At Monday’s meeting, the Dolores RE-4A school board heard student appeals to reinstate a coach, reviewed building project delays, discussed recycling plans and received an update on the superintendent evaluation tool.
The board presented staff awards. This month’s Above and Beyond awards went to Mark Baxter, Alfonso Goad and Kady Meyer. Longevity awards honored Karen Hacket (20 years), Gina Holley (18 years), Susan Burger (13 years) and Lezlie Dibsie (12 years).
Newly elected fifth grade officers gave speeches to the board, including the class vice president and treasurer. The class president did not attend.
In citizen comments, three Dolores students asked the board to reinstate coach Casen Eldredge, who was listed in the agenda’s resignations and retirements.
The students – Mason, Zayden and Nathan – spoke of Eldredge’s impact, with Mason sharing that Eldredge helped him turn his life around after falling in with the wrong crowd in middle school.
Zayden said the accusations leading to Eldredge’s dismissal were false, and Nathan called Eldredge a “mentor, role model and father figure” to students, asking that “the board see the man we see.”
The nature of the accusations was not disclosed.
The board received a building project update through the Artaic Owners Rep Report with Matt Prinster and the F&M/BHV Architect Design Team Report with Matt McCloskie.
The project is running a few weeks behind schedule, but upcoming tasks such as concrete pouring may help recover lost time.
Student tours were discussed. McCloskie said project representatives could also visit classrooms to share plans and answer questions.
“It’s who we’re building it for,” McCloskie said.
School nurse Brandy Dunn presented concussion protocol updates. Board member Julia Anderson, the district’s new BOCES representative, gave a brief update, noting BOCES is working on policy changes and awaiting word on whether Montezuma-Cortez will leave the organization.
In her report, Superintendent Alesa Reed discussed an upcoming parent survey and recycling. With Four Corners Recycling dissolving, the district is working on a new plan.
She also updated the board on the superintendent evaluation tool in development and said she looks forward to feedback once it’s complete.
Reed will attend a superintendent academy later this month in Denver.
Action items included hiring Devon McHenry and Rachel Weaver as preschool-12th grade substitutes, Monica Conley as an elementary substitute, Aidyn Hankins as an elementary paraprofessional and Michael Neilson as head coach for high school girls’ basketball.
Before adjourning, the board entered executive session to discuss personnel matters, including the superintendent evaluation.
Afterward, they briefly discussed the upcoming swearing-in of two new board members.
The next Dolores school board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10.
