The following information is from the School District 49 Board of Education regularly scheduled January meeting. Action itemsThe board unanimously passed several items, including a revision of policies regarding board member conduct, code of ethics and conflicts of interest. The revisions have made the policies more rigorous than required by state law.The charter renewal for the Pikes Peak School of Expeditionary Learning unanimously passed, under the condition that the location (or a location move) of any charter school within the district is a mutual agreement between the school and the BOE.District Planner Melissa Andrews presented information on the remodeling contract for the new Falcon Virtual Academy building. Andrews said an architect is designing parameters for the building, alongside a general contractor who will begin preliminary work on the site. ìWe’re doing this to save time and to get the Virtual Academy up and running by next school year,î Andrews said.Joan Ann Johnson, BOE vice president, voiced concern that the district awarded the work to a contractor without receiving final plans or costs for the construction. The contract passed with a 4-1 vote, contingent on the general contractor’s completion of the work within the district’s budget.Information technology issues within the district prompted a unanimous ëyesí vote to contract IT operational services and help-desk support through Colorado Computer Support. CCS has provided help-desk support for the district since summer 2011, while the in-house district IT department has handled the operational aspect. The contract will run for 17 months and provide an opportunity for the district to address and resolve in-house IT department issues, in part because of a high turnover rate.Information itemsOriginally slated as an action item, the board halted the vote to approve the contract for completion of the Falcon Community Builders for Classrooms sports field at Vista Ridge High School. The FCBC donated money to the district specifically to build the athletic field, but the final cost hasn’t been received from the contractors.Discussion itemsFalcon High School is now offering dual credit classes called ìCU to Succeed,î said Falcon High School Innovation Leader Mark Carara. The program teams the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs with select high schools in the area, allowing participating students to receive both high school and college credit for a CU to Succeed class. The classes are weighted on a 5.0 scale like Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate classes and taught at the high school by qualified professors from UCCS.Special education department issuesDuring the open forum portion of the meeting, two parents with special education students addressed the board regarding concerns they had about the special education department. They questioned the effectiveness of the SPED and voiced concern that the district hasn’t addressed their repeated requests for action.Several board members requested more time to address the problems. ìThis is a brainstorming session, but we need to really get some direction on this topic,î said Marie LaVere-Wright, board treasurer.Christopher Wright, board member, suggested creating a committee that would allow the general community to have a voice in the matter. Johnson agreed, stating that the board needed to first find out the root of the problems. The board directed Becky Carter, D 49’s chief education officer, to follow up with SPED staff and report back to the BOE. The item will be further investigated at a future work session.Budget discussionBrent Ridgway, chief business officer, presented information on the amended 2011-2012 budget. The board was concerned about a few items that appeared to require more funding, such as the special education department, the transportation department and staffing. Ridgway maintained that the amended 2011-2012 budget was in good shape and on target with the original budget.Convenience store near Sand Creek High SchoolAndrews presented information she received from the city of Colorado Springs about the development of a commercially zoned site near Sand Creek High School. Andrews said the current plan includes a Kum and Go gas and convenience store, two restaurants and two other commercial buildings. Concerns were raised about increased traffic to the area and the sale of alcohol and tobacco near SCHS. The City will hold a public hearing on the issue.BOE member resignsChristopher Wright was expected to resign from the board at the Jan. 26 meeting, citing his desire to give more time and attention to his family and his business. The board will have to approve his resignation, and the vacant spot will be filled at the Feb. 9 meeting. The newly elected member will finish out Wright’s four-year term.
