October BOE meeting wrap up

All members were present at the Falcon School District 49 Board of Education regular meeting in October.Before the meeting, the BOE held a ìFantastic 49î event. The board recognized the central enrollment and human resources teams for their dedication and hard work. Kim Steeves, central enrollment supervisor, also received recognition for 10 years of dedication to D 49 families and the effort she and her team put forth as the districtís central enrollment transitioned to a paperless system this past year.Action itemsThe BOE unanimously approved the following:

• Review of the following policies: nondiscrimination/equal opportunity; construction contracts and bidding awards; equal educational opportunities; school attendance areas; entrance age requirements; admission and denial of admission; residency requirements for admission; continuing enrollment of nonresident students; school choice/open enrollment transfer policy; inter-district choice/open enrollment; bullying prevention and restorative interventions; student concerns, complaints and grievances; student discipline; educational alternatives for expelled students; student insurance programs; and public concerns and complaints
• A resolution supporting ballot issue 3B, which will appear on the Nov. 8 election ballot
• A proposal from Vista Ridge High School for a paraprofessional educator course
• Updated job descriptions for a school psychologist intern; budget analyst; senior information system data technician; and senior data analyst for student information systems
• Updated school fee schedule to reflect fees approved in May but missing from the 2016-2017 fee schedule Oct 25 as the official date for the impact aid survey
• Reauthorization of the Pikes Peak Board of Cooperative Educational Services contracts

Discussion itemsSean Dorsey, Sand Creek zone leader, updated the board on his zone, including reading and literacy data. ìWe look forward to really good results from our continued emphasis on early literacy,î he said.Dorsey also presented data on his zoneís performance in math; he said they are piloting a math version of the dynamic indicators of basic early literacy skills program, which will provide early benchmark and warning information on student progress. He said students in his zone are struggling with math, but he said he is proud of some of the strategies and actions his zone has taken to help the students.ìWe have developed a multi-year partnership with Studer Education Group, and will be using their nine organizing principles that were originally used to launch hospitals to excellence; but will translate that to our schools,î Dorsey said.Ron Sprinz, finance group manager, provided an enrollment update and said that since Labor Day, there has been a steady increase in enrollment numbers. The state will be designating the final per-pupil funding rate soon, he said.Matt Meister, director of communications, provided an update on the 2016 election, particularly D 49ís ballot issue 3B. ìI have not been made aware of any active opposition to 3B,î he said. ìThe Colorado Springs Independent has endorsed our ballot measure.îExecutive sessionFollowing the regular session, the BOE entered into an executive session and discussed the chief operations officerís evaluation and performance review. No action was taken.The next regular meeting of the BOE is Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the board room of the D 49 Education Services Center.