Dolores school board welcomes new members at November meeting
At its Nov. 10 meeting, the Dolores RE-4A school board swore in two new members, received building updates, discussed the new superintendent evaluation tool and other district matters.
At the start of the meeting, the board welcomed Lia Hooper and Michael Rime, who are taking over the seats of outgoing members Clay Tallmadge and Casey McClellan.
The board recognized Tallmadge’s and McClellan’s contributions to the district. McClellan served for eight years; Tallmadge, six.
Board President Crowley said Tallmadge and McClellan had been part of many major developments, including approval for the BEST grant, mill levy and bond, and navigating COVID-19.
Hooper and Rime join Crowley, Dustin Goodall and Julia Anderson on the board.
Following the swearing-in, the board elected officers via secret ballot.
Crowley was unanimously elected president. Rime was elected vice president. Hooper was appointed secretary, and Goodall, treasurer.
The regular meeting followed, beginning with student presentations. One student presented on the Aztecs, and Allison Brown from Future Farmers of America spoke about a recent trip to Washington, D.C.
Brown said Dolores FFA students made friends from other chapters across the country and grew through the experience.
During citizen comments, students spoke in support of former wrestling coach and teacher Casen Eldredge.
All athletes who spoke emphasized Eldredge’s impact beyond coaching, saying he inspired them to work hard, grow as men and give back to their community.
Kelsey Fitza, event coordinator at the Cortez Elks Lodge, also spoke on Eldredge’s behalf. She said she has known him as a coach and community member for two and a half years.
She told the board Eldredge was an “invaluable mentor” who developed character in students in and out of competition. She also noted his commitment to organizing volunteer days with athletes.
Following public comment, the board heard building updates from Matt Prinster, Artaic owners representative, and Max McCloskie, who presented the F&M/BHV Architect Design Team Report.
Though Prinster was scheduled first, he presented later in the meeting. McCloskie went first.
McCloskie discussed the project budget, noting it was “tracking really tight” with BEST.
Before Prinster’s report, MTSS coordinator Brittney White presented data on attendance and absenteeism. She also shared the district’s goal to meet or exceed the state math average by 2028.
Prinster reported “great progress” on the new school’s foundation and said the team is reviewing furniture and design ideas for the commons.
He also shared that a crack was found in the existing commons foundation. Discovered 48 hours before the meeting, the issue has no cost estimate yet.
Superintendent Alesa Reed and the board continued discussions on the new superintendent evaluation tool. Crowley said it was much better than the previous version and could be adjusted as needed.
In action items, the board approved the purchase of land currently used as a parking lot by the elementary school and confirmed new hires.
New hires include:
- Roylen Cecil, bus driver.
- Wendy Brown, high school boys assistant basketball coach.
- Briana Boyd, middle school girls basketball assistant coach.
- Amy Lichliter, Knowledge Bowl assistant coach.
- Heather Wilson, middle school math teacher.
- Dock Blastic, K–12 substitute.
- Macie Magallon, K–12 substitute and high school girls basketball assistant coach.
- Alessandra Barnhurst, K–12 substitute.
- Barbara Smith, K–12 substitute.
- Jackson Vermeule, part-time custodian.
- The next Dolores school board meeting is 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8.
