News from Sheridan School District No. 2
Contact: Mark Stevens [email protected]
303-495-8699 (mobile) • 720-328-5488 (office)
News Release
Oct. 24, 2018
Board of Education Work Session Recap
The Sheridan Board of Education held in an informal
work session on Tuesday, Oct. 23 at SOAR Academy. The following is a brief
recap of the topics discussed.
Alice Terry Elementary School—Learning Walk
Earlier in the day Tuesday (Oct. 23), three of the
five board members toured Alice Terry Elementary School as part of its regular
series of “Learning Walks” to see schools and classrooms in action.
Superintendent Pat Sandos and other staff members also joined the tour, which
was led by Alice Terry Elementary School principal Diego Romero and assistant
principal Jennifer Webster.
At the work session, Board of Education president
Bernadette Saleh said she was appreciative of the chance to see classrooms and
also for the post-tour conversation. “I came away with different observations
than a teacher would,” she said, noting that school administrators are looking
for different things than a non-educator.
Board member Karla Najera said she left the school feeling “hopeful” and
thanked the school’s leadership for being honest about the academic challenges
ahead. Board member Daniel Stange said
he observed some “really good engagement” between teachers and students.
Also Tuesday, a non-profit organization called Wish
for Wheels donated 70 bicycles, one for each second-grade student at Alice
Terry Elementary. Superintendent Pat
Sandos, who helped with the event, said students were thrilled to receive a
free bike. Romero told the board that
the non-profit plans to make the donation an annual event.
Mill Levy Ballot Proposal
Superintendent Sandos said the district is sending
out factual information to the community about Proposal 4B, Sheridan school
district’s mill levy ballot proposal on the Nov. 6 ballot, along with
information about Amendment 73, a statewide ballot initiative regarding school
funding.
The $3 million ballot proposal specifically for
Sheridan schools would:
• Improve
safety and security infrastructure and operations to be able to maintain safer
buildings for students and staff;
• Repair
leaking roofs and other district facilities and provide general maintenance in
school buildings;
• Improve
and upgrade technology infrastructure and operations in schools to support 21st
Century learning opportunities and achievement for Sheridan students; and
• Make
salaries and wages of district personnel competitive with those of other school
districts in the metropolitan area.
District staff estimates that raising the additional
$3 million would increase taxes on a home with an assessed valuation of
$200,000 by $15.44 per month and taxes on a home with an assessed valuation of
$300,000 by $23.16 per month. (Assessed
valuations are not market prices.)
According to the county’s election website, about 7
percent of voters have already cast ballots.
Sheridan staff is planning for a variety of scenarios
should the mill levy request pass or fail. That planning is complicated by the
fact that Amendment 73, if approved, would also affect the school district’s
income. It’s possible that both proposals pass, both fail, and that only one of
the two proposals will be approved. Whatever the outcome, said Superintendent
Sandos, the staff will be prepared with options for the board to consider the
district’s financial planning after Election Day.
October Count
Sheridan School District 2 is serving 1,256 students
this school year—virtually the same as the
2017-2018 school year. Last year, the count was
1,252. While enrollment at Alice Terry
Elementary School is down, the student count is up at Fort Logan Northgate
School and the Early Childhood Center is completely full.
Transportation Lawsuit
Sheridan School District is one of six Colorado
school districts and two associations fighting to stop a new law that would
make it possible for school districts to provide transportation across school
district boundaries to any student in the state. A hearing was held on Oct. 5,
Superintendent Sandos told the board, and the judge indicated he would issue a
written decision within 30 days.
CASB Conference
Sheridan board members are planning to attend the
annual Colorado Association of School Boards conference in Colorado Springs.
Board members this week discussed their schedule and logistical details
regarding the conference.
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