• Exclusive Chartering Authority
• Personnel Recommendations

The Board of Education approved the February 25, 2009, personnel recommendations.

Sallie Clark, county commissioner, topic: School Utilization Plan. Ms. Clark commented that a number of the schools in the utilization plan are in her commissioner district. She spoke regarding proposals, increased public process and providing more options to the board other than just closing schools. Ms. Clark commented that she thought the proposal to move elementary students into the West Middle School building had not been thought out as much as it should have. She said, "As an El Paso County Commissioner and as a resident of School District 11, of which I have worked for mill levy overrides and school issues in the past and appreciate the work that you all do, that we have a new superintendent coming and I would hope that you would think about not leaving him with a difficult job ahead of having a black mark on his record before he even comes to town. I think that it's important that we provide a good education for our kids; that we provide good schools and that we also provide a good public process, where parents and kids are taken into consideration as an integral part not looking from the outside in." She hoped the board would listen to some of the speakers coming after her, primarily the Council of Neighbors and Organizations (CONO) and recommendations made tonight.

Jerry Heimlicher, city councilmember, topic: School Utilization. Mr. Heimlicher referred to a letter from the mayor delivered to board members yesterday regarding the West Intergenerational Center. He spoke regarding the city's concern with details of that contract. He also stated that seven of the nine schools targeted for closure were in his district; he asked the board to consider giving more time for parent input and research into other alternatives other than West.

Dr. Kimbra Smith, assistant professor of Anthropology at UCCS, topic: Utilization Plan. Dr. Smith said she had spoken with some board members, and as they requested she was here tonight with a proposal that would benefit everyone. the first part of the proposal involved chartering a group of citizens and board members to come up with a strong and transparent business plan, one that addresses community concern , as well as district needs. The second part of the plan involves improving student success throughout the district, especially in less advantaged communities. Her research data shows that small schools are best; she could provide the board with this data before the March 11 meeting. She spoke further on "placed-based education." Dr. Smith said she and her UCCS colleague, Mike Larkin, promise to the district and to the board, a long-term commitment to this project, "We want our schools to succeed." She said they would seek and secure external funding and if the district needed to apply for grants, they would prepare those grants proposals, and set up a solid infrastructure for this project that would cost the district nothing beyond the normal investment in each school. Dr. Smith requested permission to work with interested schools in ways that would ensure their academic and financial success and adequate time to implement the programs. "Give us a year and assess us; then give us three more years and five pilot schools and assess us again; let us bring students back to District 11...my colleague, students and I are not politicians, and we're not consultants charging fees; we're simply educators who believe in dedicating time and energy to our schools. We want Colorado Springs to be a strong, vibrant community, not the desolate inner city wasteland you fear. Keep our neighborhood schools, keep your tens of millions of dollars in construction costs and let us assist you in helping every school succeed."

Patrick Carter, topic: School Utilization (Irving). Mr. Carter commented on the process and spoke in favor or saving Irving Middle School. Mr. Carter made reference to the new superintendent coming in and that it seemed logical that the new superintendent would have some input as to the direction the district is going. He also commented on the plan and that when it first came out, it was a ten-year plan. He said the faces of Irving Middle School were here tonight, and students in the audience stood for recognition.

Dr. Thurman spoke briefly about Read Across America and turned the podium over to Mr. Kevin Marshall, president of Colorado Springs Education Association (CSEA). Mr. Marshall advised that CSEA and district teachers founded two libraries that benefit children and families in our district, one at New Hope, which provides temporary housing for those in need and the other at the Tesla child care center. He read a poem by Denise Coughlin, a teacher at Keller Elementary School, inspired by Dr. Seuss. Mr. Marshall thanked the board for supporting the National Education Association's Read Across America program.

Director Strand read the resolution endorsing Read Across America.
 
Director Strand moved that the Board of Education approves the resolution endorsing "Read Across America, " as submitted by the administration. Director Null seconded the motion, which passed, 7/0.

Executive Director Jackie Provenzano advised board members that administration recommends Option B and she explained why.

Director Strand moved that the Board of Education approves Option B, sixth grade with Space Foundation and seventh and eighth grade traditional curriculum. Director Null seconded the motion. Discussion followed. Director Strand asked Ms. Provenzano if the district would be doing it this way because they had to or because it would be successful implementing one grade at a time.

Ms. Provenzano commented that administration would prefer to open only to sixth grade only and to build the program; that is the favorite option. However, it isn't to say that they haven't opened three grades at once in a school. It can be done, the district has the talent and resources to get it done. Administration is not convinced that it would be in the best interests of the district or children to open sixth grade only at Emerson at this time and put other kids in other schools that may have to change later. She said in the best interest of kids, this is the best option.

The motion that the Board of Education approves Option B, opening to sixth grade students with the Space Foundation and seventh and eighth grades with traditional curriculum passed, 6/0. Director Bobbitt was absent.