The Falcon School District 49 Board of Education met in April to discuss a variety of topics. Prior to the meeting, the board held another ìFantastic 49î event. The directors recognized three students who won El Paso County PTA Reflections awards.Falcon Middle School sixth-grade student Ketlyn Almeida won her award for a music composition titled, ìMirror, Mirror.î Her work earned gold at the state level, and she is now advancing to the national PTA competition.Vista Ridge High School 11th-grade student Craig Holts won his award for a music composition titled, ìVanilla Rag.î He earned a medal at the state level. Neah Hess, another Vista Ridge 11th grade student, won her award for a visual arts work titled, ìFree Your Mind.î She earned a medal at the state level.The BOE also recognized Jay Peltier, Vista Ridge track and field coach and business teacher. Peltier won a Sason Sharify award for his dedication and enthusiasm for track and field.Following the ìFantastic 49î event, the directors tackled the items on their agenda. Diane Cassidy, D 49 coordinator for curriculum instruction and assessment, answered questions regarding the Gifted and Talented Teacher on Special Assignment and Differentiation Coach support positions. She said no additional funding would be required for the positions, which do not replace anyone either. The board unanimously approved the positions.The directors also unanimously approved the following action items: a food service contract for Banning Lewis Ranch Academy, Imagine Indigo Ranch, Pikes Peak School of Expeditionary Learning and Rock Mountain Classical Academy; a calendar change at Springs Ranch Elementary School to designate May 9 as a student assessment day; policy revisions regarding the use of video surveillance on district property; a resolution opposing multi-year contracts to avoid buyouts; and a resolution to recognize National Teacher Appreciation Week May 5 to May 9.The BOE discussed procedures to approve charter waivers for Valiant Academy Charter School, since the school will not open as planned for the 2014-2015 school year. The schoolís facility was inadequate, and enrollment numbers did not meet expectations. The directors asked iConnect Zone leader Kim McClelland to prepare a readiness report on the charter school for the May meeting. In January 2015, the board will ask for a status update on the schoolís progress. During the discussion portion of the meeting, the board received†updates†on the following: progress within the International Baccalaureate Middle Years and Diploma programs in the Sand Creek Zone; results of the Big Rocks community survey; the Capital Planning Committeeís campaign events and strategies; summer school as an option for credit recovery; goals of the career and technology training program; new legislation regarding online instruction; the 2014-2015 budgetís focus; progress on the operations side of the district; a review of core values for the district to adhere to; and a review of policies regarding the code of ethics for school board members.Following the public portion of the meeting, the BOE entered into executive session. No actions were taken at that time.The next regular BOE meeting is May 8 at 6:30 p.m. in the board room of the D 49 Education Services Center.
