Caliche sending 26 to FBLA state conference
Twenty-six of Caliche High School’s 30 Future Business Leaders of America members are headed to the FBLA State Leadership Conference April 1-3, at Gaylord of the Rockies, in Aurora. The trip request was approved by the RE-1 Valley School Board at a regular meeting on Monday held at Caliche.
Before approving the trip request, including the use of district Career and Technical Education (CTE) funds to cover the cost of registration and hotel for the four adult chaperones, the board was introduced to the students who will be attending the conference and also heard a presentation by Kendyll Armstrong, Ava Hernandez and Karsyn Huss, who will be competing in the website design contest.
For their project, the three were partnered with a fictional non-profit and were asked to create a website for the non-profit’s upcoming gala. The students created their own non-profit, Firmroots, which offers developmental activities including planting and gardening. After deciding on a non-profit, they created a website with information about what the organization does, details regarding the upcoming gala including a registration page and information about how to donate to the non-profit.
Following their presentation, Caliche Principal Joe Vergilio and school board president Steve Shinn recognized Jeanett Lambrecht for her 20 years as FBLA advisor/business teacher at Caliche.
“Thank you I really appreciate it. Every year I get nervous for these kids and every year at districts they surprise me but at the
same time, they don’t surprise me because I know what they are capable of. I’ve been very blessed at Caliche with the FBLA program, the kids that have been here,” she said. “I’m very proud of them.”
Later, Dennis Klein, district technology director, gave an update on ongoing efforts with ENA to solve the district’s internet issues and upgrade bandwidth. He shared that he had a very good conversation with ENA last Friday and they were honest and told him they are unable to deliver the upgrade from one to two gigs, which was supposed to be the compromise for now after the company was unable to deliver on an upgrade to 10 gigs.
ENA did understand why RE-1 will need to look at another temporary internet provider that will give the district one additional gig from now until June 30. Klein said they are within about a day of sealing the deal with a vendor who can provide a fiveday turnaround. After June 30, E-rate bids will be accepted and the district will determine who to enter into a contract with. Klein noted that the district is still under contract with ENA for one more year but the second company that would come on board in July could help get the district to 10 gigs next year.
During board reports, Travis Ayers shared that he has been selected to serve as a representative for regions four and one on CHSAA’S (Colorado High School Activities Association) Legislative Council. Also, Shinn mentioned some new legislation proposed by Colorado legislators, HB24-310, regarding establishing qualifications for school security officers and regulating firearm storage on school grounds, and SB24-131, concerning prohibiting carrying a firearm in sensitive spaces, that could have an impact on the FASTER firearm program that Caliche just implemented. The exact impact on the program, which provides training for staff to carry firearms on campus, is unknown right now.
Superintendent Dr. Martin Foster said he’s had a conversation with FASTER officials and noted that some school boards have taken action with a general resolution opposing anything that would take away the FASTER program from schools. If the bills get out of committee and gain strong support, he would encourage the RE-1 board to consider adopting a resolution and if possible for board members or district staff to give testimony.
“I saw and still believe there is overwhelming support in this school and in this school community for the FASTER program,” he said, adding there is total support from law enforcement.
During his superintendent’s report, Dr. Foster gave an update on the search for a new Campbell Elementary principal. So far, the district has received two applications but he is hopeful more will come in before the March 18 deadline.
Additionally, he reported the enrollment is holding steady at 1,920 as of March 1, up from 1,887 in October. He also shared the administration team was scheduled to meet with Neenan Archistruction officials on Tuesday to kick off the facilities master plan. Neenan officials will be at the April 1 meeting to discuss their work.
Dr. Foster also gave a brief update on staff negotiations. Employee meetings were held on Feb. 26 and the employee groups will be presenting their requests to the board during a 5 p.m. work session on April 1, which will be followed by a 7 p.m. business meeting.
Later, the board approved policies JFABE, students in foster care; JFABE-R, students in foster care — regulation; KDBA, parent notification of employee criminal charges; and KDBA-E, parent notification of employee criminal charges — exhibit, as well as policy JFR, admission and denial of admission, which will replace JFABE-R.
Additionally, the board had its first reading of policies AC, nondiscrimination equal opportunity; BEC, executive sessions; JFAB, continuing enrollment of students who become nonresidents; JFABA, nonresident tuition charges; JFBA, intra-district choice open enrollment; and JFBB, interdistrict choice open enrollment. Plus, they were made aware that the district would like to repeal policy BEDA-E, notice of virtual school board meetings. The policy revisions are based on recommendations from the Colorado Association of School Boards.
Under the consent agenda, the board approved staffing changes including new hire Mike Forster, Caliche High School vocational ag teacher; rehire Lori Atkin, Sterling Middle School Smartlab facilitator; transfers Sara Bell, from Caliche kindergarten teacher to Smartlab facilitator, Lori Smith, from SMS to Sterling High School Smartlab facilitator, Ashley Reimers, from Campbell Elementary teacher to Smartlab facilitator and Ashley Steward, from Ayres Elementary teacher assistant to Smartlab facilitator; new hire Gracie Capps, district wide substitute, Joel Chavez, SHS evening custodian, Michael Mermea Jr., SHS custodian, Susan Peterson, district wide substitute, and Jordan Suter, SHS baseball assistant coach; rehires Kimberly Lewis-bruce, district wide food service substitute and Brandi Newcomb, district wide food service substitute; extra duty assignments for Donald Dickey, SHS girls assistant soccer coach, Jamie Pimple, Caliche Junior High head junior track coach, Zachary Ralston, CJHS assistant junior track coach and Sharon Schumacher, CHS assistant track coach; SMS boys and girls track coaches Daniel Muro, Lauren Payne, Cheryl Rael, Anthony Serrato and Terrie Serrato; and the termination of Destiny Carter, Ayres affective needs program teacher.