At the Montezuma-Cortez RE-1 Board of Education meeting Nov. 15, board members discussed attendance rates, safety protocols and FFA’s request to letter, among other agenda items.
Superintendent Tom Burris reported that absenteeism has dropped significantly, saying that 115 students have accumulated more than 12 absences this year, compared with more than 1,260 last year.
“I am sending letters to students who are not responding to interventions and will be making formal referrals to CPS (Child Protective Services) for child neglect,” he said.
Burris also said he was working with officials in Towaoc to help manage absences for students who live there.
He also raised concern about student behavior, saying that “extreme” behavior at Mesa and Kemper elementaries has led staff to take measures to ensure the safety of teachers and staff.
Assistant Superintendent Eddie Ramirez submitted a report assessing school security, which also was sent to campus principals, executive directors, directors and other staff.
The board noted that the assessment showed multiple high school doors were not locked internally, and doors were propped open for entry from outside. The board was adamant the issue be fixed immediately for the safety of students and faculty.
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Director of Finance Kyle Archibeque presented financial reports for the quarter from July 1 through Sept. 30.
Funds budgeted for the closed Manaugh Elementary will be distributed to Mesa and Kemper based on the number of Manaugh students and teachers who move to each school. The distributions will be reflected in the district’s final budget in January.
Teacher salaries also were increased for the 2022-2023 school year.
“We are putting more money into our teachers and not into a savings account,” Archibeque said.
Money for the salaries come from budget reserves – $1.7 million in 2020-2021 and an anticipated $1.5 million in 2021-2022.
Reserves for the 2022-2023 school year will be $300,000 to $400,000.
The 2021-2022 financial audit will be presented at the next board meeting, on Dec. 13, Archibeque said.
Future Farmers of America wrote a letter to the board asking that their club be eligible for a varsity letter to reflect student excellence.
In their request, they noted that FFA exists to “educate youth about the importance and their role in agriculture” while growing their leadership skills and promoting career success through agriculture.
The group hosts monthly meetings and participates in events and competitions throughout the year.
“Letters are awarded to students as a sign of achievement and for recognition,” the group said in a letter to the board. “Just like sports and academics, FFA students would be lettered because of an achievement in events that include important life skills such as public speaking.”
“There are many students who succeed tremendously through this program and deserve recognition just like band, sports, academics, etc.,” the letter said.
The board unanimously passed the measure, allowing FFA to begin lettering for accomplishments in the chapter and for grades in agriculture classes.
The board approved fiscal year 2022-2023 Empowering Action for School Improvement Program Funds grant application and School Health Professional Grant Program application.
They also approved Mesa Elementary receiving a new walk-in cooler for $22,591.
New policies that were approved included LBD Relations with Charter Schools, which says the board encourages district charters to “develop an education program to serve the needs of students considered ‘at risk’ academically.”
The KB Parent and Family Engagement in Education will work to bolster parent and familial involvement in the schools, appointing a staff member as liaison to parents, the board and the Colorado Department of Education to introduce “parent engagement training and resources.”
In an effort to be more transparent with the community, KD Public Information and Communications was approved to show the board’s commitment to being upfront about new policies, administrative opportunities and educational programs with the public.
The school board meeting kicked off with celebration reports of recent student athletic success, namely the Panthers’ spot in the semifinals of the Colorado Class 2A tournament. The board noted that this is the furthest the team has made it in 65 years.
Kickoff against defending champion and No. 2-ranked Eaton is 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19. Fans can tune into 92.3 FM and 740 AM KVFC beginning at 12:30 p.m.
