News from Sheridan School District No. 2
Contact: Mark Stevens
[email protected]
303-495-8699 (mobile) • 720-328-5488 (office)
News Release
Feb. 14, 2018
Raves and Praise for
Early Childhood Center
Board of Education members lauded the learning atmosphere
and level of student engagement in the district’s Early Childhood Center
following their Learning Walk yesterday morning (Tuesday, Feb. 13). The center
serves three- and four-year old children drawing from a variety of district,
state and federal funds, including Head Start.
The “stereotype of eating crackers and taking naps” is over,
said Board of Education Bernadette Saleh during the board’s evening meeting. “I
was thrilled. I saw the same engagement that I see at Fort Logan Northgate.
They didn’t look up. They just kept doing what they’re doing.”
She added: “It made me think how important it is to start
the learning there. It was really a joy.”
Board member Sally Daigle also joined the Learning Walk,
which gives board members a chance to observe classrooms across the district on
a rotating basis. “In one of the classrooms I went into they were talking about
‘community.’ What’s in a community? What does ‘community’ mean? That’s huge. I
really don’t believe the citizens in our community understand the level of
learning that is happening at this preschool. It is phenomenal. It’s not finger
painting. These kids are learning. What a gem.”
Daigle added, “They are learning to read and they are
learning huge concepts.”
Information about the Early Childhood Center including
application guidelines can be found here in English and Spanish. The ECC is
located at 4100 S. Hazel Court. Phone number: 720-833-6600.
Clean Financial Audit
Gary Waller of Dixon, Waller & Co., Inc. (Certified
Public Accountants based in Trinidad, Colorado) presented its analysis of
Sheridan School District’s financial statements. Waller told the board his firm
concluded, following its audit, that the district’s financial statements are
fairly presented, have met compliance requirements, and use
adequate internal controls. “We found everything to be in proper order,” said
Waller.
Translation and
Interpretation Services
Language, Cultural and Equity director Linda Chapman
presented an overview to the board about the district’s existing efforts to
assist with interpretation and translation for Spanish-speakers and other
languages as well. Chapman noted the difference between translating (which
typically implies written media) and interpretation (which typically implies
the spoken word.)
Sheridan has 20 staff members it relies on for both
services, said Chapman, including six family liaisons, 10 other district staff
members and four non-district employees (such as substitute teachers) who can
assist when needed. Chapman praised the six liaisons for serving as the “link”
between families and the schools. “I could not imagine that we could have
better family liaisons,” she said. “You’d be amazed at what they do.”
Chapman emphasized the need for training and pointed to the
many pitfalls that are possible when translating (and interpreting) due to
culture, idioms and nuance of languages. She also talked about how other school
districts handle interpretation of board meetings—some offer it at every public
meeting, others do it by request only.
If the Sheridan Board of Education wants to offer
interpretation at its board meeting, Chapman estimated, a minimum budget of
$7,500 annually would cover training, equipment, salaries and supplies.
Teacher Recruitment
Superintendent Michael Clough told the board last night that
district staff are heading to Michigan and Texas to recruit teachers. One group
is heading to Grand Rapids, Michigan and Sheridan High School Principal Shirley
Miles is heading to El Paso and Las Cruces. The board will also soon receive a
proposal, he said, that will allow the district to expedite contracts for
teachers. Too many potential recruits are being lost to other districts, he
said, because the contracts are not offered in a timely manner.
BEST Grant
Director of Facilities and Transportation Cyndi Wright said
district staff is wrapping up its application for BEST (Building Excellent
Schools Today) grant fund to build a new high school. The application is due
Friday, Feb. 23. Wright thanked the board for its “tremendous commitment” and
support for Sheridan’s school facilities.
The grant application would spell out a plan to build a new
school that Wright said could cost $63 million to $65 million. If successful,
state dollars (the BEST grant) would provide a portion of that total cost and
voters would be asked next November to back a bond to pay for the balance. The
same formula was used to build Fort Logan Northgate School.
District Staff
Reductions
Central district staff will be smaller by two positions next
year as part of the effort to reduce spending, Superintendent Clough told the
board. A new ‘Chief Academic Officer’ position will absorb two existing
positions, Deputy Superintendent and Executive Director of Social, Emotional
and Support Services. A new Director of Student Learning Services will also
absorb two other positions. The district leadership organizational chart is
being redesigned, said Clough, and job descriptions are in the process of being
rewritten.
As reported to the board at a meeting in January, the
district is facing the need to reduce spending by $600,000 due to a drop in
enrollment of 124 students this year.
Recruitment for the Chief Academic Officer will begin soon,
said Superintendent Clough, so the district’s new superintendent, who is
scheduled to be selected in April, will be part of that final selection of that
individual in May.
Medicaid Application
Last year the district applied to receive reimbursements for
services provided to students eligible for Medicaid. Special Education director
Jenny Pilger told the board last night that the district received $160,000 and
is developing a five-year plan for how the funds will be used. Pilger said
there are “very specific” rules for how the funds may be used but in general
that it will be used to improve the health of all students.
March Meeting
The board will hold only one meeting in March—on Tuesday,
March 13. The second meeting of the month falls during Spring Break and board
members may also have plenty of work to do as they read superintendent
applications. The board may also schedule an executive session to meet with the
superintendent search firm, Ray & Associates.
Alternative Pathways
Grant
Superintendent Clough said the district has been awarded a
three-year, $470,000 Alternative Pathways Grant for SOAR Academy. Colorado
Department of Education officials called with the upbeat news, he said.
Sheridan’s application earned extremely high marks, he said, and that was due
to the high-quality of the application, which was written by Deputy
Superintendent Jackie Webb.
New School Websites
Jolie Baty, a member of the Sheridan School District 2 Tech
Team, presented new school websites, which have been updated and refreshed in
the last few weeks. She also said the district’s new app (search for Sheridan
School District 2 on your mobile phone device) is fully integrated with the
district website and will send you daily alerts about upcoming activities and
events. Look under the “SCHOOLS” tab at www.ssd2.org.
Board Policies
Polly Plancarte, executive assistant to Superintendent
Michael Clough, presented information to the board about the distinction
between administrative and board policies. The Colorado Association of School
Boards keeps boards of education apprised of new laws being passed by the
Colorado State Legislature, she said. Some are policies that only require
administrative implementation by Superintendent Clough and district staff, she
said, while others require specific board of education approval. Sheridan
employs a “policy governance” style of board management that allows the board
to make decisions based on policy, empower staff, focus on the big issues,
allow staff to carry out goals, and engage the community in the decision-making
process (among other features).
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
##