Public Meeting Agenda: April 15, 2025 at 6:00 PM - April 15, 2025 Regular Meeting

1. Business Meeting - Call to Order

2. Roll Call of the Board of Education

3. Pledge of Allegiance

4. Agenda Review/Approval of Agenda

5. Approval of Minutes - ACTION

5.1. Minutes Regular Meeting March 19, 2025

6. Public Participation

Description: The Board Chair will call for Public participation.

7. Reports and Communication

7.1. Board and Committee Reports

7.1.1. New Elementary School Update (FAC1)

Description:

Landscapers were onsite over spring break to prep the sprinkler system for the start of the watering season.
The fire protection system at the entry of the school was not functioning properly so the company came out and corrected the issue. The system pressure pump was continuously presuring the system due to a small leak outside the main entrance. The repair team that came out informed Vern that he needed to drain that part of the system regularly. During our owners training the installer told us to not touch anything.
Thursday, April 9th - The team was on zoom for the spring check in. Issues that have come up since November were discussed and planned for taking care of if needed.
- Fire sprinkler system at the main entrance
- Retainment pond not seeping away
- Run off across the sidewalk
- Lawn sprinklers and other landscaping features not good for snow plowing

7.1.2. BOCES Update (FAC2)

Speaker(s): Kimberly Alexander

7.2. Administration Reports

7.2.1. Superintendent's Report

Speaker(s): Ty Gray

Description:

HS VOAG Replacement BEST

Our application is complete and our interview with the BEST board is scheduled for Wednesday, May 14th. The list of prioritized projects will be available sometime after 4:00 PM on Thursday.

2025-26 Planning

Charlotte is meeting with teachers and staff for 2025-26 planning
- There have been a lot of good conversations and excitement seems to be building for next year.
- Needs have included class schedule adjustments, additional textbooks and/or instructional resources, teaching budgets - ordering and purchasing, PD needs
- Elementary Dean Interviews have been completed. There will be a recommendation to the board at the May meeting.

After School Program

The After School Program is probably going to be taken over by the County Library as it was when it started. With the library running the program it can be run cheaper and without as many restrictions with who they hire. Through the school all pay must include PERA deductions increasing the budget by 21%, and hourly employees with the district can not work the program without running into overtime requirements. We have met with Laurie and members of the Library Board, and in the best interest of the program this is the best path forward.

District Procedures

We are working on creating a district office procedure manual to be consistent with decisions and processes year after year. Completion of the manual will better prepare the district for any change in people or positions in the office. Currently, we are focused on HR such as hiring and onboarding, and finance with the budget, salary/pay tables, and bonuses.

Graduation Ceremony

The senior graduation ceremony is scheduled for May 22, 2025 at 7:00 PM.

My Upcoming Schedule:

April 16th Board Meeting
April 17th & 18th West Slope Superintendent Conference in GJ
April 20th-22nd CHSAA Board of Directors Meetings in Denver
April 23rd - Superintendent Advisory Committee Meeting in Pagosa Springs
May 8th - May 12th - Out of District for a family members graduation

7.2.1.1. Studer Education update (STF3)

Description:

Bulldog Way (Studer Update)

Dr. Bonita Coleman was on site last Thursday for our onsite training day. The leadership team focused on Performance Conversations, Goal setting for the 2025-26 school year, and Strategic Plan Scorecard. After lunch our communication team created a yearly communication plan for the 2025-26 school year.

Attached below is our slide deck for the day

7.2.1.2. ELA Curriculum Review

Description:

Introduction

After an extensive review process and a successful pilot in 1st and 3rd grades, Dove Creek Elementary has decided to adopt the Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) program as its official ELA curriculum beginning in the upcoming school year. This decision is based on its strong alignment with the five pillars of reading success, its integration of science and social studies content, and its demonstrated ability to engage students while improving literacy outcomes.

Alignment with the Five Pillars of Reading Success

CKLA is structured to comprehensively support all five pillars of reading success, as defined by the National Reading Panel:

Phonemic Awareness: CKLA provides explicit and systematic instruction in phonemic awareness, ensuring students develop the foundational skills necessary to manipulate sounds within words.
Phonics: The program incorporates a structured phonics approach, eliminating the need for supplemental phonics resources. CKLA provides direct and cumulative phonics instruction that reinforces decoding skills and spelling patterns.
Fluency: CKLA builds fluency by incorporating repeated reading opportunities, oral reading exercises, and engaging stories that encourage students to practice reading with accuracy, speed, and expression.
Vocabulary: The curriculum’s integration of science and social studies content ensures that students are exposed to a rich and diverse vocabulary, enhancing their language comprehension and background knowledge.
Comprehension: CKLA employs a knowledge-building approach that helps students develop strong comprehension skills through structured reading lessons, discussion prompts, and writing activities that align with Step Up to Writing.

Additional Benefits of CKLA

Engaging Content: Teachers have reported that students are more engaged in CKLA lessons due to the exciting and meaningful stories included in the program. The curriculum fosters a love for reading by presenting complex texts in an accessible and interactive manner.
Integration with Science and Social Studies: CKLA naturally incorporates cross-curricular content, reinforcing key concepts from science and social studies while improving literacy skills.
Strong Writing Instruction: Writing is embedded throughout the curriculum and aligns well with Step Up to Writing, ensuring consistency across grade levels and supporting the development of strong written communication skills.
Positive Classroom Results: Data from the pilot implementation in 1st and 3rd grades indicates improved student engagement and literacy progress, suggesting that CKLA will contribute to long-term reading success across all grade levels.

Implementation Plan

To ensure a smooth transition to CKLA, the following implementation steps are planned:

Professional Development: Teachers will receive training and ongoing support to effectively implement CKLA.
Resource Allocation: All necessary materials and resources will be procured to facilitate instruction.
Monitoring and Assessment: Student progress will be closely monitored using existing assessment tools such as DIBELS 8 and MAPS to evaluate the impact of CKLA on reading outcomes.

Conclusion

Dove Creek Elementary’s adoption of CKLA is a strategic step toward strengthening literacy instruction and ensuring all students develop the foundational reading skills necessary for academic success. Given its alignment with the five pillars of reading success, integration of cross-curricular content, and positive results in pilot classrooms.

7.2.1.3. Quarterly Financial Report

8. Discussion Items - INFORMATION

8.1. Policy for Review

8.1.1. GCL - Professional Staff Schedules and Calendars

Description: Adjusting the number of days worked for instructional employees.

8.1.2. DBK - Fiscal Emergencies

Description: For review only

8.1.3. IC/ICA - School Year/School Calendar

Description: Defining what is and what is not actively engaged.

8.1.4. GC - Professional Staff

Description: CASB update with Legal Refs updates.

8.1.5. DGA/DGB - Authorized Signature/Check Signing Procedure

Description: Changing who can sign checks drawn on activity funds.

8.1.6. GBEA Staff Ethics/Conflict of Interest

Description: Federally funded transactions and legal reference updates.

8.2. Superintendent Evaluation

9. Consent Agenda (opportunity to consent) - ACTION

9.1. Financials (bills, Checks) (FIN1 & 2) March 2025

10. Action Items - ACTION

Description:

As superintendent of Dolores County School District RE-2J, I recommend the action or actions listed below:

Consent Agenda:

9.1 Financials (FIN1&2) - I recommend the approval of the financials as presented as aligned with District Strategic Plan Financial Goal 1 (Financial Communication) and Financial Goal 1 (Budget Transparency).

Action Item(s):

10.1 I recommend the approval of the Dolores County School District Calendar for Year 2025-26 as presented.

10.2 I recommend the approval of Resolution 2025-7 to Convey Land to the County as presented.

10.3 I recommend the approval of the CKLA elementary school language arts curriculum.

10.4 I recommend the approval of Policy First Reading as presented.

10.5 I recommend the approval of Policy Second Reading as presented.

10.6.1 Personnel Employment- I recommend the approval of the employment staff as presented.

Each action item listed above has been recommended and voted on as stated in board policy. Action items are approved or not approved by a majority vote of the board members present.

___________________________________

Date: April 15, 2025

Superintendent Ty Gray

Dolores County School RE-2J

10.1. 2025-2026 District Calendar

Description: I am recommending the approval of the Dolores County School District calendar with 158 certified staff days. There are 10 certified staff days left to the K12 principals descretion with the understanding that half of the time will be provided to the teachers for their own work in the classroom. The 158 certified staff days calendar is an increase of eight days from the 2024-25 calendar. The additional days will be calculated into salary increases pending budget approval in May. If the budget does not allow for salary increases in May we will revisit the District Calendar and stay at 150 days. Superintendent Ty Gray

10.2. Resolution 2025-7 to Convey Property

Description: The resolution is to convey property to Dolores County and authorize Superintendent Ty Gray to execute any necessary documents.

I recommend the approval of the resolution to convey property to the county and to authorize myself to execute the necessary documents. The district is conveying the lot south of Memorial Hall to the county in return for work and material supplied by the county for the parking lot on the east side of Memorial Hall.

10.3. ELA Curriculum approval

Description: Per policy, the board needs to approve the ELA curriculum for the next school year.

10.4. Policy 1st Reading

10.4.1. AC - Nondiscrimination/Equal Opportunity