News from
Sheridan School District No. 2
Contact: Mark
Stevens
[email protected]
303-495-8699
(mobile) • 720-328-5488 (office)
News
Release
Jan. 24, 2018
Budget Challenges on Horizon
Chief Operations
Officer Kristen Colonell told the Sheridan Board of Education that significant
spending cuts will be needed to balance revenue and spending for the 2018-2019
school year.
Final numbers
won’t be known until the Colorado General Assembly sets per-pupil funding in a
few months. However, Sheridan issues student-based budget allocations to school
principals at the end of January so schools can begin planning—and staffing—for
next school year.
Enrollment this
year is down 124 students compared to last year. While the new Habitat for
Humanity Sheridan Square project continues to bring families to the district,
rising rental rates also appear to be prompting other families to leave. The
enrollment dip means that projected revenue from the state is lower than what
was budgeted for the current school year. The year-end fund balance will be
lowered to make ends meet, among other budget reductions. That also means there
is less money to carry forward.
Colonell said the
board will decide on the precise methodology to balance next year’s budget but
estimated a need to reduce 10 to 12 fulltime staff positions.
Enrollment is
also down at the Early Childhood Center, which serves students funded through
the federal Head Start program and through the Colorado Preschool Program
(CPP). Sheridan is only using 29 of 40 allotted CPP slots this year and may
need to close one classroom next year to make ends meet.
Colonell said
additional budget stresses next year include a likely increase in the
district’s contribution of $90,000 or so to the state retirement system (PERA),
and increases of up to $100,000 for health insurance.
Superintendent
Michael Clough said the district is renewing efforts to market schools and
promote the programs and opportunities in Sheridan School District 2 as a means
of reversing the declining enrollment trend.
Board
Appreciation Week
January is School
Board Recognition Month (courtesy of the Colorado Association of School
Boards). Superintendent Clough read aloud a series of comments he received from
school and district leaders praising the four members of the Sheridan Board of
Education. The comments lauded board members for their “thoughtful and
forward-thinking” approach to their work, for their “tireless” service and
dedication to students, for always making “the well-being of students and
families” as the board’s first priority, and for believing in teachers and
staff.
One note praised
the board for “tirelessly supporting public education, despite criticism and
threats to dismantle it.” Superintendent Clough also presented the board
members with certificates of appreciation.
Stakeholder
Meeting at Sheridan High School
Following the
board meeting last night, board members attended a community forum being held
at Sheridan High School. The forum was part of the process to find and hire a
new superintendent. Superintendent Michael Clough is leaving in June after 10
years of service to the district.
The meeting last
night was facilitated by Ricardo Medina, a consultant with Ray and Associates,
the firm hired by the board to run the search. At the forum, Medina
quizzed a handful of parents and community leaders about the district’s
strengths and needs and also about the type of leader who would be best suited
to run the district. Similar conversations were held all day Monday (Jan. 22)
with specific stakeholder groups.
Participants last
night praised the small community flavor of Sheridan School District 2, the
dedicated teaching staff, the state-of-the-art Fort Logan Northgate School,
community pride, “great kids,” diversity, and the “great” board of education.
Among qualities
needed for the new superintendent, participants urged that he or she have
experience and skills with exceptional student services, parent outreach,
racial issues, cultural education, school funding, student recruitment, teacher
retention and recruitment, and classified staff retention and recruitment. They
urged the new leader be a collaborator and someone who is willing to tackle
controversies head-on. They called for a “strong, effective leader” who is
honest, approachable, visible, and has a sense of humor.
Consent
Agenda
All consent
agenda items were approved.
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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