About 30 people attended the January school board meeting at the D 49 central office. All board members were present.Henry Weitwiesner, director of auxiliary services and construction management, updated the group on school construction, and announced the groundbreaking ceremony for the addition at Meridian Ranch Elementary School. He also said the outdoor lights at Falcon High School will be up and running soon, and school construction projects are on budget and on schedule.School Board President Dave Martin announced the appointment of Andy Holloman to the Falcon Community Builders for Classrooms 501(c) (3) organization, which oversees the money collected by the builders for D 49.Ellen Drucker noted the local news coverage of the “winter break vs. Christmas break” issue, and stated that 307 different churches are represented in this area, along with Muslims and Jews. “It would be very unfair to the non-Christian children to change the name,” Drucker said.Action items approved included an overnight trip to Estes Park for Meridian Ranch Elementary School fifth graders and a Winter Park ski trip for interested students from Falcon and Sand Creek high schools.Diane Holbrook, co-chair of DAAC, the district accountability advisory committee, gave a presentation on the current and future status of DAAC. Holbrook said that DAAC is in the process of redefining and clarifying its scope. Four sub-committees have been formed: education, assessment, budget and growth. DAAC members will be periodically reporting to the board and offering recommendations.Superintendent Stephen Hull proposed big changes for the district, beginning with a reorganization and expansion of the central office to effectively manage the rapidly growing district. Hull emphasized the need for a long-range strategic plan, new initiatives and choices for special focus schools. “This district has operated far below its potential and without a vision,” Hull said. He would like to hire a new deputy superintendent who would be responsible for the day-to-day operations of all schools and a director of elementary education. Hull stressed to the board that the administrative staff has too many tasks to do all of them well. “The alternative is accepting mediocrity,” he said.The next school board meeting is Feb.2 at 6:30 p.m. at Meridian Ranch Elementary School.
