D 49 BOE October meeting wrap-up

The Falcon School District 49 Board of Education met in October to address a short list of agenda items. Prior to the regular meeting, the BOE held a ìFantastic 49î event to highlight athletes and teams within the district.Daniel Quin, a 12th grade student at Sand Creek High School, told the BOE how he set school and state records in football Sept. 19 at the game between Sand Creek High School and Air Academy High School. He said he carried the ball 64 times for 533 yards and scored nine touchdowns.The BOE recognized Cody Peel, a 12th grade student at Falcon High School and captain of the boys soccer team, for his athletic perseverance during his fight against skin cancer.Bruce Gross, principal at Vista Ridge High School, told the BOE about Kellie Mrofcza, a senior at Vista and softball player, who was picked as a Pikes Peak Athletics Conference player of the year. On Sept. 30, Mrofcza helped lead her team to their first 4A Pikes Peak Athletic Conference softball title. Her father and coach, Brent Mrofcza, was also recognized as the PPAC coach of the year.Action itemsDuring the regular meeting, the BOE heard two resolutions regarding the school finance ballot questions that will appear on the November ballot. The first resolution was in support of a bond and the second was in support of a mill levy override. The resolutions were each approved in a 4-1 vote, with board director Chuck Irons opposed.The BOE unanimously approved the following action items:

• Accreditation of all the districtís schools following the Colorado Department of Educationís determination that they receive an ìaccreditedî rating based on the District Performance Framework and School Performance Framework reports
• The selection of the official survey date for Impact Aid, which determines how many students are connected to other federal programs such as the United State Military; The district receives a federal revenue subsidy based on that number. The survey date was set for Oct. 27.
• The job description of the Before and After School Program manager for the Kidsí Corner Before and After School Program in the Sand Creek Zone: The program is self-sustaining, and the revenue pays for program personnel.
• Policies regarding concurrent enrollment, the Accelerating Students through Concurrent Enrollment program and weighted grading: The ASCENT program allows qualified students to take an extra year of high school to earn college credits while enrolled in high school at the districtís expense.
• Policies regarding the districtís grievance process that allows parents and community members access to it
• Policies regarding the types of documentation the district may use as proof of a studentís re-enrollment and attendance in any district online school or online program

Discussion itemsMichelle Slyter, principal at Evans International Elementary School, updated the board on activities at her school, including the formation of professional learning communities that meet for about 90 minutes every six days to discuss teaching techniques and strategies. She also said the school has hired additional staff to meet the literacy needs of their students.Ron Hamilton, principal at Sand Creek, said they are working on a school-wide literacy initiative. The focus is on ensuring that every student is reading and writing at their grade level and within a teacherís specific content area, he said. ìWe have to focus on creating multiple pathways to support student success,î Hamilton said.Following the public portion of the meeting, the BOE entered into an executive session to discuss the performance of a specific staff member. No action was taken at that time.The next regular meeting of the BOE is Nov. 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the board room of the D 49 Education Services Center.