All members of the El Paso County Colorado School District 49 Board of Education were present for a video conference of the July meeting, except for Kevin Butcher, vice president, who was absent with prior notice.Board updateDave Cruson, treasurer, thanked the administration, teachers and staff who are preparing themselves for the upcoming school year.John Koster, director, thanked the chief officers for each donating $500 per month to be placed in a fund for coronavirus-related issues and 10 ìsick daysî each to be placed in a COVID-19 sick leave bank.Rick Van Wieren, secretary, attended a D 49 graduation ceremony in June and said, ìIt was so uplifting to see the young and hopeful getting out and starting their new life phases. I just wanted to give a shout out to the Class of 2020 and to the chief officers for helping make what was a difficult year a memorable one for them in a positive way.îJohn Graham, president, acknowledged the efforts of district staff as they work on plans to reopen schools in the fall. ìThe administration is very busy looking into how best to keep everyone safe and still get a quality education to the students,î he said.Chief officersí updatePeter Hilts, chief education officer, said he is meeting weekly with members of the El Paso County Public Health Department to ask questions about developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic. District administration is tracking adjustments and to the guidance provided by the medical experts, he said.Pedro Almeida, chief operations officer, said he wants to make clear the expectation of change and flexibility as the dominating theme of planning as the district moves forward. ìWe have to be in a position where we are responding to a number of different things,î he said. ìWe will respond to clear and unmitigated guidance that comes from the state or from the county when it comes to health issues. The guidance that changes, it may affect some of the things we do in the district. We will respond to the actual conditions of the virus. As we start seeing dynamics that happen here it will influence; it will impact decisions we make in the district.ìI want to encourage folks to understand that we are going to do the best we can to plan, but we are also going to be ready to change if circumstances require us to change.îAlmeida said the new building at the Springs Studio for Academic Excellence, which will house the Pikes Peak Early College, has its temporary certificate of occupancy. Other projects funded by the 3B mill levy override money include upgrades to the Falcon High School tennis courts and a new parking lot at Sand Creek High SchoolAction itemsThe BOE unanimously approved the following:
- Revisions to the studentsí rights and responsibilities handbook
- A resolution delaying the opening of Spacious Skies Charter School to the fall of 2021 for the 2021-2022 school year
- Revisions to policies and procedures as follows: board powers and responsibilities; purchasing/purchasing authority; purchasing procedures; vendor relations; school properties disposition; student transportation; bus safety program; district employee/driver requirements, training and responsibilities; use of wireless communication devices while operating a district vehicle; use of school buses by community groups; prioritization of facility improvements; site selection and acquisition; staff dress, accessories and grooming; staff identification cards; substitute and part-time professional staff employment; ensuring all students meet standards; and report of child abuse/child protection
