--------- President Nash. Good afternoon, and welcome to the work session for the board of Education, Greeley Evans School District six. This meeting will now come to order. Miss Lemon, will you please call the roll? Director Azari? Present. Director Bentley? Present. Director Campos Fizzi? Present. Director Mash? Present. Director Matthews? Present. Director Norwood? Five board members present. Thank you. The first item on our agenda is our calendar review. And let's see. Special events include the, JROTC Marine Corps Ball, fiftieth anniversary family night celebration for Shasheen.
That will be fun to attend. And then Discover District six Academy. Is this the second, date of that? Okay. Of course, CASB convention, and it's a week later than usual, so, hopefully everyone has that blocked out. Looks forward to a legislative preview when we get into January. Does anyone have anything to add or any RSVPs you're still missing? Have we checked in with new board member the new the newly elected, for the CASB? Who will shortly?
Yeah. We you haven't yet. Correct. Okay. Okay. Moving right along to board member comments. And as this is mister Matthews' last work session, would you like to go first? You go first? I I don't know. Or maybe I should finish it. I don't know. You go first so that nobody takes all the things you were gonna talk about. No. Not a not a ton to to talk about. Did did get to go to to both Puffs and Macbeth this, this last weekend. Great shows, both of them. Because, yeah.
We have such so many artistic and talented students in our district, and and it is fun to watch them do what they do on stage and and, you know, you watch them for for years sometimes, and you think you've seen seen all that they can do. And and then they continue to to surprise you with a with a new role and, the way that they do that. And so I really, really enjoyed, both of those. Not not a lot of other, other events that that I've gotten to go to
that I but, yeah, just, it's the last meeting. So, it's been a it's been a fun it's been a fun eight years, and, I will miss getting to I'll still go to Greeley Central and Greeley West, I'm sure, but we'll miss getting to go to to so many of the other schools that I've gotten to go to. So that's all I have. Thank you. Mister Azari. Thank you, president Masch. I did attend a couple of events. Went to the Weld Community Foundation annual Spread the Good along with several of my
other, board members. And once again, they put together a a very, interesting presentation, this time featuring four singer songwriters. And, that was, like I said, a very interesting presentation, very entertaining for a lunchtime, get together. I also had the opportunity to attend the visit to the Greeley West to Greeley West High School, and we had the opportunity to talk to many students there about, both the IB program and the AVID program.
And, once again, I agree with, mister Matthews. Our students are very impressive. Not just on stage, but, just speaking with them in general in meetings like that. And then finally, I I did not get a chance to attend mayor Gates' retirement celebration at Island Grove, but I did go, to the one at the city. And, he'll be missed as our mayor, and I wanna thank him for the service that he had to our school district as well over the years as the security,
the head of security for the district. And that's all I've got. Thank you. Doctor Campos Pizzi. So, I also got to go to the Greeley West High School visit, and, we got to have a roundtable with IB students and AVID students. And it was really cool to hear them talk about how they do study group and their interactive notebooks, and then to actually go into the classrooms and see the kids interacting with their notebooks. And, just thought that was so awesome. What a great what a great new kind of initiative these interactive notebooks are.
I got to go to Island Grove and, congratulate mayor Gates on his retirement, Six years on city council, six years as mayor. Six years. And Eight and eight. Eight and eight? Oh my gosh. Eight years in city council. Eight years as mayor, and many of those years as our chief of safety and security. And so cool for the mayor to have a front row seat on what's going on in k through 12. He would sit through all of these Monday meetings with us. Yeah. We will miss having that close of a connection to our mayor in District 6. But, some announcements.
So, not not something necessarily that needs to go on our calendar, but this Wednesday, the Greeley Central High School Wildcats, the boys soccer team will be in the semifinals, at Trailblazer Stadium in Lakewood, Colorado about an hour and a half south from here. The game is at 07:30. It's their semifinals. If they win, they go to the state championship. The tickets are $12. You can only buy them online. No cash. Like, you can't pay cash, at the stadium. So, the Facebook page for Greeley Central has a a QR code and a link
to buy those tickets if you wanna go cheer on our boys. I was really impressed. This Saturday, I got to go to the Hispanic Women of Weld County annual breakfast where actually, Sara Venegas, who's the president of our council of student reps, who I'm sure we'll hear talk later today about Early College Academy. She was awarded one of the traditional scholarships, but at the breakfast, it's catered by UNC. It was at the UNC Ballroom. And Robbie Humphrey, who is the goalie for the Greeley Central soccer players, was serving breakfast. And the event started at nine, and I knew they had a a soccer game
in, like, Battle Mountain. And I was like, aren't you supposed to be on a bus, young man? As he's serving my eggs and bacon, and he's like, yeah. I'm gonna finish catering this event, and then I'm gonna go catch a bus at eleven at Central. And, I think he highlights just how hardworking our our boys are. And I know, Alisson Izaguire, who is the main shooter for the team, he works for his dad's roofing company and actually has to miss a lot of practice, yet has led the team this far into into the semifinals.
And so, anyway, just really proud of of our Greeley Central soccer team and hope some of us can make it. It's gonna be cold, so bring some blankets. Other things oh, besides Sara Venegas winning one of the scholarships for Hispanic women of all county, one of our student advocates at Greeley Central, her name's Carla Gutierrez, who's, she was one of the keynote speakers, I think, at the GAP graduation, this last year. She was awarded a nontraditional scholarship because she's continuing her education, and and just thought it was cool to celebrate District 6 at the Hispanic Women of Weld County breakfast.
I wanted to congratulate our new board members. So Dina Lemos Garcia, Weston Edmonds, Robin Rogge, and then our vice president, Kyle Bentley, for winning a reelection and and joining District six school board. And on that same ballot, we got to vote for healthy meals for all, and that passed as well, which I'm so excited about, that we'll get to continue to offer free meals for our kids. Other awards, I think I wanted to, on the intercom, I noticed Franklin Middle Middle School, which is one of my schools that I'm an ambassador for, won the distinguished
Kindness Workplace, which I thought how wonderful to be to stand out for kindness. So congratulations to the Franklin Middle School students and their staff for that. And excited to celebrate Michael Matthews at the reception today and, hope that you that we indeed see you at Greeley West and Greeley Central and, that you, you know, email us as a concerned parent now. All the time. All the time. All the time. Yeah. But, yes, excited to hear, some legislative update. I think that's what we have going on on the work session.
Our superintendent's report highlighted that the governor is, investing in k through 12, and, that's pretty exciting to see, that our our per pupil funding will increase by $4,413. That'll bring the amount to $12,272 per pupil. So that was, promising. But as is stated in the report, many things can change. It's a proposed budget. Yes. That's the proposed budget. Many things can change, over the legislative cycle, but we can be hopeful. And that wraps my comments up.
Thank you. Vice president, Bentley. I don't know if there's any words left. She's she said it wrong. I also was able to attend the Weld County, Community Foundation annual spread the good luncheon. It was it was really cool just to see the different stuff they do and the way they tied all that together with the the songs about community was was pretty fun. On eleven seven, last Friday, I got to go to the Greeley Area Chamber of Commerce. They do a a monthly meeting. It's more based in the Chamber of Commerce. I'm usually there as a small business owner and a member of the Chamber. But, this week's presenting, their topic was mental health in North Range, gave them, gave
a presentation, and and it was really cool to see their sheet on the on the big screen and and highlight all the services they do. And, to me, it was very interesting to see what they do for our school. I knew we we have a collaboration and we do a lot with the with North range, but just to actually see them detailed out is all the different services was was pretty neat to see to see and just a kind of a another, you know, out of the box reminder of of how much good we have going on in the district. And then I was also able to attend Mayor Gates's retirement party. So I just wanna wish him happy retirement and thank him for all of his
years of service. Thank you all. As you all know, I have taken a few weeks off, and I thank you all for your support and prayers and texts and checking in on me, as I, was able to care for my mother and then and then lost her. So I thank you all very much for just giving me that space and for, stepping in and answering emails and and all of those kinds of things. So, I am looking forward to continuing this semester and the and next semester and, all the good work that we're doing here. I was able to attend Greeley West, and just like my other board member said,
what an amazing group of students. They're so astute. They seem to know themselves. You know, I was a terrible student, then I joined AVID. And even the first year, I didn't really pay attention to AVID, but then I realized how beneficial it was to me. And so, it was great to get to get into the classrooms and just every time we're inside that building, what a blessing. What a beautiful building that is. And, again, we wanna take every opportunity to thank our voters for passing the bond issue that led to that beautiful space. Also an enormous congratulations to Mayor Gates, and I was able to to speak with
him briefly. I actually spoke before city council when he was a councilman back very long time ago and and appreciated, just the attention he gave to every person who spoke. I also witnessed, you know, a meeting as a mayor, and, just a kindness friend to all. I am, you know, beautiful, support of of the city in every way. So I hope he does enjoy some fishing. I think he said maybe he was gonna get back into, or we'll see what kinds of things he, enjoys in his retirement.
Okay. Thank you for your comments. I think we'll move on to a legislative update from mister Fall. Thank you. Thank you, president Masch, members of the board, doctor Pilch. Welcome back, president Masch and president Matthews. I hope you, are appreciating that on your last meeting, we're gonna do another one of these legislative updates. Very much so. So, I wanted to just start off with a short debrief. If anybody had if any of the directors had any comments, surrounding we had legislators
in our board meeting a few weeks ago few meetings ago. I don't know if the board members had any, feedback or any questions you had after meeting with, state lawmakers or if you have any recommendations for me and Anne Barkus, our lobbyist moving forward in working with these folks? Maybe, it might be helpful just really to hear from each one of you kind of your impressions, if you're willing to do that. Several of you shared with me individually, and so I think it'd be good for you to hear from each other. Well, I'll just I'll just go ahead and say that I appreciated their voiced commitment
for public education and k 12 education in the state of Colorado, and I'm looking forward to, hearing more from them, in regards to that. It's good to hear, and I think that the state, has made some positive strides in funding k 12 education, even though we have some, big budgetary concerns going on in the state. So I'm very appreciative of them being here and sharing those insights with us.
So I look forward you know, I I often go down to the legislature as you know, mister Follin. I'm looking forward to talking to them again about that. Thanks. Thank you. I thought it was really productive. Like, before meeting them, I didn't know, is she representative Laurie Garcia Sander Mhmm. That she has education. I had no idea. I knew her sister did, but I didn't know she did herself. And so it was informative for me, to get to know them a little bit more personally.
I appreciate oh, go ahead. No. Sorry. Go ahead. Go ahead. I I appreciated just the the kind of down to earthness it it presented. A lot of times when you see these guys are they're in the middle of a campaign or they've got something they're working on, and so you get that version, which is isn't the most productive. It's more of a an advertisement. So I really like just the back and forth and the and the and the real conversation we had, and just getting to know them a little better. And, yeah, I would just say I appreciate their time. That's, again, we we know what it's like. We get invited to a lot of different things and, you know, to take a
Monday night when you're so busy to come and and to hear from us. I I just appreciated that that these representatives, really took the time and really seemed to listen to to our concerns and and what we, what we value. And hopefully hopefully they heard those and will represent us well. Well, thank you all. And I felt like that was a really productive conversation as well. I don't know how much work it was for miss Lemon to coordinate all of that, but perhaps we can continue to do something similar in future years, assuming that's not too much of an ask. I will add, mister Fall, that I I do think that that that beginning to
build that foundational relationship with them is really important and that, I think what we will wanna do, Nate, is when it it's time for the maybe the CASB date at the Capitol, we could see who could go from our team, and then we could reach out to them ahead of time and maybe plan to try to meet with them while we are there. Or if there's another day that we're, you know, we're going to the Capitol that we could try to meet with with them down there on on their turf and and hear from them about what they're working on and maybe have an opportunity for
some input. I do think it was really valuable. I think when elected officials get to talk to other elected officials, it does have a different, impression than just elected officials hearing from from a voter. Well, as with anything, please just reach out, if any thoughts come to mind. Just the second piece of this agenda, just so you're aware, the twenty twenty six General Assembly session, will start on January 14. So far, I have seen one bill draft, that will likely be introduced. It's called enhanced protections for five zero four and k 12 schools.
I've already reviewed this bill with some of our leadership, district leadership team members. There are some concerns around this bill. So, essentially, given kind of what's going on with the federal government and kind of the dismantling of the US Department of Education, which includes the Office for Civil Rights OCR. There are some folks in the state that are making some attempts to kind of create an OCR light that runs through CDE that essentially will review, claims of discrimination as it relates to disability discrimination in schools.
And so this bill essentially creates a whole kind of OCR department and CDE to review claims of discrimination, disability discrimination. The problem with this bill is it kind of establishes grievance procedures that aren't necessarily aligned with federal law. It's kind of making some changes to how we're currently reviewing, students' disabilities and how we are to approach, any disputes surrounding, families who have claims around the services that
are being provided to their children. But, nonetheless, this is something that I know, not just from a disability discrimination, but also from a race discrimination. They're looking for some adjustments to CDE's capacity to review claims of discrimination in Colorado just given what's happening with the federal government. So we'll be monitoring that bill. I find it to be a little bit concerning, but certainly don't want to, prevent folks from raising concerns with an entity like CDE. But, nonetheless, we wanna make sure that if it is going to be passed, it's
very much in alignment with federal law. And then just so you're all aware, voters did approve those tax increases to sustain, free meals. So those are prop LL and and that's really, really good news for us. So, just a quick update on the federal government. We are at day 41 of the government shutdown. I was just looking right before this meeting. It looks like they might be having a vote today and that there is possible that the government shutdown will end today. So we will see how that goes. Really, I think the immediate impact that we're seeing right now has to do a
lot with SNAP benefits. We know that in Rhode Island, there was a court that, had ordered the presidential administration to provide to fully fund SNAP. Right now, it looks like they're only using about 65% of contingency funds. I think that the main concern for us, and I would look to our director of finance, it has to do with direct certification, might be one main issue, that we're facing with, no SNAP benefits. And I'm not sure if there's anything else really specifically that we're dealing with with the government shutdown, that's causing us any issues.
Is from what I understand, we haven't seen any direct issues, from the federal government shutdown, and we're still receiving the funding, that we should be receiving. So, there hasn't been any direct impact on District 6, but, certainly, we're continuing to monitor that. There has been more layoffs in the federal government. Just recently, the US Department of Education lost an additional I think it was around 460 employees, and that was 20 of the remaining workforce that they're down.
So the, president Trump administration, has been pretty committed to dismantling the US Department of Education, and they seem to be making efforts towards, accomplishing that. The last piece that I thought was a little bit interesting with the federal government is they are proposing moving IDEA, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, from the US Department of Education to Health and Human Services to HHS. This is just a proposal, but, certainly, if they were to transfer, funding and oversight
and compliance to HHS, that would be significant. That would fundamentally alter everything we know about special education monitoring, compliance funding, and enforcement. This is just a proposal. We don't know what's coming, but, it seems like everything that this administration has promised, they've kind of delivered on. So this does seem like a potential logical next step if the US Department of Education is, in fact, dismantled. So that's everything I have for you all. I don't know if you have any thoughts or comments.
Do you know I haven't been following the, the government shutdown too closely. Do you know with the vote today, are there is there gonna be a compromise on on, of the Affordable Care Act? I think that's where the the compromise would need to be made. And so but I I'm not I haven't read enough detail to know what what concessions each side is making on that. But I think that's kinda was the last thing that was holding him up. And then I I think I've highlighted this at a previous work session, but, I think it's it it obviously sounds a little scary for the Department of Education, to
be dismantled and especially how that might impact IDEA. But IDEA existed before the Department of Education, and so I think that helps calm, you know, some fears for me at least. The the IDEA hasn't always been under the Department of Ed and existed before the DOE. And so I think and hope that it will continue funded and be staffed appropriately Yep. Etcetera. That's a really good point. So so the question is, what what would that how does that impact us?
I mean, theoretically, if not any other way of looking at it here on the ground, if the Department of Education is taken away. I don't think we know. And it's funny because when we met today, we said there's just so much that is unknown here. I mean, we we really don't know. It would depend on what gets pushed to the state, you know, and and funding that comes from the federal level. For example, will that that funding get pushed out to the state, or will it just be no more?
And, but I think some of the examples are like the office of civil rights. We're already seeing the impact of that, that they're terribly behind. They there's no one to take phone calls, because all all the work up from the office of civil rights has been pushed out to the state level or or the regional level even. And so I think we don't we don't know. I'm sorry. Yeah. Yeah. I think that's probably one of the worst things about it that you can't plan. Yeah. Yeah. I think I think I'll just say and this is my opinion.
I I think the the thing we need to really pay close attention to is, very well meaning legislators in the state of Colorado believing that because the Department of Ed might need to be eliminated that there are there are additional laws that they would need it put into place or or additional requirements that they would put on the Colorado Department of Ed. Kind of like, the enhanced protections for five zero four and k 12 schools would be. And I think we need really pay attention to that and and be really cognizant
of what might be being proposed that could have, an impact financially on the state of Colorado, which could then take away from state funding or could have an impact on on us and our workload and our, work delivery as well as that of the the Department of Education. And and I say that when I say very well meaning legislators, I mean that. I mean, I think it would be because they are trying to protect something or provide a service they're worried about losing, and I think we just have to pay
really close attention and help, you know, be really well informed and help inform our legislators on what really is is or is not helpful. Is that fair to say, Nate? Any other questions or comments? I was just curious how it works. You've you've already seen a drafted bill. So do they draft bills when they're out of session as well? The time of season where the bills get drafted. Okay. They start trying to find sponsors for bills. And so, yeah, there's a lot of kind of stakeholder work that's happening behind the scenes right now so that they're ready to introduce bills by the time January rolls
around. Okay. So if you have any laws that you wanna change, today's the day to Oh, today's The suggestions. Okay. Let's see. Okay. Well, thank you very much. Alright. I guess we will debrief the work session. We'll start with you, doctor Campos Pensee. Sure. That was very helpful. Thank you, Nate. I agree with director Azari. Uncertainty is never a fun feeling. But I know that our team is is staying on top of it, and, mister Fall was even checking whether, we the federal shutdown had resolved right before this meeting.
So maybe by the end of our business meeting Mhmm. That we'll have had resolution with that. But, yes, informative. Thank you so much. Mister Ansari? Well, as always, I really appreciate having a legal counsel to interpret everything that's going on, even if there is no way to interpret what is going on, I still appreciate it. But I know that we have a good team and a good staff, and, and and we do have people in the state who do care deeply about k 12,
and so we will continue to work our way through that. And, thanks again, mister Matthews, for your service to the board. And I know this is your last work session with us. Appreciated having the time to work with you. Thank you. Mister Matthews. Not you, mister Azari. And all of you. I thank you, mister Fall for for the update. I do appreciate that we got a legal update on my last work session. And and I say that because we didn't we didn't always, we did not have this position when I started on the board.
I forget that sometimes, but we did not have an attorney, in house attorney, in our district when I started on the board. And and we did not, it was board members did a a good job, I would say, of informing us, but we did not have the kind of, information that we now have about what's happening at the both the federal and the state, level. And so it's been been a great benefit the last, few years to to have that and to know and to know what we should be paying attention to and
what we should be reading more about and what we should, how we can advocate for for public education, specifically at the state level. And so, I very much appreciate it. So thank you, mister Fall. And, appreciate you guys as always in in the work session, your professional, conduct in the way that you that you handle it, president Masch. So thank you. Mister Stephanie? Yeah. Ditto. Thanks, Nate. It's always good. And I just wanna, you know, make sure that on record, I thank Michael for all of his leadership and stuff over the years as we navigated the come on
the board during kind of a tumultuous time and just having his sound voice was was very good and just helped us through some rocky roads. So appreciate everything, and I'm sure we'll be seeing around. I feel like I need to ask you for, like, that nugget of advice for the like, what's the the one thing? Put you on the spot. No. The one thing? The one thing. Not the one thing. Yeah. What's the secret to your success? No. I also want to say thank you to mister Fall. It's always informative, to have your perspective and and kinda just helping us with next
steps and how we can be involved. And, yes, mister Matthews, we it will feel odd. I've been on the board my entire time with you, so it will feel odd not to have you here. Do you want to give us the secret to your success or or your one piece of advice for us moving forward? One piece of advice. I don't know. That's, you know, having been the president for six years, I've I got to, I got to talk a lot, and it's been nice. I'm very appreciative that, that Natalie is now the president.
I don't have to have to talk quite so much. I guess the the one thing the one thing that I remember and the one thing that I I would encourage us, to remember and hopefully our community to remember that, when I was, in 2016, when we when we did not pass MLO, so we've passed it twice now, but but there was a a year where we didn't. And in that year, when we didn't pass it, someone someone wrote an an op
ed to the Tribune and said something like, something to the effect that, you know, when when I was raising kids, we we bought our own kids' computers, paper. We bought our own kids, you know, we we paid for our own kids. And what struck me in then and what has stuck with me, for for eight or nine years now, is is that they're all our kids. And, yeah, I I think that that's if I could leave the district, one thing
to remember is that they're all our kids, and we have incredible kids in this district. We hear so many great, great stories about kids that save companies, you know, a $100,000 or or kids that, you know, are, they're the person walking their parent through, through an addiction because they've already conquered addiction. And and there's so many amazing things that our kids do. And, and what has the other thing that's happened for me in eight years is
I realized they don't they don't stay kids very long. I started with with four, about to be five, and now I'm down to two kids in the district. And, yeah, the these kids, they won't be kids very long. Pretty soon, they will be the people that are they're taking care of us, and, they will they will be wiring our houses, or they will be, welding whatever it is that that we need welded, or or they'll be the person, on the other side of a needle. And and we need them to be good. This community needs them to be good.
So they're all our kids. And I appreciate this district, and this community's that that that's a my that guy's a minority opinion. That this is, the majority of this community has been so supportive, and and the dedication that I've I've witnessed in this district from, from the bus drivers to to the teachers, to the principals, to the, to all of you and and the superintendent. It's it's an amazing thing to have gotten to witness.
So, yeah. Feel very, very blessed to have had the opportunity. Thank you, president Masch. Well, I'm sorry to put you on the spot, but I'm just greedy for one more, inspirational nugget, and thank you. We're all better for remembering that. So thank you very much. We look forward to celebrating you with our community downstairs. This meeting is now adjourned. Part: 2
Good evening and welcome to the board of education meeting for Greeley Evans School District six. This meeting will now come to order. Please join us for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of The United States Of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Miss Lemon, will you please call the roll? Director Azari? Present. Director Bentley? Present. Director Campos Fitsy? Present. Director Masch? Present. Director Matthews? Present. Director Norwood?
Five board members present. Well, thank you for joining us this evening. It is a night of celebrations and proclamations. I just wanted to remind everyone that we are in our open enrollment period of time. So if your student would like to participate in a specific program in a school outside of their, neighborhood school, this is the time to submit that paperwork. And, if a spot is available, then your student would be able to attend that school. I also wanted to congratulate our theater troops at both Greeley Central and Greeley West High Schools who put on fantastic performances this last weekend, both involving witches, but with
very different themes. We had a comedy of puffs at Greeley West and the very dark tragedy of Macbeth at Greeley Central. And congratulations to all of the actors who I know that is just an all encompassing endeavor, in the midst of trying to keep up with studies and things like that. So hopefully, they're all enjoying, some rest after that. Also, congratulations to our Greeley Central men's soccer team to making it to the final four. They will be playing their next game this Wednesday.
So if you have the opportunity to, I'm sorry. Forget the location, but I'm sure we can you can find that out on the Greeley West Greeley Central website, and, we need a bunch of fans there to cheer on our Wildcats. We are a little late getting started because we were honoring our outgoing board members. As you know, there was an election last week, and we have three new board members that we're excited excited to welcome. Weston Edmonds, Robin Roege, and Dina Lemos Garcia. But this evening is, mister Matthews' last board meeting. Mister Norwood isn't with us, but we wanna thank him for serving as well and
for bringing his perspective as a former educator and his connections to the community. That was, valuable to have on the board as well. As mister Matthews is leaving after eight years, some of you may have already heard this, but I just thought it was fun to kind of look at the numbers for a person who served on the board of education for eight years. They likely attended around a 144 meetings, 80 to a 100 school visits, spent twenty four days at CASB and twenty four days in negotiations. Mister Matthews served with 14 different board members. He was involved in three MLO campaigns, one bond measure, one global pandemic, countless, capital
visits and executive sessions, and got to serve with one superintendent, our wonderful superintendent of the year, doctor Pilch. But Michael, weathered a lot of trying times in the district, with his steady leadership and his calm demeanor, just really has mentored all of us up here and and many of those other 14 board members, has championed school funding and new curriculum, sports, events, helping our students to be college and career ready.
And we just can't really put into words, the impact that mister Matthews has had and president Matthews for six and a half of those eight years. So on behalf of the board and, all of the staff, we would like to thank you and give you an opportunity to say something if you like. Well, thank you, president Masch. And it it eight years does does go by quickly. And, even even when there's a pandemic in the middle of it, it it still seems to go by quickly.
And as I as I look out at the room, again, I'm, I'm very thankful for the relationships that I've, I got to make in, in this district. People who have, as I look down the board, dias, as well and we just had a celebration with, with former board members and people who were, were mentors, to me and, and again, I'm so, so very thankful to have gotten to, to get to be a part of this district. I I don't know if everybody really, from the outside, if you really get to
appreciate how great a place that this is. And, and I will, I will miss it. I will miss all of you. Some of you, I know I will get to see a lot and some of you I probably won't get to see quite nearly as much and so, I will miss that. I do wanna thank, some, some special people. And that is, the people, when you do this, as you read it off, it's a lot of time. It's a lot of time for, for all of, all of these guys, and, and that comes from, from somewhere. And, a lot, you know, for most people I think it comes from their, Either
from their work, when when doctor Campos Spitzy or, president Masch, when they're when they're at a school, they're, that that's actually they're actually losing money, when they every time that they're there. Right? They there's a shift that they don't sign up for. For me, it it I, I was able to incorporate, a lot of this work into into my work and so I never could have done, spent as much time, given as much time, without, the support of the people of St.
Patrick, the church that I serve and so, I'm very thankful, to, to that group because they, they gave a lot of my time, to, to the school district especially in, in some of those years, that were, that required a lot of time. And then, and then to my family, to, to my wife and five boys, and, and more extended family. They, you again, they have they have given a lot of of of me as well. And so I'm very appreciative to them.
Could not have, been able to do this and experience this without, without their sacrifice as well. And, yeah, they they have been such a such a great support to me in in difficult moments and I'm so thankful, for them. And, and I would be sad except that except that I believe that this district is in such a good place. I'm so excited about where we are. I'm so excited about the four board members that are gonna come and and join,
you you guys. Well, the three board members because mister Bentley's, remaining. But but I'm so excited about the board that we'll have. I'm so excited, that our superintendents agreed to stay for another ten years and, but to see the progress, that that this district has made and the things that that, again, those remarkable people that I talked about earlier that they they've accomplished, it, I'm I'm so excited for for what is next and and to get to and get
to watch it from, from a more comfortable chair on Monday nights. And so, thank you all. Thank you, mister Matthews. Real quick before we move along, I wanted to recognize our council of stew student representatives that are with us tonight, Sarah Venegas and Abby Tobar. Thank you as always for being here and for your input into our business here. The next item on the agenda is to approve the agenda. So I move that the board of education at Greenlee Avenue School District six approves the agenda as present. Second. Thank you both. Is there any discussion on the motion? Seeing none, miss Lemon, will you please give us a vote?
Director Azari? Aye. Director Bentley? Aye. Director Campos Fitzy? Aye. Director Masch? Aye. Director Matthews? Aye. Motion carries five zero. And I am pleased to move along to our special items. Doctor Pilch, I will hand it over to you. Thank you, president Masch. It's my honor tonight to recognize the Colorado teacher of the year for 2,026, mister Steven Paulson. And we'll start this with a video that miss Lemon is getting ready to queue up. And then we have, some of mister Paulson's colleagues here tonight to to share about
him, mister Steven Birch and missus Amy Zulof. And then, we are going to give mister Paulson a chance to share as well. We are we are so honored by this recognition for mister Paulson and for Gurley Central High School and for for district six. I think the state of Colorado has truly chosen a fine, fine educator to serve in this role. On Thursday of this week, mister Paulson and, miss Myers and I will will go down to the state board of education, to their state board meeting where he will
be recognized by the state board. And I know this is so hard for him to be out of the classroom. I know I know that that that asking him to leave his class room so that he can be recognized, is just not a very cool thing. He he wants to be in the classroom, but but he does understand the significance of being recognized by the Colorado Department of Education Board of Education, here at the state level. So with that, I'd like to share the video, and then I'm going to pass it over. Is miss Zulof, are you going to go first or mister Birch?
Well, I'll let them work that out. Okay. He's just, like, so amazing, and he's a teacher that I'll always remember. I've always been asked who's your favorite teacher and I never had an answer before. First of all, we learned that you are on from the moment you walk in this door to the time that you leave, and I have a feeling even beyond that. I will forever cherish everything he has taught me, everything he has made me experience. You are a world opener. You teach students and other adults that there are opportunities beyond what they thought they could achieve. I am pleased to introduce a very special guest, our education commissioner for the state
of Colorado, Susanna Cuervo. State of Colorado, Susanna Cordova. Yeah. So we are He just tells you what you need to hear and not what
you wanna hear. And I think for anybody who just wants to, you know, help their students and connect with their students and support their students, Paulson is exactly the type of teacher that you want to look up for because you can tell by all the supporters that he has, it's for a reason. Never before has the Greeley Evans School District had a Colorado teacher of the year. You all have a star among you, a superstar, and we're so honored he chooses to work in the district and at Philly Central High School.
We're so honored. I honestly was not surprised when he was named a finalist. I was like, you're gonna win. I just knew he was gonna win. So as his wife, I I know what he's capable of. I love this school. I love our parents. I love all of you. I'm just very glad that you guys get to be celebrated. I think this is the best place I've ever worked. You guys are the best and I'm gonna make some kids angry at this comment. You are the best students I've ever had. And I've had a lot of good students. So So I'm just glad that people got to walk into this gym and see you guys.
Good evening, president Masch, members of the board, superintendent Pilch, and our reps for the student council of representatives, and, of course, our Greeley Evans community. It is my honor to celebrate mister Steven Paulson, our Colorado teacher of the year. I'm gonna have him and mister Burch come and stand up here with me. Steven is one of the finest educators I have worked with in my near twenty years in education. He welcomes every single student into a rigorous learning environment, and his AP Human Geography classroom is a place where ninth graders find their voice, build confidence, and learn to
think critically about our world. His students consistently outperform expectations because Steven creates an environment where all of his students feel supported, challenged, and truly believed in. Steven's impact extends far beyond his classroom. He mentors colleagues, partners with families, and builds opportunities for students, most notably by organizing career mentors for nearly 90 avid sophomores last year and supporting students in earning more than $10,000,000 in scholarships over his year as a mentor. He brings people together in ways that strengthen our entire school community.
On a personal level, Steven has made me a better leader. He is an exceptional thought partner. He is honest, reflective, and unafraid to challenge my thinking. We don't always agree. Nope. But that's one of the things that I value most. Our conversations sharpen ideas, we deepen our perspectives, and we help our entire school grow. What Steven what sets Steven apart is his heart. His passion for teaching and his belief in young people are felt by everyone who crosses his path. We at Greeley Central have long known he is exceptional, and we are proud that
Colorado now knows it too. Congratulations, Steven. You have earned this honor, and we are very proud of you. It's an honor to speak on behalf of mister Paulson this evening. Our entire community is sincerely proud to celebrate the first ever Colorado teacher of the year that we've seen here at district six. Mister Paulson began his teaching journey here at Franklin Middle School, made a short stop at Winter Grad and then spent some time at West. And for the past three years, he's proudly called Greeley Central High School his home
where he has been a dedicated wildcat and adopted our colors from day one. I've never seen someone someone wear so much orange and look so good. So I I'm jealous. At each stop, mister Paulson has contributed, continued to hone his craft, and and I've seen him. He and I met ten years ago, and he was just starting an AP econ class, And I've just seen him hone and hone and hone and hone, and he's still getting better. And that if you ask him, it's still not good enough.
Each lesson is that way. The thing that sticks out, though, is he he continues to demonstrate his passion for students and learning, and he embodies what it means to be an outstanding educator. I swear if we looked it up in the dictionary, it'd be his picture. You know? There he is. It's an outstanding educator. So when he came to Greeley Central, his impact was immediate. We could feel it. We had two on we had two AP, human geography classes, and by a year
later, there were four. And they were two smaller sections, and now it's we we're shoving 35 people into four sections. So, really, that's the small part of it. The biggest part, is his first freshman AVID class. They're now juniors, and I'm seeing them in my AP classes. And they're not just they they are our leaders. They are our best students. They are committed educate students, and they demand a good education. Mister Paulson has just imparted in them that they deserve the best, and I know
I better bring it because they'll go tell mister Paulson. I asked several of his students what makes mister Paulson such a great teacher, and there was some themes, and you guys have heard the themes because he cares about us. He cares that we do our work well. He tells us that we need to step it up. He's approachable. He's passionate about teaching. And then this is the one I I love because it's from this very quiet young lady, and she looks at me and she goes, he never sugarcoats anything. And and, yes, you know that. Yeah.
As do we with professionals that work with him. He holds us accountable, grades our work quickly, and always asks for our feedback so he can improve as a teacher. I think that that what a hallmark of a great teacher is going back to the people he's serving and going, how did that work for you? And I know that he's continually just driven to improve. Mister Paulson teaches his students to expect a great education, to expect to do hard things, and to understand that success must be earned through effort and perseverance.
He doesn't just teach his kids. He's he's empowering kids. He's changing their lives. As a colleague, it's often said that a rising tide lifts all boats, and you'll appreciate this. Kennedy said that in reference to economics. So as an econ teacher, we we geek out about that stuff. And that's what exactly that's exactly what mister Paulson does. He is the high tide, and all boats will rise, whether it's student, whether it's staff. The people around him will have to rise to keep up with him, and I've
been challenged in so many different ways. I just love it. The other day, just on a personal note, avid teacher, they're TRF, and we we were there late. And I'm like, TRF, talk to me about this. And he I haven't done one. You know, I'm not an avid teacher, but I'm a teacher. And they're like, you ought to do it. So what I did in AP Psychology before test with mister Paulson and missus Kirby's coaching, I did the TRF. But you know who did the TRF? The students that were in mister Paulson's class because they were so schooled at it
that they led the whole classroom. Learning because they got the gift of learning. Mister Torres, who's here this evening, and he came over, to join us as Wildcats, And he said that mister Paulson can take an ordinary class and avodize it, which he did to me. He avodized it, bringing bringing everything to life, and we know that he does that for kids. He has a gift for knowing exactly which teaching, moves to make to increase engagement, push student thinking to a higher level.
He's a master of the science of teaching, and his knowledge, drive, and focus on improve, improving student learning are remarkable. Now, we've even joked he may be a cyborg. He does not eat at school. He does not drink, not drink water at school. Any kind of Any beverages. He does not drink it. He does not eat at school. So what the heck? But while his energy is superhuman and his commitment to education is too, his passion for kids, his mastery of the art of teaching are somehow, something no machine, no
AI, nothing you can do with the computer could ever replicate or duplicate or even match. So it's teachers like mister Paulson, and mister Paulson does it at such a high level that bring life to a brightness to students. I've known Steve for a decade, over a decade. We started teaching AP Economics when he started at West. We met and talked about approaches to the class, and he he's reached out to mister Frasier, and he reaches out to find resources to get better, and he's constantly
doing that. As he and I went to dinner or breakfast, or for a drink of water, we talked about we need to teach together. And I'm like, you gotta come to Central. And there's a point where he's like, no. No. You gotta come to West. And we always had this running joke that this just might happen. Well, I'm I'm sure glad that things some things had to fall into place, and all of a sudden, mister Paulson said he wanted to interview at our place for a job. Now I knew he was good, guys. We we all knew. He came in for that interview, and he blew us away.
I could not believe how prepared, how great, how everything was the best interview I've ever been part of. We're gonna hire the guy probably anyway. I mean, he could've walked in and said hello. We would've hired him. But, oh my gosh, guys. That's not his MO. That's not how he does things. He comes in and gives it everything when it comes to education. And we were blown away, but we didn't even know the tip of the iceberg. That was just a part of what we were gonna get.
And at Greeley Central now, we have got to see him continue to hone his craft, continue to drive to get better. And I know these things, you know, he he is an amazing teacher, but I can tell you this. As you get to know him, I can attest he's an even better man, and I'm a better man for knowing him. So I'm thankful for that. As we've gotten to know each other, just so you know, I'm only a day older. Our birthdays are a day apart. So so just yeah.
Yep. We have we found all these crossovers. I'm only a day older. This stuff drives him crazy, and I told him, hey. Tonight, I get to talk to you, and you don't get to say anything back. But I I forgot he got to talk after this. He really this stuff, you know, National Teacher of the Year is his biggest fear because it'd take him from his classroom. He is a devoted educator, guys, and we all know this stuff. But I'm so happy that the state of Colorado got to know this guy and that he got recognized. I'm gonna tell you, I'm fearful he would win that national teacher of the year
because I've never known anybody even close to better or as good. So please join me in congratulate if I could speak, congratulating and welcoming the 2025 Colorado teacher of the year, mister Steven Paulson. I I have a hard time accepting this because the three of the best teachers I've ever worked for are one, two, and three right over there. So, missus Kirby, mister Birch, and mister Torres, and I wouldn't be where I am today without them. So it's a little silly to me that I get get it and they don't. That there's just been a lot of people that have made me better.
And the students we have in this district are the best I've ever worked with, and I did get a lot of angry text messages and phone calls after this video was published. So thanks a lot for that. But I I really didn't wanna do this. I don't wanna be standing right here right now if we're being honest, but I do want to represent our community and our district with pride because our students and our staff, our school board, our principals, our teachers, they all deserve to be recognized. And Greeley has been a home for me since 2007 and for our community to get recognized for the excellent that we excellence that we have, that that's what makes
me wanna continue to do it. I did withdraw from the National Teacher of the Year, and that was by choice because I don't want to take a year long sabbatical, and I feel good about the decision I made. But I am honored to represent our community and our students because there's been a lot of jokes about Greeley for a long time and I'm I don't think they have much to joke about now and that makes me happy. So thank you all for having me here tonight. Yes. Come on, Taurus. Come on, Kirby. Kirby, come on. Jeez. Yeah. Oh, get up here. He said to this?
You guys are good. Ready? Well, we don't always allow for board member comments following special items, but I have people buzzing in, like, the the calls are coming in. So, doctor Campos Fitzy, if you'd like to share your thoughts. So I happen to stop by Greeley Central today to pick up this shirt that mister Paulson had promised to me. And I got there around 03:05, and I talked to front desk and said, my name is Brenda Campos Fitzy. I, mister Paulson was supposed to leave a shirt here at the front desk, and
she's like, oh, what the front desk staff person said she could call him, but he's in the middle of class. And I was like, no. No. No. No. No. Don't do that. If I know anything from what I heard from, Kelly Langley Cook's interview, she was one of the panelists who was interviewed to decide on, mister Paulson getting this award. And she, who is a UNC professor in the Department of Education, said she would come into his classroom, you know, to ask him some question. And mister Paulson is so student centered and student first that he would completely ignore
her until she would have to clear her throat and say, actually, I I have something I really do have to tell you and I can't wait until the end of the class. And so I knew I wasn't gonna interrupt you for a t shirt. And so I came back at 03:40, which is when class was over, and grabbed my t shirt. But so proud of you. I, got to work with mister Paulson on the career mentorship project, that, miss Zulaf mentioned where 91 students in sophomores at Greeley Central were were connected with career mentors from architects to welders to doctors.
And it was just such a cool project to be a part of and just felt like so above and beyond, to to reach out on Facebook and put out this call to the community to sign up and mentor these kids and and let them see what their dreams could be, their dream careers could look like. And I know I'll never forget working with those two students that I got, was was really cool. I think it went both ways. My own medical assistant, and I've talked about her before, had mister Paulson in Mexican American studies at Greeley West.
And when she heard, that you were awarded this, she said, and I love this because it echoes some of the words that were already spoken, but, and this is from Angie Rodriguez. And she said, he gives how can I say he gives his all to students? And so, once I had interacted more with mister Paulson, I I was certain he was not married because who can give that much to his job and have a family? And then I found out, no. As you have seen in this video, he has a beautiful wife and kids.
And so I don't know how you do it. But you are a master of your craft and you're elevating the profession, and and we we are so lucky to have you. Thank you, doctor Campos. Sarah Venegas, is that you or is it who somebody. You. Okay. Abby Tovar. Sorry. I'm gonna try and make this really quick, but I remember my sophomore year was when mister Paulson came to Greeley Central. And at first, I was like, I don't know if I like this guy. He's coming from West, and I don't really like that school, you know? Like, but I like, a lot of my, like, freshman friends, they weren't doing so
hot in his AP human geography class. And I was like, man, like, he's so hard on these kids. Like, they're just freshmen, you know, but they're in that AP class. And I I finally came to, like, a realization. My friends ended up passing the class, by the way. But, I came to the realization that, like, Paulson is genuinely so hard on his students because he believes in them to the point, like, that they will persevere past that. And I genuinely think that, like, you teaching, a bunch of freshmen is what's really going to change the culture and student body at Gurley Central. And I have a lot of pride in the class of 2026.
But don't tell them I said this. But the class of '27 when you came and with your avid students, like, genuinely, you see the leadership in them. And, like, they genuinely represent, like, pride class and dignity, which is all that Gurley Central is is about. So I acknowledge, like, Paulson for that. And I like you now. I I I see your, teaching method now. But at first, I was like, man, this guy, you know, I don't know about him. But I do know about you now. And I hope that, like, all the other, like, teachers at, like, Gurley Central can kind of, like, look up to you in a way. And honestly, I see it today as well. Like, my avid teacher, mister Sibley, he's always talking about, I'll go check with Paulson.
Let me go work on my plan with Paulson. And I think it's really interesting because, like, Sibley was here before Paulson, and yet he was looking up to Paulson. And I think it's a great thing. Like, you are seriously doing a lot of stuff for Gurley Central, and I hope you know that. And this is coming from a student who I've never actually had a class with Paulson. And maybe that makes it less significant. But I just think that seeing, like, all of the work that he's put in, it's genuinely showing at Gurley Central, and we truly appreciate having you. So thank you. I'll also offer my congratulations and thank you all for coming to share your experiences with mister Paulson and, just very well deserved.
Thank you for serving our students and representing our community. And I'm sorry, but today, miss Zulof is winning the orange competition. So I think y'all need to have, like, an orange crush competition and, just keep that. You don't want a Greeley Central Christmas sweater. It's fantastic. Alright. Well, thank you all for being here. We love celebrating our staff and our students. Moving on, we will, have a proclamation recognizing school psychology week. And doctor Campos, would you oh, this is an action item that requires a motion.
I move that the board of education and really having school district six approve the proclamation declaring November 2025 as school psychology week in district six. Second. Thank you both. Doctor Campos, will you please read the proclamation? Proclamation of the Board of Education of Wells County School District six, School Psychologist Week, November 2025. Whereas, children and youth learn best when they are healthy, supported, and receive an education that enables them to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
And whereas, schools can more effectively ensure that development and benefits when the learning environment provides an optimal context to promote good mental health through connectedness within the school and community. And whereas sound psychological principles are integral to instruction and learning, school safety, social and
emotional development, prevention, early intervention, and support of culturally diverse student populations. And whereas school psychology has more than sixty years of well established, widely recognized, and highly effective practice and standards that are clearly articulated in the National Association of School Psychologists' model for comprehensive and integrated school psychological services. And whereas school psychologists are specifically trained to foster and deliver in the school and community a continuum of mental health services and academic supports that lower barriers to teaching
and learning, and Whereas school psychologists help children thrive by nurturing their individual strengths across both personal and academic endeavors, and whereas school psychologists are trained to assess student and
school based barriers to learning and individual strengths, make database decisions, implement research driven prevention and intervention strategies, and evaluate outcomes and improve accountability. And whereas Greeley Evans School District six recognizes the vital role that school psychologists play in the personal and academic development of our students. Therefore, the board of education of Weld County School District six hereby proclaims November 2025 as school psychology week in District 6. Given under the hand psychology week in District 6 given under the hand and the
executive seal of Weld County School District six this November 2025, president Natalie Masch. Thank you, doctor Campos Fitzy. Is there any conversation on the motion? Invaluable work that they do with our students. I believe that this is a position that we've worked really hard to increase in our district, knowing that originally, the caseloads and the the students needing those mental health supports were far greater than the staff that we had. And, again, we know that the mental health of our children is vital in order for them to be able to learn and for in order for them to be
able to thrive in our schools. So, I'm excited to approve this proclamation. And, again, just, please hear that your position is very valued, and thank you for working with our students. And mister Matthews. Yeah. I would just, wanna echo what what you said, president Masch, that, our school psychologist mean means so much to to this district. They are, and it's such an emotionally difficult job meaning because of the situations that
they often deal with. They are often the the people that, and we do have, a certain certain number of, of accidents and a certain, every year, unfortunate, deaths and our school psychologists go in and, and meet with our students sometimes, meet with our teachers, meet with, meet with staff. And so we're so thankful for, for the work that they do and just want you to know how, how much we appreciate you, and what you provide for this district and our students. Thank you very much.
Miss Lemon, will you give us a vote, please? Director Azari? Aye. Director Bentley? Aye. Director Campos Spitzley? Aye. Director Mash? Aye. Director Matthews? Aye. Motion carries five zero. Thank you. And I'd like to invite Arnold up, our lead psychologist, to accept this proclamation. Hi. My name is Kristen Arnold. I am the lead school psychologist here in the district. I have been here for twenty five years, and I have to say that I love my job. I have the pleasure of being able to support some amazing school psychologists. I'm not assigned to a building. I just get to support some amazing school psychologists.
Psychologists. So thank you so much for all of your support. Doctor Pilch, the board, the directors, and all of the administration and people that we work with in this district. Thank you so much. I was also hoping we could have some of these amazing school psychologists come up here, please, and introduce themselves. School psychologists come up here, please, and introduce themselves. Thinking? I'm Tiffany Martin, and I serve Prairie Heights Middle School and help out with some other district stuff when needed. I'm Britney King, and I'm the school psychologist for Greeley West High School. I'm Jenna Willsey, and I support McAuliffe STEM Academy and Jackson Elementary School. I'm Stephanie Hill, and I support Bella Romero and Early College Academy.
My name is Kim Perales, and I, work at Scott Elementary School in Union Colony Preparatory. Thank you all for being here, and thank you for your work with our students. Alright. Celebrations and proclamations continuing. The next item on our agenda is a proclamation recognizing education support professionals day. This is an action item. I move that the Board of Education at Greeley Evans School District six approve the proclamation declaring November 19 as 11/19/2025 as education support professional day in District 6.
Second. Thank you both. Mister Azari, would you please read the proclamation? Proclamation of the Board of Education of Weld County School District six, Education Support Professionals Day, 11/19/2025. Whereas, public schools are the backbone of our democracy, providing young people with the tools they need to maintain our nation's precious values of freedom, civility, and equality, and whereas education support professionals are an integral part of the education process, and whereas education support
professionals provide a safe and healthy learning environment for students and whereas education support professionals work tirelessly to serve our children and communities with care and professionalism. Now, therefore, the board of education of Greeley Evans School District six hereby proclaims Wednesday, 11/19/2025 as Education Support Professionals Day in District 6. Given under my hand in the executive seal of Weld County School District six, this
November 2025, Natalie Masch, president. Thank you, mister Azari. Is there any discussion on the proclamation? I will also make comment about our education support professionals. Oftentimes, for my children, the person that they've made a close connection with is an educational support person. Of course, they have their teachers in each of their classes, but, I think I've shared this story a number of times, but, one of my sons, there's a spirit day that was dressed as, you know, your favorite person in the building.
And so he dressed as Brenda, the lunch lady, and he had kinda long hair at the time, did a bun and a and a hairnet and everything. So, again, just every single person in the building is a integral part of of our students' day. Often is that person that sees the student, you know, in their moment of frustration or or a sad moment or something like that where they can speak into that student's life. So very excited to bring this proclamation forward as well. Miss Lemon, will you give us a vote? Director Azari? Aye.
Director Bentley? Aye. Director Campos Fizzi? Aye. Director Mash? Aye. Director Matthews? Aye. Motion carries five zero. And I would like to invite, Joaquin Morado, forward classified council president to accept this proclamation. Thank you, president Masch, board and doctor Pilish. It's my honor to accept the proclamation. Obviously, I hold great value and support staff because I am a support staff. Because I am a support staff. I feel like the duties that they do are so far in the background that not very many people get recognized for every day.
Paraprofessionals is probably somebody that you're probably talking about. I'd like to recognize, you know, transportation, kitchen staff, custodial. Jeez, I know I'm gonna forget a whole bunch of people, plumbers, IT people, electricians. So whenever you're in a building next week, please grab somebody, let them know that you're grateful for everything they do in the buildings. Okay? Thank you. The next item on our agenda is our council of student representatives report from Early
College Academy. President Mahesh, members of the board, doctor Pilch, it's my pleasure to introduce, miss Sarah Venegas and Levi Aldridge. These two truly embody what it means to be an Early College Academy Tiger with their open mindset, work effort, and love of learning. Good evening, members of board, doctor Pilch and president Mash. You guys know me by now. I'm Sarah Venegas, and I'm a proud senior at Early College Academy. Our school is not only built on strong academic success, but we have an even
stronger community. Early College Academy is a school that allows students to take dual enrollment classes through Community College starting their freshman year, which means ECA students are not only d six students, but we are Aims students as well. That's pretty cool. In doing so, students can graduate not only with their high school diploma, but also with an associate's degree too. ECA has always offered an associate's of arts degree. However, as of three years ago, our admin has been working to implement more science classes to hopefully offer an associate's of science degree in the future.
This would allow students to take the path of the degree they wish to earn that would benefit benefit the most in their career. As AIM students, our seniors have the privilege to take classes on the main campus, which means their classes are more personalized to the career path they wish to take. They also have the opportunity to receive a degree and of designation in math, history, or psychology if they choose to, which means they offer more than the general classes at ECA. Not only is ECA growing academically, but our ECA. Not only is ECA growing academically, but our school spirit keeps growing more every year.
We have some great traditions at ECA throughout the school that strengthen our connections and offer that high school experience many think we miss. We get those first day jitters. Nav crew is no stranger to going all loud to welcome our students loud and proud through making posters and making them feel welcomed and along with Artie the Aardvark, giving some good luck high fives. ECA has allowed me to explore a new version of myself, a version who is a strong leader, not only in her school, but in her community as well.
All the amazing opportunities I have been given such as being student body president, president of national honor society, president of the council of student representatives, and being able to be a student representative here on the board meetings are all due to the challenges and support ECA has provided me. There has never been a dull moment for me at ECA, especially since freshman year I started being a member of student council, dedicating my time and ideas to improving all those fun school events such as our dances, our spirit weeks, and so much
more. I have never felt so connected to both the students and the staff as I have at ECA. Spending all of my off blocks in my dream team teacher's office, eating all of her snacks, and playing card games with the underclassmen. Or snapping some fun pictures for yearbook because that is my favorite class. There is never a dull moment in that class with all of our fun conversations. ECA has prepared me for the challenges that college courses bring and how to take those challenges through seeking help to build that resilience.
I hope to take those new skills to New York University, my dream school, where I plan to major in biomedical and live that city life. As I mentioned, the student council never fails to plan out some fun activities where students can showcase their skills, competitiveness, and grow connections. At the beginning of the year, we have our popcorn social where our incoming students can socialize with teachers and our student body to build those connections and those friendships. Plus, who doesn't love some good popcorn? The fun doesn't stop there because in September, the student council hosts our fall festival
where our clubs have some great games, food and music for everyone to enjoy. One of the highlights of the year is our spirit weeks because at the end of those weeks, we have our class competition assembly games. ECA is filled with creative people. We see this creativity flourish in the prior days of spirit week because of our students and staff love to go all out. Mr. Fearne is not shy to participate in those spirit weeks. Dressing up as Gru from Despicable Me and as a popular saying among the students
right now, six, seven. He is such a great principal who is very attentive to his students, knowing everyone by name, in order to make sure they are reaching their potential. Our students are quite competitive. On assembly days, our cafe gym or newly named Tiger Den fills with encouragement and determination. ECA is unique. We are the only d six high school that has a field day at the end students, and our seniors receive their cords and a senior send off.
Additionally, we have our dodgeball tournament where our students have yet to beat the staff, unfortunately. You can't have a field day without a sweet treat, so student council always has a Kona ice truck to help our students cool off on a hot day. I'm a huge people person who loves to build good energy with others. On field day, that energy is through the roof. And it's a day where fun is the goal. No work, no stress, just enjoying a nice hot day playing with friends, acting like kids again. We are not only dedicated to creating fun experience for our students, but also providing
resources if they are struggling or need a quiet place to be. Our student support center houses all of our resources. You can find our counselors, our dream team teachers, our special education teachers, and of course, our front range therapist. Additionally, we have our AIMS tutors for every subject to help our students if they are struggling on any assignments. There have been many times when I find myself so stressed, I can't even think. But I know that tutors that aims is providing and ECA is providing truly help me reach be better versions of myself.
Taking dual enrollment classes, much like calculus one, is difficult, but our tutors work during our off blocks in order to help us get through those difficult challenges. Our student support center has truly become a safe space for many students because of the calm atmosphere and amazing help that they offer. Students can easily access these resources in order for them to seek help or have a safe space to focus. Our nav crew is an addition to those student resources who love to support our
students during harder times, like finals week, when they make goody bags to encourage our students to stay motivated and help their finals week be slightly stress free. I love being a member of NAV crew, helping to remind the incoming students that they are capable of everything. It's such a wonderful group of people who all dedicate themselves to making ECA a welcoming place for all. Although ECA continues improving year by year, many of our students have mentioned the benefit of a bigger parking lot.
Our building is quite small, which means our parking lot is too. When there is pick up after school, our driving students struggle to get out because of how limited the space is. This could be a helpful improvement to a building, so just keep that in mind. Finally, I have the pleasure of introducing a student who truly embodies what you say is all about in order to tell you more of the amazing things we offer. Levi Aldridge. Good evening, District six Board of Education, President Masch, and Doctor Pilch. It is my pleasure to be speaking to you this evening.
I am Levi Aldridge, currently a junior who has the privilege of attending Early College Academy along with Sarah. She is quite the role model for me, and it is my privilege to get to highlight some of the many awesome things about ECA. ECA offers many incredible academic opportunities, as Sarah mentioned, in the midst of a very lively school spirit. In addition to all of this, and yes, it does get better somehow, ECA gives students opportunity opportunities to participate in clubs and the many privileges of being AIMS students. Let's start by talking about clubs.
ECA the clubs available at ECA are student led and student initiated. Any and all students have the ability to start and run a club so long as they have three prerequisites. One, an idea. Two, a handful of students who share the interest. And finally, a teacher who's willing to sponsor that club. Some school clubs that I participate in, and let me tell you there are many offered at ECA, are Bible Study Club, Music Club, Insight Magazine. And one of the most popular clubs at Early College Academy is snacks and crafts, which just gives you a taste, get it, for the school spirit that ECA has.
In addition to all these clubs, ECA has a very engaged and active student council full of students who are wanting to make positive change in the school in the student body. In addition to this, Early College Academy is home to a chapter of National Honor Society and also has a group known as Nav Crew, which Sarah did mention. Nav Crew is a group of students dedicated to making ECA an enjoyable and comfortable place, especially for incoming students and under underclassmen. Nav Crew members visit underclassmen during their seminar periods to play team building games and
discuss topics like friendship and gratitude as well as how to strive for excellence in classes and extracurriculars. Nav Crew Leaders also volunteer at school events to help students and families navigate with ease. Another club and opportunity very unique to ECA is Insight Magazine. Insight Magazine is a showcase of creative works from ECA students. This magazine contains literary works such as poems and essays, as well as artwork, including photography, as well as online media. Those of us who are in the club get to organize the magazine for it
to be published through AIMS both in physical print and online making every student whose work is included a an official published author which is pretty neat And the marvel of ECA extends far beyond clubs. As Sarah mentioned, all students at ECA are dual enrolled at AIMS. As AIMS students, all facilities, all AIMS facilities, all AIMS events, and AIMS privileges are available to ECA students. For example, the AIMS perk, the Physical Education and Recreation Center, is a, free privilege
for all AIMS students and, therefore, all ECA students. I personally have made use of this several times, especially for their very nice indoor track. And let me tell you, it is it is a privilege. In addition to this, the perks of being AIM students do not end there. Every student at ECA can also make use of AIM's resources such as Artie's Pantry, which is a program that provides AIMS students and therefore ECA students with grocery items as well as personal care items for free. And being aligned with AIMS also allows Early College Academy to, use AIMS, facilities such
as their ballroom to host ECA dances and the annual National Honor Society induction ceremony. ECA is proud to be a small school. The small school size of approximately 255 students allows ECA to be more to be a more tight knit community and for students to have better relationships or, more accurately, friendships with their teachers and professors. And finally, a small school size enables the ECA to have events such as the field day that Sarah mentioned and popcorn socials that are manageable and also, I think,
more beneficial to students having such a small student body. I echo Sarah's request for, the possibility of a larger parking lot. Hint hint, maybe. Thank you so much for the opportunity to speak here this evening. We appreciate all of your support for ECA, and we are excited for all the wonderful things that lie ahead. Thank you. Thank you very much for being here. We have a few questions or comments, doctor Campos Fizzi. And so I really like your pride in the small school. I I love that just embracing it. I've always been so proud that we have ECA as part of district six, which is basically a college prep school, that's open to all of our kids.
And you two are highlighting two different school systems you came from. I just, heard that Sara Venegas that you were a Bella Romero kid. And then, Levi, you actually gave me a tour of McAuliffe back in the day. So, thank you for sharing. It it sounds like you have a special place and that you you do get to form these bonds with your educators and and that there's a ton of support. I do think a college prep school sounds a little bit stressful. Like, it's a little competitive and all the kids are wanting to go to college
and and building up those applications, can can be stressful. But it sounds like you guys have the staff to support you all so that nobody is pulling their hair out. Is that right? That is what it is. That is right. Hands down. Thank you very much. And, I was just thinking what a fantastic advertisement during open enrollment. So the floodgates are now open. Just, keep you on your radar for really There you go. School. It's not private. Right. Absolutely.
Well, I do feel like there is just something special about every ECA student that has shared with us their their pride and their love of ECA. And as it is a fully open enrolled school, you all choose to be there. You want to be there. You want that experience. And so thank you for sharing back the full gamut of of what's offered experience, and best wishes in the rest of your senior year, Sarah. And we'll look forward to continue to see you, and maybe we'll see you next year, Levi, Levi, when you bring in the next, update.
So thank you for being here. We know you probably have schoolwork and things like that, so we always appreciate when our students spend their Monday evening with us. It's a pleasure. Thank you. My computer went to sleep, so hold on just a second. Oh, okay. And now we are on to superintendent's report, doctor Pilch. Thank you, president Masch, members of the board of education. I just have a few things. I just want to remind everyone that tonight, we did a reception to honor our
outgoing board members, mister Rob Norwood and mister Michael Matthews. I wanna thank mister Norwood for his four years of service, and his dedication to the students and staff here in District 6. And then, president Matthew vice former president Matthews, what are your role. He will always be he'll always have been one of my presidents. I wanna thank you for all that you've done for district six over the last eight years and recognize you for, the contribution to our students, our staff, and our
community. We are a far better school district because of you and your leadership, and, I think we're far better humans. So thank you, president Matthews. And then I'll just remind everyone that, we do have a break coming up, the week of November 24. We do take that week and and close our schools for Thanksgiving. And so the board meeting that would have been held on November 24 has been canceled, and so we won't come back together until December. I do, want to encourage you to to pay close attention if you're interested in
the oath of office, for our newest board members and our reorganization meeting, for the Board of Education. We had originally planned that for that first week in December. It does look like we will have official results back from the county sooner than planned. And so, that meeting will very likely occur, early to mid next week, in the afternoon, most likely. I wanna welcome the three new board members that will join us and be sworn in, at that that oath meeting, welcoming Dina Lemos Garcia and Robin Rogge and Weston
Edmons. And just so pleased that we have community members who are willing to give of their time and and to serve in this volunteer elected role and and pleased that you're willing to run a campaign. It's certainly something I never want to do. So thank you, and and welcome to District 6. Thank you, president Masch. Thank you, doctor Pilch. Our next item on the agenda is public participation, but we did not have anyone signed up to speak this evening. Our next item is to approve our consent agenda. This is an action item or will require a motion.
I move that the Board of Education of Greeley Evans School District six approves items as presented on the consent agenda and authorizes the officers to sign any and all contracts. Second. Is there any discussion on the motion? Seeing none, will you give us a vote, please? Director Azari? Aye. Director Bentley? Aye. Director Campos Spitzley? Aye. Director Mash? Aye. Director Matthews? Aye. Motion carries five zero. The final item on our agenda is to approve our district evaluation council membership. And this is also an action item. I move that the Board of Education in Greeleyev and School District six approves the
membership of the District Evaluation Council as presented. Second. Thank you both. And I see missus Overton. I'll give it over to you now. Good evening, president Mesch, board members, and doctor Pilch. We're here annually that we come here to ask you to consider all of the members of our evaluation council and, approve those members for the current year. State law requires that stew that school districts maintain an evaluation council called a thirteen
thirty eight council. And that includes a minimum of, one teacher, one administrator, one principal, and one parent who resides in the district and one community member that doesn't have, children currently enrolled in the district. The d six evaluation council was established in 1979, a few decades ago. And, it was it is set in motion to study, provide oversight, evaluate, address concerns,
and provide, develop specific recommendations for improving the district evaluation policy and procedures. The council's co chaired by the assistant superintendent of human resources or, a designee, in our case, and the president of the Greeley Education Association or a designee. The evaluation council has a long standing history of collaboration and partnership. The committee is co chaired by Matthew doctor Matthew Thompson, director of human resources, and
Aaron Snyder, president of Greeley Education Association. Each year, the council reviews ideas, insights, and challenges that arise from the use of the certified evaluation instrument ensuring that it continues to support effective performance feedback as well as meaningful professional growth for both teachers and principals. Tonight, I did like to invite doctor Thompson to come up and present the recent accomplishments of the thirteen thirty eight and share the proposed membership roster for your consideration
tonight. Thank you. I'd like to report that our thirteen thirty eight council is in a great position. There are no recommendations, for changes, from the state of Colorado or CDE at this time. We've maintained consistent membership in our committee from last year to this year, which is a collaboration between, the members are identified collaboratively between, GA and our human resources department. The past year, we've done a lot of work on our evaluation handbook of ensuring
that it meets the accessibility requirements, for the state. We've, made some changes to add clarity and to simplify language. We meet at a rotating basis at a variety of different school locations, that are hosted by members of our committee, teachers and administrators alike. Our current work this year involves assessing available measures of student learning, which are MSLs or and we have an MSL worksheet. And so we're identifying, what measures are meeting the needs of all educators and the
students that they serve. So we're seeking clarity of understanding for that for both teachers and administrators, as well as on, complex ideas such as how median growth percentiles are defined and how they're measured. So at this time, we'd like to offer, for your approval, the following proposed, list of members of our evaluation council, which includes, myself as a cochair and the proud parent of an ECA student. Miss Erin Snyder, who's the GA president, is also co chair.
Mister Andrew Palmer is a parent and administrator in our district. Annette Overton is also a member of our district leadership. Anthony Ozmas, who's a member of district leadership and a parent. Kim Silva, who's also a member of our district leadership. Kelly Kennedy, who's an educator in our district. Melissa Wooden, who's a educator and a parent. Jason Golhofer, who's our non parent community member. Ron Anderson, who's also a non parent community member. Zachary Armstrong, who's an educator and a parent in our district.
Kelly Stewart, who's a district administrator. Heather Sievert, who's a district, school administrator. And Theresa Santos, who's also an educator and a parent. So we appreciate your time and approval of our proposed membership. So thank you. Thank you very much. Is there any questions or any comments on the motion? Thank you very much for bringing this forward. Seeing the collaboration between the GA and the administration gives me lots of confidence that this is, a a team that works well together and, you know, accomplishes the goals
they set forward. So thank you very much, and we will have a vote. Director Azeri? Aye. Director Bentley? Aye. Director Campos Pizzi? Aye. Director Mash? Aye. Director Matthews? Aye. Motion carries five zero. That is all the business we have for this evening. And once again, thank you to our outgoing board member, former president, mister Michael Matthews. Next time, we'll look just a little bit different, but happy Thanksgiving to everyone, and have a good evening. This meeting is adjourned.