I call this meeting to order at 06:18. Director's present tonight. We have director after, director Kullenberg, myself, director Ramirez, and director after, which meaning we have a quorum. Thank you to our interpreter, Rodrigo. Would you please share the interpretation instructions with our participants, and then we can turn on the interpretation function? The first business in order is the approval of the agenda. Directors, are there any proposed changes to the agenda? We may need to make an amendment to the agenda throughout the course of the evening based on, an executive session that we have, but we'll continue as it is
right now. I move that we approve the agenda as presented. Second. All in favor, say aye. Aye. All opposed? Motion passes. Our next agenda item is our opening celebrations and updates from superintendent, doctor Anna Cole. Good evening. This is our second week back from winter break. It's the start of the high school our high school second semester. But to be honest, for most of the staff and our students, it feels like winter break was months ago. It's been really busy. Looking at our school schedules recently, there are a lot of school accountability committee meetings
happening this month. And so just wanna send a thanks to all the families and school leaders who are showing up to participate in this critical accountability role for our schools. Also want to appreciate the district accountability committee that met just earlier this week to discuss leadership evaluation processes with chief Rockman and a a lot of gratitude to our district accountability members for serving in this role as well. Want to thank our Bridges High School, staff and students who hosted the superintendent student advisory council this week, Doctor.
Park, our ed of schools, Joel Hathaway, and I have the privilege of meeting regularly with student leaders from all of our high schools. These are really open forums for the students to talk about whatever is, on their minds. And we had a really good time this week learning from the Bridges high school students about the critical components of a Bridges High School education that resonate with them. So I just wanted to lift some of those up for the board and celebrate the, the Bridges faculty who create an environment where, students really appreciate the small classes with faculty who are eager to connect, listen and support them.
Students really appreciate the accessibility to student support services, including the school counselor, the school social worker and a family liaison. Students really appreciated the small school community where they felt included, seen, valued, and cared for every day, and they really lifted up the strong and positive relationships they have with staff. So kudos to the Bridges High School staff and to the students who so clearly articulate the factors that are contributing to their success at Bridges. And then finally, want to let the community know that we will be hosting an in person and virtual school safety presentation on Tuesday, January 27 at 7PM here in
this room. We'll also live stream that presentation. We'll have participation with some of our chiefs of police, and the purpose is really to update the community on the strategies we implement and use across all our campuses to keep students and staff safe. We'll have more information about, and flyers on this coming in the next week or so, and information on how to stream the meeting as well if you can't come in person. Thanks. At this time, we welcome members of the public who have signed up to address the board. There is one speaker signed up tonight.
The board allots forty five minutes for public comment to respect the time of all who are present. Speakers are to limit their remarks to three minutes or less. And a reminder to all speakers to uphold our procedures for public comment. We ask you to be thoughtful and constructive with your comments, and thank you in advance for sharing your feedback. Members of the public who wish to share their views with the board may do so in writing at any time. For this evening's public comment, we received two written comments. Our first speaker is Tanner Giannetti. Giannetti. Sorry. Need to be good. Go on. Got this refresh for you guys. I'm at two minutes and fifty six seconds.
So whenever I get the time clock. Well, good evening. My name is. I've been taking this call since the early nineteen hundreds. I'm a third generation native. My son attends kindergarten here in Carbondale, and I stand before you today to express my deep concern with the district's chosen health curriculum, specifically pertaining to the understanding our bodies lessons plan that's set forth in the kindergarten classroom. The son got this packet home from school last Friday, January 9. At a glance, I thought it was simply a lesson in anatomy and understanding the proper terms for both male and female body parts.
However, as I began reading notes on language, content, and lesson procedure, I was beside myself that this subject matter was being brought to my son's classroom, my kindergarten classroom. This lesson plan is not simply an investment to ensure children can communicate with adults, ensure their safety, and gain a better understanding of their bodies and understand differences amongst their peers. This lesson plan and the terminology used throughout it is specifically aimed at introducing a broader concept of jingle and making our youth more susceptible to woke ideology.
I'd like to read a few excerpts from this lesson plan. I have notes on the language section. Lessons in higher grades use more precise language if you go to introduce a broader concept of gender. The section goes on to state, there are some body parts that mostly just girls have and some that mostly just boys have. Being a girl doesn't have to mean that you have those parts. People, this is how their bodies are. But when you look at notes and content section, it states, you will notice that terms and concepts used in this lesson are simple, recognizing that we need to provide
more details might be controversial at this grade level. And then he goes on to recommend that the instructor use anatomical drawings to depict these private parts. This clearly acknowledges that the detailed diagrams and images of the noun and feet on cap are appropriate for kindergartners yet the line between the chambers is completely admissible in my findings appalling. We're talking about five and six year old children here. Any of these kids can identify a belief in this concept is just going to confuse their innocent minds.
This is unacceptable. This is controversial, but this is not good. The timing of this cannot add up. This is the first time this lesson has been taught. Parents were just made aware of this, and this is supposed to be presented to the kindergarten class on the undisclosed date in February. I, along with the table, strongly disagree with this lesson, please, and strongly encourage the board to resend this lesson and the real political stances in education system and the student first mission you all agreed to uphold.
Thank you. Thank you. The next business in order is the approval of the consent agenda, which includes routine personnel minutes and minutes from our previous board meeting as well as policies ICs ICA, exhibit EFE two, and repeal of current board policies EDB, EDC, and EI. EI. Directors, are there any items that you would like to pull out the consent agenda for a separate discussion and vote? Hearing none, do I have a motion to approve the consent agenda? I made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Do I have a second? Second.
Call to vote? Aye. Hector Higgins. Aye. Hector Mulberry. Aye. Hector Greenbaum. Aye. Alright. Thank you. The next business in order is discussion on the amended 2526 budget. Chief will briefly share a few slides on this topic before the board will engage in discussion after that is finished. So thanks for being here. Thank you. So, after I guess I guess I would start with saying, when I started as
the CFO here, one of the things that we put in as a best practice and looking at what we needed to do with all the budget changes for the prior year, that we would look at all of our budgets for and create a supplemental budget as of January for the board to look at at least a couple times and to be able to approve in the middle of the year. The reason why we do this is to make sure that any of our expenditures haven't changed and that there is an additional revenues or excuse me, expenditures needed, as well as looking at our revenue items to make sure that there, is not any
reduction in our revenues. So this is the reason for that. And so then, Jonathan, if you could put up that. Yeah. Thank you. Okay. So there are so the good thing about our, expenditure forecast is it has stabilized for the year. We looked at all of the expenditures for the district, and there's only a few things that we had to adjust that were additional budget holes for this year. And the good thing is is in looking at the things that we're looking at
for savings and our expenditures that, we were able to cover all of those with, the savings that we are gonna have. So the general fund expense overages are noted as zero, which is that bottom line there. The only thing that I'm asking as far as an additional expenditure request is for workers' compensation to add $83,005.75, and that's utilized, utilizing the, beginning fund balance for our insurance reserve fund, so that
it's not gonna require an additional, fund balance transfer for our general fund for this year. K? The biggest issue we have is for the stabilization of our revenue items. We have a couple of concerning items on our revenue. The first is looking at a potential loss for preschool for the CCAP funding. That will be more more information will be included in the, board report and was in the report from the prior week. And the result of that is, dollars 200,000 estimated additional transfer from the general fund.
That is an estimate we if okay. So if the federal government, were to, take away our funding as of January 31, that number would be most likely higher. However, right now there is an injunction, and so we don't believe that we're going to have a, a shortfall for the entire remainder of the year. We're hopeful that that injunction will stick, and that might actually, prove that we're going to be receiving funding through the remainder of the year, for that item.
So we're just unsure where that's gonna go, but we will have more information hopefully at the next January meeting on that. The next part is to look at the additional transfer estimate for charter schools. So what happens with charter schools is that, we estimate the number of students that they're going to, have in the October count, in the budget, and it looks like there's going to be 15 students higher than that number based upon the actual October count. And, also, we're also looking at a declining enrollment scenario for the other schools within
the district. So that means that they receive a higher percent of the, mill levy override funding. And so then there's also reduction or additional monies that needs to go to those charter schools as a result of those receiving a higher percentage of our mill levy mill levy override funding. So there's, negative one ninety eight seven seventeen there. The other thing, that I was looking through all of our revenue items, and we actually can budget a little bit higher on our interest earning, 277,000 to help offset
that. That was really the only large item that I saw that we need to adjust in our revenue to be able to reflect that, and try to offset some of these, these lower revenues. The the biggest one the biggest hit we have is the total program funding reduction due to student FTE reduction that we've been talking about over the last month or so. And that total 783,000, and that is reflective of the changes from our total program funding. It reflects a difference from a decline in the number of students and then also
our, at risk student count being a higher or higher percentage estimated than we actually did get. So we actually had a lower amount per student that we're receiving for our funding also. So there was kind of a double hit there, unfortunately. But I wanna state that this, if the food service department wouldn't have done such a good job at getting as, like, as many as of those, applications in as possible, then, it would have been lower than this.
I think the food service department did a tremendous job of getting those applications in. K? So when we're looking at the fund balance use calculation. K? So the insurance reserve, use is in there at $83,005.75. Then we have a general fund use of fund balance of 904,000 and then a scheduled use of reserves of 1,800,000.0. Now the the scheduled use of reserves of 1,866,000.000 is all the carryovers that we started the 01/2526 budget year with.
And so it looks like we're going to be using $2,000,008.55, but 1,800,000.0 of that is carryovers. Okay? Just to note that. So, really, the additional use of fund balance for this for the general fund is $904,000. K? Just to note that. So this is the importance of the, our fund balance our unreserved fund balance. The $17,000,005.80 in the green is that when we have a year where our revenue is showing
that it's not stabilized and it's reducing, that we don't have to cut our expenditures midyear. So this is really an important part of keeping that fund balance as high as possible. And so when we look at the entire use of fund balance budgeted and estimated fund balance of 14,700,000.0 after that use, We still have, 2,677,000.000 above our minimum fund balance, and that is a sufficient amount. And it's still a nice cushion there, but we're going to, be watching that very
carefully as we move into these next couple years. And until our enrollment still stabilizes, that's gonna be a really important number for us to watch. Okay. Any questions on this? Yeah. So directors will have two minutes to ask questions and then five minutes for general conversation. So let's begin with director after. Thank you. Looking at the wrong side. Oh, I have to find some words. That's okay. Thank you for being here and for the finance committee meeting where we started to go over this. I have some questions there, but I have a couple extra. If, so with the CCAP funding, if if that injunct sorry.
I don't have the lingual language, but, like, if that injunction holds and we're able to and the federal government has to pay us the 200 k that they owe us, Will that mean that the number that you're seeking here, the $9.00 4 goes down by 200 k? Or no. That's correct. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. That would but it'll just be a favorable budget variance at that point in time. Oh. You know, because then, we'll still maintain the budget at the same amount, but that means our actuals will come in higher than where we're budgeting.
So that'll just help us, to to, recover some of that fund balance that we're thinking at this point we have to use. Does that help? Okay. Yeah. And then on the charter schools, and I I asked this in finance committee, but I'm still just having a hard time getting my head around it. The additional transfer to charter schools Yeah. On the budget, it says declining enrollment plus 15 students. That is I understand the higher percentage for mill levy because they but can you just explain, like, really specifically what happened between when we approved this budget and now
Mhmm. That we're paying 200 k extra mostly to two rivers? Yeah. No. That's a really great question. Okay. So when, we estimated the budget, enrollment numbers for CCS and TRCS, we used the estimations that we have for the prior year actuals. And so they had some room, availability to increase those numbers slightly, which they did do. And we weren't planning them to do that. And when they have 15 students higher, we have to pay them that 12,600 and
change per student. So we have to pass through that entire amount. So 12,600 times 15, that number. And then what happens is is then we when we are calculating the the mill levy percentage for the, excuse me, the override, then what we have to do is we have to increase their numbers by 15, and we decline ours. And so the percentages tend to skew to the favor of the charter school Right.
Which helps them to receive more of that funding because the funding is stagnant. It's just the percentage the way that that is offset. So that would just be something we could since we just got out of the charter school work session, that would be something to contemplate in future contracts. We definitely need to get the enrollment numbers solid, in terms of projecting those. And so I think it's one of those areas that, yes, as we go through the contract, really looking at those caps, looking at what we're budgeting is gonna matter.
And I think it's just it's important to keep in mind those how those numbers shift and anything that we split up kind of on that proportionality is gonna have an impact when those things are shifting at different rates. Okay. And then one other question in the memo, let me pull it back up. It's the the first paragraph of the memo, Christy says an additional resolution will be required at the next board meeting due to the use of the beginning fund balance. Is that the the use of fund balance? There's another resolution that we have to do. We have to do an appropriation resolution, which is, included on the the document we
were just looking at. And then there's also a use of beginning fund balance resolution that we'd have to also pass. Okay. So tonight, are we are we approving the appropriation resolution tonight? No. That's all next time. Right. Till next time. What we did is we heard last year that the board really needed more time to review this information, and so we wanted to make sure to provide that time. K. Thank you. Mhmm. Director Ramirez? No questions. Thank you. Thank you. Director Nimmo? I need to understand increase in earnings on investments.
Explain that to me. I'm sorry. Say that again? Well, is increase in earnings on investments Uh-huh. Explain that to me? Yeah. For sure. The one thing that I didn't realize when I was doing the budgeting is that the the district receives the funding, and the interest earnings for the bonds and the the monies that it sets aside for the bonds into the general fund. And that was not accounted for, so then I was able to add that back in. Okay. And so that was just a nuance that I wasn't aware of. Okay. So that we we adjusted.
Okay. I was gonna say, let's just do more of that. Uh-huh. Yes. I wish that that was, yeah, what we could do. Oh, great. Thank you. You're quite welcome. And direct director Kuehlenberg? Thank you. I don't have any specific questions that need to be addressed this time. For our next discussion, I'd be interested to know more about the workers' compensation rates. It's a small amount, but in light of the overall increase of insurance costs, I'd like to know if we project that will continue to rise regardless of use, or
if this is kind of a one off thing based on use. So We can provide some more I can definitely provide you some more information on workers' compensation for the next meeting. The main thing that we're trying to do is our modification rate went super high Mhmm. Because we, so we needed to adjust it, adjust our deductibles and how we were managing our premium, so that we could reduce that moderate over time. So the the hope is is as we increase this premium and the the deductions, that this over time is going to result in lower cost to the district.
And so it's yeah. I would consider it an investment. Okay. Great. Thank you. Thanks for bringing this forward and giving us extra time. Of course. I don't have a lot of questions. I just wanted to highlight again, reduction in total program funding due to a decline in students compared to the budget of 37.4 FTEs. Correct? And that's a total of 470,000 plus. And that's that's a sobering number for a small school district. I really appreciate what we can do to be fiscally transparent and responsible to be
able to accommodate those changes. And then also just what you mentioned about the uncertainty surrounding federal funding right now. There is an injunction in place that says we do need to get paid. As you said, we have to wait to see how that holds up, and I think that along with flags from state that we are looking at another very difficult budget year really highlight the need to have that centralized local funding as much as possible. And so I appreciate the work we're doing to stay transparent and explore all the options on the table that we have, to keep our district, as fiscally whole as
possible and support teacher pay. So, again, no questions, but appreciate laying that out because it's hard to look at right now. And and Yeah. No. I think it's good. And and this is a good precursor for what we're gonna be seeing in 2627 and some of the conversations we're gonna need to have. We're still trying to pin down what the legislature is doing, just like along with the other 175 districts in the state of Colorado, to see how we handle all of the unknowns at the state level. But, we're hoping to get that information to you by the next board meeting.
And the other one thing I wanted to note on the supplemental budget is how how many fewer, requests that we had this year that just shows that we have shored up the budget. We have some good systems in place. We know our numbers are are accurate and good. I mean, this is a very small request in the budget and the revenue. Items that are noted here could not have been foreseen reasonably. Our enrollment numbers were were even declining further than we estimated and, this this item
with the preschool at the federal government level was was just kinda out of left field. So, just really does show the it the the processes that we're using are working. Directors, we will now have five minutes for open discussion if anyone else had more to add. Thanks. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Alright. The next business in order is discussion on policies e b a b, a e, I f k a, regulation j I c e dash r, and repeal of current
policy e b b d. Each board member will have two minutes to share comments or ask questions. Let's begin with director Ramirez. I don't have any comments or questions on most of the I just wanted to flag AE. I know that this was one of the policies we had initially sent back. I wanted to also just mention that, you know, in our DAC meeting yesterday, we had we did have the discussion about updating AE dash r in alignment with the, update for the DAC bylaws. And so I think my question to this team is, do we want to, table
this for when we have that discussion on the regulation that goes along with this so that there is alignment. Although, to be honest, I don't know that there wouldn't be alignment because this basically dictates that we're gonna have that. But I wanted to just bring that forward. And then, the only question, I think, is that highlighted section, on that third paragraph, the second sentence. It feels very long, and, I feel like it's missing the superintendent in that, the
board superintendent, and the district to kinda commit. So I just wanted to check-in with the team to see in regards to language where we landed with that. They still don't see necessarily the responsibility of the superintendent in this document. I think and policy committee, you can back me up here. Okay. And I wanted just to make sure to confirm, director Ramirez, that I'm in the right place. Sentence two, paragraph three. Paragraph three is yep. Okay. You know, I think when we when we took the comments from the first discussion back to policy committee, where we landed in in looking at other, versions of AE
was that, yes, this is really focused on the district accountability committee and school accountability committees. And I think we ultimately felt like the super these accountability committees are meant to really stay at an arm's distance from the superintendent and provide that accountability about the work that they're doing. And so didn't, in the end, include that there because of that sense that we have that this is really about these kind of, independent bodies that provide that recommendation that then helps the board evaluate the superintendent. But I don't know if Yeah.
Looking at We kind of reference the statutes that are included in here, and they're specifically about the district accountability committees and the act that established them. And we have other policies in place that surround what the superintendent is responsible for and how we hold them responsible. And so I think looking at other AEs, it was just it is focused on the DACs and and the statute that requires them, I think. Are you but maybe that didn't address your concern. No. I mean, I understand that they fall under the DAC unless I mean, the AEs fall under the DAC and the school accountability rules and state law.
I think my concern ultimately was in this part of the conversation we've continued to have over the years is that the board has turnover, and so there is some responsibility that falls on the superintendent to ensure that there is a relationship and also that sort of continuous work being done. Mhmm. Because there can be an election year, you have three new board members coming in. And so that, I think, was just I wanted to flag it as a possibility of us maybe making sure that we added some language in this policy in regards
to that of where does that responsibility lie. I agree, obviously, that the board ultimately has the responsibility to make sure that we have a DAC in this and that the SACs, but I also feel like there is that's like a shared responsibility because we're not gonna be asking our administrators, hey. Is your SAC happening? Mhmm. So I just wanna flag that. I think that's just important to name that I I get it that this is
a board duty, but I think just for the sake of us making sure that there is continuous work that we also clarify who holds them. That was it. Director Kulliver? Sure. So, in discussing this earlier kind of on in the same vein as director Ramirez' comments, we talked about, including in here some language around an annual calendar being produced every year ahead of each school year by the DAC, and perhaps that's where we can also link in a direct correlation to the superintendent.
Like, the superintendent will ensure that that's created, whether that's through direction to staff or whatever. It may be because that does require a fair amount of collaboration in terms of identifying space, dates, all those things that work within the deal also. So maybe that's a way to get both in, and ensure that regardless, there are meeting dates set and also keep that arm's length relationship in place that allows the date deck to be independent and hold that job of accountability.
And also your the superintendent's role being there is a time and place for this body to meet, and it is set up annually. And we ensure that there is an annual calendar published. So I I think that might be a way to to accomplish both what I was hoping, which was to memorialize that there be an annual calendar and a sequence for when the DAC is presenting to the board of education and also what you're hoping to try to accomplish, which is a direct link to the superintendent and ensuring that that that work is done and the space is held.
I don't know where. I haven't looked to the language. I don't know where exactly we wanna put that. But yeah. Other thoughts? For that one? Thought I used all my time. I'm trying to see if I have I think it would have to go under the third paragraph. You don't think so. Oh, I wanted to briefly I made some adjustments in IKFA, the early graduation requirements policy or early graduation policy in terms of structure. So I moved I proposed that we move what is being reviewed up to the
first point from the third point because it made more sense to me to say that if a student is petitioning for early graduation, this is what they should present, versus this is what the group will review. We seem to be missing a link there, so that's why I moved that. That's all I have in these policies. Director Nimmo? I don't have anything. Director Aftrick? I don't have any questions. Thank you. Director Ramirez, thanks for clarifying your request for the superintendent accountability. I think I had misunderstood that. And so I I hear clearly that it is important for that continuity, right, board turnover, new board members.
I'm trying to take a stab at language. It's probably in the wrong place. Otherwise, we can just put this back on the next policy committee and add this in to get that where it's supposed to be. And I'm trying to I don't know if my wordsmithing here is not the probably not the answer tonight, but, can we just make sure that ends up on the next committee? And I think that's probably a quick fix with the clarification. Yeah. And if there's any way for you guys to wordsmith that second sentence in the third paragraph, that would be helpful too.
Will you make a comment on the side so they don't Let's direct CASB language. What have I have? I have a CASB language. Oh, generally We have five minutes for open discussion, by the way. I just made a comment in IK. Whatever. Whatever. Which one is it? IKFA. Because I was hoping to get feedback from the board and if that makes sense to you all. Is there some language in three that will need to be stricken if we move these requirements up? So I think that we need let me know if we don't need it. I feel like we you need direction or we need direction from the board on how to adjust this policy. In committee, we talked about whether this would require an operational change.
Can you all remind me, doctor Park, where we ended up with that? It was about the forms. Each school has its own form. It was. Just in practice, what typically happens is the student who's interested will start to have the conversation probably around sophomore year. And so it's unlikely that all requirements will be met at that point. So it is it's a more like timing change, but having a conversation is not necessarily the formal submission of a request. And so I don't think it would be a, an undue operational lift. I am, I've gotten some feedback from our high school leaders, and I'm continuing to,
and they're talking about it with their counselors to to sort of check, and see if it would be. So far, the you know, I've seen agreement that being upfront and, actually, the the part about all graduation requirements being met before a request is ideal. So should we put this one back on the agenda for the next policy committee and then finalize how we wanna present it to the board next next go around? Because it's pretty messy right now. Anything else on any of those? Alright. The next business in order is new DAC member approval.
We have a presentation. Is that right? K. Yeah. So we'll go with the presentation first, and then I'll take a motion, then we'll have discussion. Hi. Let's see. What I wanted to do was just quickly share share my screen with you so you can see my presentation. Is that the right next step? That sounds good. Run should start. It should be good. Okay. Sorry. One moment. Are you all able to see that? Yep. Yep. Okay. So, thank you for having me. My name is Bridget Durkash. I'm the chair of the district accountability committee, for this school year.
We have three new candidates that we, wanted to present to the board, and talk through that just briefly. So this is our current membership composition, and the candidates that are highlighted in blue, are the ones that we'll be talking about today. So, you can see where we're still missing folks for the district accountability committee, and where we're continuing to make strides in that area. Dave Conklin would be joining us as a parent, with students in public schools.
He's got students at Crystal River Elementary School. James Nims, the head of school for Two Rivers Community School, would be joining us under business or industry. And the reason for that is because he's not, an employee of the district, so he doesn't fall under this administrator role here. And similar, Kim Harbor is a teacher at Two Rivers Community School, but because she's not a teacher, that's employed by the district, she falls under this sort of resident
of the district. We do have, some leads on candidates that we're looking for for this administrator and then parents of charter schools, and we're continuing to work on growing our membership. So the district accountability committee of we have six members who are currently voted in and, sorry. I need to give one other big update. Steven Foshin, who is currently, a DAC or was previously a DAC member under our business or industry member. He has resigned from that position, and so that there's one less member of the
DAC at this time. So we currently have six voting members. When we did this vote, Steven was still, officially on DAC. And so you'll see that on this slide here where it says six in favor and then one, abscession, and that would be Steven who was unable to participate, in those votes. So we did have an all in favor, and zero against for all three of our new candidates that we're considering. On the following pages, we just have information.
I know you all have this beforehand, so I won't, read this information. But as I said before, Kim Harber, is a teacher at Two Rivers Community School. We're working really hard to have representation from all three, city, town communities, and then also from the variety of different schools, that are within the Roaring Fork School District. So, Kim is a parent. Her kids have gone through the Roaring Fork School District, school system. She's been a teacher at various schools within the district, and she is currently a
teacher at Two Rivers Community School. So we're really excited that she's joining us on the district's accountability committee. Dave Conklin, has students, as I said before, at Crystal River Elementary School. He is a, his background is in psychiatry and so brings that mental health role to the committee, which we we do have quite a few mental health folks on on the committee at this time. But he is just has a very compassionate approach to leadership and is really, committed
to the school district. So we're also really excited for him to be, interested in in joining the DAC. And then finally, Jamie Nims. He's the head of school for Two Rivers Community School, and he's also the president of the Carbondale Education Fund. He has a lot of experience in nonprofit. And so although he is an administrator, we also see him as being a business leader within our community. So this is information about all three candidates, that is pulled directly from the application
that we have them fill out, when they're applying to be on the DAC. And that is all I have for the presentation tonight. Are there any other, questions that you have for me at this time? Bridget, thank you so much. We'll have discussion in just a minute. But before we do, do I have a motion to approve the DAC members that are listed? I move to approve the three new DAC members presented. Do I have a second? I second. We'll now have two minutes of discussion for each board member and then five minutes of open discussion. Let's begin with director Nimmel.
I'm just really grateful that these folks are willing to join, and I'm excited. I get to be the board member for the DAC, and so I'm really excited to be doing this with them and all the other people that are on the board and to help, find more. Director Guttenberg? Yeah. Thank you for all of your work this year on, rebuilding the deck. It seems to have been really successful so far. I know it can be hard and, feel like you're slogging forward, but I think you're doing a really great job at getting in some some key people who will be committed to doing this work.
And I'm looking forward to future presentations from you all and having your input in a timely timely way so that we can really incorporate the feedback from all of these people in our community. So thank you for leading on this effort, and for bringing three new members to us tonight. Thank you. Director Acker? Thanks, Bridget. I do have a question. Are the charter school members who are not representing the charter school conflicted out when it comes to the DAC considering charter school negotiations? Yes. And I so I'm new.
I haven't been through this, and so, I I would need some, advice here, but I believe that they would be asked to abstain from any any votes, although we would consider their feedback, in our discussions. And I would just add that, the DAC is required if we have charters to have charter school representatives. So it is part of the process. They have a really the the DAC has, as we discussed a little bit in the work session, has a really important role to play with new charter applications.
And so, I think that question of a conflict of interest is a good question. And and my sense is if there was a new charter application, I guess you could have community members that were out in the deck who are also planning to be part of a charter once it was approved. But I think that that would probably be mitigated because the charter wouldn't exist yet. Does that make sense? So So the DAX role on the renegotiated contract is limited? It's very limited on the renewal. Yes. They're they really have a significant role with new applications, a very minimal role with
the renewal. Interesting. Okay. I think something to keep an eye on, but thank you. That's I think because there's this workaround of them not being on your slide as the charter people. Right? Then, like, you've got Jamie in as an industry person, quote, unquote, which is fine. He is for sure. So, but since we're not naming him as a charter as the representative of charter schools on the deck, then it's something to keep an eye on. You know, it's interesting because I think that goes hand in hand with the conversation
that you are having previous policy, where right now there isn't a place for charter school teachers or administrators to fall within our bylaws. They don't fit under administrator or teacher, according to our current bylaws, and so that that those two conversations do go hand in hand. Yep. Okay. Yeah. And I don't I don't wanna make it hard for anyone to join. So, but I think just something, yeah, again, just something to be aware of as
you go through the any discussions about charters going forward. Absolutely. Thank you. I don't have any other questions. Doctor Ramirez? Thank you so much, Bridget, for all your work. I know it's been a heavy lift, and the board so appreciates your dedication of being able to, push the deck forward and to do so much work on the sec and and just growing your team. It's been such a tremendous work, and we so appreciate your time and commitment. And all of your DAC members' commitment to participating. And we just so look forward to continuing this good work and collaboration, and helping
the DAC, you know, continue to grow. Thank you. Thank you. Echo my colleague sentiments. Thanks for the time, Bridget, and thanks for being here. It looks like on our calendar going forward this year, we have presentation, surrounding the budget scheduled for you around April 8. Does that sound I think what I'm trying to bring forward is I'm hopeful that we have a better time to this year where your presentation and the feedback from the DAC, is ahead of decision making processes for us. And I think last year, we were a little out of step on that.
It was the night we were voting on the budget, and, I just want to make sure that we are, you know, carrying that for and that it's on your calendar and because we really look forward to hearing what you all have to say about the next few months of of budget work. Yes. We are really excited about that, and we did at the beginning of the year this year Sat down with the superintendent and were able to really align our calendar, with the board calendar, to make sure that we were more planful. Mhmm. And I think there's still some things that we need to tweak, especially with the
UIP for us really getting our heads around that so we can provide better feedback. But we are excited about that presentation on the budget. One of our members has been sitting in on those budget committee, meetings and has really has a great grasp on what's going on. And so we've been having some interesting conversation, throughout the year and hope to continue to, do so so or prepare for that presentation. We'll now have five minutes of open discussion if others had more thoughts to share. Are there any intervening motions to amend? We call the vote. Director Hafner?
Aye. Representative Frays? Aye. Director Kulliver? Aye. Representative Niemann. Hi. Director Niemann. Hi. Cool. Thank you so much. Thanks, everyone. Bye. Bye. The next business in order is a proposal for a new resolution requesting library cards for every RFSD student. Director Ramirez, will you now present your proposal and the thoughts you've had on this? Yeah. So, a couple well, a month back, the board started having conversations on, potential board goals. And, in reviewing just some of the history of my service on the board, I
flagged the, one of the, initial ideas I had in making sure that every RFSD student, in collaboration with our libraries, receive a library card. I think, libraries are incredibly important. I think access to books is incredibly important. It's, an avenue that really helped me as a young student, and that I truly see as a resource and as a outlet for young kids, and I think it's
really crucial to growth and development. And so, this is not a board goal, but I did wanna I had an, invested interest to bring this back forward, of making sure that, hopefully, beginning next school year, we would use our students' ID cards that they receive at the beginning of the year. And in conjunction with the local library, whether Basalt or Garfield County, library system, be able to provide all in all RFSD students a library card that would basically grow
with them. I've had initial conversations with the Garfield County Library System as most of you guys know, and they have expressed director Jamie LaRue expressed to me that they were able to accomplish something like this in, the front range. That was very feasible. And so I wanted to bring it forward because I do think that this is important. I think that this is something that in conversation, initial conversations, it sounded like the board was interested in supporting, and I think it's a really good investment of time,
and opportunity for students across the school district to be able to have access to a library card and obviously would like to work with, superintendent Cole and the leadership at the two library, districts in our district, to pursue that. Thanks. Let's go around with two minutes of comments or questions. I think it's the right order for this right now. Director Gullenberg? I'm supportive of this. I had a brief conversation with the director of the Basalt Library, who felt like it would be really easily replicated, and it's done in other districts around the state
according to her. So as long as it's not a huge staff lift, huge cost that we're not expecting and that we're throwing on the staff. I'm supportive of this. I think that I see very little downside, and it seems like once it's up and running, it will be pretty easy to, keep it going and maintain it. And the fact that there are already systems in place that are easily replicable according to at least the one library director. And I wasn't meeting with her about this. I was meeting with her about something else and just asked her about this as well. I'm supportive of us of us learning more and going down the route.
Director? Yeah. What are we voting on here? Are we voting on the what what are you gonna do after we take this vote today? I guess that's what I'm confused about. So I have no vote today. Yeah. I'm just bringing this forward for you guys to sort of a future agenda item. Okay. So so the resolution would be drafted and become a future agenda item. Okay. So then we're agreeing whether we want to see that on the agenda together. But then just does ours does the staff need to go do something after tonight? And what exactly do they need to go do?
And how much time does that take? So this just opens the door for us to start, like, for me to, for example, to start having further conversations on what this would take. It could also mean, like, me having a meeting with Jamie and Amy or, Amy Shipley from Mhmm. The salt library and Anna to see what does that mean for, like, staff time. So it's just to start having that conversation. Yeah. Okay. I guess I I just have a lot of questions about it. Like, what is the true impact? Like, how hard is it for kids to get library cards today? And so, therefore, what problem is this solving if it's solving a problem?
What the cost is? I mean, I assume that there's software implications because the library the student ID cards of today will be read by a different software at the library. So I those are the questions I would have about it. Yeah. Alright. I don't have answers to that today, but So you're able to so you're able to go do some research in conversation with others with sorry, with the library leadership and our leadership, but we're not sending our staff down a a specific work path
with this discussion. No. Because there isn't a resolution that's already made saying what we're doing. Okay. I think what I'm having a hard time getting my head around is that for the resolution to be detailed, it will require some work upfront. So but you're just you're saying you're doing that work? Explain detailed. Well, if we get a resolution that's not very that doesn't have answers to some of these questions, like what the cost is and what the time investment is and what the impact is, then we're gonna ask ask all those questions and want that in the resolution. So I'm just wondering who does that and in what order.
Yeah. So I think I don't know that we would include that in the resolution necessarily because it would be more of a, like, we have the conversation. Yes. It seems feasible, and then we would bring it forth as a resolution of, like, yes. We would like the team to pursue this. Okay. So I don't know So then say, like, we're a lot you know, the I mean, we could potentially, but I don't that's not what I'm foreseeing of us saying, like, we're putting 50,000 to library cards. Like, I don't think that's what we're So then if if at what point would
you say, oh, this actually is expensive or very time consuming, and so we're gonna pull it. Would that be after the resolution or before the resolution? That would be I think what I'm hope hoping for is to have these initial conversations to be able to come back to this team with the resolution knowing some of those answers so that we know that if that resolution were to pass, then what does that mean for the team? Like, does that mean that this is gonna be a $50,000 project, or does this
mean it's just gonna be printout stickers and it's gonna be staff time putting those stickers on the IDs when they go out? Mhmm. Director Nimmo, questions? No. Just also as long as we're talking to the people in charge at the library and talking to Anna and her staff, and if they all have a vision for it and can help us make that happen, and it's the work is worth the gain. I mean, if that's all seems reasonable to them, then, yeah, I'm very supportive.
Yeah. I think my questions are a bit around capacity and next step clarity. And, doctor Cole, I was wondering if you had had time to kind of think this through from your angle, especially with sort of the library relationships? And is this something schools have been looking for, asking for? I know, kind of along those lines. Yeah. Yeah. Good question. You know, I think that, I'll be honest, like, the the curiosity about that some of you expressed about what's actually happening, what are we trying to solve here, is
definitely something that we share as I would say, like, leadership team is a I think we have a shared interest in ensuring kids have access to the libraries. I think that so I think there's shared interest in terms of access. I have similar questions about what are we talking about in terms of an administrative burden reluctant to ask front offices to con you know, to do enrollment type work. I have wonderings, about where parent approval fits into this process and knowing, feeling maybe
qualitatively. I'm not sure. It seems like something that maybe parents would wanna be involved in as to whether their kids are how and when they're accessing the library. And I would wanna just learn more about our parents' interest in that. And I also would just wanna know more about current state. I think that our libraries have been incredible partners for schools where geography enables that, and less so in schools that, have a harder time accessing those spaces. So lots of questions, certainly willingness to on my behalf to be part of learning
more, because we share that interest in and hope helping kids have access. But I share those concerns about administrative burn burden, the problem we're trying to solve. And I do would wanna lift up the parent where parents fit in in what we're doing and and how we're engaging with them about this. Yeah. Parent approval is something that kinda came up in my mind too. I again, it's like, I don't I think this is a great idea. Next. Yeah. Go ahead. Yeah. And I do wanna mention parent approval because we did talk about that initially. So what, executive director Jamie Larube mentioned was that it could be as simple as
sending the sign up form home with the student and then having them return it to the school, and then, their staff would pick it up from the library. So I I do think that, you know, your questions, I under I, granted, I understand them regarding to staff time and parent, approval and everything. I I feel like we're making like, I would really like to express that I think that this is very like, we're starting the conversation. I I would doubt that it would be a lot harder for us to accomplish than, like, if this has already been done somewhere else, I really don't know.
Yeah. Well, I was just that was one thing I was gonna say is if next steps could involve, like, bringing that model over, like, who's done it, how they do it? Eagle School District and Summit School District both do it. It's called the one card program. They partner with the library districts. It's part of the registration online form when students register, and then they automatically have a library card associated with their student ID number. I think, again, like, when I talk to the library director, it's very simple, easily replicable, takes upfront. You just gotta set it up, and then it's done. But like districts, like ours, like Eagle and Summit do this and have done it
consistently. So I'm just there are other programs. But I think, yeah, it starts with conversations, bringing back resolution, having a better understanding of what that initial investment is, and then staff can tell us if that is doable or feasible within their their plans throughout the year, and we can we can have a more educated discussion and make a decision on direction. Yeah. Because I kinda feel like we're putting that, like, cart before the horse here. So, like, we need to I don't know. It seems like we need more information or to decide if we want to gather
more information before continuing the discussion. Yeah. So then, Jasmine, what steps, do you feel like need to happen between now and a resolution coming forward to the board? So I'm presenting it on the to tonight, and then I will you know, now I I would like to start having follow-up conversations. I have a meeting scheduled with, the director of the library for next Tuesday. And then, you know, I would love to invite Anna to a conversation with both
of the directors. I think that would be helpful just to have all of us in the same room since we're all serving, the same kids and go from there. I have one more thing to say, which is that I hear you on the other school district doing it. I also think it's a very interesting and dynamic time with Garfield County Public Libraries, which is not something to be afraid of, but just to be aware of in terms of parental approvals. And there might be a reason for us not to get in the crosshair of that. Fun fact too, I just saw Jamie LaRue is retiring. Oh, okay. Paper today, which is heartbreaking. Well, I've never been one to not wanna get in the crosshair.
So Yeah. We can talk about that later. Okay. So then I guess I guess that brings us to yeah. I think as far as this being carried forward by the board, I think there's support for that. I think it's just clarity around what we're asking for from staff and operationally before we put anything on them. It's not action to take. That was just the discussion. So does anyone else have other thoughts? Nope. Nope. Doctor Cole. Okay. Great. Thanks. The next business in order is discussion on proposed policy DIE update. Actually, quick check, doctor Cole.
Is this the time to transition? We got one more thing here, and then we can break before appreciations. Okay. I'm sorry. So next business in order is discussion on a proposed policy, DIE update, annual audit, add language regarding response letter. Director Ramirez will now present her proposal. I just added it during our last check-in. It's just to add language around the, annual audit, having the treasurer there. We'll both we'll be happy to provide that language when it's ready. Two minutes of discussion, director after? I'm sorry.
How many of you are aware? The remember we went through the annual audit Mhmm. And we talked about how we would add that there's a check-in with the auditor that the board has, and then Got it. I don't have language around that. I don't have any questions. And also the language around the response letter from the district. Response letter. Yeah. Yes. That there will be a response letter even. Mhmm. Yep. Director Kullenberg? I don't have anything. Director Numa? Yeah. No thoughts there. It sounds like the right thing to codify. Appreciate that. Thanks for taking that on. Yeah. I think I would entertain a motion to amend the agenda to allow us to
move into executive I make a motion to amend the agenda and remove item 11, board updates and appreciations. Is there a second? I second. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Thanks. Aye. Okay. So then I would also oh, gosh. Do we need to have a motion to put the executive session in now or just go into that? Great to know. Then the next business in order is an executive session for a student expulsion appeal hearing per CRS section 24 dash six four zero two four h discussion of individual
students where public disclosure would adversely affect the person or persons involved inviting doctor Anna Cole, doctor Stacy Park, board attorney Brent Case, the appellant, the mother of the appellant, and their family representative, as well as Rodrigo Andrade, who will join as interpreter. Do I have a motion to move into executive session? I move that the Board of Education move into executive session for a student expulsion appeal hearing per CRS section 24 dash six dash four zero two four h, discussion
of an individual student discussion of individual students where public disclosure would adversely affect the person or persons involved. Do I have a second? I second. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. The board will now move into executive session. The time is 07:24PM. It's action in the next session. It is 10:31PM, and the board has returned from second to session. Present are directors, Kimmo, director Kuehlenberg, director DeBrady, director Apto, and director Ramirez.
The next business in order is action on the expulsion appeal hearing, and I will now entertain motions. I make a motion to give the student or guardian the opportunity to request a rehearing of the original expulsion. Continue going. Decision before a new hearing officer. If the student or family would like this option, they are to request a new hearing to the superintendent within five business days.
The hearing will be set within ten business days after the request. The procedures for appeal will remain the same. If the student exercises this option, they will remain suspended for the duration of the rehearing and appeal. If the student or guardian fail to request a new hearing within the time allotted, the expulsion will be upheld. Do I have a second? Second. We now have time for discussion. Doctor. Afton? The majority made this decision because of concerns that the student was not present for the full expulsion hearing.
Doctor? Aye. Director DeFriedis? Director Kornberg? No. Director Numu? Aye. Director Ramirez? Aye. Motion passes. If there is no further business and there is no objection, this meeting will be adjourned. It is 07:43PM.