by Dan Harper
WALSENBURG — The January RE-1 board meeting, held at John Mall High School Monday Jan. 22, was kicked off by recognizing eight students who wrote prize winning essays on bullying. Tabitha Andreatta, Aizlynn Crisp, Amanda Dotter, Shelby Faris, Veronica Grant, Tobias Jeffus, Michael “Max” Moll, and Diovonni Williams will all attend the Winter X Games in Aspen, Colorado today, January 25. Each student was presented with a certificate by Superintendent Mike Moore and Principal Gunny Pagnotta. Max’s parents, Drs Mike and Lori Moll, have donated money to cover the expenses of the overnight stay.
Prior to the meeting, the staff of John Mall, board members, and community members enjoyed a lovely Italian dinner while being serenaded by the JMHS Spanish Peaks Jazz Band.
Gary Waller of Dixon, Waller & Co. Inc, presented the district’s latest audit, stating the district is in good condition, with a few procedural matters which could be improved. Superintendant Moore presented amended 2017-18 budget figures reflecting new data from the state, and talked about the PERA and CDE transportation debt accrued between 2012-2014 (when the district was under the leadership of Superintendent Dawn Olson.) The district is researching this reporting error as to whether, or how much, money may be owed.
Pagnotta introduced Crystal Rauch, the new JMHS math teacher. Math instruction has suffered in recent years in RE-1 due to high teacher turnover. With the need for extra intensive math coursework to bring students up to speed, and the additional challenge of 65 students in this year’s freshman class, math classes have been broken into sections of about 16 students each, with about 20 students additionally receiving intensive one-on-one tutoring by JMHS teachers Jonathan Ambler and Robinson Payne.
Pagnotta talked about the “Every 15 Seconds” safety program to be presented the week before prom on April 28 prom. It was requested that texting be included along with DUIs and other safety issues. Pagnotta also reported that cell phones are now only available for student use during lunch hour, which Max Moll, JMHS student advisor to the board, said has encouraged students to socialize with fellow classmates. Thirty minutes has been moved back into the regular schedule from Success Academy (SA), leaving 30 minutes after SA’s school tutoring and activities. Hats, but not hoodies, are now allowed at school.
Cindy Campbell and Brian Rosino of LiveWell Huerfano County reported on the increased utilization of Washington Underground (W.U.) and asked for the use of another classroom to hold additional Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous meetings as part of their community outreach. In response to questions about associated potential increased utility expenses for the district, Rosino said in compensation for the use of the additional classroom, WU is seeking grants from parks and recreation and/or San Isabel Electric to replace all the fluorescent lights in the building with LEDs. This would significantly reduce utility costs and improve safety. Another upgrade being provided at the school by LiveWell is artificial turf for the soccer program. Campbell reminded the board that May 9th is national Walk and Bike to School Day. Moore informed the board March 2 will be an all day inservice on autism and related spectrum disorders presented by Dr. Karen Colvin, the Executive Director of Soaring Eagles Center for Autism in Pueblo. The inservice, to be held at Washington auditorium, will be open to staff, parents, law enforcement and those interested in working with children with autism. Details to be announced later.
Moore also discussed a proposal the district has received from a concealed carry training program for schools. The board asked for more information before committing. A member of the audience asked if any active shooter drills used scenarios where staff had concealed weapons. Moore stated that he would check on that, and when the trainer could present to the board.
The administrative team from Peakview and Superintendent Moore will be attending the T4TLA conference in Chicago February 20-22, which is part of a program to help low performing schools. Manuel Lujan reported on the need for new laptops for staff. The present ones are at least five years old and are very well amortized. The board asked for additional information.
On March 8th, Huerfano RE-1, Aguilar and La Veta school boards had hoped to meet and discuss how the three districts can work together in common issues such as pooling school/district purchases for cost savings, and common scheduling in order to potentially share personnel through long distance learning. However the March 8 date conflicts with state basketball so the meeting will be rescheduled.
President Sherry Gomez reminded all present that agenda items need to be presented to the district office in a timely manner no later than a week before the meeting. Barring an emergency, late additions to the agenda will be rejected until the next meeting.
In other business, the board approved an overnight trip for seniors to CSU Ft. Collins on January 31st-February 1st, and an overnight trip for Gardner 5th-6th graders to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science; hired Charity Dowdell as a paraprofessional for John Mall; approved the closure of two unused bank accounts; and approved a title change for Josh Vialpando to assistant principal of JMHS.
