Great Things Going On
This past week Center Schools students in grades 6-10 took the math and language arts PARCC test and the reports I received from staff members and students have me feeling like, overall, the administration of the test went smooth and students tried their hardest on the test. Center Schools director of instruction Lori Cooper did a fantastic job of preparing staff members for the administration of the test, our teachers were wonderful in the way they guided students through the process, and our technology staff members including Julio Paez, Teddy Garcia, Ascencion Najera, Martin Ramos, and Jose Garcia received rave reviews in the way they attended to everyone’s needs. Thanks everybody for all your hard work on this!
I also want to thank Center High School principal and athletic director Kevin Jones for once again organizing a wonderful spring high school track meet. The weather was great and Mr. Jones, supported by track coach Dennis Schoenfelder, his assistants, and many of our regular staff members put on an outstanding meet. Mr. Jones is an expert at organizing such contests and I think that hosting such an event allows folks from all over our region to come and see just how beautiful the town of Center is.
I also want to thank Center High School principal and athletic director Kevin Jones for once again organizing a wonderful spring high school track meet. The weather was great and Mr. Jones, supported by track coach Dennis Schoenfelder, his assistants, and many of our regular staff members put on an outstanding meet. Mr. Jones is an expert at organizing such contests and I think that hosting such an event allows folks from all over our region to come and see just how beautiful the town of Center is.
I would like to take a moment to congratulate Haskin Elementary School special education teacher LJ Garcia upon being named the new assistant director of exceptional student services for the San Luis Valley BOCES. San Luis Valley BOCES executive director Nita McAuliffe says of LJ, “We are so very excited to have him come join the BOCES. LJ will come to us with lots of great special education experience from the Center School District. I am excited to begin our collaborative work together. His experience and leadership will be an asset for us all." Congratulations on this new position LJ. I know your skills will greatly benefit the kids of the wider San Luis Valley region.
On a final note this week I want to congratulate my good friends Ed and Kathy Kulp (our K-2 principal at Haskin Elementary School) on the birth of their grandchild Ameila Renee Alonzo. This beautiful baby girl was born on Sunday March 20, 2015 to their daughter (and Center High School graduate) Sarah and her husband Estevan. She will be a wonderful addition to their beautiful family.
On a final note this week I want to congratulate my good friends Ed and Kathy Kulp (our K-2 principal at Haskin Elementary School) on the birth of their grandchild Ameila Renee Alonzo. This beautiful baby girl was born on Sunday March 20, 2015 to their daughter (and Center High School graduate) Sarah and her husband Estevan. She will be a wonderful addition to their beautiful family.
Big Things We Are Working On
The Center Schools board of education recall election wrapped up last Tuesday evening. The unofficial results that were reported to us that evening by Carla Gomez were as follows:
James Sanchez: Yes to recall = 462 votes
No to recall = 188 votes
Because of this result James Sanchez was removed from the school board and replaced by Misty Palacios who received 424 votes.
Yuridia Cendejas: Yes to recall = 201 votes
No to recall = 441 votes
Because of this result Yuridia Cendejas retains her seat on the Center Schools board of education.
Phil Varoz: Yes to recall = 460 votes
No to recall = 189 votes
Because of this result Phil Varoz is removed from the school board and replaced by G. Lyn Bogle who received 426 votes.
James Sanchez: Yes to recall = 462 votes
No to recall = 188 votes
Because of this result James Sanchez was removed from the school board and replaced by Misty Palacios who received 424 votes.
Yuridia Cendejas: Yes to recall = 201 votes
No to recall = 441 votes
Because of this result Yuridia Cendejas retains her seat on the Center Schools board of education.
Phil Varoz: Yes to recall = 460 votes
No to recall = 189 votes
Because of this result Phil Varoz is removed from the school board and replaced by G. Lyn Bogle who received 426 votes.
The final canvass of the election should take place by Friday March 27th. Board president Michael Lobato says it is anticipated Misty Palacios and G. Lyn Bogle will be seated at a special meeting on Tuesday March 31st.
On Wednesday morning March 18th newly elected board member G. Lyn Bogle asked if I might take him on a quick tour of the school district. I very much enjoyed the request and showing him our new facilities, each school, and our adult education campus. Mr. Bogle seemed very open to learning more about what we are doing and openly communicating with staff members about the needs of our children. New board member Misty Palacios is already quite familiar with our campus as her children have been attending Center Schools their whole education career.
Center Schools director of facilities Rich Brandt will be conducting radon testing this week during spring break as required by the Colorado Department of Public Health. He asks that if you see packets like the one pictured here, that you leave them alone. They will be placed around the facility on Saturday March 21st and collected on Friday March 27th to be sent away to be analyzed.
On Wednesday morning March 18th newly elected board member G. Lyn Bogle asked if I might take him on a quick tour of the school district. I very much enjoyed the request and showing him our new facilities, each school, and our adult education campus. Mr. Bogle seemed very open to learning more about what we are doing and openly communicating with staff members about the needs of our children. New board member Misty Palacios is already quite familiar with our campus as her children have been attending Center Schools their whole education career.
Center Schools director of facilities Rich Brandt will be conducting radon testing this week during spring break as required by the Colorado Department of Public Health. He asks that if you see packets like the one pictured here, that you leave them alone. They will be placed around the facility on Saturday March 21st and collected on Friday March 27th to be sent away to be analyzed.
The Past Week
Last Monday was scholarship day for Center High School seniors. Juniors were involved in ACT preparation activities all week. On Monday I participated in a hiring committee for the San Luis Valley BOCES as they chose a new Special Education Director. On Tuesday I waited anxiously for the recall election count to be completed, and must admit I spent a little time celebrating the results. On Thursday afternoon I met extensively with board president Michael Lobato about the future of the district, then spent time late into the evening preparing payroll items for processing by director of finance Betty Casanova. On Friday I worked on additional payroll items and tasks related to preparing for the April 10th regional teacher PLC.
The Week Ahead
Of course spring break takes place from March 21st through 29th so I will be spending plenty of time with Becky and Priscilla. We’ll be in Charleston, South Carolina visiting Becky’s stepmother for the better part of the week.
Extra Points
The past week has been a hectic one for me, beginning with an offer from the Cañon City School District board of education to fill their open superintendent of schools position, then advancing to what I think was a wonderful victory for the children and staff members of Center Schools in the recall election that concluded on Tuesday. My week culminated by making a final decision to go ahead and accept the job offer I received from the Cañon City School District.
I have no doubt my decision has probably disappointed many people who had worked so hard to win the recall election in hopes I would stay in Center. I have made the decision to leave now because Center's board of education, staff, and children are currently in excellent hands and I would like a chance to apply what I have learned here in a slightly larger setting like Cañon City, a system with just under 4,000 students.
When I arrived in Center in June 1996 it was clear to me I was supposed to be embarrassed to work here and have my kids attend its schools. I leave it with all new or remodeled facilities, an amazing and loyal administrative office staff, the best building principals in the business, a truly professional teaching staff that keeps striving to get better and better, and simply the finest, most appreciative children in the world!
Every student in Center has a technology device in their hands, a wonderful and effective teacher in their classroom, and a clear curriculum that is being taught and measured with fidelity. Center Schools is also finally fully accredited by the state of Colorado (Colorado's district with the highest at-risk population to accomplish this).
It is my belief Center Schools will continue the tremendous improvement cycle it is on and I truly look forward to hearing about its many great accomplishments as the district continues to focus on the future of its kids.
I want to apologize to anyone who feels like I am letting them down, and thank those who have offered their well wishes. I also want to thank everyone who has trusted and supported me while I was given this important opportunity and responsibility to do such important work for our kids.
Becky, Priscilla, and I will remain in Center through the end of June. I will be only two hours and a phone call away, any time of day or night, from supporting Center's next superintendent of schools. I also believe our wonderfully reconstituted board of education will do an excellent job of selecting the district’s next chief executive.
Finally, two of our children, Stefan and Adam, have planted deep roots in the San Luis Valley. Thus, Becky, Priscilla and I will have many good reasons to come back to visit the wonderful people who have filled our lives with such blessings during the past 19 years.
Thanks for listening once again.
George
I have no doubt my decision has probably disappointed many people who had worked so hard to win the recall election in hopes I would stay in Center. I have made the decision to leave now because Center's board of education, staff, and children are currently in excellent hands and I would like a chance to apply what I have learned here in a slightly larger setting like Cañon City, a system with just under 4,000 students.
When I arrived in Center in June 1996 it was clear to me I was supposed to be embarrassed to work here and have my kids attend its schools. I leave it with all new or remodeled facilities, an amazing and loyal administrative office staff, the best building principals in the business, a truly professional teaching staff that keeps striving to get better and better, and simply the finest, most appreciative children in the world!
Every student in Center has a technology device in their hands, a wonderful and effective teacher in their classroom, and a clear curriculum that is being taught and measured with fidelity. Center Schools is also finally fully accredited by the state of Colorado (Colorado's district with the highest at-risk population to accomplish this).
It is my belief Center Schools will continue the tremendous improvement cycle it is on and I truly look forward to hearing about its many great accomplishments as the district continues to focus on the future of its kids.
I want to apologize to anyone who feels like I am letting them down, and thank those who have offered their well wishes. I also want to thank everyone who has trusted and supported me while I was given this important opportunity and responsibility to do such important work for our kids.
Becky, Priscilla, and I will remain in Center through the end of June. I will be only two hours and a phone call away, any time of day or night, from supporting Center's next superintendent of schools. I also believe our wonderfully reconstituted board of education will do an excellent job of selecting the district’s next chief executive.
Finally, two of our children, Stefan and Adam, have planted deep roots in the San Luis Valley. Thus, Becky, Priscilla and I will have many good reasons to come back to visit the wonderful people who have filled our lives with such blessings during the past 19 years.
Thanks for listening once again.
George