PUEBLO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT 70
During the April 4 District 70 Board of Education meeting, Pueblo County School District 70 Superintendent Ed Smith used his portion of the “Good News' time to talk about the Beulah School of Natural Sciences.
Smith shared that the amazing Beulah school has less than 150 students. Yet, for the last four years, they have placed at, not only the regional level, but the state level of a major science contest.
Science Olympiad is the premier team Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) competition in the nation, entertaining 6,000 teams at 425 tournaments in all 50 states.
Beulah School of Natural Sciences placed fourth this year in the regional contest, earning them a place in the state contest where they placed 15th.
Smith congratulated the Beulah students, school staff, and parents for all their hard work in making the Science Olympiad wins consistent year after year.
In his portion of the “Good News”, Rye board member John Christenson shared that the Rye Future Farmers of America (FFA) Oyster Fry, held in March, was a success, raising nearly $30,000 in one night to cover the entire year's expenses for the program.
Steven Varela, State Board of Education Representative, attended the D70 Board of Education meeting. He explained there are nine state board of education representatives that serve twenty-five counties and fifty-two school districts. Board members had questions for Varela regarding the rural offset funding, accountability committee, and funding for transportation to schools of students' choice.
Stephanie Russell, Director of Personnel Services, and Brian Axworthy, Director of Nutritional Services, gave a presentation about a Barista satellite job position and apprenticeships that will be opening up in the schools.
D70 schools are expected to have coffee shops in them as soon as next year.
In his request for Amendment 10 funding approval, Bond Manager Ted Ortiviz advised that the contract for the Rye High shop addition is being reviewed and nearly ready to finalize.
The D70 Board of Education had an active conversation with several options discussed concerning hard-to-fill positions; and whether using contract workers was more economical than raising pay to hire workers. The motion to use contract workers failed with the board wanting more research done.
The next D70 Board of Education meeting will be on Tuesday, April 18 at 6:00 p.m., Educational Services Center, 24951 East Hwy. 50, Pueblo.