It was a quick turnaround for the Yuma-1 Board of Education as it held its regular monthly meeting this past Monday night at the District Office.
All five members eventually were in attendance: Board President John Deering, Tyson Brown, Heath Roundtree, Terri Cooper and Lindsey Galles. It was the final full meeting for Cooper and Galles. Deering and newcomers Ronella Noble and Jeff Ovalle will be sworn in to four-year terms at the December meeting.
Superintendent Jim Fraley shared some education-related takes from the preliminary budget presented recently by Governor Jared Polis. It proposes increasing per pupil funding by approximately $850 for the next two fiscal years, while also using a three-year average to determine funded pupil counts. That is less than the current five-year average, but there had been talk about going to a one-year count.
Fraley also mentioned that Proposition LL and Proposition MM both passed statewide, meaning free breakfast and lunch will continue for all students. Fraley shared that 60 percent of Yuma-1 students get school lunch and 25 percent get breakfast.
The superintendent shared academic progress and data updates with the board. Last school year there was an increase in achievement from fall to spring in reading, while math remained flat. Comparing last year to the first quarter of the current school year, Yuma High School is trending higher, particularly in math. Morris Elementary is showing encouraging improvement in reading.
Besides the Consent Agenda, the only action required by the board was a first reading of a policy change to the graduation requirements. Fraley explained it is necessitated by the SAT changing the minimum score in math from 500 to 480. The first reading passed unanimously.
The Consent Agenda included a $7,000 donation from Margretta Brown and Charities Aid Foundation America for the Yuma Preschool. Other donations were: $200 from Huwa Carpet Cleaning for popcorn at Yuma football games; $1,000 from Bank of Colorado to YHS for an all-school homecoming BBQ; $192 from Yuma Booster Club for regional cross country meal money; $300 from Bank of Colorado for popcorn at football games; $100 from Yuma Booster Club for state cross country meal money, and; $120 from Yuma Booster Club for regional volleyball meal money.
The annual facilities use agreement with the City of Yuma was approved.
The only personnel in the Consent Agenda was the approval fo Avery Marzolf as YHS volunteer assistant boys basketball coach.
The students and staff members of the month were recognized at the start of the meeting. The Bank of Colorado now sponsors the students of the month, and First FarmBank the staff of the month.
Jesus “Chuey” Rodriguez was the YHS student of the month, and Julie Rahm the staff member of the month, as recognized by Principal Brady Nighswonger. Kayla Melby was the YMS student of the month, and Jamie Nighswonger the staff member of the month, as recognized by Principal Josh Rahe. Brian Apodaca Barraza was the Morris Elementary student of the month, and Kayla Aagesen the staff member of the month, as recognized by Principal Kari Chapman.
During Visitors’ Comment, Lola Mathias thanked the board members for the service to the community, and then said a prayer.
The board’s next meeting is December 1.