<\/p>\n
The Dolores School Board and its constituents discussed the 2018-2019 school calendar at the district board meeting Thursday night.<\/p>\n
The issue of the calendar was tabled at January\u2019s meeting. According to Superintendent Scott Cooper, during that time two of the plausible calendars were fine-tuned.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 150-day calendar got 58 percent of the vote, and the calendar that looks a lot like what we are doing now got 42 percent of the vote from certified teachers,\u201d Cooper said.<\/p>\n
He also pointed out that certified teacher surveys showed younger teachers who are trying to start families were in favor of a four-day school week.<\/p>\n
Cooper also said that this was a strategy of the district to attract and retain teachers. \u201cThis 150-day calendar will attract and retain more teachers,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
In addition, 100 out of 178 districts in Colorado have moved to a four-day school week, according to Cooper.<\/p>\n
However, community members and staff who attended the meeting voiced concerns for students who depend on school for food and young children fighting fatigue during a longer day.<\/p>\n
Board treasurer Casey McClellan voiced concern that the board\u2019s function is to represent the community, and he felt a vote on the calendar on Thursday night would not reflective that mission.<\/p>\n
Multiple surveys, with different calendar options, have been made available to Dolores residents, teachers, students and staff.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first round of surveys were for everybody to participate, and when it gets down to a tough decision, I have to lean on my professionals in this business to do what is best for the kids.\u201d said Cooper.<\/p>\n
The board voted unanimously to table the calendar until its next meeting, citing community input.<\/p>\n
\u201cI do feel like the community weighed in initially, but they do not feel like they have had any opportunity to weigh into this. I do not see a negative side to having community and other staff weigh in,\u201d board president Dee Prock said. \u201cA decision needs to be made. It is a difficult decision with a lot of parameters.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Prock, the new survey will be available sometime in mid-February.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs far as my understanding, we are planning to give a summary of the pointed-out pros and cons to the four-day week calendar and offer some education about the rationale behind it and put it out to the community,\u201d Prock said in a phone interview with The Journal.<\/p>\n
The board will reconvene on the issue at its March 8 meeting.<\/p>\n
The board also continued discussions on whether to remodel the bus garage or build a new facility.<\/p>\n
The current facility, located just west of Dolores, is outdated and does not meet state standards for conducting bus inspections, Cooper said at December\u2019s board meeting.<\/p>\n
After discussion about need versus want and whether or not the building should be built to tailor to short-term versus long-term needs, the board passed a motion to \u201crequest bids from an architect with the criteria stated, either stand-alone, or add-on with a $300,000, with three bays, 60 by 60.\u201d<\/p>\n
The board also discussed the school-based health clinic. According to Cooper, the architects are almost finished, and the district hopes to break ground by spring break.<\/p>\n
In other action, the board unanimously approved the hiring of fifth-grade teacher Kevin Vaughn and the resignation of Middle School volleyball coach Dave Hopcia.<\/p>\n
Board members also approved a weeklong trip to California for six eighth-grade science students, beginning March 23.<\/p>\n
\u201cI set it up with World Strides Organization to take a science-based trip to California where we will see Yosemite, the Redwood Forest, Monterey Bay,,\u201d eighth-grade science teacher John McHenry told the board.<\/p>\n
The board also unanimously moved to table an executive session for superintendent evaluations until a 5 p.m. session on Feb. 22.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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