News from
Sheridan School District No. 2
Contact: Mark
Stevens
[email protected]
303-495-8699
(mobile) • 720-328-5488 (office)
News
Release
June 27, 2018
Tears, Standing Ovation as Board Bids Farewell to Superintendent
Michael Clough; Michael and Beth Clough Launch Fund for Needy Students with
$10,000 Donation
Superintendent
Michael Clough, finishing ten years at the helm of Sheridan School District 2,
stepped down from the board dais during the board meeting this week (Tuesday,
June 26) and greeted incoming superintendent Pat Sandos with a hug.
Clough then went
to the podium and, with his wife Beth at his side, donated a $10,000 check to
the school district that will give principals discretionary cash to help
students in need, whether it’s to buy a new pair of shoes or a jump drive for a
class project. Clough said he hoped others would donate to the Principal’s Care
Fund to help students with the greatest needs, particularly to avoid situations
when a student’s free- and reduced-lunch status might lead to public “shaming”
of their family’s income level.
In his parting
comments, Clough urged board members to focus on student needs when times are
rough. “When it really looks like all is lost,” he said, “spend about fifteen
minutes in a kindergarten class … and know that you are instrumental in
creating their future,” he said.
Clough was lauded
by all five board members and staff. “You have your finger on the pulse of
everything,” said board member Karla Najera. “I thank you so much for all
you’ve done for the district.”
“Your tenacity to
fight the big fight and go toe-to-toe with big players is amazing,” said board
member Sally Daigle. “You love your job and love this community. You will be
missed … this community is far better off with you being a part of it.”
And board
president Bernadette Saleh, fighting off tears for a minute, called Clough her
“colleague and friend.” The launch of SOAR Academy as an alternative high
school, the construction of Fort Logan Northgate School, and the opening of
Habitat for Humanity’s Sheridan Square project “were all just ideas until you
helped bring them to fruition,” said Saleh. “They were all initiated by you.
You are leaving the district better than you found it and for that you can be
so proud.”
Incoming
superintendent Pat Sandos lauded Clough for ten years of service, far longer
than the three-year average for urban superintendents. “Your career of
stewardship is remarkable,” said Sandos. “Godspeed.”
Board members and
staff, including Sandos, also thanked Deputy Superintendent Jackie Webb, who is
retiring and who is also leaving the district after ten years of service.
Demographic
Forecast
The board heard a
presentation from Darci Drost, associated with Strategic Resoures West,
regarding projections for enrollment and resource planning. Looking ahead five
years, she said, analysis suggested enrollment to recede at 1.8 percent each
year. Drost urged the district to consider using some of its empty classrooms
to consider launching a magnet program that might serve a unique population of
students in Sheridan and nearby communities.
Consent
Agenda
All consent items
were approved, including the 2018-2019 school year budget, a resolution
supporting an initiative to urge RTD to offer student bus passes at a greatly
discounted rate, and a calendar revision that reduces training for new teachers
from five days to three and moves those three days so they finish the day
before the school year starts.
About
Sheridan School District 2
Located southwest
of Denver, Sheridan School District 2 seeks high-level post-secondary options
for all students through continuous improvement of quality instruction. More: www.ssd2.org
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