Ann Ochs, District 70 (D70) Board of Education (BOE) President, announced at the January 18 meeting that Rye High School had been awarded several gifts by area businesses and families. Rye High School Football, Boys Basketball and Baseball received a donation of $1,200 from High Country Fence; Boys Basketball received $500 from the Smykowski Family, and another $1,200 from Little Caesar's Pizza. $1,200 ($800 for Boys Basketball and $400 for Girls Volleyball) was gifted from Powerhouse Exteriors. Girls Basketball received $1,000 from J's Storage Containers, LLC, $850 from US Connect Service (Rye Telephone), and $1,000 from Adamson Electric. The Future Farmers of America program received $4000 from the Central Colorado Educational Trust.
In other school gifts, Vineland Middle School FFA Program received a donation of $1,000 from Shane Milberger Farms, and Pueblo County High School of Engineering and Biomedical Science Knowledge Bowl received donations of $500 from Pueblo Electric's Inc, $1,000 from Cornerstone Roofing and Gutter, $100 from Glen Schaffer, and $200 and $500 from anonymous donors.
There were three people who took advantage of the time offered during the open forum for public comment. All of them expressed interest in the mask mandate surveys that had been sent out, with questions about how effective it might have been and how the results were released. Suggestions for more reliable, virtual access to the meetings and a plan for COVID safety should the board choose to remove the mask mandate were also part of the speakers’ questions.
The revised budget plan was presented by D70 accountant Aaron Thompson, who stated that due to changes after the adopted budget was approved funds needed adjustments. He cited changes in the D70 salary schedule, food service cost increases, and a pupil count decrease as part of the need for these changes.
Ronda Rein gave an explanation and update on the district's required instructional hours. Rein explained that elementary level students are required to complete 990 hours of instruction, and secondary education levels are required 1080. She said the difference between contact days in which the teachers have contact working with the students, and contract days which are teacher work days. Rein is constantly monitoring COVID staff shortages and weather to determine if a remote day or day off needs to be called.
Superintendent Ed Smith asked the board to grant attorney Brad Miller and himself authority to approve payment regarding the roof at Swallows Charter Academy. The work has been done but there is an issue Smith and Miller are working on a compromise for. The board voted to grant negotiation authority to Miller and Smith.
Director of Facilities and Operations Gene Padilla presented a design/build amendment for board approval. In this request he asked for approval for roofing work and closed-circuit TV and PA systems for Beulah School, Craver Middle School, Rye Elementary, Vineland Middle School, North Mesa, and South Mesa. Closed circuit TV and PA systems for are also needed at Cedar Ridge, Sierra Vista, and Vineland Elementary.
Padilla explained that some of the equipment and parts they are needing for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems are having a long order time before they can be received. He asked for approval to place orders in regards to the Beulah School, Craver Middle School, North Mesa Elementary, Pueblo County High, Sky View Middle School, South Mesa, and Vineland Middle School projects.
The board voted their approval on the design/ build amendment as Mr. Padilla had presented it.
Stephanie Russell presented a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between D70 and Pueblo County Educators Association regarding restricted use leave for 2021- 2022. Russell explained that ordinarily there are certain days of the year, such as the first and last day of school and times during testing, that teachers have not been allowed to be off. This MOU was introduced because with COVID and staff shortages, the district would prefer teachers to call off on those days rather than attend if they may be sick.
The next D70 BOE meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 1, at 6:00 p.m. at the D70 Educational Services Center, 24951 E. Hwy 50, Pueblo.