by Jennifer Parker
LA VETA- Monday?s Re-2 School Board meeting started with two new members, Diane Law and Kenny Schneider who are replacing Debbie Channel and Betty Kreutzer. Channel and Kreutzer were thanked whole-heartedly for their service and given small gifts of appreciation. President Edward Smith told the two that ?if there was something we could give you in return for your years of service, it wouldn?t fit in a box.? Kreutzer replied, ?I love the kids and call if you need any help.? Kreutzer served four years and Channel served eight.
Board member Patrick Sternberg gave recommendations for clarifying budget reports. Schneider also had ideas and suggestions for a smoother school year. He suggested that the school consider a new auditor. The Board seemed in agreement that they were happy with the current auditor.
Science teacher Pat Keeling asked the Board for permission for the Science Club to attend an overnight trip to Colorado Springs.
Keeling, locals, and a few students are members of River Watch, a program that is comprised of volunteers and funded by the Division of Wildlife for Colorado. The local branch, The Ashby Memorial River Watch, is responsible for monitoring the Cuchara River and Middle Creek for water quality. Keeling reported they got a visit from an administrator this month to check the group?s protocol of test results. La Veta?s findings are pertinent to state decisions regarding water in Colorado. Keeling informed the Board that they received a good ?report card?, and the students involved are receiving college credits for their participation.
The high school is working with CSU in Pueblo, and other colleges, offering college credits to the high school students. Teachers and 67 students went to CSU this month to visit campus classrooms and meet with college staff. Sternberg said, ?We are trying to break the barrier between high school and college for kids.? He added that it can be a ?social shock for kids to go to a big city, and not only do we want our kids to go to college, but succeed when they get there.?
Elementary Principal Betty Trahern said she had a nice surprise today with a visit from Colorado Commissioner of Education Dwight Jones. Trahern commended Jones on his obvious concern for the kids. She said this is the first time she knows of that this type of commissioner has visited. He plans to visit all Colorado school districts.
Superintendent Dave Seaney commended the community for showing support for the girls? state volleyball games.
Seaney reported the schools have completed a majority of ?gifted testing.? So far, 32 kids scored a 92 or above on the tests. More results are still coming in. He will look deeper this year into programs for gifted kids. The school currently has a $15,000 allotted to be used for the gifted kids.
The idea of a new track was discussed. Sternberg pointed out that, ?the football field is really for the boys, but a new track and restrooms would benefit everyone.? However, Re-2 still owes the town $16,000 for the current track.
La Veta may go to the 2A level next school year because of the added ?out-of-district? students. Seaney still has to get more clarification on that topic.
The public meeting adjourned then went into executive session. Tony and Cindy Vecellio requested that the press to be present regarding the issue of Cody Snodgrass, but unfortunately no one other than the school board members and the Vecellios were allowed to be present. It was asked by a member if the meeting could be postponed until the Board had clarification on the press being present, but Mrs. Vecellio was intent upon resolving the issue now.
