At its regular monthly meeting, the Falcon School District 49 Board of Education addressed a variety of issues, from bus transportation to employee compensation.Among the action items presented, the BOE approved the following: a one-time career technical education stipend for credentialed educators; district-wide changes to the weighted grading policy that was previously discussed; 2012-2013 food service contracts for the district’s four charter schools; and the designation of May 7-11 as Teacher Appreciation Week.Transportation Director Cindy Hardin presented information on the D 49 fee-for-service bus program for the 2012-2013 school year. The board approved reducing the one-time ride fee from $1 to 50 cents. They also approved a flat fee of $200 to cover a full year of unlimited rides. If parents want to pay monthly, the board approved a $30 monthly payment option, not to exceed $240 annually.Don Begier, executive officer of education services, presented an updated proposal on increasing the bandwidth and network capabilities district wide. The board approved a temporary short-term contract to address the district’s immediate IT needs. Begier also gave the board an update on the one-to-one technology initiative, which will be piloted in schools throughout the district. The initiative will be discussed in detail at the April 25 meeting.After some discussion, the BOE approved two of the three proposed job descriptions: personnel director and chief operations officer. The two positions had been discussed at previous board meetings. ìWe aren’t growing the administration,î said Marie Lavere-Wright, BOE treasurer. ìWe’re redefining the jobs to meet the needs of the district.îThe board approved a revision to the district’s organizational chart, which allowed them to reallocate money previously used to fund two special projects positions and the facilities director position. These positions have all been included in the job descriptions of other positions.The approval of the procurement and purchasing manager job description was delayed until further discussion, scheduled for the April 17 work session.Mark Carara, innovation leader for the Falcon Zone, asked the BOE to postpone the vote on the Falcon Zone’s innovation plans. Sean Dorsey, IL for the Sand Creek Zone, agreed: ìWe need more time to make adjustments based on community feedback. Depending on those adjustments, we can take a staff vote on the innovation plans again and present them to you.îLavere-Wright suggested that the innovation leaders bring back their innovation plan timelines for the April 17 work session. The board passed the motion to delay this item.Chief Education Officer Becky Carter presented information on the district’s summer school program. Carter said the program’s goal is to be self-sufficient, using no district funds. The program will offer online-only instruction for core subjects. Registration for summer school begins June 4.Chief Business Officer Brett Ridgway presented updated information on the 2012-2013 budget, including developments in state funding. He said there is no change in the per-pupil funding rate the district receives from the state. Additionally, Ridgway said the budget has earmarked $1.5 million for employee compensation, which will be discussed further at the April 25 meeting.ìMaking an investment in our staff is now something we can do,î Ridgway said.The proposed 2012-2013 budget will be presented to the board in May.The BOE discussed a change in policy to allow seniors in good standing to leave campus during lunch. This item was moved to an action item for the April 25 meeting.Editorís Note: The special meeting of the BOE originally scheduled for April 25 was changed to April 30 ñ after the NFH deadline for this issue.Johnson resigns as district vice presidentJoan Johnson submitted her resignation April 13 as member and vice president of the Falcon School District 49 Board of Education.Johnson, who was elected in November 2011, requested the board hold a special meeting to accept her resignation. The board met April 14.ìWe appreciate Mrs. Johnsonís perspective on the board ñ it will be missed,î said Tammy Harold, board president.The district is expected to formally declare the vacancy during a special board meeting April 30.Colorado law requires the board to fill the open position within 60 days; otherwise, the board president must appoint someone to fill the vacancy.The newly appointed director will finish Johnson’s two-year term and may then run for office in 2013.
