Students and staff members were honored during the Yuma School District-1 Board of Education’s regular monthly meeting, Monday night at the district office.
Superintendent Jim Fraley explained he wanted to make the recognition a feature at each monthly meeting. The principals presented the students and staff members of the month from each building.
Yuma High School Principal honored Addison Armstrong as Student of the Month, and Emelia Corral at Staff Member of the Month. Yuma Middle School Principal Josh Rahe honored Sophia Gnadt as Student of the Month, and Skylar Taylor as Staff Member of the Month. Morris Elementary School Principal Kari Chapman honored Mitch Armstrong as Student of the Month, and Jill Patten as Staff Member of the Month.
Superintendent report
Fraley reported that it was time for the annual framework report from the Colorado Department of Education in regards to academic achievement, which is based on a variety of measurements.
Yuma School District-1 scored 54.1 points out of 100. That put the district in the category of “Accredited With an Improvement Plan.” He said the district will be working on the plan throughout the school year.
He told the board his 90-Day Plan Survey is nearing an end. He said there have been 85 responses to date, and they have been detailed, thoughtful responses. Three or four main themes are emerging from the survey. Fraley said he has offered in-person meetings with the respondents, and 28 have taken him up on the offer.
Last week’s heavy rain revealed some leaking issues at YHS, YMS and MES. The concrete work at YMS has been completed. Fraley said it is not clear why the softball field scoreboard is not working, though one theory is lightning strike. The baseball field scoreboard was used last Saturday. There also is a relay problem inside the scoreboard in The Pit. Fraley said he hoped it would be solved by basketball season.
October is National Principal Month. Fraley said he wants to personally thank the Yuma principals for their great leadership, and there are plans to honor them during the month.
Action
A retention bonus of 3 percent of last year’s salary was approved for staff members.
The board also approved the purchase of intervention curriculum, not to exceed $30,000 for the three-year contract.
The curriculum can be utilized for all grades in a variety of subjects, and can be customized to individual student’s needs, from everyone who might need some extra help in a subject to those who could be further challenged.
A policy in relation to relations with federal immigration officials was approved. The board approved an emergency policy late in August, as it had to be in place according to state law. A reworded policy was brought before the board Monday night. It clarifies that birth certificates, passports and other identifying documents will be used for verification at registration, but will not be kept in students’ educational records. In the Consent Agenda, there were the second readings of policies dealing wth relations with state and federal agencies, and students records/release of information on students.
A policy updating the payment parameter for accrued leave for staff members who have been with the district for at least three years was approved. The current payout was set in 1982.
Another policy allowing for retired professional staff who want to come back to work for the district to receive up to five days of paid leave during a school year was approved. Currently, such a person would have to take unpaid leave if have to miss a day for something like illness.
One last policy dealing with student travel also was approved. It changes the need for board approval from 200 miles round trip to 400 miles. It came about as Fraley looked into why the board has to ratify so many student trips.
Cheryl Newbanks addressed the board during visitor’s comments. She said she just wanted to let the board know that a lot of people are praying for them, and that Yuma Aglow Lighthouse members pray for the schools every day.
She then said a prayer to conclude her remarks.
Consent Agenda
The Consent Agenda included the following recommended hirings: Amber Gonzalez, YHS special education para; Richard Brandon, director of facilities; Joel Rhoades, YHS volunteer football coach; Julia Mekelburg, YHS co-STUCO sponsor; Stephanie Sauer, YHS Co-STUCO sponsor; Alicia Barry, seventh-grade writing; Benjamin Weathers, mini bus driver, and Leslie Espinoza, YMS special education para. It also included the separations and resignations of Audrey Tena, MES special education para, and Jane Wakefield, MES special education para.
Donations included in the Consent Agenda included: Highline Electric, $200 for FFA; E. Darlene Korf Estate, $500 for the MES library; First FarmBank, $320 to the Football Club, and; $17,081 from Yuma Boosters for athletic club accounts and band.
The following activity trips were included in the Consent Agenda: YMS Mock Trial to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for a competition September 26-29; YHS FFA to CSU-Pueblo for fall leadership October 4-5; YHS FFA to Indianapolis, Indiana, for the FFA National Convention October 28 to November 1; YHS FCCLA to Denver for the fall industry tour in November, and; YHS FFA to Fort Collins for the FFA State CDEs next April.
All five board members were at Monday’s meeting: President John Deering, Lindsey Galles, Tyson Brown, Terri Cooper, and Heath Roundtree.