District Parent Council - 2007 Minutes

September Meeting Minutes

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 16:15:39 +0700

District Parent Council

September 18, 2007

New BVSD website - Maela Moore, Communications, as you all know from BVSD on the Inside, introduced Eric Howell, the new BVSD Webmaster.

Eric - BVSD will have a new website. We are beginning the listening phase. We have posted a survey on the front of the current BVSD website and are soliciting your feedback. Over the course of the next few months, we will host focus groups to design the new website. If you are interested in joining a focus group please email Eric.

Our goal is to make the website more contemporary and user friendly.

Chris - We need your input to build a good website. We will host three
meetings (one virtual meeting) this year. Maela to email Roman the
information (in PDF). He will email to the PTAs, etc. The new website will
have a really robust search engine. It will have a good central contacts
page.

Maela - Parents probably use the website more than any other population.
There will now be a new student section. Email Eric with any suggestions
for the home page before going on to IC, etc. If you know of other
particularly good websites, please submit those sites to Maela and Eric to
review.   Eric to forward websites we have looked at (Miami Dade, etc.) to
DPC for their review. We have fourteen schools using Sharepoint 2007
technology within their websites. Eric will send along the list of the
schools involved so DPC can look at what has been done thus far.

There was a request for contact information form online. Next year we
should have online registration capabilities. There seems to be a lot of
interest in this subject, so Chris will invite Planning and Assessment staff
to in the near future to discuss further details.

Tron Bond Update - We met last week and went to Columbine and did a quick
tour. It turns out that Boulder High will need a change from what was
agreed to in the bond. The additional bridge for Reicht Field from BHS
across Boulder Creek and isn't going to physically work out. There is an
elevation change on each side of the bank, which will require 10 feet of
stairs, which is an ADA issue. The initial budget for the project was
$45,000, a recommendation has been made to the School Board to eliminate the
bridge on the bond project.

An email and newspaper article stated the Broomfield High bond project is
over budget. Chris said it's not uncommon at all at the preplanning stage
for projects to come in over budget. Since the email and article, the
figure has dropped one million dollars. The Broomfield High School
principal has written a letter addressing this that will be in the next
issue of the Enterprise.

Several fields already done (Nederland artificial turf field, and Community
Montessori).

Bond Project Managers are made up of some BVSD employees and some contracted
employees. Please mail Tron with any concerns about project managers.

All transcripts of bond meetings are on the website. There was 8 million in
the bond for improvements to Columbine. It would take an additional four
million to raise and rebuild the building.    It wouldn't be bond money to
do that because that money is spoken for. It would be another funding
source (the sale of Washington?). It's under consideration but no decision
has been made yet.

There are environmentally conscious people on the bond committee. We
received $1.8 million dollars from the City of Boulder for Casey on the
condition that Casey will be a teaching building and green from the ground
up. We did a sample survey at the beginning of the bond project. Every
project has some elements of energy efficiency. There is a $100,000 budget
revision process to look at which schools have cooling problems. Email
Chris-@bvsd.org with construction concerns. Robert Hammond is the chief
operations officer and Don Orr, who is heading up the bond is under him.

Matt Gianneschi, Senior Education Policy Analyst -Governor Ritter's
Education Policy The governor has placed a priority on education, which he
calls his number one priority. Matt is a former Denver Public Schools
employee with a doctorate in higher education. Prior to his employment with
Governor Ritter, he oversaw academic and student affairs for the state. The
Governor's agenda is not as concerned with things like testing. He believes
in public accountability, but less around punishing schools but trying to
create incentives in the system to make them work better.   He has three
stakes in the ground: halving the high school drop out rate; push our
policies to double the production of degrees achieved in the state (over 10
years); and closing the achievement gap, which is much more related to
environmental issues. These have guided his decision making.

P20 Council started on the West Coast and Texas. Governor Ritter got all
the pieces built into the system before names were selected to talk about
education policy. They built profiles before they got names. The Governor
decided on 32 people to serve on council from classroom teachers to college
presidents, rural schools, urban schools, and early childhood. The intent of
this group is to help the Governor fulfill his Colorado promise. We want to
ensure our systems are aligned.

Mil Level Stabilization Plan - opportunity for local jurisdictions that
decided they wanted some override capacity from TABOR and Gallagher laws.
We thought it would be $55 million in general funds. Governor wanted to try
to create an opportunity for universal full day kindergarten across the
state and fund preschool and kindergarten program. Governor sees this as a
critical component. Amendment to the School Finance Act that would have
created full day kindergarten did not pass. Mill Levy Stabilization did
pass. They thought it violated TABOR. General Assembly gave opinion and it
took awhile (4-5 weeks to get the opinion back).

P20 Council has 5 subcommittees evolved from the 32 initial people. A lot
of agencies are providing early childhood, but not tied together
necessarily. Helayne Jones, our School Board President, is on the
subcommittee and Adele Bravo (former Colorado teacher of the year) is on the
group of 32.

Teacher preparation and intention. That group is wrestling with
compensation questions

and retention efforts. High school preparation - should the state provide
some sort of endorsements beyond the standard high school diploma (guarantee
that student gets in college, access to more technical education
(certificate) on a statewide basis).

Looking at testing, in particular through the eyes of a student. Whether
CSAP is appropriate and how it connects to college. Accountability still
needs to be there but how do you get the most out of testing.

We want to realign standards.

The dual enrollment question. There are four sections that deal with dual
enrollment.

Last subcommittee is data and accountability. Higher education and k-12 can
start to begin to share data. It's important because the superintendent can
understand how students are matriculating through. One snapshot. What
about students that drop out and go into the work force. Understand
patterns to tailor policy to see what works and what doesn't. Should the
State of Colorado go this route? That question has exposed all kinds of
fears. Better data will intensify accountability. It's been more
philosophical. Is the state prepared to make use of the information and
understand how the system works and doesn't work.

Dropout prevention and recovery is one of the main priorities. We have
received a $25,000 grant to hold a statewide workshop the first week in
December and figure out what will work at the grass roots level and hear the
same conversations.

Are we doing the right thing for our economy; can we provide returns for
kids. What are we doing to build the infrastructure and honors the work at
the local level but provides better guidance to districts.    There is a
narrow time frame for this fall to answer

On the Governor's website (www.colorado.gov/governor P-20
<http://www.colorado.gov/governor%20P-20> ) you can find a copy of all the
questions that were handed out to the committee.

Education Bill - August 6 Governor's office said we know where we want to
go, need public help to get there. On September 17, we had a check-in day,
and on November 16, the final day. The Governor created a council to
refine ideas, come up with new bipartisan policies. 60% of the state budget
is spent on education. 28% of Colorado students have full-day kindergarten
while nation-wide it's 65%. Special populations (Special Ed., Tag, etc.)
are under funded across the board.

Round Robin

Ryan - excited about new computers.

Whittier - 125th anniversary celebration in early October.

So. Hills - At last SIT meeting talked about how to keep from getting
disrupted in schooling with construction projects going on. There was a
lively discussion about blending diversity into the curriculum/life for the
kids. PTO and principal both funded smart boards for all of the classrooms.

Monarch K-8 - SIT program, safety and quality (gender issues) and special
education kids and improving their math scores.

Platt - thrilled about new principal - need to reinform people on physical
safety issues.

Mesa - New principal doing quite well; SIT does it's own school climate
survey with their students. They discovered students are fine everywhere
except the playground. There were a lot of paras on the playground at
recess and paras weren't really part of the bullying conversations to hear
student concerns. Mesa used some sub money to cover for paras while they
trained and have been fairly successful in combating the problems.

Louisville Middle - 7th grade right of passage. Took them off campus and
did overnight at new Y camp for bonding and teachings students be respectful
to each other. Is LMS getting air conditioning? Chris will find out.

Louisville Elementary- installed playground equipment, things are going very
well with the new principal.

Horizons - installed playground equipment; outdoor ed trips are starting (k
- 8 according to age), The trips include a lot of environmental education.

High Peaks - doing a fundraiser - the good fairy - ask teachers for a wish
list and say to the parents and get really good results and parents cut a
check. Check written to PTA. Teachers spend how they want with principal
oversight.

Foothill - excited about the renovations to the school.

Flatirons - launching fundraiser for PTO aiming for the highest level of
participation they can get. Happens in October every year. PTO just
brought in child assault prevention program. There is outdoor education for
the entire school.

Fairview - would like to see enrollment cap raised. Mice have taken over
the senior balcony.    Don trying to bring committees together (booster,
sports, music, parents). Currently groups are working separately and they
would like to see groups meet once a month together and do breakouts; and
also do this with teachers to bring unity and communication. Trying to find
creative ways to keep students on campus (with a open campus).

Eldorado - Focusing on how to get students to school safely. Eldorado
sponsored a Safety Seminar last Saturday with food, music, Olympic athletes
to do motivational speaking, fire, police, etc. It was very well attended
all in the effort to keep the kids safe.

Creekside - disappointed in students' assessments of their own safety and
well being and don't know what to do with all that data yet, but is not
unique to Creekside. Garden to Table program going strong and have
convinced representatives to come here and talk to this group.

Broomfield High - They have seen the design of the new building excited
about that.

October Meeting Minutes

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 16:12:53 +0700

Chris King -Will hold a series of meetings consisting of about twenty peoplein each meeting, over the course of this school year in a variety of communities. The intent is to see the district through a new set of eyes.

We want to hear from constituents who have different needs and expectations.
The meetings are by invitation only (to limit the number of people), but are we are accepting self-nominations. It's called IDEAS PROJECT.

August 2007 Meeting Minutes

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 10:14:21 +0700

District Parent Council Meeting

August 21, 2007

Minutes

Members present: Chris King, Alise Jackson, Louisville Middle; Katherine
Morss, Community Montessori; Kimberly Companas, Pioneer; Zoe Kircos,
Whittier; Susan Alexenko, Fireside; Karen Vogler, Broomfield High; Karen
Smith, Eldorado K-8; Chris Halteman, Uni Hill; Natalie Portmon-Marsh,
Douglass; Susan Bird, Peak to Peak; Judy Lawson, Casey; Stacy Bowman,
Superior; Jill Lewis, Kohl; Wendy Fiedler, Broomfield High; Diana Spalding,
So. Hills; Eric Stevens, Gold Hill; Ralph Lippert, Ryan; Neil Fishman,
Creekside; Roman Mica, High Peaks, and Melissa Gregory, Angevine.

Opening: DPC is running on tri-chair system. This meeting is chaired by
Tron Welch, Coal Creek, Roman Mica, High Peaks, will chair the next meeting
and Kimberly Copanas will chair the third meeting. The DPC website is under
construction but is the best way to get on the agenda or contact any of the
three above.

Chris King - Superintendent introduced himself and noted the City of
Boulder has a City Council Meeting tonight that has implications to our
bond; therefore Robert Hammond and Don Orr are at that meeting and were not
able to be here. Denitta Ward, Director of the Bond Contracts, presented
the bond update.

Bond Update: Denitta began by thanking this group for doing what you do and
appreciates the time commitment. The bond project brings very large scale
improvements that will positively impact schools and students. Contact
information: 303 447-5062 or the Bond Website <http://www.bvds.org/>
www.bvds.org, (hard hat on the left side). All related documents are posted
on the BVSD website along with links to individual schools, which address
construction schedules. The bond is $296.8 million for school improvements
district wide. Projects were phased in three sections. There are 25 Phase
I, 23, Phase II, 16 Phase III. In February $120 million dollars was
released to fund Phase I of the project. Two more lettings of the bond as
funds are needed. An eighteen member committee was created in January to
monitor, review and report on the implementation of the bond. Reports go to
the Board of Education and are posted on the website.

Design Advisory Teams (DAT) get school community involved in the design
process.

Include members from school and community; work with architect to refine the
scope of work and ensure the project design meets the educational needs of
the school; serve as a liaison to peers in the school and community.

Susan Cousins has been hired as the bond Communications Specialist. She has
created a communication plan for the bond. All Phase I schools will have a
project manager present, what the plan is, drawings, and is a resource to
the parents and teachers that haven't seen things over the summer.

BVSD has a commitment to "green" building. We made a commitment to
implement cost-effective, environmentally-friendly and energy-efficient
strategies. All architects selected have experience with, and commitment
to, principles of green and sustainable building.

City of Boulder and BVSD having discussion about Casey tonight. We are
asking the City of Boulder to release EET (excise) money they collect from
builders. We are asking the city for money to fund LEEDS certification.
Casey is the only project that qualifies because it is the only one being
entirely rebuilt. The Casey project will cost the most (approximately $30
million dollars), followed by Broomfield High and Louisville Middle.

Projects will be designed with security in mind.

DPC Purpose - Tron's personal agenda is to make sure this bond takes place
in a manner that builds trust between the district and the community. His
mission is to foster two-way communication between the superintendent and
parents. This forum gives parents an opportunity to provide global feedback
to the district and gives the superintendent an opportunity to float ideas
out. We are asking for your thoughts and questions.     The boundaries of
this group are that this is not the place to make suggestions about specific
issues at schools. The BVSD website under superintendent's corner is the
appropriate place for that. Issues at this meeting should impact a
significant population of the BVSD rather than individual concerns. One of
your responsibilities is to disseminate information out to the schools.
There are approximately 56,000 parents in BVSD.

Topica - Subscribe yourself and you will get all the email related to
District Parent Council. Your job is to attend PTA, SIT, etc. and to
disseminate information to your schools. If you want to be heard, here is
your chance. Also, please send the minutes to your principal and then
schedule a meeting and check in about what parents are talking about. It is
a privilege to sit on this committee. We did move the schedule to the third
Tuesday so we could have some school board input prior to their meeting.
Chris will be on the agenda for 15 minutes every month.

DPC Calendar (soon to be on website):

9/18; 10/16; no November meeting; 12/18; 1/15; 2/19; 3/18; 4/15; 5/20 (from
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.)

Agenda gets set 11:30 a.m. the Tuesday before the meeting.

We must let parents know to get involved they must go to the Website, PTA.
Also, board meetings are aired on the second and fourth Tuesday nights, on
channel 22 in most parts of the county.

Chris King - Superintendent

DAC has training on September 4th or October 2nd in which they will be
training DAC in the TIES (Tools of Inquiry in Equitable Schools) protocol.
They start about 6:00 p.m. Contact the district office for more
information.

The purpose of DPC is an advisory council to Chris. DAC is the advisory
council to the Board of Education. Chris wants to form relationships with
all of you. He has a commitment to accessibility and forming relationships.
Please contact him with questions large and small. You are the advisory
committee and speak for the schools you represent. Chris has been with the
school district since 1985. He has two students (son and daughter) in the
district. Chris' phone number is in the book. Please feel free to contact
him.

Overhauling website We have a new webmaster and in the near future the
website will be more interactive and more intuitive. We are looking at
sites across the country and working to use new technology.

Superintendent's Corner - There will be a new topic every week; this week
is DPC. Contact your principal if you have questions or email the
tri-chairs. We will have 52 topics over the course of the year. We will
use this avenue to get information out (i.e. CSAP), etc. We want to keep
information fresh. We will be doing a lot of polling and surveys and
provide feedback with results. We are restoring a receptionist to the
district to enhance customer service.

TIES - The Board of Education will be using an abbreviated version of the
TIES process to look at data and come up with three goals for our district
in regard to organization, achievement and equity, very much like we are
doing in the schools.

Chris is very supportive of the social/emotional needs of kids and will be
providing counseling and intervention services. Chris is troubled by risk
behaviors of kids as demonstrated in the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. We
have a lot of kids in crisis, with substance abuse, and other problems that
impact kids. We have been good at academics, but we also need to take care
of the social/emotional piece so kids can go further.

Climate/morale around staff issues - How adults get treated impacts how kids
get treated in schools. This all goes under the umbrella of personalization
that Chris is always striving for in BVSD.

Freshman Seminar - This is about transitioning kids into high school. We
are spending $250,000 this year on freshman seminar because we don't want
freshmen to loose academic potential.

In closing, Chris is excited to be here and anxious to meet the challenges
of being superintendent.

Round Robin - Will be going in alphabetical order (according to school) and
we will pick up where we left off from month to month. The ground rules are
keep subjects to district topics and remember to be a voice for families
that are unable to attend meetings such as this.

Community Montessori - Are thrilled to have preschool and kindergarten on
the same side of the building. The gardens are doing very well and are a
huge part of the Montessori process. Prior to the remodel, preschool rooms
were in different parts of the building. This is a school without much
bussing, parents pick up, and there have been some traffic safety issues in
the past. Traffic has been restructured to be much safer. The   trees
lived through the summer!

Side note: Getting BHS emails - didn't think we had gang issues at BHS.
Chris said gangs are a growing problem in Boulder County. There is a
continuum from want-to-be's to hard core. Dozens of schools have kids that
have dabbled in the gang culture. The district is preparing to address
these issues.

Creekside: No SIT meeting; the garden made it through the summer. Gangs -
issues of disenfranchisement is also at elementary school, doesn't begin at
high school.

Douglas - one of the schools in the district exploring an organic cafeteria.
(Creekside)

Fireside - A question about CAP and elementary schools. Does every school
have this? Does the district require one presenter for that and does the
district require it? Chris to research and come back with more definitive
answer. Chris given a hard copy of the question and will respond on TOPICA.

Gold Hill: School looking very nice, grass and gardens doing well (had
water delivered over the summer); very excited about Kelley King being
principal and hopefully bring longevity to the position.

High Peaks - There are salad bars available to students at some schools.
Principals must request through Linda Stohl in Food Services. The price for
students' hot lunch will remain the same; however, children cannot bring
their own lunch and then be entitled to the salad bar. Chris to get more
information.

Weather stations - Beverly Meier (retired BHMS) got grant money and funded a
weather station. Talk to Lesley Smith, Board Member for further
information. Our district encourages partnerships with ecological sciences.
Contact our science coordinator, Samantha Messier.

Broomfield Heights Middle School - Adams 50 has community outreach with
Latino and also Hmong. When are we getting individual CSAP? Chris to post
on TOPICA. It will be in the fall and Chris will check on the timeline.
Can we get a short synopsis of Board of Education minutes at these meetings?

Also, can we put together written matrix for each school about positive
things. Kimberly said we have done this in the past and can easily revisit
the format used in the past.

Peak to Peak - Recognized in a recent magazine article about Denver's best
high schools as being the top school. Boulder Valley had 4 of the fifteen
top schools in the article.

Pioneer - Saw how superintendent's search process went and knows they can't
expect that process for all principals and teachers, but there have been
questions in the Lafayette community about what qualifications and hiring
specs beyond the application, degree, references. Chris said teachers have
to be licensed and highly qualified. This is determined by transcript
analysis. Also, they must pass a CAT test that's content specific. It's a
pass or no pass situation. For administrators there is a screening
committee, second level interviews with Ed Center staff (assistant
superintendents), interview with superintendent and a community forum. All
of that information is brought to the hiring coordinator and the
superintendent and they talk, come up with a name that superintendent takes
to the Board of Education and they hire the applicant. We have a written
description of this process.

Spanish translation for meetings such as this and board meetings don't
exist. Chris to follow-up.

Superior - Assessments were done early before school started. They seemed
disorganized, particularly for kindergarten students. Wasn't what we were
used to and didn't appear to have continuity from school to school. Chris
to look into that. Also CAP program. Astonished how few people were there
and how important it is for parents to be educated. Is there a way we as a
group and district can emphasize the importance of that program. Chris said
CAP seems to be the preferred model.

University Hill had a SIT meeting last week and met with Sheri Williams
because Uni Hill receives Title I funds and are under pressure to make AYP
every year even though the performance levels get higher every year. She is
also on the open enrollment committee and most parents aren't even aware of
No Child Left Behind ramifications. Get such bad press every year. They
have to explain to parents this doesn't reflect how much kids are learning
and it's really hard to explain. Parents at SIT meeting say they need to
know the school is still going to be open. Enrollment is a problem
depending what the media is saying. It seems so punitive at this point.
These things are really scary for parents. What generated from the SIT
meeting is that we need reassurance the district is behind us. Want Chris
to visit school. Chris said we will support and partner with that any way
we can be helpful. We won't let Uni Hill dangle out there by itself.

Rethink how we are getting information out

Whittier Received $5,000 from Lowes for a garden. Will be doing a lot of
work on the garden this fall. This year is Whittier's 125th birthday. On
October 25, there will be a big celebration and everyone is invited.
Whittier is the oldest school in the state of Colorado.

April 2007 Meeting Minutes.

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 10:11:44 +0700

District Parent Council

Minutes of the Meeting

April 25, 2007

The Wednesday, April 24, 2007, DPC meeting was chaired by Tron Welch and
convened at 6:37 p.m. Chris Buchholtz took minutes.

6:37 – 7:10 p.m. Election of tri-chairs for 2007-2008 school year.

·         Jean Paxton reminded everyone of Dr. Garcia’s retirement party.
May 10, 2007, at the Millenium Hotel 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.

·         Budget forum 4/26, 7:00 – 9:00. Everyone welcome.

·         DPC would like to discuss at next meeting what DPC is and does.

·         Election of tri-chairs:

o    Roman Mica and Tron Welch will be staying on as chairs

o    Tron nominates Kimberly Copanas

o    Final: Tri-chairs will be Roman Mica, Tron Welch, Kimberly Copanas

o    Passed unanimously.

·         Committee a bit concerned by lack of participation (23 people in
attendance). At next meeting discuss what direction needs to be taken to
encourage people to attend.

·         Members can email to anyone on topica. Emails don’t have to route
through Roman. DP-@topica.com

·         Comments were made about what committee would like to see next
year:

o    Foothill would like to see DPC as an instrumental part of research when
looking at what people think about things whether it is superintendent, food
items, etc.

o    DPC has no authority, but they do have things to offer, advice to give.

·         Dr. Garcia commented that this year and last year had the most
participation in DPC. Spring meetings difficult for people which is why the
round robin was brought in, to be a vehicle to get input to district. We
have used DPC for policy or program issues. There is no authority but input
is considered, the expectation is 2-way communication.

7:10 – 7:45 Graduation requirements – Judy Skupa, Assistant Superintendent

·         Board asked to consider increasing credit requirements in math and
science. There is talk about increasing requirements across state. State
Bill was passed asking Governor to appoint task force. BVSD has a task force
looking at this issue.

·         Judy Skupa stated the last time requirements changed were for
students graduating 2010. New Century Graduate requirements established. The
emphasis being that there should be a great deal of rigor in academic realm
for students. In Colorado, Colorado Commission of Higher Education looks at
entrance requirements to 4-year colleges, identified set of requirements
needed to enter 4-year institutions. BVSD Board looked at where are we in
relation to higher education requirements. Determined higher education
admission requirements very different from what we need for graduating
students from high school.

·         Students in BVSD have lowest remediation rate in college (fewer of
our students are asked to go to math, reading or writing to prepare for
college level work.)

·         Handout explains 2010 requirements: BVSD - Students have to have x
number academic credits per course category.

·         Total credits must reach 220.

·         About 7% graduate with only 220 credits. Majority are taking
220-260 range.

·         Concerns are quality of programming for students, in particular in
science realm. Are our lab facilities safe, are they adequate to accommodate
more requirements, higher education students. What budget impact this would
bring: space, teacher, books, etc. to increase.

·         80% of our students go to 4 year colleges.

Comments/Q&A:

Role of BVSD is not to prepare kids for college. With this in mind, what is
legislature’s reasoning to increase requirements?

Judy: Not our sole mission to get them to college, but to give them a
variety of options to deal with challenges, which may later lead to going
back to college.

Any specific problems BVSD is seeing, is that why we’re considering this?
What’s driving this?

Dr. García: Doesn’t think there is a problem. Feels we have enough options.

If we increase requirements can we increase diversity of class? Do we have
that discretion?

No, but higher education requirements are stringent.

Most concerned about 16% that don’t make it. How are we preparing these few
so they don’t drop out.

Vo-tec programs pretty progressive.

Would like to not see kids that are taking higher math classes getting
penalized because they started taking advanced classes in middle level, then
they have to take 4 even higher in high school.

Judy: Frequently students taking AP math classes can’t get enough. Concern
for us would be are students taking math in 8th grade, have we provided all
we can for them.

Computer science is considered an elective? Any way computer science can be
incorporated as a math class?

Yes. Not sure, will have to check on the option of computer science being
considered a math possibility.

Any gender distinctions in math level in high school? She sees only 10% of
women in economics at CU. Are we encouraging women to go into math and
sciences?

Judy: Visiting high schools, she sees they are not so disproportionate of
girls to boys to cause alarm, close to 50%. We’re part of the
pre-engineering program at CU, Diana at Centaurus doing great job engaging
girls. Judy and Dr. García will revisit data.

The alignment council grappled with statistics of remediation at college
level because students forgot math or science. Idea was they’d have math at
end of high school so they wouldn’t forget it. These statistics are nation
wide studies, very little from Colorado specifically. Colleges look at
content of classes. Content standards must meet or exceed state
expectations. State board is opposed to high school graduation tests.

65% have 240 credits, raising standards really not affecting college bound
students anyway. Don’t think we’re accomplishing anything but taking control
from parents.

Break 5 minutes

7:50 – 9:00 Round Robin:

Mesa Elementary: Helped arrange event with Boulder Public Library (BPL).
Mesa has small library. Stephen served as liaison with head of research at
BPL to help kids who didn’t have library card get one. Database at BPL very
useful and can be used at home by all students.

Dr. García: Regarding school safety as result of Virginia Tech. tragedy,
we’ve had meetings to discuss security and feel we’re as safe as we can be.
RFI came up how do we lock down open space settings? Each of those schools
have doors to open space, lockdown would entail locking students in the open
space area. Through the bond we will renovate some areas for some schools.

Columbine Elementary: Fifth graders invited to perform Shakespeare at other
schools. 50th anniversary of school and 30 yr. anniversary of mile marathon.
Elite runners from all over the world to run with the kids.

Boulder High: Grassroots group trying to get Boulder High to offer beginning
Spanish to Casey kids. Would serve students whose first language is Spanish
and wouldn’t change number of classes taught, for example Science would be
taught in Spanish. Getting support from Chris King and Bud Jenkins but still
in exploratory phase.

Dr. García: Commented finding appropriate teachers that can teach higher
academic Spanish. In dual-language schools, English speaking kids take
Spanish taught classes, interest is to carry that into high school.

Pioneer: Concern about bullying lately. Staff trying to work through this.
Boulder Valley Council PTA representative, Kimberly, term ends this year.
Went to Colorado PTA convention this weekend. Gov. Ritter spoke…seems
supportive of education. While in some schools TIES is a way to increase
involvement on SIT teams, but some schools say it decreases involvement.
Feeling alienated that TIES only taught to staff, not parents.

Dr. García thought there was a parent part in the training, he will check on
that.

Platt & Douglass: Selected new principals. Commend district, smooth, fair
process. Parents seems happy. Sad to lose Kelley King, but replacement seems
good. A bit of concern with Asst. Principal who is on medical leave.

Dr. G. Understanding is AP coming back.

Question of Read to Achieve: Expectation is that will be eliminated. Still
lobbying, some talk that state legislature will allocate some money. Less
than before, but some possibly.

There is a great need for outgoing PTA/PTO presidents to share knowledge
before exiting positions.

BCSIS: School targeted for destratification. Went well during Open
Enrollment. Tried to draw low socio-economic families to the school. Issue
of destratification, confusing to some parents because they thought to get
more ELL (20%) but as it turned out only 3 of incoming kindergarten students
are the only ELL’s. Concerned that district won’t provide enough support for
these few, saying they can’t justify money for so few.

Dr. García: In budget discussion at Board meeting it was stated that support
will be there.

Jamestown: Finished study of Alaska. Waiting for spring!

Creekside: In news again last week “garden to table” project going strong.
Cyber bullying – bullying policy needs to be updated to include cyber
bullying.

BHMS: Principal Gayle Burke retiring (5/25 retirement picnic). Nancy Vaughn
new principal.

Broomfield High: Moving ahead with bond issues. Thank you for air
conditioning.

Kohl Elementary: Calwood - 5th grade got rained out. Principal updates every
SIT meeting on TIES goals.

Eisenhower: 5th grade went to Calwood in February. Silent auction last week
raised $14,000. Open Enrollment process a bit dicey this year for students
wanting to attend Platt, SHMS, Summit and not to Manhattan, the neighborhood
school. Points out that Manhattan has some issues. For parents that want
traditional school, arts before academics and won’t get that at Manhattan.
Quite a bit of controversy and chaos, may pinpoint an issue specific to
Manhattan.

Dr. García.: Working to try to change that perception. Principal committed
to arts and academics.

American Anti-Trust Institute: Recently produced a documentary film about
anti-trust and competition policy. Aired on several public stations around
country. Would be happy to get copies for any high school interested.

Dr. García. Email him and we can begin process to get that approved for
distribution.

Horizons K-8: All parents could participate in TIES. Teacher initiated
charter school. Reaching out to parents for visioning for future. Very
visibly huge piles of mulch and top-soil on grounds, this is a result of
collaboration with CU (landscape design program) who worked with students
for what they’d like grounds to look like.

Fireside: In February Kimberly Copanas taught internet safety, if these
continue we communicate among Louisville schools to get to more people,
maybe they can attend at other locations. Science fair today, fun to see
kids excited about projects.

Gold Hill: Kids went to school in snow pants today. Whole school
participated in Japan unit with feast and presentation by 3-5 graders. K-2
has incubators with chicks and ducks. Altitude affects incubations. Sue
Kidder created permanent observation hive for bees in classroom. Put bees in
with queen yesterday.

Louisville Elementary: Hired new principal. Jennifer Rocke. Good experience.
Felt really supported by district. Just put in $30,000 worth of play
equipment on 3-5 playground. PTA raised that money, district helped put it
in. SIT was invitation only in past. Currently being opened up to whoever
would like to come? Depends on bylaws.

Coal Creek Elementary: SIT reviewed a lot of data and discussed individual
students that could not take place in public setting. They chose not to
involve parents to protect confidentiality. (Let’s make this a topic for a
future meeting)

Ryan Elem: Last week finished Civil War. Art show tomorrow night. Friday
biggest fundraiser.

Bear Creek: Busy. Science Fair tomorrow. Turn off TV week. Media specialist
put together poetlauriette days.

Southern Hills: Diana Spalding stepping down from DPC committee, feeling
need to cut back on volunteer stuff. Focusing on kids. Had a meeting about
cell phones and iPods, huge problem at middle school. Policy says they
cannot use cell phones. What do they do about it, can they take it away from
them? Is something legal coming to allow teachers to take them away?
Interfering with their learning. (topic for another meeting)

High Peaks: Part of destratification. Heard they didn’t make 20% but got 1
or 2 ESL. Not getting teacher, feels that even with just 1 or 2, promises
were made to get teacher for these kids.

Dr. García: Will check on this.

Coal Creek: Parents energized starting enrichment activities. Stepping up
doing fun things.

Dr. G.: Staff recommended to board we amend the non-discrimination policy in
2 ways: 1) protection against retribution – accepted by all.

2) how come we don’t have gender identity/expression in anti-discrimination
policy. Why don’t we have protection for transgender for gender expression?
There is a distinction between gay, bisexual, lesbian, questioning, gender
and gender expression. Several institutions have the policy, but in
minority.

Jean: As board members we want to hear from you. Do you feel that gender
identity/ expression is covered or should we add transgender? Is this going
to cause more problems that it will solve? Are we not already addressing
this in the policy as it is stated? Gender identity is very different than
gender or sexual orientation. It’s how they are identifying. Feels policy
needs to specify gender identity and questioning.

Need to explore this further.

Stated gender identity/expression offers legal protection for situations
that are not specifically covered (Linda Cooke, lawyer/judge)

Dr. García: Presented to the Board that the idea came from a question of
this group. Found that gender and sexual orientation didn’t cover
transgender. Researched issue and concluded that we needed to amend policy
to include gender/identity expression. On the agenda for action at the May 8
Board of Education meeting. If you want to express opinion, you can email
board members and/or participate in public comment at meeting.

Jean: thanked all for their input.

Meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.

March 2007 Meeting Minutes

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 10:10:30 +0700

District Parent Council (DPC)

Minutes of the Meeting

March 21, 2007

The Wednesday, March 21, 2007, DPC meeting was chaired by Diana Spalding and
convened at 6:38 p.m. Chris Buchholtz took minutes.

6:40 – 7:45 p.m. No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Update - Judy Skupa

* Key points relevant to NCLB

* Highly qualified staff
* Accountability and AYP
* English Language Learners (ELL)
* Student with disabilities.
* Parent involvement
* Reauthorization of NCLB

* AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) enacted to insure all students learn
at a high rate. Measures participation rate in CSAP, academic performance
and graduation rate.
* BVSD is assessing each student in grades 3-8 and high school in
reading and math and science in grades 5, 8 and 10.
* All students must make AYP targets as determined by the NCLB goal
that by 2014 all students will be proficient in reading, math and science.
* AYP determined by 95% participation rate, performance on CSAP
(Students are considered proficient if in the advanced or partially
proficient category on CSAP), Safe Harbor (10% decrease in students
performing at non-proficient), and 1% of students scoring at advanced level.
* AYP targets are determined by State of Colorado. Beginning in 2002,
every 3 years is target date, and by 2014 target goal of 100% must be met in
reading and math in elementary and high school levels.
* Currently statewide number of districts making AYP targets is 60%.
BVSD has not made AYP in last 3 years. Parents should have received a letter
to this nature. None of the large metro districts met AYP over last 3
years. Hispanic, ELL, poverty and students with disabilities are areas we
have not made target for one year.
* If schools do not make AYP, steps for change are:

* The school has to submit a School Improvement Plan (SIP) to BVSD;
* If they did not make AYP again, parents are given the choice to
choose the school they want to send their child to, transportation costs
paid by the district (in Boulder we have only 10 families that have opted to
do this) and the School also sends their SIP to the state
* If they don’t make AYP again, BVSD provides supplemental services
(tutoring outside the school, fair for parents to choose tutors). We have
had 8-10 families that choose the tutoring options.
* If AYP still not met corrective action is taken.
* If AYP not met then District Corrective Action taken (staff,
curriculum, bringing in consultant to work with teachers, school, parents)
* And finally last step if AYP not met, Restructuring occurs
(converting to a charter, external company taking over that school, hiring
new teachers, principal).
* Very few schools get to this point.

* State determines if our District Improvement Plan (DIP) will yield
results.
* Math still a challenge, so BVSD went on corrective action.
* We conducted internal audit, applied for a grant, had CDE come in to
do audit.
* We’re in second year of corrective action and hope to see gains.
* AYP and SAR rating are dual accountability. BVSD is in corrective
action with AYP but we’ve got an excellent rating with SAR.
* Highly Qualified Teacher is determined by looking at core content
areas and making sure they have adequate qualifications in core areas.
Highly qualified requires Bachelor’s degree or greater, Colorado
certificate, college major or 24 hours in that specific area.
* BVSD has about 99% of teachers in the highly qualified level.
Because of 1% deficiency, BVSD has had to submit Improvement Plan to State.
* Because we’re Title I, paraeducators are expected to meet highly
qualified level through college, competency in reading and math, demonstrate
knowledge to assist in instructing reading, writing and math. If not 100%,
then BVSD cannot use Title I funds to hire paraeducators.
* ELL strong component in NCLB. Colorado already working on standards
and curriculum (Colorado English Language Assessment (CELA)).
* Parent Involvement: We are required with NCLB to inform parents of
grades; we do this through report card in December. We are also required to
publish an NCLB report card. Go to BVSD website to find.

In response to several items around NCLB and CSAP, Evie Hudak, from CDE
responded:

* RE: CSAP and special education students: 1% most severely disabled
take CSAPA (alternate); the rest of special ed. students take regular CSAP.

* US Dept. of Education considering expanding CSAPA and allowing an
additional 2% of special ed. kids to take alternate test, which gives the
state the option to create another CSAP, and allowing additional
accommodations to others (kids in the gap).
* In terms of delaying test dates for CSAP (Senate Bill 106) we are
required by NCLB to have all AYP calculations done before beginning of each
school year. To do this, cost to grade them faster becomes the issue.

* CDE says that CSAP tests students on knowledge from the end of last
CSAP window to beginning of new CSAP window, not a whole school year.
* Flexibility and waivers, law of NCLB says US secretary may grant any
waivers appropriate to any state. Each state different. US Dept. tried to
keep secret what flexibility and waivers they had with each state. For
example: Florida with grade of A or B are considered to make AYP. Texas is
allowed to have most special ed. students not count toward AYP. Colorado
has been hassled about some provisions we’ve tried to allow. For example,
we’re supposed to test non-English speaking students in English, but they
don’t count toward proficiency until after 3 years, but they do count in
participation.
* Out of 1700 schools in Colorado 14 reached restructuring state.
* Charter schools have to take CSAP but teachers do not have to be
highly qualified.

If there are any questions you can email Judy at Judy.-@bvsd.org, Dr.
García at george.-@bvsd.org or Evie Hudat at Ev-@Hudat.org

Break (5 minutes)

7:50 – 9:00 Equity Program Update – Pam Duran

* There are currently 35 teachers that volunteer to do training for
this department.
* 5 present tonight: Deanne Bucher, Monarch HS; Flora Sanchez,
Pioneer Elementary; Catalina ; Anissa Butler, New Vista High School, and Dan
* Motto of office, for all involved: Taking leadership for what
matters to you.
* How it started? And what are we doing? In 1990’s BVSD put together
non-discrimination policy. That is foundation of how this office runs.
* First equity cohort group started with 35 people, now on cohort
eight, with 85 teachers involved.
* Discussing how ‘isms connect to everything including TIES.
* Looking at what people are doing to promote and value diversity.
Once trained, they started talking to their principals. Principals started
listening and requesting that they be trained. Now on 7th DLT equity
initiative. This year, all DLT except for 15 trained.
* Anti-bias standards – new century graduate says kids will graduate
bias free. Big CEO of a company said they described what they needed in
graduates. Can they work in diverse cultures? Started to develop
curriculum and standards that will work.

Five teachers involved in Equity Cohort spoke. Their prompt was: Talk
about what it was like prior to equity initiative and what is it like now
and what are your best hopes?

Anissa: Saw no initiatives in place when she first came to BVSD. Heard
talk about equity building, but wasn’t seeing it throughout schools. She
builds relationships with other African Americans in district. Equity has
opened up opportunities for networking on real issues and taking it back to
classrooms and see how it affects our schools.

Catalina: Hopes children’s academic achievement is not determined by how
much parents make. Poverty is increasing in our district. 17-18% qualify
for free and reduced lunch.

Dan: Before participating in cohort it was about who’s right and who’s
wrong in everything. Conversations were about blame and shame. Two things
he feels has come about: He can look inside self better and can talk with
other people of all backgrounds about issues.

Flora: At Pioneer started implementing World of Difference curriculum.
Felt it helps build sensitivity at a young age. As teachers, we learn more
and take to classroom.

Deanne: Taught class on Understanding Diversity in US (high school course).
School climate liaison (communicates between Pam’s office and school) on how
to get kids involved, teachers involved. Talked about equity prior but
always seemed heated. Hopes for future: if we fight all the ‘isms, can’t
be peripheral has to be in the curriculum. Can’t be only in 12th grade, get
it deeper.

Pam presented a video of students and staff throughout district on issues
being faced and dealt with today.

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

February 2007 Minutes

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 10:08:29 +0700

District Parent Council (DPC)

February 28, 2007

Meeting Minutes

6:40pm meeting convened. Roman Mica chaired. Amy Schuttenberg took minutes.

6:40pm Budget Update – Dr. Garcia, Bill Sutter

Budget Perspectives Booklet was distributed

·         June 30 of each year the Board of Education (BOE) needs to approve
the following school years budget

·         Page 4 – Budget should reflect what our vision is

·         Page 5 – Home perspective:

o   smaller class size, elementary has been reducing class size; average is
22:1 in a K-5 school

o   student-teacher ratio is much lower but it includes special education
teachers, media specialists, etc.

o   extra programs include special education – which is the most expensive

·         Page 7 – School choice is a very popular aspect; 7% or roughly
2000 students in BVSD are in charter schools

·         Page 8 – School perspective:

o   employee compensation is the largest aspect involved – 90% of budget
which includes insurance costs; if a teachers salary is $40,000 is really
costs approximately $60-65,000 for that teachers salary including benefits;
strategic initiative is to have the best and the brightest – this includes
having the best for our employees

·         Page 9 – School Resource Allocations (SRA) elementary school
sample on page 12 – one year $2.6 million to run

o   Additional funds include grants, fund raising

o   FTE allocations are very important as they are our salaries for
employees, which is 90% of budget; if a school is off by 10-12 teachers,
this could be a million dollars

·         Page 15 – District perspective:

o   includes strategic initiatives

o   discusses unfunded mandates which includes special education, each year
we spend 32 million in sped, state only funds 5-7 million

o   Per Pupil Revenue (PPR) $6,315 enrollment is our budget

·         Page 18 – chart of enrollment by grade level for the past 10
years; many grades are averaging enrollment under what we have had in the
past 10 years; Peak to Peak Charter went from no students in 2001 to 1200
students this year

·         Page 20 – where do we spend the money: for every dollar

o   77 cents is spent on instruction at schools

o   17 cents is spent on administrations and overhead at schools

o   6 cents is spent on district-wide overhead

·         Page 24 – Community perspective – taxpayers:

o   Referendum C created a restriction on state spending; taxpayers got
dollars back but the state couldn’t spend for growth or inflation on
highways and prisons, etc.

·         Page 26 – enrollment drives the formula $6,315 per student

7:00pm Colorado’s School Land Trust – Jared Polis, Kim Copanas

·         50% of audience has heard of Colorado School Land Trust

·         Land part of trust is over 3 million acres

·         Been ignored from the education side for quite some time; the
environmentalists have supported for quite some time;

·         We will discuss maximizing revenues, and disuse of revenues

7:35pm Video Shown

·         School Trust Lands

o   Property for schools

o   Granted to support education

o   134 million acres were granted in all of USA

o   Activities to raise money

§ Money is spent in schools

o   2005 half of states have lost land completely; only 45 million acres
left (managed in trusts by states)

§ Some people don’t want to pay for school lands

o   Must ensure school lands produce the revenue

o   Funds produced 35 billion which goes to supporting our schools

o   Ask questions about your states land! Ask state legislators and school
BOE members how you can help

·         Questions:

o   Is it illegal to not use as supplemental?

§ Budget consensus, legal strategy, might come to lawsuit

o   Are there bills in this session

§ Yes; we would like to see the school permanent fund solidly grow over
time

o   How do we get more information?

§ Working group – interested in joining let Jared know

§ If there is a lawsuit we will contact DPC to inform, or a bill scheduled
for major vote, etc.

§ Jared distributed some business cards

o   Why isn’t the money ear marked?

§ It is not separate right now

o   What is the governor’s position?

§ He supports the flexibility of the treasurers office; don’t think he will
support a requirement by the court

o   Can you do an incremental approach?

§ Yes it most likely will have to be, as it will take time

o   Roman will email out Jared’s email address to DPC

8:00pm Round Robin – Dr. Garcia

·         Will skip this part tonight to get finished on time

8:00pm Bond Update – Don Orr, Joe Sleeper, Robert Hammond

·         We sold the first issue of the bond, 120 million yesterday

o   The rate was 4.242

·         Last time Don Orr was here they distributed the Facility Master
Plan Overview

·         Hiring a Communication Specialist to support getting information
out to schools, community members, etc.

·         The BOE established a systems oversight committee, second meeting
will be tomorrow

o   Haven’t spent a lot of money on the bond yet as we haven’t seen the
money yet, will get money in a few weeks

·         Don will oversee the bond program management

·         Three project managers are in house

·         Signed contract with firm last night

·         Sent out a Request for Proposal (RFP) for design services to
design schools

o   41 replies came in

o   Interviewed 17 firms

o   Today tried to match firms with projects in phase one

o   Recommendation will go forward to Robert and Dr. Garcia tomorrow

o   March 13 will go to BOE for approval

·         Informational Technology advisory committee is also being formed

o   Bringing fiber optic wiring to all schools

o   Committee will be charged with developing structure for network

·         Throughout process the BOE has made a strong commitment to provide
communication to schools and community

o   We will put information in school newsletters on design, and structural
changes coming to schools

o   Nederland has a new track that is being reviewed that is not in the
overview

o   Community Montessori is not listed, 226 million for that project, design
built method, will review with a local contractor and will bring forward;
very little programming needs to be done on this project; will enter on
contract this summer and get ready to go next fall

§ What is timeline on that project?

·         Don will communicate with Montessori to deliver a timeline once a
firm is decided on

o   Questions?

o   How do you manage working around students, are portables involved?

§ Master schedule will be developed next week, will develop preliminary
schedules when the design phases will occur – exceptions will be Columbine
and Casey; most projects will be done during the school year; the most
important is student safety; we have the top architectural firms in the
state – most have done a considerable amount of work in schools

§ Displacement of students? Students might be displaced in portables but
those answers will be developed by the design advisory team

o   Rep from Casey has heard many different things…what is happening?

§ Visioning meeting had intent to bring community together; their charge is
to develop what that school is going to be not what construction is going to
be done.

§ Casey was going to be replaced; all opportunities will be explored; it
will be difficult to maintain that shell of the building as the foundation
is not solid, etc.; the design team will help the visioning team process;
Don will discuss with the principal

o   Internal and external stakeholders are welcome to provide input, but
school community will select in the end

o   Broomfield H.S. budget for portables; where would money come from?

§ In school budget, there is a dollar amount that is for direct costs and
indirect costs; to address those types of situations

o   Have you done other presentations for schools other than at LMS?

§ No; we try to bring everyone up to speed on each building; but the
Communication Specialist will deliver all of this information; much like a
visioning meeting

§ We prefer to have the architect run those visioning meetings; there will
be many more meetings

o   If you are not in phase one, how do we find out what phase we are in?

§ We designed the structure of what schools are impacted by: 6-7 criteria
for phase one

§ Validate schedules for phase one

§ In process of designing phase two and three; will develop; and get out to
folks soon after Spring Break

o   Is there a way to get other networking contacts out to people that might
want to contribute more money?

§ We are starting with Casey to lead this and use as a model for getting
word out to folks

§ Louisville mayor stepped up and indicated that they would be willing to
collaborate with us to address the community with the performing arts
department

§ Time to increase increments, is now during the design phase

§ Chore is on DPC to get word out; always looking for those opportunities

o   Leads certification, only looked at if the school has extra funding on
those projects?

§ We have committed to implementing green buildings strategies; might not
be certified because of the extra costs to become leads certified

o   Other buildings have been taken over by historical groups, as projects
have changed due to city approval etc.; does school district have control
over that?

§ We are sojourn from local land use control; main issue has run its
course; but we ask the City of Boulder energy director to help us with the
selection of the architect for Casey; will ask anyone who has experience,
success, etc. We don’t pull permits from the city we pull them from the
state

o   Will phase one be completed before starting phase two?

§ Many projects will overlap to phase two as well; it will depend on the
project and the time needed to construct

§ We have a great interest rate as well; we will monitor all factors, will
go back to the same process of implementing architects, committees, etc. How
effective will the design be? We built in CSAP schedule so that we are not
disruptive to student safety and success

o   Three prongs to this are the oversight! Financial and accounting side is
great as well; ratings are up, bonds are at a good rate. Program management
and project management; bond sold on Nov. 7th; we now have a firm selected,
oversight committee was formed; we are really moving ahead! After the 13th
of March you will see a lot of activity as well with refining of phase one
and start of phase two and three; communication specialist on board. Very
pleased. To Don and his staffs’ credit.

o   Summary question: when is this going to hit my school?

§ Website eventually…once we get the scheduling; everything presented to
oversight committee; will be relayed to schools via website revisions.

o   IT project separate? IT is also phase one?

§ Info structure is a two year project at the most, we hope to get this
project started in the next two months; getting wiring to buildings

o   Hiring 13 firms; each project could have a very different feel?

§ No prototypes; days of work; tried to match firms expertise with each
project; each project has unique features; firms willing to bring in
bilingual interpreters for high diverse schools that will need it

§ Five people evaluated and scored members; then four to five other people
provided the same input to best match each firm with each school

§ Some firms will be used in phase two and three but not in phase one;
others will be opposite

§ You will see many different styles of design; majority of projects is
renovating or modifying different space not creating from scratch; some
projects have new additions but most are remodels

§ Don’t think construction will start until June; will bring the
contractors on site before starting the implementation of the designs; we
need contractors in the design phase

o   Start of bond issue was XXX amount; are these projects based on less
than what needs to be done. How strict will you be in holding the dollar
amount to the certain project?

§ We know that each project has a budget, and deviation of that budget must
be approved by the oversight committee and the BOE; we can not go beyond the
scope of the original project; if we have over runs on some projects and
under runs on other projects; the committee and BOE will have to evaluate
where the money is needed most.

§ Katrina killed DPS on there bond as prices on things skyrocketed; we need
to keep in mind these factors as well

§ We don’t want a big pot of money sitting at the end as we want the
schools to get what they need

§ We are earning interest on the money so phase three will be good

January 2007 Minutes

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 10:06:46 +0700

District Parent Council Meeting

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Board Room

The Wednesday, January 24, 2007 DPC meeting was chaired by Tron Welch and
convened at 6:38 p.m. J. Marie Sage took minutes.

Legislative Update - Dr. Garcia, Robert Hammond

* On January 9, the Board of Education adopted the Boulder Valley
School District 2007 Legislative Platform which contains a statement of
beliefs and guiding principles and specific legislation items.

. The district's new lobbyist is Tanya Kelly-Bowry.

* Robert Hammond monitors and coordinates legislative items and is the
liaison to the lobbyist.
* Legislation updates are sent to people who wish to receive them.
Feedback is welcome and parental support in the form of testifying and
sending letters is sometimes needed.
* 98 bills in 2 weeks related to education. The district had
tremendous success last year; monitoring 138 bills and being actively
involved in 53.
* The 6 components of the platform (Beliefs and Guiding Principles,
Governance, School Finance, Charter and On-line Schools, School Improvement/
Accountability, and Employment) were reviewed.
* The 2007 Legislative Platform and two recent legislation updates
were distributed. (attached)

A sheet was circulated for those interested in being a DPC representative in
the Superintendent's search interviews.

Internet Safety Update (follow-up from last meeting) - Robert Hammond, Dave
Williamson, Len Scrogan

* Clarity on incorrect information given at the last meeting was
provided.
* A historical perspective of BVSD student internet and computer
access since 1994 was reviewed.
* 94% of students do not use nor have access to a BVSD email address
* Only 4% of our students have used their e-mail accounts two or more
times.
* 7 out of 31 elementary students and 9 out of 12 middle students are
active users (5+ users).
* If approved by the parent an email account is created for a student
providing access to the BVSD file system, documents and the internet.
* District email employs two levels of web filtering to prohibit
inappropriate sites.
* There is concern with students going using public email from the
district system and blocking it is being considered. IT has talked with
cabinet and middle school principals, and will meet with elementary and high
principals.
* Emailing out from BVSD would not be prohibited but logging into a
public system would.
* Middle and high schools want internet access for students. Access
for elementary is not necessary except for special class projects.
* Our system is safer than outside systems.
* BVSD student email accounts have not been promoted but will be.
* Feedback is being sought from high school principals.
* Parental permission will be required.

Round Robin - Dr. Garcia

* There is a principal search at Platt Middle School.
* Capital improvements are prioritized by greatest need. There is an
outline of projects that principals are aware of.
* The equity presentation at Columbine was praised.
* Some cities have been more affected by ice and snow on the roads
than others.
* Snow days are allocated according to level and the time of
instruction per day. The district is ok with the snow days taken even with
the mountain schools having one more.

* Following a long process and a lot of interest the 2007/2008 and
2008/2009 calendars were approved by the Board of Education.
* One-third of families are choosing to open enroll outside of their
neighborhood school. There are fewer seats open in open enrollment for
South Boulder than in the past in some selected schools.
* The Board of Education approved a superintendent oversight committee
which includes Tron Welch.

* Seven parents from DPC will be on the superintendent search
interview committee. Representation is needed from elementary, middle and
high levels as well as from north, south and east Boulder. Names were drawn
and DPC representatives are: Kimberly Copanas, Alise Jackson, Wendy Fielder,
Rosalynn Gill-Garrison, Julen Thom, Melinda Gillespie, and Chris Halteman.

Break

Safe Schools Presentation - Craig Christopher and Lisa Cech

* The Safe Schools Coalition was formed in 1999 and is within the
district's equity department.
* Patty Smith is the coalition's Board of Education liaison.
* Craig Christopher is a retired principal and the coalition's chair.
Lisa Cech is a staff member in the equity office and the Safe and Drug Free
School coordinator.
* Meets the third Wednesday of each month, reports to the
superintendent and Board of Education, supports the district
nondiscrimination policy, offers workshops and advocates for students and
staff members.
* It is important schools indicate that they are accepting of
diversity and are as welcoming as possible to students, parents and entire
community.
* The coalition was formed to provide a safe school climate, provide
diversity education, and because LGBTQ issues impact many students and
families.
* Three to nine students in a class of thirty are directly impacted by
LGBTQ issues.
* Need to deal with isms in schools.
* Gender identity is not included in the district's non-discrimination
policy.
* The district can and does deal and accommodate cross dressing.
* Including transgender in district policy will be pursued.
* There are great disparities in risk behavior between the LGBT and
heterosexual students.
* It is unknown how many parents of LGBT students don't know their
child's sexual orientation.
* Coalition does not support the idea you can change a person or in
reparative therapy which research shows as damaging.
* There is a Denver magazine that lists businesses that are
gay/lesbian friendly.
* Fifth grade health curriculum is physiological and does not include
sexual orientation.
* The coalition works primarily with district staff.
* Coalition produced Everyone Counts for administrators and teachers.
It is given to every principal to review and be familiar with, as well as
have available in their school library. The publication provides info about
school climate from different points of view.
* The 2005 Boulder County Youth Risk Behavior Survey results were
discussed.

* Name calling on playgrounds is common. Some students don't know
what the words mean but know the words will get a response and are meant to
be hurtful.
* Principals and staff need to stand up and say this will not be
tolerated.
* Coaches need to address student use of derogatory terms.
* It was noted that not all support the coalition's stance and it can
be controversial.
* There is a difference between identity and behavior.
* Dr. Garcia was thanked for his work with equity in the district.
* Patty Smith maintained that parents can not be hesitant in
supporting a safe school climate as it doesn't have to be their own child
and anyone can be bullied.
* Appreciation for the district's willingness to talk about these
complicated issues was expressed.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:03 p.m.

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Thu, 17 Jan 2008 09:59:38 +0700

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