WALSENBURG- Flatirons Academy Charter School out of Louisville, CO has approached the Re-1 School District about the possibility of opening an online charter school in the district. The application Flatiron has made proposes to create an online curricula for at-risk students in grades six through twelve. Flatirons has made the same pitch to at least 57 other school districts around Colorado. There will be a community meeting at a later date.
In other business, Superintendent Michael Doyle announced that a federal economic stimulus package called Secure Rural Schools had been announced, with Re-1 in line to receive $175,000. Re-2 would receive $116,000. This amount would be given annually for the next three years, though decreasing by 10 percent each year.
In reports, Project Manager Gaye Davis told the Board that the Gardner roof project is nearly completed. “It took a little longer than expected,” Davis commented, “but it’s pretty impressive.” Electricians are working at the storage building at the new field, and lights will be on soon. No bids came in to paint Washington School, so the district staff is doing the painting.
Athletic Director Pat McDonald reported the Fall sports season was over. He commented teams had showed a lot of growth, especially volleyball.
The Administration would like to move into Washington School by Nov. 14. Board Director Jesse Jackson asked Davis if she was planning on doing an assessment of the old administration prior to possibly putting it up for sale, and Davis replied she had received “No clear direction from the board to do so.” Jackson said he thought it was in her recently signed contract, then backed off this hot button issue by saying, “We’ll talk about this later.”
Gardner Principal Julia Marchant reported they are doing their annual book fair, which usually brings in $,1000 to $2,000. They generally hold it during parent/teacher conferences. She said the school was gearing up for their annual One Room Schoolhouse Day, on Nov. 21, where current and graduated students come together to relive what it was like to attend an old one room schoolhouse.
Peakview Principal Pat Martinez reported they are in a very busy time, and were planning on keeping Halloween celebrations very low key, and instead of encouraging costumes being worn to school, were instead going to have Orange and Black Day.
John Mall Principal Trudy Vader reported more success in lining up partnerships and grants for the school, the latest being help for at-risk students by getting a truancy prevention grant for $159,000; which must be spread out over several other school districts. She also talked about the school’s ongoing special relationship with Colorado State University, with a scheduled week-long workshop in robotics and atmospheric resources to be held on the CSU campus this summer.
