The Falcon School District 49 Board of Education met three times over the course of two weeks, with agenda items postponed each time because there werenít enough members to conduct a meeting. The following summarizes the special meeting, a quorum meeting and the regularly scheduled board meeting.Special meeting ñ April 30The board approved Innovation status plans for the following schools: Falcon High School, Falcon Middle School, Evans International Elementary School and Remington Elementary School. The board also approved the Innovation Plan for the Power Zone, which includes Odyssey Elementary School, Ridgeview Elementary School, Stetson Elementary School, Skyview Middle School and Vista Ridge High School.Because Falcon High School did not waive state policies, its plan will go into effect July 1.Following the Innovation Plan discussion, Christopher Wright, board director, brought up his frustration with the board leadership. ìOur board needs new leadership,î Wright said. ìWe need someone who understands innovation. I’m frustrated with the sole decision making that happens behind the scenes instead of as a board. I’m asking publicly that this board’s leadership change.îWright and Chuck Irons, board secretary, walked out, leaving only two board members ñ president Tammy Harold and treasurer Marie Lavere-Wright. The meeting adjourned because three board members must be present at all meetings.Eight actions items left on the agenda were pushed to the next meeting.Community quorum ñ May 2Because the April 30 meeting abruptly ended, the BOE attempted again to get through the action items left on the agenda at the May 2 meeting. However, there were not enough board members present at this meeting.The two in attendance ñ Harold and Wright ñ decided to hold a community quorum instead, which allowed staff scheduled on the April 30 agenda to present their information.Amber Whetstine provided an update on professional development. Steve Axford, the district’s executive officer of special education, presented on the special education committee and advisory committee. Martina Meadows provided an update on the English Language Development Department.Brett Ridgway, chief business officer, said the 2012-2013 budget includes money for increasing salary schedules.Harold read an e-mail from the CDE stating that the final review of the Power Zone’s Innovation plans were complete. The CDE expects the item to be on the state board of education agenda for the mid-June meeting. The CDE also stated that the BOE will receive comments on Innovation plans for Falcon Middle School, Remington Elementary School and Evans International Elementary School by May 15.Regular meeting ñ May 10Irons and Wright had been excused with prior notice from this meeting; and, with the resignation of Joan Johnson, only two board members remained. Once again, the meeting came to a halt.Harold did announce that interviews for the vacancy on the board would take place May 30, and a BOE work session was also scheduled for May 30.Editorís note: The NFH went to press prior to the May 30 meeting.
