By Jaye Sudar
GARDNER- The regular RE-1 board meeting was held at Gardner School in concert with the Academic Fair. The meeting began after the board toured the Fair and ate dinner provided by the school.
In an addition to the agenda, Superintendent Doyle tendered his resignation. He is retiring at the end of June. Doyle stated that he changed his plans as the district is facing a major upheaval in the next year. The district is working to comply with a course of action suggested by the Colorado Department of Education, CDE. The board, teachers and CDE have been meeting regularly to discuss district issues. One of those meetings had been interrupted by the bomb scare.
Doyle stated in the meeting that he felt that with the level of change due through the actions decided upon by the board and CDE, that it would be a disservice to the district to delay his retirement. It might hamper a new superintendent coming in on the middle of things as well. This way, the district may start fresh with a new superintendent. This prompted the board to action involving CASB and a new search for a superintendent for the district.
Liz Schneider spoke at length with the board discussing previous miscommunication in regards to her and Linda Jardine′s retirement. Superintendent Doyle took responsibility for the communication mixup and stated that it should have been handled differently. The school board decided to rescind the acceptance of their letters of resignation.
Later in the meeting they were rehired with the rest of the staff.
All schools are busy with the end of the year field trips, testing, and graduations. Gardner received a donation of eight laptops from the U.S. Forestry service to supplement their computer lab.
The roster for the bus to Gardner for next year is filling up as well. Principal Bennett stated that there was still room at the school for more students if they wanted to transfer for next year. The bus route will start and end at the district′s bus garage. The board approved repair expenditures for the district owned rental property, and in a split vote, approved starting closure procedures for the wood and auto shops.
The third grade reading CSAP results were presented, and the district dropped slightly. This was seen as a reflection due to a change in the actual test and other factors that every school faces. Scores are down statewide.
In other business, the board approved three resolutions in regard to non-renewal of teachers, instructional aides and cooks, approved a board policy, and accepted the resignation of Becky Brunwick. The board approved hiring classified staff, and teachers, as well as approved extra duty assignments for coaching. Prior to going into executive session, the board voted to schedule a date for training with the district′s attorney.
