learn if the teacher is excited to teach us.</li>
<li>Sometimes teachers think they are teaching us but they aren't; they need to make it simpler for us and spell it out.</li>
<li>We want teachers to take the time to talk to us. We don't want them make us feel dumb or like we are taking time away from what they are doing.</li>
<li>We like for things to be straightforward. But at the same time, don't show us the easiest problem and then expect us to understand everything.</li>
<li>Sometimes when a teacher makes us want to learn, it doesn't have much to do with the class or subject; they make us <i>want</i> to come to class.</li>
<li>When teachers insult our intelligence, it's the <i>worst.</i></li>
</ul>
<div>
In the past, I have heard some people express concerns that students can't possibly know how to determine what makes a good teacher. They may scorn teachers who are perceived as "hard," or only grade teachers well whom they like--not teachers who are actually good. Students dismissed this idea. They are interested in teachers who will challenge and engage them, make their work relevant, and help them see the value in their class work. For those who still want to scoff at the validity of student feedback, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation did a formal study called the Measures of Effective Teaching (MET) Project. Their <a href="http://www.metproject.org/downloads/Preliminary_Finding-Policy_Brief.pdf" target="_blank">initial findings</a> show that student perceptions are a remarkable predictor of academic achievement. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
DCSD's pilot student survey will take place in the spring. Student volunteers were solicited to help DCSD staff, including teachers and the <a href="https://www.dcsdk12.org/curriculum/index.htm" target="_blank">World-Class Education Department</a>, develop the surveys. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This leads me to the <a href="https://www.dcsdk12.org/communityrelations/Newsroom/Article/index.htm?cID=DCS1279487" target="_blank">Modern Learners Symposium</a> at Castle View High School (CVHS) last week. CVHS brought a panel of nine educators to discuss the challenges for the future of American education in preparing students for the future. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I was happy to see that the educator panel had views that were in line with what the students wanted for their educational experience. Dr. John Lanning, for example, an educator at the University of Colorado at Denver, notes that engagement makes kids successful. Dr. Tim Kubik, who has worked on numerous initiatives to increase student engagement, believes that students need meaningful things to work on, with real context and complexity, if they are to be engaged. Michelle Baldwin, an educator at Anastasis Academy in Centennial, remarked that if students have more choice and voice in their own education, they'll be successful--it has to be about the learner, not the content. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Every member of the panel had a particular perspective on how to move education into the future for our students. All of our students in the SAG meeting had something to contribute to the discussion about student satisfaction and perspectives. Although the two sessions were over ten days apart, many of the same themes were present. Engaging students with meaningful learning experiences, and providing them with choices and a hand in their own futures, will make kids' education into a far more successful and satisfying experience. I am so proud to be part of our district, where educators have moved beyond conversations and toward action in creating the future of American education.</div>
Meghannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05594504266690757226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395884564123631678.post-951078201176843122013-04-09T13:45:00.000-06:002013-04-09T13:45:48.037-06:00Learning lessons from student opinions on schedules<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As the BOE
liaison to the Student Advisory Group (SAG), an official committee of the
Board, I love to hear what students think.
Students underwent a significant change this year at most high schools,
switching to an eight-period day with more time spent in block scheduling. At Chaparral High School, students were
surveyed in December to determine their experiences and opinions on the
schedule. Principal Ron Peterson
commissioned the survey to help inform Chaparral staff of possible tweaks and
changes that could be made for next year.
The BOE was not involved in the survey timing or design; however, we are
interested in its results as we look forward to next year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Results
Overview</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The survey
was conducted in a student’s English class to try to get maximum participation;
1548 students responded, roughly evenly split across all four grades. The majority, 78%, is taking six (23%) or
seven (55%) classes; first semester, 58% had one off period and 23% had
two. A large majority, 68%, said that
they like the schedule this year.
Another 17% was undecided.
Finally, 15% say that they do not like it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uXS15v4CXMH9kBdpmrsju6zUhGgrpaLXbXct59KQLR9WiScDDnlB3qFPT7jbp8DCIW-eWPR7ZC85zdLFxtqzRPLqomB1GMQwYLvTvgBB-Rib4bChR7bTz4xK_vS-nVEBZYGJxoQ4zza3/s1600/CHS+Survey+Highlights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uXS15v4CXMH9kBdpmrsju6zUhGgrpaLXbXct59KQLR9WiScDDnlB3qFPT7jbp8DCIW-eWPR7ZC85zdLFxtqzRPLqomB1GMQwYLvTvgBB-Rib4bChR7bTz4xK_vS-nVEBZYGJxoQ4zza3/s1600/CHS+Survey+Highlights.jpg" height="260" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> These were some of the positive responses <br />students shared from the 1548 surveys returned.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Students
were given an array of choices as to what they like about the new
schedule. They could choose multiple
options, leading to a sum of over 100%. The
largest majority, 79%, indicated that it was because they don’t have the same
classes every day. Other popular answers
included “I get a lot done with longer periods” (67%), “Less homework each
night” (61%), and “Time to finish what we start” (58%). Many said that the schedule is “not as bad as
I thought it would be” (63%).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Opinions
were also sought on things that students don’t like about the schedule. The largest group (66%) said that they found
it “hard to pay attention for that long.”
Another 53% said that they had too many quizzes or tests on the 8 period
days. None of the other answers garnered
a majority, although numerous students (44%) opined that they felt “overwhelmed
missing a block class because 1 period = 2 periods of work missed” and an additional
39% stated that they felt more homework was given in each class.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Students use
their free periods for many different activities. Again, given a list from which to choose,
most students (75%) said that they used the free time for homework and to see
teachers. Studying was a choice of
68%. Going to the testing make-up center
is an option (38%), as is going to the library (43%). Some of these same
students also seek balance by socializing with friends (57%) and leaving campus
(50%).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">What should
we keep with the schedule? An
overwhelming 92% want Chaparral to keep its off periods. Another 60% want to keep blocks at 4 periods
per day. Additional answers included
“the current bell schedule" (40%), and "homeroom 2 times a week" (41%).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As for what
we should change, students would like a longer lunch (56%) and longer homeroom
time (48%). Only 7% want to allow
everyone to take 8 classes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Commentary</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Obviously,
the data set is only partially represented by the summary above. However, overall, students like the new
schedule for many reasons. There are
opportunities for improvement as Chaparral moves into next year. The survey is a great learning experience for
DCSD as a whole. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Our
administrators have indicated that the expanded schedule, with increased
opportunities for students, is better for our high schools overall. Next year, the administration projects that
increased funding will allow all students to take as many classes as they
want. Our teachers have stepped up to
teach more classes and help students achieve their academic goals. Our principals and building staff have taken
on increased workloads to give kids these choices. We are truly fortunate to have such professionals
in our district.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Since this
is the first year that our high schools have changed to this schedule <i>en masse</i>, we can benefit from lessons
learned. Our students have given us many
ideas for what we can do better.
Students tell me that they would like increased access to their teachers
during homeroom or advisement and their off periods. They also generally dislike the rushed feel
of eight period days, due to the large increase in passing periods over the block
days. On the positive side, they have
told me that they learn to manage their time well and feel prepared for the
adjustment that they will face as they go to college. They also believe they have a chance to sink
their teeth into a subject on any given block day thanks to the additional
time, and that now classes on eight-period days seem like they are just getting
started when it is time to move on to the next class.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am
extremely proud of our district and our students for the way they have
approached this new schedule. I believe
our administrators at the high school level can work with their respective
student, teacher, and parent populations to come up with solutions and
refinements that meet the needs of each individual school. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Meghannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05594504266690757226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395884564123631678.post-32279923793054852992013-03-08T22:58:00.000-07:002013-03-08T22:58:53.486-07:00How to Get to Seven: The Rest of the Replacement Process
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On Tuesday night, the Board interviewed thirteen people who
have expressed interest in being the replacement for the District D
vacancy. Two people withdrew; the rest
came to the Board room in 15-20 minute increments to discuss their backgrounds
and vision for the school district as well as to answer questions from the
Board.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The candidates consisted of a wide range of citizens from
within District D boundaries. I had a
great time listening to them describe their interest in education and their
responses to all of our questions. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Board convened in executive session following the
meeting to learn of the statutory guidelines for the next steps. No candidates were discussed in this session; statute doesn't permit this, and in any case the Board wants these discussions to be fully public. The Board settled on having two additional
special meetings to accomplish three objectives: 1) ensure all discussions of
the candidates occurs in open session, for both transparency’s sake and for the
benefit of the public; 2) to nominate finalists to give the Board time to
follow up individually with candidates before the appointment process, and 3)
to appoint the new Director prior to the statutory deadline of March 16<sup>th</sup>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The first meeting will occur on Monday the 11<sup>th</sup>. There is essentially one item on the agenda:
to nominate finalists. Board members may
choose to participate by phone if they can’t attend in person. The Board will nominate up to five finalists,
with each person nominated requiring a second.
Because of this, there may be fewer than five. Each Board member will have a chance to speak
on behalf of any of the candidates after the nominations.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The second meeting will take place on Thursday the 14<sup>th</sup>. The Board will have another chance to
interview the finalists. After that, a
vote will take place that will formally fill the vacancy. After that, the new Board member will be able
to vote with the rest of us to elect a new Vice President.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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I am looking forward to the final steps in this
process. We have a very high-caliber
pool of candidates from which to choose.
I welcome <a href="http://www.meghannsilverthorn.com/join-meghann" target="_blank">input</a> from any citizen regarding any of the candidates that
were interviewed in Tuesday night. <o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Meghannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05594504266690757226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395884564123631678.post-40909954733680148052013-03-04T17:20:00.000-07:002013-03-04T17:20:53.637-07:00Searching for a good board member: the latest<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here’s an update on the process to interview candidates for the vacant District D Board of Education seat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rather than having Board members try to agree on a few candidates to interview, President Carson has suggested that we interview every candidate to give everyone an opportunity to address the Board.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That way, every applicant can outline what he or she hopes to contribute to the Board.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest of the Board liked this idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tomorrow evening, March 5, we will interview all of the candidates for 15 to 20 minutes, beginning at 4:30 pm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">All candidate interviews are open to the public, although each candidate will not be permitted to watch the others’ presentations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each will have a chance to distribute written materials.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The interviews will be conducted in the Board room at Wilcox.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all the interviews are completed, the Board will discuss how we want to narrow the field down to a few finalists.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here’s the schedule, past, present and future:</span> </div>
<ul>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Online application period closed: February 22<sup>nd</sup> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Application review ending: March 1<sup>st</sup> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">First round of interviews 15 minutes each: March 5<sup>th</sup> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Second round of interviews: TBD<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Final selection and appointment: March 14<sup>th</sup> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</li>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Note that because of the statutory deadline, the Board needs to complete interviews within 60 days of former Director Gerken’s resignation, which is March 16<sup>th</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The regular meeting scheduled for March 19<sup>th</sup> would be too late, so the meeting that day will be moved to the 14<sup>th</sup>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
Meghannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05594504266690757226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395884564123631678.post-69031680996444517952013-02-26T23:01:00.000-07:002013-02-26T23:01:26.022-07:00In search of a good board member
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With the resignation of Director Dan Gerken of Castle Pines,
the Board is looking forward to filling his position in accordance with
Colorado state statute, which states that the Board must fill his seat within
60 days of his resignation. The last
time a board member resigned was in 2010 with the resignation of Director Ryan Stuart,
in district A. He was replaced with Director Craig Richardson, who continues to hold
this seat today. The replacement process
will be virtually the same for Director Gerken’s former seat.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The maps for the director districts can be found <a href="https://www.dcsdk12.org/dcsd/boardofeducation/directordistricts/index.htmf" target="_blank">here</a>. Click on any district to be taken to a
detailed map. This feature has been
improved since the redrawing of the Director districts in December!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Applicants who have been county residents for a year, live
in District D, and are registered to vote were encouraged to apply. <o:p></o:p></div>
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At the closing of the application period last Friday, we had
received 15 names. We are now in the
process of narrowing the list to determine how many will be interviewed. Board President John Carson has asked all of
us board members to give feedback as to whom we’d like to interview. I’m hoping to see 5 or 6 interviewees. Interviews are scheduled to be held during
the regular board meeting date and time, March 5, with a vote taken to fill the
seat by March 14. At that time, a vote will also be taken to fill the currently vacant board Vice President position.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Here is the list of applicants:</div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Christine Strang</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Joan Brown (former education administrator)</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">George Teal</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Michael Glowacki (former education administrator
and teacher)</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Aaron Johnson</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Dan Coombe</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Kevin Leung (ran against Dan Gerken in 2009)</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Barb Wendell (worked as a paraprofessional in
DCSD and the Colorado League of Charter Schools)</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Herbert Rose</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Dr. Carrie Mendoza (physician at Parker and Castle
Rock hospitals)</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Brant
Phillips</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Judi
Reynolds (DAC recording secretary)</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Steve
Dovey</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Randy
Reed (former mayor of Castle Rock)</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Charcie
Russell (board member of Great Choice Douglas County) </span></li>
</ul>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Meghannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05594504266690757226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395884564123631678.post-91950787250492062542013-02-11T22:35:00.000-07:002013-02-11T22:35:53.312-07:00The Ingredients of SuccessLast Friday I had the honor of attending the Douglas County Scouts of the Year breakfast. Two honorees were presented with awards: Joe, a longtime Scoutmaster who has been involved with Scouting for over 50 years, and Michael, a 17-year-old Scout who has proven himself to be a young man of achievement and character. It was great to hear of their achievements.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The guest speaker at this event was <a href="http://floysstories.wordpress.com/2012/06/24/when-youre-smiling/" target="_blank">David Calvert</a>, a wonderfully enthusiastic gentleman with a lot to say in the short time in which he had to say it. He provided a simple formula for success.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
K A S H + P = Success</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Being an engineer, I love a good equation. Mr. Calvert had a scant 20 minutes to speak, but this was plenty of time to fill us in on its meaning, with time left over to throw in a few more words of wisdom.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>K is for Knowledge.</b> You will require knowledge to achieve success in all of your endeavors. Become an expert in your chosen field and it will provide you with the foundation you need.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>A is for Attitude. </b>To my utter delight, Mr. Calvert broke out into song (and not for the first time) when talking about the importance of a positive attitude. Everything, he said, is a matter of how you look at it. People with a good attitude can spin a rainy day into something great.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>S is for Skill. </b>There is a difference between knowing how to do something, and actually having practiced doing it and becoming good at it. Sharpen your skills, and you will contribute to your success.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>H is for Habit.</b> Mr. Calvert spoke of discipline and forming good habits in all areas, from exercise to work practices. The difference between doing something and doing it regularly will show over the long term.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>P is for Personality.</b> Once again, we were treated to a song. In one breath, he advised us to dream big, plan well, work hard and smile a lot! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Lastly, Mr. Calvert spoke this tantalizing phrase: "What I'm about to tell you will change your life forever." Everyone in the room waited in suspense. He relayed a quote from Cicero: "Gratitude is not only the greatest of the virtues but the parent of all others." Said another way, gratitude is the mother of all virtues. If you thank people every time they do something nice for you, your life will be transformed; the link between gratitude and one's well-being is <a href="http://dailygratitudeproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/GIAT.pdf" target="_blank">shown through scientific studies</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The Boy Scouts of America is an excellent organization; my husband earned his Eagle Scout rank as a teenager and still uses those skills today, speaking fondly of his time in Scouts. I am proud to support the Scouts, both now and into the future, as they continue to help young men with life skills that will prove to be invaluable and beneficial to them. </div>
Meghannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05594504266690757226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395884564123631678.post-32646324463540618102013-01-15T15:05:00.000-07:002013-01-15T22:38:10.366-07:00Fighter pilots and the battle for music education<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yesterday evening I was delighted to attend the Continental League Music Festival at the Boettcher Concert Hall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Students from every DCSD high school, along with students from Heritage, Regis Jesuit, and Littleton High Schools were selected to participate in three honor ensembles: orchestra, choir and band.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All three groups shared the stage and even performed as a combined ensemble to close the program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The caliber of these musicians was outstanding; they all put in hard work and are truly to be congratulated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i46.tinypic.com/w9cfp3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i46.tinypic.com/w9cfp3.jpg" height="240" jea="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">I usually sit in this section when I attend Colorado Symphony concerts--but it wasn't conducive to seeing the entire group of students!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The three ensemble conductors were accomplished musicians and educators.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the performances, each took the opportunity to advocate for music education in their own ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being an aerospace engineer who is also a civil servant, one speech in particular resonated with me, although I suspect it would have done so even if I were neither of those two things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colonel Lowell Graham (USAF, Ret.), conducted the honor band. As the former commander and conductor of the U.S. Air Force Band, he proposed five ways that musicians are like fighter pilots. Or, as I prefer to think of it, ways that fighter pilots are like musicians.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>Work independently</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fighter pilots are generally alone in the cockpit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They need to know how to operate the aircraft and use it for the purpose at hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Music breaks down to individuals who play individual instruments or sing using individual voices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each musician is responsible for his or her own part of the music and must work to learn it themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>Work as a team</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A pilot is not alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He or she has a ground crew, receives direction from others, and works in tandem to accomplish the mission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any musician who has ever worked with any other musician needs to know how to collaborate to make an ensemble piece come to life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>Look ahead</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pilots are constantly scanning the horizon and the skies ahead as they fly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being a step ahead will help prepare them for engagement with an adversary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Musicians know how to read ahead and be ready for whatever comes next in the music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They cannot afford to be immersed only in the present, lest a change take them by surprise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>Multitask</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A fighter jet cockpit is a dizzying array of instrument panels, indicators, switches, dials and knobs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A pilot must know how to stay informed of anything he or she needs to know in all of these readouts, while paying attention to the skies ahead and while thinking about tactics to wage the battle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Musicians have multiple things to do when playing or singing with a group as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While manipulating the instrument or using a voice to bring the music to life, he or she is also listening to fellow musicians and being attentive to the conductor. Multitasking is a necessity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>Complex problem-solving</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fighter pilots think on their feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no time to analyze everything slowly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pilots think strategically to address all of the tactical issues that arise in the blink of an eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are analytical and trained to overcome and win conflicts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Musicians must be the same way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A musician is translating the music on the sheet—essentially “code” printed on paper—into sound for an audience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In doing so, the vast array of notes, clefs, ledger lines, key signatures, time signatures, dynamic markings, and other written instructions are simultaneously read to become seamless music that is heard and enjoyed by audiences everywhere.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I find this list extremely compelling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This list is like a wish list for skills we need our kids to have as they move through school and out into the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Training in music and the arts provides these things effortlessly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one is struggling to emphasize these things to kids in music ensembles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have learned them by default.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Education in music and the arts, unfortunately, is threatened by shortages in resources.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have never talked to a single person who is cavalier about this, or who is happy with the idea of music and art education going by the wayside in favor of more “basic” subjects like math, reading and writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather, as Col Graham showed, everyone believes that the arts help our kids be better in those areas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I was at CU Boulder, the most common double degree was in engineering and music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We cannot afford to let arts education continue to slide.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have been involved in the <a href="http://www.chspatrons.org/" target="_blank">Patrons program</a> at Chaparral High School for some time now, attending and supporting events throughout the last few years for the performing arts there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know other high schools have similar booster programs to help their arts programs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a great start—I want to do more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have already been working with other board members to examine ways to augment arts education in DCSD.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Continental League Music Festival was a great event to revitalize my efforts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Arts education is too important to sit back and hope for the best.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Meghannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05594504266690757226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395884564123631678.post-84518544458891294122012-11-05T22:23:00.001-07:002012-11-05T22:24:36.094-07:00Charter Schools, Explained (Part 2)<br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Charter schools are public schools. They are
not private schools, or privatized schools, and they do not charge tuition.
Charters are funded by taxpayer dollars. The funding they receive
is, like neighborhood schools, based on an October count of pupils.
Charters receive 100% of per pupil revenue (PPR) for each student
enrolled. The district can charge central administrative costs for
services provided to the charter, but the costs cannot exceed 5% of PPR in a
district of over 500 students, like DCSD. Charters might serve students
eligible to receive federally funded student aid programs. Charters are
responsible for reporting to the federal government in accordance with any
reporting requirements. The charter will retain any fees charged to
students.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A <a href="http://www.coloradoleague.org/news-and-events/calendar/release.php?calendar_id=294" target="_blank">2010 study</a> found that Colorado charter schools on average receive 15% less funding per student than traditional public schools. Although charters receive 100% of PPR for their
enrollment, they do not receive much money for capital and facility needs.
Unlike neighborhood schools, which are built with district money on a
site specified solely by the district, charters are responsible for procuring
their own buildings, including the location and the financing. They may
work with the district to do so but they are not required to.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The U.S. Department of Education has awarded the
Colorado Department of Education (CDE) a five-year grant from 2010-2015.
The CDE Schools of Choice office administers <a href="http://www.coloradoleague.org/news-and-events/calendar/release.php?calendar_id=294" target="_blank">Start-up and Implementation grants</a> to various
charter school applicants approved by CDE. Many new charters apply
successfully for grants for start-up funds in the first year. In
subsequent years, the grants may be used for expenditures on items such as
curriculum, technology, and training for teachers and charter boards. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Charter schools are public entities under state law
and as such, they carry all the powers of a public nonprofit entity. They
are protected from capricious decisions by an authorizer who might take an
action such as arbitrarily refusing to renew a charter. By retaining
public entity status and therefore having the right to sue an authorizer,
charter school financing is more attractive to lenders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In Colorado, the 2012 legislative session saw the
signing of <a href="http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2012a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont3/04F6DDE9FDD5F76087257981007E078C?open&file=067_enr.pdf" target="_blank">Senate Bill 12-067</a> into law, which
requires all charter school boards to be non-profit entities. No
for-profit charter school operators will be permitted to charter with school
districts. This prevents not only a for-profit entity from holding a
charter, but also prevents them from establishing “captive” boards.
Non-profit charter boards can still contract with for-profits to run the
schools, but the board retains control. This legislation helps keep
charters in the hands of parents and the community.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Charter school finance can be difficult to understand and navigate.
However, it is worthwhile to understand the funding challenges at hand
for all public school options, including charters. As a community,
educating ourselves about these important issues can lead us to ideas and
solutions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment--><br />
<br />Meghannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05594504266690757226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395884564123631678.post-36604536755627885862012-10-23T23:36:00.000-06:002012-10-23T23:36:45.540-06:00Charter Schools, Explained (Part 1)<span style="font-family: inherit;">As I mentioned in my previous post, I hope to provide a short series of posts that provides facts about charters and how they are an additional choice for parents in DCSD. This post discusses what charters are, how they are created, and how they are accountable to families.</span><br />
<br />A charter school is a public school that is operated under separate accountability rules than a traditional neighborhood school. Charters are usually begun and operated by parent, teacher and/or community groups who have a particular vision for the education they would like to see their children receive. Colorado law allows these groups to charter, or to enter into a contract, usually with a school district, to realize this vision. The forward-thinking Colorado General Assembly noted that charters could act as a vehicle for public schools to provide more innovation in education. The result has been schools of choice for parents and children, where the community has far more flexibility and control.<br /> <br />Getting a charter approved by a school district is a very thorough process for those who apply. The school district and the applicant should work together to ensure that not only are all statutory requirements met, but also that a good working relationship is established. In DCSD’s case, we want to ensure that any new charter school is a success. Our highly qualified and experienced staff, as well as our strong community of charters, can help new applicants have the best outcomes possible. Note that private schools or non-public homeschool organization cannot apply for a charter. For-profit organizations such as education management organizations are prohibited from entering into any Colorado public school charter contracts. They may, however, contract with charter governing boards to provide educational services. The charter remains in the hands of the not-for-profit board running the school.<br /> <br />Although a family must apply to a charter school, charters are tuition-free and cannot discriminate against anyone who wishes to enroll, nor can they establish “test-in” requirements. Charters can and do serve many different demographics, including students who are disabled or have special needs, students who are low-income, students who are low performers and students of all ethnic and racial backgrounds. <br /> <br />Colorado law does not place a cap on the number of charter schools in the state. Any group can come to its district of choice at any time with a charter application. Districts cannot refuse to hear applicants, or place a moratorium on hearing applications. DCSD is committed to offering choices to meet parent demand; we work with charter applicants to build successful schools. Any charter applicant who believes their application was rejected unfairly can appeal to the state Board of Education, and many groups have prevailed there over local school districts. <br /><br />Charter schools have a fair amount of autonomy, but remain accountable in numerous ways. The charter made with the school district authorizer is a binding contract, and the school is required to adhere to it. The school, overseen by the governing board, is accountable most importantly to parents and students. Charter schools receive increased scrutiny and must renew their charter every few years. Students take state assessment exams, and the results by school are made public for purposes of additional accountability.<br /><br />For more resources, see the <a href="http://www.coloradoleague.org/index.php">Colorado League of Charter Schools</a>, the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) <a href="http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdechart/index.asp">charter school website</a>, and <a href="http://blog.charterschoolsolutions.org/">Colorado Charters</a>, a blog run by the Charter School Solutions group.<br /> <br />Still to come in my charter school series:<br /><ul>
<li>Charter school funding</li>
<li>Accreditation and teachers</li>
<li>Charter information in DCSD and statewide</li>
<li>Additional resources from the Colorado Department of Education and the Colorado League of Charter Schools</li>
</ul>
<br /><br /><br /><br />Meghannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05594504266690757226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395884564123631678.post-72435575624505224212012-10-22T00:17:00.000-06:002012-10-23T23:37:19.476-06:00Aspen View Academy Breaks GroundThis afternoon I had the pleasure of attending the groundbreaking ceremony for Aspen View Academy. Aspen View is a new charter school in DCSD that will be opening in fall 2013. Parents, kids, school district officials and community members came to stand in a field under and around a small tent to celebrate the fulfillment of several parents' dreams. These parents decided that they wanted to open a school, with their choice of curriculum, location, and a particular vision for their kids' future.<br />
<br />
The excitement in this group was palpable. The Cub Scouts who presented the colors, the parent leadership who spoke, the elected officials who congratulated the entire school community--all seemed to understand that this was an extremely exciting moment that will culminate in a new set of opportunities for kids' education. The recognition of the partnership with the District and our efforts to maximize choice, by numerous people at the ceremony, was particularly gratifying. I am continually impressed by the tremendous talent and innovative spirit we have in our community. I am so proud to be part of this District.<br />
<br />
I have had several very engaging conversations lately with people who want to know more about charter schools. There's a lot of needless mystery surrounding these public schools of choice. A decade ago, DCSD was the first district in Colorado to open a charter school. Today we are approaching a dozen. This week I will write a series of posts describing what charter schools are, how they work in Colorado, and how they are different from neighborhood schools.<br />
<br />
Parents in DCSD want to be informed and involved in their kids' education. They can determine whether a charter school is right for their individual family. No matter what type of school a family chooses, we want to be there for them to help facilitate this. Today's ceremony, with children energetically digging with shiny shovels and hard hats, represents a new chapter in our endeavours. Meghannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05594504266690757226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395884564123631678.post-47377427125175830692012-10-14T23:07:00.001-06:002012-10-23T23:37:55.992-06:00Sunday night briefsDAC MEETING<br />
<br />
The DAC met on Tuesday evening, October 9. There were a lot of really substantial topics on the agenda, which made for an excellent discussion that overran the clock with the greatest of ease.<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://dougcoparentalliance.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">DougCo Parent Alliance</a> has a <a href="http://dougcoparentalliance.wordpress.com/2012/10/14/dac-brief-from-1092012/" target="_blank">good update</a> of the meeting in general. I am pleased to see the work that has been done by the three directors of elementary education on the Elementary Progress Report (EPR). This has consistently been a topic of confusion and frustration for parents and teachers alike. The changes that have been and are being made should alleviate this, allowing the EPR to serve as it was originally intended--a tool for parents to see the growth their student is experiencing.<br />
<br />
As the BOE liaison to the DAC, partnering in this role with my exemplary BOE colleague (and former DAC chairman) Kevin Larsen, I will work to keep the community updated on the happenings with the DAC.<br />
<br />
SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE ON CITE<br />
<br />
Dr. Fagen, DCSD Superintendent, has an extremely thorough <a href="http://dcsdsuperintendent.wordpress.com/2012/10/02/cite-2-0/" target="_blank">update</a> on the Continuous Improvement of Teacher Effectiveness (CITE). This program has been in development for several years and there is a wealth of information out there for those who would like to know more. The District has a number of <a href="https://www.dcsdk12.org/strategicplan/systemperformance/payforperformance/index.htm" target="_blank">pages and videos</a> of information available. <br />
<br />
The update explains the most recent information and facts associated with CITE. We've made it clear that standardized test scores are not what this system is about, and we are all better off for it. We're looking at what really matters to us. More on this as time goes on.Meghannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05594504266690757226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395884564123631678.post-22006415314868333792012-10-14T22:43:00.000-06:002012-10-23T23:38:16.478-06:00Scrambled Eggs and STARBASELast Friday I had the opportunity to attend a breakfast held by the Airman & Family Readiness Center at Buckley AFB. The A&FRC invited superintendents, BOE members and other staff members from school districts across the metro area. From DCSD, Dr. Chris Cutter, Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education, and I both attended.<br />
<br />
Various presenters discussed a number of programs designed to assist servicemen and women from all branches in their personal and professional lives. Of particular interest to me is a youth program known as <a href="http://dodstarbase.org/" target="_blank">STARBASE</a>. The leadership at A&FRC are working to bring a STARBASE program to the Denver metro area. Local school districts could partner with Buckley to have interested children attend. The program is entirely funded by the DoD and is at no cost to schools.<br />
<br />
STARBASE is a science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) oriented program. The DoD recognizes that the United States will have substantial future needs in this area, and so it has chosen to create STARBASE to help motivate kids, especially those who are underrepresented or at-risk, to explore the STEM subject areas. They work within the framework of national standards to provide hands-on experience using the unique resources available on military installations. Servicemen and women can be positive role models for these kids, and also can benefit from such volunteerism.<br />
<br />
Wright-Patterson AFB produced a video that describes their local STARBASE program.<br />
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I believe that if DCSD has the opportunity to partner with Buckley AFB on this effort next school year, we should inform parents and facilitate the choice to attend for those who may be interested. I am enthusiastic about any opportunity that expands STEM exposure for our kids, especially no-cost opportunities!<br />
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In my various readings about STARBASE, I came across a few concerns about the idea that the DoD has involved itself in K-12 education. As a huge proponent of local control, I can see why perhaps there might be some individuals who do not want their children to participate, for this and other reasons. <br />
Parents should always be informed and in control of decisions affecting their kids' educational direction. From what I have seen, this partnership has many benefits and can be a very fulfilling choice for interested families.<br />
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(Full disclosure: although I attended the breakfast in my capacity as a BOE member, I am a <a href="http://www.dcma.mil/" target="_blank">DoD employee</a>; I do not work at Buckley AFB.)Meghannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05594504266690757226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395884564123631678.post-68428003045362475812012-10-08T23:25:00.001-06:002012-10-23T23:38:47.487-06:00Students: The whole pointEarlier this evening, I found myself at one of my all-time favorite activities as a BOE Director.<br />
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I serve as the liaison to the <a href="https://www.dcsdk12.org/athletics/studentleadership/index.htm">Student Advisory Group</a> (SAG), one of the Board's official committees. The SAG is made up of juniors and seniors from each high school, and can be a two-year commitment for those who start as juniors. Once a month, these high-performing students get together and talk about issues of concern to them and to our District. The Board is extremely fortunate to have these young people on hand to advise us from a true student perspective.<br />
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The meeting took place in an elementary school library, which provided comic relief as the near-grown students tried to fold themselves into primary school chairs. It worked, but not without much merriment as they noted the inability of some of their knees to fit under the tables. The agenda included a presentation from Denny Ingram, principal of the new Douglas County <a href="https://www.dcsdk12.org/communityrelations/Newsroom/Article/index.htm?cID=DCS1109572">Outdoor Education Center</a>. High school kids can satisfy part of their community service requirements working with younger kids at camp at the center. The students were not only told about this opportunity, but were given the chance to provide feedback on how it could best meet their service hour needs. It is great that it is not a novel concept in our District to ask our students what they think--and then to pay attention to the answer and figure out how to integrate it into offerings for them.<br />
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We also discussed heavy topics such as the <a href="https://www.dcsdk12.org/budget/index.htm">budget</a> and their perceptions of their new class schedules. The feedback ran the gamut. Our society likes to lament about how kids these days just don't pay attention. Not so, if SAG students are any indication. They have strong opinions about taxes for schools, a realistic view on the vagaries of fellow students having free periods, and keen insight into what is effective for them in the classroom--and what is not.<br />
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I was able to spend 15-odd minutes talking with them, gaining feedback, and listening to their ideas and concerns. It suits me just fine to spend more time listening than talking. They spend enough of their time listening to adults guide them through their young lives. Is it perhaps a novel concept for them to have an adult ask them to guide us toward being effective at helping them? I hope it becomes less of a novelty and more of something with which they feel confident, which is where I think we can all make true gains.Meghannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05594504266690757226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7395884564123631678.post-55261924892626932922012-10-08T22:48:00.004-06:002012-10-08T22:48:47.167-06:00A WelcomeWelcome to my blog! This is a place where I hope to pass on writings about everything from my philosophy on education, to matters of policy, to informational posts about happenings within the Douglas County School District. It's easy to become entrenched in administrivia and to end up wishing that more time could be spent in conversation about things that really matter instead. This will be my effort to have that conversation.<div>
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I welcome you along the path with me. The journey is half the fun--and where the learning takes place.</div>
Meghannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05594504266690757226noreply@blogger.com