The Falcon School District 49 Board of Education met in July and acted on a variety of items, which includes unanimously agreeing to a ballot measure on school financing for the November election.The board also unanimously appointed Donna Richer, executive assistant to the Board of Education, as the designated election official. The board also unanimously approved the following action items: a memorandum of understanding with the Colorado Digital Board of Cooperative Education Services that sets forth expectations and details of the joint effort between the two entities; a lease purchase agreement for 1,000 MacBook Air laptop computers for a three-year term at a cost not to exceed $1,328,990.12; a revision of Richerís position to exclude executive assistant duties for the director of human resources; the addition of a fire and electrical supervisor position; revisions to policies to align with new recommendations from the Colorado Association of School Boards and other district initiated updates; and a new agreement for legal services from the BOEís current attorney, Brad Miller, which resulted in a retainer agreement decrease from $16,250 per month to $9,000 per month.As a discussion item, the board heard a presentation from the coordinators of the Trail Ridge Academy about their application for a charter high school. The directors asked questions and asked coordinators to clarify the proposed educational programs and funding priorities. Chuck Irons, BOE director, said, ìI have some problems with the application. In the long run, I think you could be successful, but I donít know if it will be with this document. I donít think this is strong enough.îìWeíd like an opportunity to respond to those concerns,î said TRA coordinator Andy Franko. ìWe are here to fight for a quality education for all students.îThe board agreed to move the application to an action item at the July 22 meeting but indicated they werenít sure what action they would be voting on yet.The board also discussed the ballot language for a bond and mill levy override measure in the November election as proposed by the districtís Capital Planning Committee. The board agreed that the ballot language needs to be clear and concise so it accurately reflects the districtís needs from the voters. The directors agreed to further discuss the ballot language at their July 22 special meeting.The BOE heard a presentation from Amber Whetstine, executive director of learning services and Brian Green, online professional development specialist, regarding new opportunities for professional learning and development online.Matt Meister, D 49 director of communications, presented information on the districtís new website. He provided a brief tutorial on how to navigate the site. ìThe new vendor, ëSchool Fusioní is using our site as an example for other districts to learn from,î he said.Meister also introduced the new coordinator of cultural capacity, Lou Fletcher. Fletcher presented his plans for the new position, and Tammy Harold, board president, requested that he provide quarterly progress updates.Marie LaVere-Wright, BOE secretary, said the Colorado Association of School Boards is encouraging local school boards to submit resolutions to CASB to take an active role in establishing CASB approaches to crucial education issues, including legislative issues.Peter Hilts, chief education officer, provided an overview of district counseling functions. The next regular BOE meeting is Aug. 14 at 6:30 p.m. in the board room of the Education Services Center.Update: At a special meeting July 22, the Falcon School District 49 Board of Education approved the charter school application for the Trail Ridge Academy High School in a 4-1 vote, with Chuck Irons, board director, in opposition.
