At the March 1, Pueblo Public School District 70 board meeting, Rye’s own John Christenson had the pleasure of announcing that, according to Centers for Disease Control and Pueblo Department of Health and Environment guidelines, masking would not be required on school buses in the near future. The new guidelines went into effect on March 2.
Rye High School (RHS) Future Farmers of America (FFA) advisor and Ag teacher Ethan Beeman and RHS FFA Chapter Vice-President Schon Moore attended the meeting to invite the board to their annual Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry and Labor Auction. Beeman explained that the FFA students are especially excited to issue the invitation this year, as they have not been able to have the event for the last two years. Moore passed out tickets to the event to be held on March 16, at Rye High School.
There were two speakers expressing opinions during the open forum session of the meeting.
Chris Sutton voiced outrage that D70 legal counsel, Brad Miller, was paid $2000 to attend what Sutton terms was an “illegal committee meeting” regarding the mask mandates. The meeting or workshop Sutton is referring to was an administrative, by invite only, event held on January 28.
Taylor Holderman spoke to thank the board and all of D70 for opening up its schools, allowing community involvement, and providing counseling during the sad events of the last couple of weeks. Holderman was referencing the car wreck that killed the Frazier family, the death of Graham DiMatteo, and the law enforcement involved shooting death at Liberty Point International School.
Stephanie Russell, D70 Director of Personnel, presented for the board’s approval, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between D70 and the Pueblo County Educators Association. The MOU would allow a team to attend job fairs and offer letters of employment to potential candidates in an effort to combat teacher shortages. This MOU would not waive posting and hiring language for internal candidates but does waive the requirements of mutual consent for teachers and building teams as they are hired under a letter of employment. The motion to pass the MOU was approved.
In an update of bond use and funds, the board was advised that there is approximately $63 million of the bond funds left. A reported $11.9 million bond funding had been spent at the time of the March 1 meeting.
Roxie Pignanelli, D70 Government and Community Affairs Coordinator, spoke about a measure introduced to combat the teacher shortage. The measure would allow the hiring of retired teachers for a full year's contract but would not affect their drawing Public Employees Retirement Association benefits.
Each member of the board spoke briefly to update their work since the last meeting:
Chris DeLuca mentioned the candlelight vigil for the Frazier family held at Pueblo County High and the outpouring of love as the community came together to support the family. He advised he had attended a meeting in Denver with CDOT to discuss a stoplight and crosswalk at the accident area.
Cathy Howland advised she had attended a meeting with the Pueblo Health Department and, for the first time in several months, there had been no mention of D70 policies in the meeting.
In addition to sharing the news about masking being removed on school busses, John Christenson advised that the committee to hire a new bond project manager continues.
Dr. A.J. Wilson offered praise for the actions of the faculty and staff at Liberty Point International School during the time of the tragic shooting death there.
Anne Ochs thanked administrators and staff for all they do to keep the students safe, and said the board sees and appreciates their efforts.
The next D70 Board of Education meeting will be held on March 15, at 6:00 p.m. at the Educational Services Center, 24951 Hwy 50 East, Pueblo, CO.