Working to achieve excellence

by Jaye Sudar
WALSENBURG- In the RE-1 school board meeting this week it was recommended that  RE-1 needs to shift from being a district of schools to being a school district.  This is one of the conclusions reached by the Unified Improvement Plan (UIP), a state assessment which outlines recommendations for the district.  Randy Black, the CASB representative working with RE-1 on the Targeted District Improvement Plan (TDIP) process stated that RE-1 is working to achieve excellence.  As a governance board, they have stepped out of the comfort zone and embraced change.  The board will be meeting with Randy for a workshop later this year.  He praised the various TDIP districts in their efforts to bring about change.  Superintendent Dawn Olson is working on ′walk throughs′ in the building to assess if the teachers are implementing the suggestions from the Edison partners in the TDIP process.
    Banking changes were mentioned by the board due to a letter received from the Community Bank concerning funding.  The board will be making a decision about whether or not to move funds out of the bank at a later meeting.  It was decided that more information was needed as well as input from the district′s lawyer.  The City has already moved funds from the bank, prompting the school district to investigate further.
    The boundaries for the board districts and the populations contained within those districts has not been surveyed in over eight years.  As soon as census data can be obtained, a survey will be done. If necessary, boundaries will be adjusted to keep representation fair across RE-1.
    Gaye Davis reported on the Governor′s Energy Office Performance Contracting Program.  This would provide energy assistance for the district at no cost.  She also reported that the state has approved option 2 of the ADA plans from Short, Elliot, and Henderson, the company doing the plans for John Mall High School.  The old administration building has had the utilities shut off, and the boiler that died at Washington School is still under review by the insurance company.
    In other business, the board approved volunteers for Peakview School, additions to the substitute teachers, bus drives and secretary lists, and accepted the resignation of Diana Jackson.  A special board meeting is planned for January 27th at 6pm to work on the budget.