PUEBLO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT 70
During the September 6, District 70 School Board meeting, Rye High School’s FFA advisor and Agriculture Education instructor Ethan Beeman presented the D70 School Board with the RHS FFA’s upcoming travel plans.
Bound for the FFA National Conference in Indianapolis, the RHS FFA chapter members will be leaving Rye on Monday, October 24, to make the 18hour drive. Beeman said they change routes each year and this year the chapter will be traveling their northern route. They will go up through Omaha and then drop down into Indianapolis, and will make brief stops to tour agricultural facilities along the way.
The FFA travelers will arrive in Indianapolis on the evening of Tuesday, October 25, in plenty of time for the scheduled events starting on Wednesday, October 26. While attending the National FFA conference, members will have the opportunity to visit and study several area farms and facilities, including a trip to a Kentucky facility.
Beeman said that this year the group will be staying through Saturday, October 29, as a former RHS student will be receiving her degree during the Saturday morning ceremony. Abigail Bennett will be receiving the American Degree, which is the highest honor to be bestowed at any level by FFA. Bennett will be traveling from college in Texas to attend the ceremony.
The cost for students to attend the FFA National Conference is $700 per student, which covers transportation, lodging, and one meal during the trip that the group stops at a nice restaurant and dines together. All other costs, including food and souvenirs, are the responsibility of the students.
Costs for the National Conference trip are kept reasonable for members by the RHS FFA fundraisers.
In other business, Superintendent Ed Smith reported that kids are returning to school after the COVID pandemic. He said D70 is about 200 students above budget at this time.
Adam Baumgartner, District Athletic Coordinator, described gifts and donations to D70. Corporate Sponsor donations from The Bank of San Juans, Wagner Rents, Parkview Health Systems, Trophy City, and Little Caesars will be used to make safety and equipment upgrades. Ronda Rein, Assistant Superintendent, reported on the renewal of the School to Employment Program (STEP) agreement. There are currently 32 D70 students enrolled in the STEP program.
Ted Ortiviz, Bond Manager, said that the Rye High School roof project and parking lot paving are nearly finished, and that concrete work behind the school is ongoing. He also shared that two rooftop cooling units have been installed at Craver Middle School, with one of them operational at this time.
The next D70 School Board Meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 20, at 6:00 p.m. at the Educational Services Center at 24951 E. Hwy 50, Pueblo.