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Board of Education Recap October 14th, 2019

News from Sheridan School District No. 2

 

Contact: Mark Stevens [email protected] 303-495-8699 (mobile) 

 

News Release

 

Oct. 14, 2019 

 

Sheridan Board of Education Endorses Proposition CC

 

The Sheridan Board of Education last week (Oct. 8) unanimously endorsed Proposition CC on the November ballot.

 

The proposal would allow the state to use taxpayer revenue above current limits and divide the money among education and transportation.

 

The ballot question states: “Without raising taxes and to better fund public schools, higher education, and roads, bridges, and transit, within a balanced budget, may the state keep and spend all the revenue it annually collects after June 30, 2019, but is not currently allowed to keep and spend under Colorado law, with an annual independent audit to show how the retained revenues are spent?”

 

Information provided by Chief Financial Officer Kristen Colonell estimated that successful passage of Proposition CC would yield an estimated $1.4 million for Sheridan School District 2 during the current school year. Since the 2009-2010 school year, added Colonell, the state’s use of a budget stabilization factor has underfunded Sheridan by an estimated $16.6 million.

 

If approved by voters, the proposal would require that the money be spent only on nonrecurring costs.

 

Alice Terry Elementary in the Spotlight

Alice Terry Elementary principal Diego Romero and assistant principal Jennifer Webster showcased staff and students and provided on update on the school’s progress and challenges.

 

The presentation began with introducing three first grade students, all English Language

Learners, who were reading on grade level as they left kindergarten last spring. The students— Aishia Shakary, Ainara Orrantia, Asma Mahrzad Naiman—are “always respectful, always responsible, always ready to learn,” said Romero, adding that he spent time earlier that day with Asma and noted her talent for analyzing math problems.   

 

The entire kindergarten instructional team was also recognized—three classroom teachers

(Mary Mobley, Stacy Waechter, Lisa Trail) and three instructional assistants (Sylvia Trujillo, Ippy Farnam, and Paula Wheeler). Romero lauded the team’s ability to support students and differentiate their learning needs. 

 

“They are really committed to the students and they really hold the value of students first,” said Romero. “Intentional collaborative planning” is key to improving student achievement, he said, as is the addition of the instructional assistants, who allow for smaller group instruction based on need.  

 

Romero and Webster highlighted the school’s off-site teambuilding work, the school’s emphasis on social and emotional learning, its community partnerships with businesses and foundations, its use of restorative justice to resolve disputes, a schoolwide emphasis on parent involvement, and a staff culture that seeks to hold each other accountable. 

 

Romero noted improvements in math and reading scores compared to last year but added too many students remain below grade level.  

 

Principal Romero also introduced the school’s new mission: “Alice Terry empowers all students to strive for success and positively impact our changing world.”   

 

Accreditation Appeal

Superintendent Sandos said the district is appealing its preliminary rating under the state’s district performance frameworks. The fact that the state requested additional data may be a good sign, he noted. The district is .5 points from the cutoff to move up to the “Improvement” category. A final decision from the state is due in early December.

 

Philadelphia Trip

Superintendent Sandos, two board members, and Chief Operations Officer Cyndi Wright traveled in early October to Philadelphia to visit a high school that focuses on Career & Technical Education in collaboration with Johnson Controls. The trip was designed to gather insight about bringing a similar model to Sheridan.  “I think we gathered enough information to decide if it is something that will work for us,” said board president Bernadette Saleh, who added that the effort would require considerable planning and organization to implement.  

 

Superintendent Sandos emphasized that the work would involve a community-wide effort. Since Colorado is a sunny state, he added, the idea of training students for work in the growing solar industry might be a good fit. “It’s definitely not something a school district can do on its own,” said Superintendent Sandos. “But it’s definitely possible.”

 

Notes

 

•      Initial indications show pupil count is down about 70 students. The pupil count process is continuing. On a positive note, the Early Childhood Center has added an additional classroom and that might indicate a surge of pupil enrollment is on the way.

•      Board members enjoyed the community-wide Sheridan Celebrates event in late September.

•      Board members are planning to attend the annual Colorado Association of School Boards meeting in December.

•      Superintendent Sandos offered a wide-ranging list of the roles and responsibilities that school principals assume and noted that October is National Principals Month. “They have the most intricate, difficult job and we are incredibly fortunate to have an incredible team of principals and assistant principals,” he said.   

 

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