Great Things Going On
The Fyock Community Library staff has once again been conducting a summer reading program for children. This year students are reading books about heroes! Center Schools classroom instructional paraprofessional and library substitute employee Soyla Guadiana has been coordinating and teaching this program, while receiving excellent assistance from public librarian Perfecta Guadiana and Center Schools volunteer extraordinaire James Ford.
On Friday afternoon our Center Schools Americorps program conducted a wonderful Bike SafetyRodeo in the north school parking lot. At this event children were tutored in safe riding tips, had the opportunity to show off their riding skills, were issued free safety gear, and had the chance to win several bikes in a drawing. By Friday afternoon I had already seen many participants riding their new bikes and wearing brand new helmets while happily pedaling around town.
A Center Consolidated School District logo was mounted on the old Masonic Lodge building this past weekend, signifying the district’s financial and personnel support of the soon to be launched program. A new roof has already been installed on the building that was donated to us, as well as brand new windows. Work has also begun on new flooring for the facility, with a major part of the project set for completion a little after the school year begins in August. This flooring installation will be a major cement pour in the main hall to provide a durable and maintenance free surface for future club activities.
On Friday afternoon our Center Schools Americorps program conducted a wonderful Bike SafetyRodeo in the north school parking lot. At this event children were tutored in safe riding tips, had the opportunity to show off their riding skills, were issued free safety gear, and had the chance to win several bikes in a drawing. By Friday afternoon I had already seen many participants riding their new bikes and wearing brand new helmets while happily pedaling around town.
A Center Consolidated School District logo was mounted on the old Masonic Lodge building this past weekend, signifying the district’s financial and personnel support of the soon to be launched program. A new roof has already been installed on the building that was donated to us, as well as brand new windows. Work has also begun on new flooring for the facility, with a major part of the project set for completion a little after the school year begins in August. This flooring installation will be a major cement pour in the main hall to provide a durable and maintenance free surface for future club activities.
Big Things We Are Working On
During the past week we completed and submitted the school district’s annual Consolidated Federal Programs Grant Application. This year the Center School District will receive roughly half a million dollars in federal support with most dollars being channeled toward schoolwide instructional improvement plans for Haskin Elementary School and Skoglund Middle School. The Center Schools Board of Education is scheduled to review the grant this Tuesday at a special meeting.
Also last week incoming superintendent of schools Chris Vance and current director of finance Betty Casanova worked with me on the development of a final 2015-16 fiscal year budget for the school district. This budget proposal includes several new teaching positions, including two targeted at grade 3 in order to lower the teacher to student ration, and a new grade K-5 counseling position. It also includes salary allocations for contracted counselor Katrina Ruggles to continue development of adult education, parent involvement, and student enrichment programs. Finally, through the budgeting process the board will also consider to what extent it will invest in renewal of instructional technology and if it will purchase an additional small bus for the transportation department.
At our special meeting this Tuesday the board will also act on recommendations for overall staffing levels and the rehiring of classified staff employees and department leaders.
While in the midst of doing all of this work I was simply amazed with the quality of effort director of finance and human resources director Betty Casanova put forth also getting our June payroll out on time, considering how large a job this particular one can be with many end of fiscal year payments and extra duty salaries needing to be paid out.
Also last week incoming superintendent of schools Chris Vance and current director of finance Betty Casanova worked with me on the development of a final 2015-16 fiscal year budget for the school district. This budget proposal includes several new teaching positions, including two targeted at grade 3 in order to lower the teacher to student ration, and a new grade K-5 counseling position. It also includes salary allocations for contracted counselor Katrina Ruggles to continue development of adult education, parent involvement, and student enrichment programs. Finally, through the budgeting process the board will also consider to what extent it will invest in renewal of instructional technology and if it will purchase an additional small bus for the transportation department.
At our special meeting this Tuesday the board will also act on recommendations for overall staffing levels and the rehiring of classified staff employees and department leaders.
While in the midst of doing all of this work I was simply amazed with the quality of effort director of finance and human resources director Betty Casanova put forth also getting our June payroll out on time, considering how large a job this particular one can be with many end of fiscal year payments and extra duty salaries needing to be paid out.
The Past Week
Last week incoming superintendent Chris Vance and I met with Center Schools director of technology Julio Paez to map out possible instructional technology purchases for the 2015-16 budget year. Once again all Center Schools students in grades K-8 will have access to a school district supplied iPad, while this coming year we’ll institute the use of Microsoft Surface tablets for 9th graders, while possibly phasing out the use of PC style laptops and iPads for 10th through 12th graders.
I also spent a large part of the past week finalizing evaluation feedback documents and meeting with classified department heads to offer advice for future improvement. It has been an absolute pleasure working with director of food service Dianna Valenzuela, director of facilities Richard Brandt, director of transportation Mike Phillips, director of technology Julio Paez, and director of finance Betty Casanova for the better part of the last 19 years. Each of them bring their unique talents and leadership qualities to the Center School District and I have no doubt their departments will still be in good hands long after I move on to greener pastures.
I also spent a large part of the past week finalizing evaluation feedback documents and meeting with classified department heads to offer advice for future improvement. It has been an absolute pleasure working with director of food service Dianna Valenzuela, director of facilities Richard Brandt, director of transportation Mike Phillips, director of technology Julio Paez, and director of finance Betty Casanova for the better part of the last 19 years. Each of them bring their unique talents and leadership qualities to the Center School District and I have no doubt their departments will still be in good hands long after I move on to greener pastures.
The Week Ahead
I only have two more days of work to conduct for the Center School District; Monday June 29th and Tuesday June 30th. On Monday I will finalize my last two department head evaluations, meet with some high school teachers to make a final decision regarding the possible use of Microsoft Surface tablets by grade 9-12 students, and prepare historic documents for electronic transfer to incoming superintendent Chris Vance. I have also been working on paperwork with Center School Board president Michael Lobato as he has considered throwing his hat into the ring to compete for the open 3rd Congressional District seat on the Colorado State Board of Education.
On Tuesday I will prepare for and attend my final Center Schools Board of Education meeting. At this special meeting we will renew classified staff work agreements, adopt a 2015-16 budget, approve our annual federal programs grant application, and fill some key instructional positions in the school district. After the meeting I will hop into my car and drive to my new home with my wife Becky and daughter Priscilla, get a good night’s sleep, and ride my bicycle about a mile down Main Street to begin my new life as superintendent of schools in another CCSD, the Cañon City School District.
I plan to publish one more issue of Keeping Our Focus over the July 4th weekend. In that blog entry I will reflect one last time on my 19 year education career in Center, Colorado.
Thanks for listening once again!
George
On Tuesday I will prepare for and attend my final Center Schools Board of Education meeting. At this special meeting we will renew classified staff work agreements, adopt a 2015-16 budget, approve our annual federal programs grant application, and fill some key instructional positions in the school district. After the meeting I will hop into my car and drive to my new home with my wife Becky and daughter Priscilla, get a good night’s sleep, and ride my bicycle about a mile down Main Street to begin my new life as superintendent of schools in another CCSD, the Cañon City School District.
I plan to publish one more issue of Keeping Our Focus over the July 4th weekend. In that blog entry I will reflect one last time on my 19 year education career in Center, Colorado.
Thanks for listening once again!
George