Special Board Meeting - May 13, 2026

001♪ >> A special meeting for Wednesday May 13th to order at 06:30PM. Good Hustle Team. Please join me as we observe a moment of silence. I forgot roll. Call. That's awesome. Roll. Call, please. >> Here. >> friends present. There is no will here. >> All board members present attendance. Now, please join me as we observe a moment of silence. Before we vice president, he fully asked if she could make one quick shout out before we kick this off here. And so I would like to turn it over to vice president. Yeah, I would like Encourage the practice of one support team member in each There's a young man here. Kevin, is it? Thank God for you tonight, sir. My computer wasn't working. Years wasn't working. And I don't think we would be able to have

002her computers without you here. So thank you for taking the time and and hope that you're here for future events. With that Director MoPac know packing. Can you please make the motion to adopt the agenda? I move that the board of education about the specific. >> Moved and seconded missile son roll. Call, please. >> think did and I directed package. director, will >> The ayes have it. The agenda has been adopted as presented. We have one action item tonight with associated public comment and then we have some not action items related to the budget. We will bring Dr Comfort back and then just for the communities awareness, we have a hard pause at 7.30, regardless of what we are doing to allow for the public hearing on the proposed 2026. 2027 budget. And I encourage

003for directors to come eat dinner at the Dyess. I will try to mute my mic when I'm eating. I apologize for the spectacle. With that. We will move on to public comments. Melissa, Do we have any public comments? All right. Before we get started, I'd like to take to a moment to remind participants of the board protocol for public comment. Each speaker will have 3 minutes to provide comments. A timer will be displayed on the screen to assist you. Please monitor the time and conclude your remarks when your 3 minutes have expired. Board meetings are primarily business meetings intended for the orderly and efficient conduct of district business. Consistent with the board's priorities, the board values, community feedback and listens carefully to public comments as part of its commitments to trust and transparency. The clear

004expectation is that all comments be delivered civilly professionally and courteously without personal attacks, disparaging remarks or defamatory statements about district employees and to maintain appropriate professional decorum in the boardroom. If you wish to show support for speaker, please do so by standing while the speaker is speaking or by using silent applause. Lastly, statements made by made during public comments are those of the individual speaker and do not reflect the views of the district or the Board of Education. With that. And I as always, I apologize if I mispronounced your name. We will begin with Kerry McIntyre. >> Other attendees Current 5th grader at Orton kept me. And then plan to speak today. Until I read news articles about how the trailblazer parents felt about organ sharing their building. It wasn't the articles that bothered me.

005Because I can understand how frustrated and perhaps will be blindsided. The trailblazer parents that to be honest, Thorton, parents were a little surprised ourselves. This is all new to us. really bothered me, though, was the comments on these reports and how the organ kids were categorized and that inspired me to speak this evening. Comments handicapped, disabled. Special education special needs dysfunctional. This is completely and utterly wrong. I actually live in D 20. My kids have been to public schools, private schools and yes, that the 38 charter school. Every one of them failed my son until he school choice to Norton. My son is super smart. He is not dyslexic. He's what you call in your divergent learner. He was a good reader, but Orton made him a great reader. He barely past Mass before Orton

006because my son can look at a math problem and see the solution. But that was not acceptable at his previous schools. They needed him to do it in accordance with Singapore, math or some other procedure that he just could not grasp. Now he loves and he aced mass at the end of 5th grade. He was constantly in the principal's office. Not because he was bad and started fights or anything like that. No, he was in there because he fidgeted after they made him sit still for hours. He clicked this pen or he mumbled when he worked on a problem. This was not considered acceptable at Horton. They taught him how to handle this. And now if he needs to, he knows needs focus. He can move his death to the quiet corner or he can

007adjust to space so that he can do the work that needs to get done. He actually took standardized test for the first time in order because he knows how to situate himself and avoid distractions. Because you can tell you every fact about the Apollo missions are about Michael Jackson and the Jackson family. He wanted to talk about that. But because of that, he was ostracized and bullied at his schools at Orton. They let him talk and it's not a problem. And he has plenty of friends and they even taught him how to have some conversations about Fortnite stuff. So he is really thriving there. I know others have concerns about resources and logistics. As parent, I have no concerns because Orton has done so much with so little over the last year that I've been

008with them. I have no doubt the workout, a safe and satisfactory solution. I know others are concerned that orders a charter school. Well, Orton isn't a regular charter school. There's no religious or political agenda. They just want the kids to succeed and they want to interact with them in early age. It's not about growth. It's about success. I also am at a time. So I won't say my last point. Thank you very much for your time. Appreciate it. Our next public comment is Amanda Huber. >> Hello, Amanda Huber and the Guardian have to travelers are students. >> My brother Josh had dyslexia and describe the experience of learning to read in the 90's as traumatic. A friend of our daughter also has dyslexia and a scrappy has struggled in her original school. Orton is a

009great option for many students. Trailblazer has been incredibly supportive place for our students. And I know if the principal of Orton is even half as collaborative as Mister File. This will be. very successful cohabitation. He has communicated the many potential benefits to trailblazer families, including opportunities to increase enrollment by being an attractive and inviting option for siblings of Orton students. Several teachers and families wish to share a warm welcome and came together to get Orton scoring gift. I have seen MS H* telling Mr. Carr and Chief there several times to make sure the transition is as smooth possible. And while there will certainly be a few growing pains and encouraged to know that there will be continued adjustments until the fit is seamless. Thank you for facilitating Kentucky. Continued communication to the benefit of all

010students. Our final public comments for the evening is Sarah the >> I am strongly opposed to the co-op. You can see a trailblazer in Orton Academy. I would like to know when the district made this decision when a district informed the rest of the board or trailblazer staff or the community, most of us find out afterward announced via social media, the district maintain to smile and offered and sincere apologies for its lack of communication. But still over a month later has not given an answer as to why we were not properly informed and communicated with. I thought this board valued parents rights. I wonder if the district didn't community communicate this because they're hiding something. I heard Mr. Cole speaking to podcast and news outlets praising Colorado's choice program. And you're right. Parents do have

011right to choose what school they send their children to. That the district took our choice away when they decided to disclose this secret deal until after the choice in Roman period was closed. But the district did offer to get us into any between school I wanted. What a way to support 11 I cherish trailblazer and I will stay there. Despite the encouraging of those who don't want like this to leave, although many are leaving Orton Academy has had a slew of negative reviews, lawsuits controversies already in its short history. And now we're dragging the school's board and leadership into a beloved elementary school, which I believe will fully be Orton Academy in a few years of this district. And Brad Miller have their way. By the way, if this merger had not been can had

012been communicated transparently, I would not have felt the need to research why the district would have wanted this decided behind closed doors. How can we trust this district if you can't communicate something that will directly affect this community? How can we trust this district has our best interests at heart. When you call us dramatic and liars after we voiced are valid concerns last week. How can we trust this board when 2 members do not even believe and 11 enough to put their own children in our schools? We can't. And by the way, I'm not a union member. I am 11 parent and taxpayer. That is appalled by this district's behavior. All on my own with my own brand my own research. This district can't respond to the communities email. So I want to expect any

013feedback from you and I know you will pass this vote regardless of what the community says. The reason 11 enrollment is declining is because a lack of transparency and quiet agendas. I also want to say that Mr. File is absolutely amazing. And I really appreciate the work that he's done with my children. I also want to say that I don't think that the teachers at Orton Academy or the Orton Academy is negative. I worry about what the board and their decisions have. Sharing room with my children. So thank This concludes public comments. >> will move on to consent items. Director a rule. Can you please make a motion to adopt the consent items? >> Yes, I move the Board of Education adopts all consent items as that designated in the agenda. The consent items are

014resolution 2026 dash. 39 student fees, fines and charges for school year 2026. To 2027 resolution 2026. 48 11 innovative collective. Fiscal year 2026. To 27 district property insurance policy renewal and proposed board meeting dates for fiscal year 2026. To 2027. >> Seconded missile son. Roll. Call. Please. >> Director Baca Bartlett. Director Kari, I director hopefully director Johnson Director Jorgensen director not Pack and I director rule. I. >> That is the adoption of consent items will move on to our one and only action item for tonight. This is the resolution for. County, me and authorizing them for the co-op can see of trail trailblazer, director Havely. Can you please make a motion for action item? You want? A move that the Board of Education approves resolution Twenty-twenty 6 Dash 47. >> Authorizing a contract modification Orton

015Academy Charter contract C 2026 Dash 0, 0, 6, 9, and approves the co-op can see of Orton Academy at the Trailblazer Elementary School campus. The Co Occupancy Term show ran from July one 2026. through June 30 2029 aligning with the current term of the Orton Academy Charter contract. >> Moved and to turn this over to Superintendent Gall to answer any questions at all. Obviously turned over to the board for discussion. Superintendent go. I think one thing that that probably would be. >> Potentially interesting is just broad overview of kind of how we got here, starting with the report for the capacity Committee back in November. And then like I said, I'll turn it over for comments or discussion. I my own personal opinion here is right at the end of the day, this is a

016board call as to whether or not you think this arrangement is both a good use of our resources and also. Something that you're interested in improving for the community. If you have questions that, you know, would materially impact the way that you vote, things that you still don't feel. You have answered. I certainly encourage you to ask those if you want to get your own opinions and just beliefs about the situation on the record, you know, explaining your vote, that's fine as well. But I think, you know, we've you've seen a lot of communication from Mike in the team, both passing along the emails that have been sent to the trailblazer community. Some of the planning documents. And so if you have, if you continue to have kind of very specific logistical concerns, I continue

017to think those are best addressed with Superintendent Paul one on one. But I will turn it over to the superintendent at this time for any summaries or information for us. >> Yeah, I'm going to have the deputy Brandon and Chief give some of the some reason as they come up and talk to the port in the community. I do want to acknowledge that we've definitely heard in our public comments tonight is a shout out our principal can file Hatra Blazer. And we've also heard great shout outs of the great leadership of Andrew Shipley and the rest of the working folks that are here today. The those 2 things can exist in the same sentence. And I really appreciate the time that you all have spent together and learning how things location can better benefit all

018children, by governance model alone. So Chief Good evening Board. >> Dr to Dr. Carries point all start with the little bit of context on the capacity Committee report which you received in November at that time statute does require us to create a list of any schools that are underutilized. Trailblazer was on that. You'll recall last week we talked and being on that as well, which are reasons that they were explored for co-location. you also heard Dr Comfort talk about in the budget brief about our portfolio model and how it's been essential to exodus from declining enrollment averaging, which is critical to our budget and our resources. I'm joined here tonight, obviously by Dr Comfort and then also by Orton Principal Miss Andrew Shipley Orton board president Mr. Ted Harvey and Trailblazer principal Mister Can file

019behind me here today. You'll recall that in early April we had a community meeting, Trailblazer. We subsequently and previous to that received a lot feedback and input. Many e-mails hit your inbox is I want to give you process to date information since April, we formed a trailblazer staff advisory group. They met a few times to do different things such as look at space allocation. Talk about master schedules and how scheduling would work and work through some of the feedback we heard in our broom where we took input and feedback from the community across a week it was staffed and open several times throughout that week. We used final schedules and space built from feedback in order to determine the final map and allocation of spaces. We visited Trailblazer several times throughout that process as Monsieur

020or spoke to and we did joint with just a complaining since April, ensuring that we preserve both programming options at each school. Some of the concerns that arose during the process that we always investigate during All Co locations or would all go into next. So parking and drop off and pickup procedures have been a point that several people raised in both the broom and from staff. We are re-designing the traffic flow that will be in place by July 2026. We conducted a traffic study. Will we're well aware that especially in afternoon pickup, sometimes the case and go traffic will back up on Wicks all the way to Centennial Boulevard. So in doing that study, we will redesign the traffic flow, having more space to leverage in the case and go lane where buses currently inter

021will change the entry. There will put new signage. A new paint to address some of that bell schedules. Do not overlap for trailblazer. Inordinate important to note they start about a half hour apart and end an hour apart at the end of the day. So that will also says traffic flow in the parking lot. Once we make these adjustments in July and communicate them as we come back online in the fall for school, if there are any issues that persist, we will send another team out to have facilities run another traffic study and improve the flow in those parking lot pieces. Another big part of feedback, especially from the community, was the concern of separation of elementary students from middle school students within the building. We have separate entrances for Orton and for Trailblazer. Orton

022will have a southeast entrance door that will be staffed by Orton personnel at all times. There are also be designated flow within the hallways that will ensure that if any students turn down the direction to go Orton their trailblazer students. There's a staff member there to turn them back to their direction and same thing if and Orton student turns the wrong direction to end up in a trailblazer space. They'll be sent back the other way as well. There are also BP and signage to really show the distinction in the hallways Trail. Blazers set up in kind of a rectangle shape if you haven't been there. There's a staircase on the front side and the back side. They will be dedicated use for school. So trailblazer really is the staircase closest to their contiguous spaces and

023Orton will use the staircase closest to theirs to maintain additional separation. in addition to that, both schools will be on the same deal, 11 safety infrastructure, meaning that they will use the same radios, phone systems and in a calm integration to ensure safety in the building. We've also worked to David Allison and will have additional security presence with consistent visits to the campus to ensure a successful co-location. There are some shared spaces within the building last week when you heard and East Hills because of the building set up, they were more in separate buildings. This is obviously a one building campus. So they will be sharing space within the building. However, we've used intentional scheduling in all of the shared spaces, which are the gym, the music rooms. They have dedicated music rooms, but they're

024sharing across just a little bit. The library, lunch and recess. Those are all staggered. So students will not occupy shared spaces simultaneously because of the capacity of the building. Both schools fit nicely within it, which allows you within the hours of the school day to schedule spaces distinctly for each school schedules will be bringing the will be built jointly and reviewed annually. And all of those have already been made for 2026. 2027 with principal filing some of his team members and Principal Shipley and some of her team members at the table to create those for calendars and weathered closures will apply to both schools. Orton will be going online if we have a 2 hour delays. So that's what how that school handle that differently than Trailblazer. Both principals at a minimum will do a

025monthly walk through and check in around the building to look at things like facilities, work orders and address any shape, shared space concerns as we take the plan from perfect on paper to implementation. And we know that there's some nimble spaces within their where we can adjust as needed as we get the co-location and That's the information I have for you tonight. And we welcome any questions. Dr Comfort to answer the first part of the question of kind of the timing. >> sorry. You started with that. Thank you. >> Dr Comfort. You have anything to add or use here to answer questions at this time. I will open it to the board for questions or comments starting with director role. >> Thank you as board secretary, I get all the comments from the communities. So

026I've had over 40 or 50 parents right to specifically with their concerns. And it seems the top to our safety and security. What I do with 8th graders in kindergartners, the traffic flow. So I just had 2 questions. The original capacity of Trailblazer was 550. >> The original capacity was well over 550. When you think about how many students the building can hold. When we look at utilization, how many can you functionally operate in a modern teaching space? It's came and now how many will be in that space? 330 so well under 200, maybe 350 capacity. Okay. And I know lots of schools. I've lived all over the world have k through 12. >> Students and there's just procedures for keeping the older kids away from the younger ones. Could you just help parents who

027are concerned about their 6 year-old hearing what a 12 year-old might be talking about and they're just not prepared. >> We intentionally scheduled the space in the building and the traffic lower. They will not encounter each other probably at all. And if they do, it will be very infrequent and supervised by adult. Bishop Lee has worked her building schedule to ensure that 6th graders have a different passing period than 7th graders have a different passing period than 8th graders. So they will not be moving through the hallway as a traditional middle school does where you have a single ballon a bunch of people pass in the hallway. They'll be moving with teachers in small groups of about 20 in a grade level at max between their 2 spaces, the way Trail Blazers arranged to. There

028are pods. An ordinance pods are one on the first floor. Went on the second floor stacked right on top and bottom of each other with a single use staircase between those 2 spaces. Okay. >> And then safety and security. I I know you've answered some of this, it'll be Holmes middle school as available and also roaming. So there will be plenty of security to take care of the increased capacity. >> That's right. are a chief of security. David Allison already has increased roving security even though the Co-location has not happened. That will continue has similar to any other places where we have kindergarten elementary students in middle school. So think about the West campus. That's what we do there as well. So there will be an increased security presence. What do you see as the

029biggest security challenge when you have? >> Older kids know if younger kids is it things they bring to school? Is it things they taught? What's the security risk? >> I worked in the K 12 now great procedures completely kept them separate. I was the dean of students at K 12 buildings. I was a different face of all behavior. I think that what I found to be the potential most challenges actually after-hours the were walking home to school. Now this is different. They that they are not the neighborhood school. In my experience, there was very little issue when there's good structure and procedure and separation in the building. >> Okay. And then lastly, I was just thinking about financial stewardship with declining enrollment by combining them. Does that mean that the resources are shared that enrichment

030programs? After-school programs will be have access to be able to actually do more. Now that they have 2 schools together. Will that help us financially instead of to light bills and janitors and 2 of everything? Do we save some of those funds? And then can those funds benefit both schools? >> Orton will pay their fair share of of shared Think about utilities, cleaning those types of things. I do think that I think there's a number of benefits in terms of reducing the open capacity in the building. And I would hope that that if the co-location goes very effectively, that the relationship is similar to what Trail Blazers had with spark online, which is there was some shared programming and there was very separate program. That is not the plan right now. That is not the

031intent. But obviously if that relationship that that would be allowable. I do think we've actually given trailblazer some additional resources to help with some of the facility needs. I do want to say while Trail Blazers low enrollment, this is not an issue of trailblazer not having great programming, treating families incredibly well. They are in the most competitive part of the city in terms of elementary education. You have 3 of the highest performing schools, elementary schools that surround Trailblazer both in our chipeta and into district 20 schools that are within a half-mile. Both of those district, 20 schools are dealing with declining enrollment as well. Significant declining enrollment. And so what that tells us is this is not if Trailblazer was better, they would be able to fill their building. This is the market is not

032there. And so actually because Trailblazer has implemented such great program and that's why they're consistent with their enrollment and not seeing significant decrease. So I just want to make sure that I'm able to clearly articulate that. I think was there is doing an incredible job and that's why there in Rome has stabilized. Okay. And the last point parents brought up was just taxpayer responsibility using buildings at only a reduced capacity. Seems like it's not using our taxpayer dollars the most effective or efficient way. >> Should this help us? Then we're filling up a building with more people. Does that help us use tax payer dollars more efficiently? Yeah, absolutely. I mean, ultimately the taxpayers paying for the building, not necessarily the individual school or name of the school of of Hugh Crews using that. >>

033But I would say is our previous process. Our previous capacity process. If you fell on the list, you are put on a on a warning and following year, if you have made improvements, the conversation was supposed to be about closure. And so that's not the conversation we're having. We are talking about how do we continue to have the wonderful things that Trail Blazers doing well, being more fiscally prudent and making sure that more students are accessing a taxpayer funded building that can hold 550 kids. Thank you. That was most of the parents concerns. Director back about what? Thank you so. >> Was I did take a November early December of trailblazer and at the time. I know there is spark online. Was there another program that was The are the district's homeschool program based camp

034house there. Now that's, you know, it's a homeschool program. They only come in one day a week, but but that program was located there as Okay. We'll both. >> I understand spark is moving. But part of this school yet, both programs are moving to test the more central location that made a ton of sense after we reviewed where enrollment is for both of those programs and it is literally a circle around our district. There was not a heavy concentration anywhere. So I think we're very hopeful that that will actually increase the ability for that community to access those programs. Thank because I >> my concern is that is the communication and I don't know what. Happens to us as the district of quickly trying to do the math. But the Colorado revised statutes. 22 Dash

03530.5 dash, one of 4 section 7.5, a >> addresses or can you say that one more time? I was trying to write it down and it was a second Colorado revised statutes. 22 Dash 30.5 dash 104. >> Section 7.5 Thank you. And this addresses the. After we have the October its the counting of students in October. Then November is when we have capacity reporting and that's what the statute addresses. Publicizing to charter schools, letting them know about about availability. Then this statute, it's about a pair go by. I don't. We did have a couple spots. Highlighted, but no later than 45 days after the school district posts, the availability. A charter school or district may apply to the school district using building school district planned and then the local Board of Education shall review each

036application for in a public meeting held no later 90 days after the school district posts. The availability of the lists approve or disapprove to this process. This time you know, I came on the board December 10th. I remember that clearly. So I wasn't involved, but I want to be sure. And this posting also count posted on the school district website. And unless that, Don, can you tell me more about that person get So you are absolutely correct. We are required by law to post open seats that that hurt hit a certain threshold. >> We do that in 2 capacities. We send out a notification to our existing authorized charter schools. And we post that on district website of available seats, the remainder of that statute is that this action? This has come up a few

037times. The remainder of that statute is a guarantee for charter schools to make sure that they have access to a mechanism avail themselves of open seats. It is not intended as the only way a district can look to co locate. My example would we have Co located at both swaggered and Galileo and we did the process the exact same way, which is we communicated where we had open seats then people reached out about acquiring those seats and we went through the same process that we're going through today. So that process was not intended to be a limiting factor for districts in terms of this is the only mechanism that you can look at providing space. It was written as a guarantee for charter schools so that districts couldn't say we have open seats, but we're

038not willing to talk to you. >> And the and the public meeting 90 days after the school district posted a little Bility. Fall in the November Hats know again, we didn't have that because it's not a requirement that that is the only way that we can look at Co-location as a district we could as a district choose to follow that process. >> If we wanted to again, it is required as a minimum that charters can request that process through our open seats. But it is not the only mechanism that a school district can utilize for looking at Co-location. Any other questions. Director Mel Packing, thank >> I've got a couple of questions to follow up on what? the buck to tech. And then I do want to share some comments and take away something involved

039in this whole process quite a bit over the 4, 5, 6 weeks. So I do want to share things. just so I'm hitting you, Dr. Khan foot, the state statute about connect to We are not in violation of any law. A timeline and things like that. consider qualification. That's correct. Just as we were not when we've done previous past the Co-location. Great. Thank you if the decides to move in production approving the school location. Is this going to have any impact on baby's of staff and time as far moving moving their classrooms and affect me, too. And it's so. Previously when the brought the move, the staff of compensated for any extra additional work that they had to put in that the move itself with district step back. I appreciate the question. Director MoPac and

040the district is completely open to providing compensation for teachers. >> If they have to take additional time to move, I'm I'm sure we will provide tons of support in terms of providing boxes and taping and actually moving things from one location to another. But if trailblazer staff has to use any of their time in to do that, we will absolutely provide compensation if that's the request of the board. >> and that's because coming from one board member Pat and I all about the board member should support it pay and Wait for yeah. superintendent has the authority to approve that pay without thumbs in the superintendent inconsistency. >> And how we supported the Jenkins static. That's a standard and 11. And so yes, it's those operational plans are just waiting for this evening's meeting for as

041we've communicated to the trailblazer staff. And no, we're not asking people to take away from their instructional time already. There already planned personal time. And so the extra time we will create that stipend or extra pay opportunity. Okay, as well as providing the support. So it's not one or the other. We're not. It's not did he move for any of my military families out there? Great. Thank Appreciate the community. And I know that I was on the book, a universal back yet and a half back when. >> Jenkins had to within 2 weeks time moved ability and Russell and was done. There was some concerns expressed at that time. And that was. Locating Petersen, moving boxes and make the deals fun to channel all effect from one school to another school. And that not really

042effectively and efficiently the same expectation. I think I have full confidence that you will implement something like that with that. I do want to share some common said they could face more. So on the whole process. And what could ask for us community feedback let's talk by addressing release of community. I want to thank everyone who's reached out and engaged with me in constructive civil discourse on this topic can quite a few bowl Patton staff members over the past month. I've liked and that the public meetings that you to foot, though, car thus replace a much times, spent time in the community engagement tool that was set up. And spoken But many of police or state As a parent myself and I'm talking to the creek a community. I do want to stand. You can

043sense and dealer. can see. For the best interest babies of students and staff. While some discussions that understandably emotional, I truly valued the thoughtful insights you shared with me. And but the we agreed or disagreed. I hope each a few left those discussions feeling valued hood respected. I have since shared your feedback. That's a pretty That's about. Let's start by acknowledging that there are some gaps in how the school location information was shared. Initially. The superintendent all, it's good to keep comfortable at the foot Hills gap student, the public's acts act meeting on not a post 9 since then, the district and principal fine. have made a concerted effort to communicate proactively the guarding the shading of spaces. Traffic flows, the schedules and safety measures including the playoffs. A patient of students in school that

044she Faulkner highlight that. And they did to staff advice, Atiku puzzle to set up to provide feedback. Working with Those established that having those in group, accommodations Meade to find acceptable solutions. intense pendency. I do want to share some of the COVID Clinton stuck with me from group have been getting Take feedback from the community on fact. And I want to share this with they based on our transition to a new location. Yet the gymnasium featuring several facility upgrades. A ban up just lounge will be level for the great piece of teachers with new appliances and furnishings. New furniture. This is a school fund over to be installed in the learning pods some of the classroom. Sesno, additional student started space. a la Kate has sparked a pleaser staff request. All content that could make

045programs and educational opportunities that also get great place will continue. Create the scheduling options at allow continues. Axis of the gym space for that. The Blazers after-school programs. In the upcoming budget. If the board approves sent place that would be only non title one school receive subsidized after-school care, which provides significant financial savings for the Great Basin families and also help. Continue to increase central event. Didn't replace him. The place to really expand from one P gave classroom be in the fall, including a for the P option to support working families and for that will help boost school dental. And as you could, any classroom greet relocation would be fully supported by the district, including compensating staff 40 any additional work time. And this was also forth by data prove response to security in quite

046the superintendent called is working to ensure the district moving security services make pediatric stops. A trailblazer and the district will continue to monitor operations closely and make adjustments when needed. So I want to assure that place of community you'll Weiss us what could and accommodate greatest extent possible. Change is hard. I couldn't. I step. It reminds me a couple of years back when the gifted Mac that program, Pence to shunt from best middle school, the home's middle school, several parents and staff members, but equally concerned with the move and several of them came and made of the comments and opposed the move. Just a few be few weeks back. I ran into some of the same pad in centre they shared how police today bear with the move and how the program thriving in its

047new location at homes, expressing gratitude that the district for release will transition. I shared that information with you because I have the same optimism and confidence that this transition, if approved by the board, we be implement that that's implement that smoothly and with care by superintendent called in to team. So to that replace a community, please continue to stay engaged. Shed insight. Ask questions and the district Oprah, why do with timely answers that will help you make informed decisions? And a quick note to the arc and staff and community. Yesterday. I this did the park and Academy Principal Shipley. Thank you for that. Making some time in your schedule because that bus like a quick don't about time. you able accommodate me? And I got engage with your staff and also the city of his

048sleepy. So I appreciate the opportunity that you provided me. But that also gave me an opportunity to see firsthand some of the challenges you and your staff and students facing in your country, learning environment as part of the district 11 portfolio of schools. I just tend to come need for better living spaces for art and students And that the available space, pay placer. It prudent to engage in a talk for discussion on how best to maximize the district assets. So student in District 11 has axis to the state of learning environment. somebody after hitting multiple perspectives and I've been engaged with that, if they step of the way for the last 6 weeks and hitting multiple perspectives and looking at the whole picture, I am support to what the school location vote accordingly. I didn't

049think it was that that place of campus this upcoming fall listen to feedback and share my take a lease with superintendent called so the district can be nimble in considering changes U.S. fold. If any have to be made and got a superintendent called one mode request DOB that comes from me that I support that even and this was mentioned by even talk to conflict. Even Colorado supports school choice ended this day and age the boundaries of the school may not tender moving kids from one school to another. I am supple the wealthy looking into the cotton bounties forced bravely certain. See the calls for a thoughtful study on that, that those boundaries should be shifted increase and torment that But that's a future topic of conversation at some point in time. That's all I have

050a sort comments. Thank you and thank you for your staff in all engagement that the placement of what I was there, that was a staff member at You are you Rob? Tony Carr, who's being a severe one of those during month that being engaged. But that's also thank you. Appreciate it. Before I go to Director Jorgensen, I just want to remind people we have a mandatory public hearing at 07:30PM. So I don't know who's going to be having the mike at 7.30, but I will have to kind of hit pause. >> But to that, and then I'll shift back to whoever is talking at that time. I don't know who that who is going to be at 7.30, but just letting you know. So it doesn't come as a surprise. Directors are concerned. Just a

051quick comment as a lot of questions. I had secretary rule already answered. I appreciate hearing from the D 20 parent because that's great to hear that a school is already attracting 20 another trying to trick talent and students with the talent that we have there at that building in the program. We have. And then didn't even think about tonight. But having siblings, multiple grades were, if you've got one child that's dyslexic in news that additional support new other children that are some things that, you know, want to be a different space. But no one around to different schools. You solution. So I see the benefit of not only for filling the capacity what the capacity reports out of 377 empty seats I think is what our capacity report said to having more occupied building and

052a couple other more marketing a neighborhood promoting peace is to to this Co location. And then I didn't think of chief Comfort mentioned was you've got to do 20 Montessori school that kick in. But you have to that it's kicking. But you've got, you know, it's it's a combative neck of the woods. So appreciate all the information shared tonight. And I will be in support of the Co-location. Director Hay Want to say thanks to the staff that engaged in the advisory team, community members that visited the hub. >> And those that offered both feedback and ideas for solutions. That said, I want to acknowledge that communication surrounding the Oregon trail blazer situation created confusion. And concern within the community. Even members of the board, we're still working to understand all the details as questions began

053coming forward. It's clear there are lessons to be learned about communication and transparency moving forward. And I believe those concerns have been heard. At the heart of this discussion. Our students. My question is this. If Trailblazer had 130 new students enroll over the summer. But there have been the same level of concern about students utilizing the building. Orton students are no different than any other students. Every child and every adult for that matter faces challenges of some kind. If there is available space, a trailblazer and there is, I believe students should have the opportunity to learn in an appropriate school setting. Well, you may not agree with how every part of this situation unfolded. I'm grateful that there's an opportunity for students to be able to access the support and services they need. No student

054should feel like they don't belong in our schools. That's why we're here to educate and support students in our community, whether they attend a charter school or a traditional public school. After teaching for 30 years in a traditional school setting. I can say with certainty that students everywhere face learning challenges. I had kids with graph in my classroom for several years, including one who went on to become a paramedic. I can tell you a story about this kid. At one point he turned in something that just looked like he had scribbled on the sheet of paper. And I would ask him when I when I couldn't read what he was writing, I would ask him to read it to me and he was able to do that until this one time. When he admitted he

055was just crippling on So imagine my surprise when I saw him. Coming out of an ambulance one day over here on is You went in Mesa? They will be transparent and say I was involved in a and the 3 car pileup which was not my fault. I was the middle, but he showed up on. He showed up and he climbed out of that ambulance. And I thought. Oh, my gosh, this is fantastic. Good for you. >> I know that he had worked incredibly hard to succeed, but I also know how specialized support could have made parts of his educational journey. A lot easier. I've also seen the impact dyslexia can have. Through both students. I taught and members of my own family. We all deal with something. That's why I think it's important for adults

056to model compassion, understanding and thoughtful decision-making as we move forward. Our students are watching. And they deserve to know they are valued, supported and welcomed in our school. What message are we sending to them? I will end with one question. Your plans are very detailed, but we know every plan. Doesn't always work flawlessly. So something like traffic flow and parking in the parking lot isn't working in the fall. What will the response be to have specifics for that? guess we have nimble plans ready at the ready, especially for that parking lot peace. We will deploy more people to study it. Make sure the changes are actually working. >> And where they are, we will work through that same thing with security or any of the pieces. If the flow inside the hallways isn't working. Exactly.

057As we thought principal filing Principal Shipley. Alright, there is the first point of solve and if they need anything from the district will nimbly deploy extra staff to do so. And we already have some of those plans in place for extra support in the first 4 to 5 weeks to ensure things like custodial and all of those are short up and we get proper procedures in place to be as effective and efficient as possible. So we are working to I don't know the proper English word for too. >> Make things work for kids in this building. >> Absolutely. Vice president. Hopefully if may add another benefit, is that the leaders of our operational teams are former teachers and principals. Now. And so as they mentioned, Mr. Carr, Mr. Kilroy. These are all people who have

058successfully let schools. And so if there's an operational challenge that has brought up, they're going to know exactly what it means like to be a teacher, a principal in that space. And that's why they've been so so valuable so far. Great. Thank you. Director Johnson. >> You know, make it Just a comment from me. I was like to say before voting on this item that truly do see the vision of what we're in the county has to offer and what it means, the families. But currently right now rushing out a process that and I thought that not everyone is caught up with. And I think that is truly the mining against families on both sides that feel that they need the option of the best education going forward. Why we might want to be pulled

059vision into action. When you think of the long game of outcomes for students and staff, all students and staff to deserve autonomy in support. But this process has caused uncertainty. I believe all students deserve outcomes. But at what cost to the Russians process to fill back up her duties. Even though you know, theory, it sounds great. I truly worried certainty on both sides forward an academy and trailblazer. And so with that, I'll be voting no. >> All close. Very briefly. I don't have a lot to add to what I said on a related to agenda item last week. At least my own perspective. Here is one of the most important things a governing board needs to be thinking about is efficient and effective use of taxpayer resources. When we have a building that has on

060the double check. The know Sarah believe it's 337 available seats. I think it makes good sense to try to consider ways to utilize that space space effectively because that this underscores, I think some of the bond conversations from earlier this evening, too. One of troubles of capital and buildings is that. There is a certain amount of fixed cost to operate the building regardless of who's it. You know what you spend on track maintenance that doesn't really meaningfully change based on the utilization. And so, you know, buildings that have low utilization are a problem for a district that's trying to be saying in use of taxpayer resources. And so in general, I locations are worth exploring. And I have every confidence that the principles and leaders involved can sort out the logistical challenges. With that missile

061son roll call, please. >> Director Baca Bartlett. You Director Kari, I director Hay flee. I. Director Johnson. No. Dr Jorgensen. I director MoPac I director rule. I. >> The ayes have That is approval of the co-location resolution. We do have several non action items on the agenda tonight. They're all related to the budget. Dr. Comfort my my memory of how we did this last year is you kind of rolled through the presentation for all of the agenda items. At once. And then we kind of ask questions at that point. And so we kind of front loaded the explanation of the questions that we rolled through the rest of it pretty rapidly. Would you like to pursue a similar structure tonight? Happy to if that's what the board would like. Okay. And you can start talking

062but I'm going to have to cut you off in 6 minutes. But with that, the first not action item is resolution Twenty-twenty 6 dash. 41 the amended fiscal year 2025. 26 budget superintendent called what information do you have for us tonight? I have Dr Comfort follow the script that you just asked for. So Dr Comfort. Yeah. Good evening. We're going to go a little off script because this is actually a item for this current year's budget. >> And so we are looking to amend our current budget. Everything else we talk about tonight will be next year's budget. >> You'll see than the resolution. A couple of things we under predicted the need of our fund balance for our risk management fund. We have had a slightly higher than than usual claims. And so we need

063to add some money to. To that budget to make sure that they're able to fulfill on all of their claims. Same thing with production printing in terms of them buying equipment and making sure that that that makes sense for for next year. And then you'll see the largest one here is really related to the CO P in terms of our capital budget. As I as I stated in work session, the GOP is earning interest. And so we need to put that interest in a restricted co P account so that it's not spent on current capital projects until we're allowed to. That's an arbitrage rule. And so we need to do that before we go into into next fiscal year. And so my commitment to the board, we will more accurately predict the fund balance needs

064of our risk departments to make sure that we don't have to amend that budget later in the year. >> Any questions or discussion from the board? Okay. Dr. Comfort to cut away the next 4. Not action item agenda items are all related to the adoption of the fiscal year 2026. 27 budget superintendent called Dr this will Yes, this will come back as action next meeting on June 3rd. Superintendent Gandhi, our comfort Dr cover with 4 minutes to we pause. Yeah. >> This is a resolution related to the authorizing use of the portion of our beginning fund balance. And so as we discussed again and work session, that the district is care still carrying very reasonable overall fund balance. And so this is the board approving. We have a number of fund balance is the district's.

065That's why if you look at our overall fund balance, it's a lot of money now that's not all liquid. That's not all available. billable to use. A lot of that is restricted. But in that larger part in the top, in terms reserves and contingency, this is where we have things like instructional carry over. We typically budget about 67 million dollars a year of under spend in schools for instructional carry over. This includes our Tabor Reserve. This includes other things like our academic Masterplan Reserve. This also includes our employee non-recurring compensation. And so this is just the board authorizing the use of those fund balances in the next budget year. >> Board, are you comfortable with me having Dr Comfort, talk through the other resolutions and then will have questions and discussion groups at that point.

066I'm seeing a few We're going to do it. next action item here is resolution Twenty-twenty 6 dash. 43 designations of fund balance. Dr. Comfort. What do you have to add for this one in particular? So this is a little more clarity on again, the designation of specific fund balances. You will see our Tabor Reserve explicitly called out. >> As well as incumbents reserves. Incumbents reserves are things like contract continuation. Ys and other things that kind of cross fiscal years. And you'll see we do have a couple of other contingency set up. We have the before. And after school programming, which director Mel Packing referenced. We also have, again, the academic master plan. And right now we are carrying a and a contingency for our ERP system. This is really set so that as we're implementing

067the ERP, if we need additional time from the company, we have money set aside to pay that so that we're not having to come to the general fund for that. But this is the designation of fund balance for next year. >> The next one resolution Twenty-twenty 6 dash. 44 Inter fund borrowing, Dr Comfort. Talk us enough and borrowing is this was actually as I as I stated in the first item on the amended budget related to production printing. There are times when different funds in the district need to borrow money from the general fund. And so every once in a while, that is something like our production printing where they need to make up a large purchase of equipment. They don't have the revenue yet. So they borrow money from the general fund. Then they

068pass back with their revenue the following year. This is the primary way that we enter from borrow, which is designated purpose, grants. We don't know quite yet. All of the grants that we will receive next year. But if we receive grants beyond what is approved in the budget, this our fun. 22 are designated purpose, grants, opportunity to borrow money from the General Fund until that Graham grant funding comes in. All Have you hit pause there? Because we are required by law to stop all proceedings at 07:30PM. >> So at this time we will hold a public hearing for the proposed fiscal year, 2026 dash 2027 budget. It's do we have any comments, you know? Dr Comfort. One more on this item then. So appropriation of the fiscal year 2026. 2027 budget. That is the last

069not action item in this particular line. He would care to talk us through this one. >> This is basically the appropriation of our budget. And so you'll see that that's broken down by Obviously largely the general fund is our is our largest appropriation. But again, we have a variety of funds, but I will say is if you look at the total appropriation levels of our budget, you're going to see that it looks elevated in comparison to past years. That is because we have a much larger capital budget right now because of the 120 million dollars. C O p as that's been downs spends down. Obviously the appropriate appropriation level specific to capital will draw down. But this is the appropriation of our budget plan for next year. >> And I believe not action item 6

070is meaningfully different. So I will hit pause here and open up to questions or comments from the board. Anything on the fiscal year 2026. 27 proposed budget and I go through a couple of slides quickly. I sorry to cut you No, that's okay. So I just want to go through some big-picture things that's going to look a lot similar to the resolutions. We just went through in terms of our overall budget. So when we look at general fund budget assumptions you'll see here, obviously we are projecting enrollment. That's our primary mechanism for predicting funding. You'll see on the bottom where we what expect for our total program funding to be and then how we look at total program funding as a percent of general fund revenue. As you can see there as it looks different

071when you include Melo versus when you don't. In terms of again, we've talked about this multiple times are resources available. We're looking at about a 75 million dollar beginning. Fund balance about 52 million of that is unrestricted. And so those are things like for one time expenses, contingent situations or things like one-time employee compensation you'll see there of other ever news. You also see transfers from the We expect about 63 million dollars and all funding. Now you might say, wait, wait, wait, you get about 80 million dollars and a loaf funding. Remember, we get low funding in tax increment which doesn't always align with the the district's fiscal year. So this is the amount of money we expect to get in and a low funding in this fiscal year. You'll then see are transfers art,

072which transfers out, which includes charters as a reminder, any transfers out that go to charters are because of their per pupil allocation. There is no additional money that they get outside of what they're required to by law. And then you'll see they're kind of our net general fund resources and you'll see our use. The resource is largely a school-based expenditures. And then unassigned contingency. There you'll see. I rounded it earlier. 52 million, but its actually 51.9 If you look at our general fund revenue sources about 350 million dollars. And when you look at including we are about a fifty-fifty funded district in terms of our local share to our state. Sure that varies district by district across the state of Colorado. There's some districts that are 80% locally funded and only 20% backfield 5 by

073the state and then vice versa. So we are in a place where we're kind of right in the middle there. But if you look at expenditures, you'll see again, we talked about this earlier when we talked about categorical is how we spend our money, the largest amount clearly as instructional services. And then I said the Big 4 include things like people, services, instructional support, staff and school administration. And so that's where you saw our budget spend has increased to about 82% of our total budget over the last number of years. In terms of other funds. As we went through in the resolutions, we do have another a number of other funds that all have their own appropriations. I do want to call specific out that Mill Levy override of 7.3 million. I just said we're

074going to get 63 Million. This is the unassigned contingency within the M so in the if funds are under spent itself has its own contingency, which is one time money that's set aside that Milo Committee, you'll see an action on this later tonight make a recommendation on how they want to spend that money. So that's why there's that 7.3 million dollars there. And then you'll see all of the other things I want to call out private purpose. Trust. These are things like. This is a difficult thing to say. But when we have community members that passed away and in their will, they dedicate some of that money to the district. That's where where that money goes towards. And that is the follow-up that. >> Thank you. I will now open it up to the board

075for any questions or discussion. Starting off with Director Johnson. >> Yeah, I just. What a better clarification on the P's. It talks about how the GOP spread out through principles. Insurance costs turns cooler than you. What what does that look like? I guess the bandwidth of this or not that we haven't people think I guess what is the number we have currently right now and that's the amount we have to spend is about they could please. And how does that get divided between the principals insurance constituted show that they also have their own COPD funding or it's it's not principles as in our principles, its principal and interest. So if you think about paying the mortgage mortgage and you're paying both principal and interest that that's what that alludes to and that changes as with

076your mortgage over years in terms of when we're paying more principal versus versus more interest. >> Our hope, as we've just discussed is that is a 25 year term. Our hope is with a successful bond campaign. We would pay off that remaining principal and interest at it's called 8, which is 10 years from when we issued in 2023, to your question about 121 million dollars. But we are accruing interest and so we will ultimately make a decision on where the interest goes with that CO P after we've had all of the arbitrage rules of spending down certain threshold. We have to spend 5% within a window. We have to spend 85% within a window. And so that's why we've kind of separated those 2. Director Jordan, some. >> Thank Chief comfort within these non actions

077were gonna give you direction on the raise and the income pieces you already spoke to the work session. Is that correct? My hope is that the board will express their support so that we can start to communicate with staff. >> Again, with with a note that it still pending board approval with action. But we would love to start to communicating with staff. What sellers will look like next Yeah, I think so. Again, just for the board. I mentioned this during the work session. Compensation is not locked in until we vote on But given that it is a matter of huge staff interest, the request from Dr Comfort in the team is. >> Can they begin passing around a kind of communication to staff? Don't make it clear that it's pending final board approval. But before

078we close up shop for this, I will be asking for thumbs to allow Dr Comfort to communicate with staff about the preliminary thoughts for compensation. Sorry back to Houston. Thank you. >> So we have a line item in here for that recurring and non-recurring funding is built into the budget. budget speech and how many? I mean, hours that you have to plan in organizing negotiations at various locations this spring. No hours for negotiations and how many hours did your team members have to spend in negotiations to give this hours of negotiations and how much man hours do we have to spend an executive sessions discussing all stops to get us to this point? very few. Yeah, just just a little bit of time. So that's not only dollar savings, but also time and our savings.

079Correct? To keep us focused on mission essential, which are those key pieces on that wall. Fully support. Director pack and thank you. So for the community that is just tuning in to the board meeting at this point in time, I would encourage them to go into this into the session. >> Why they had a comprehensive discussion about that the slight hill so that person put out there in that that compensation and the pace and the benefits, all of fact, we're not going to discuss at this point in time, but encourage them. Is that accurate to safely great. piece. effort to the session. It talks about the breakdown cutting in on cutting compensation act. The board discussed and like potentially we go back shunned in the next couple of But the top overall takeaway is that

080this is a tight here in terms increased money that is going to come from the state through the School Finance Act. But respect the will what the state is going to provide was our focus, the public focus as being the pro, like robust compensation package for our staff and what was discussed and acquisition is stacked a combined dot total compensation in the order 10% is what our staff can expect for the next job. Next fiscal year. And the benefits. It's on top of that 10%, which is going to self the district governing the increased health care cost willing to govern our the district shared of the health care cost, which is going to be an increase in 3 million dollars for the district. The takeaway that I would say is the district is prioritizing. Teachers

081and staff closest to the students as much as possible biting some of staffing allocations. sent allotment taking the bet that sent the latter an adult the last 3 years, central At center administered to competition has been decreased to the tune of 10 million dollars. This is something when I was campaigning separately back it. What's always a constant feedback that central administration blow up and has been Crist effectively over the last 3 And they appreciate the district taking efforts and in regard, we also have been able to come out of cermony cliff seamlessly because the district has. Fiscally being prudent in spending our fund balance money and our fund balance. Money is healthy at this point in time. So I want to give kudos to the district on well. So further discussions, if you want to

082take a live look at further discussions on this topic, referred to the session. That's a lie. One question to Dr Conflict. Dean on cutting compensation, which was discussed 70%. What it what it does is that going to be still in the men's as we normally correct. It could be the exact same structure reviews last couple of Okay. Thank you. Close. Real quick before we move on to the final not action item of the night. I want to give a quick shout out to the Dock Budget subcommittee. >> The intention was to have them here tonight and due to scheduling conflicts. They will be here when this comes as action. You can see there are reports it's it's attached to this particular agenda item I also would just encourage both port directors, if you haven't already

083in the community to to take a look at the proposed budget, it is 96 pages. don't necessarily need to look at the whole thing. But the First 10 pages or so have a good deal of tax from Superintendent Call and Dr Comfort. Just with a summary of the major items, a summary of strategy and it is quite readable for a financial I do encourage you to do that if you haven't already I've I've said this before and I'll just say it again. 2 thumbs way up to you. And the team Superintendent Gandhi, our comfort this year. We saw a very clean audit passed by 11, which is not easy to do in a system of our scale reduction of mid-year requests, you know, keeping our budget more aligned at the very start of the year,

084not having to pivot. Midway 10% pending board vote in compensation cuts. That administration moving from 60 to 70% fulfilling our promise of spending all new money from the state on compensation, although, as you have given the current fiscal situation, the state of Colorado, that's one of the easiest that's we've ever made 2 thumbs up to you and the team. I'm I'm very excited to hopefully pass this on June. 3rd. >> If I'm a President, Kerry 2 quick thoughts that you brought this up. We are creating a citizen's guide to the budget this year, which will be kind of a four-page overview of the highlights of the budget. So we've tried to make the 96 pages more readable. And if your community member that just wants to see the nuts and bolts and the facts, we

085will be releasing that over the next couple of weeks. And then I do want to express my gratitude to our finance team, Mr. Baker and his team, they're the ones He's back there. They're the ones who do all this work and and make all of the things match as they're supposed to do. So my sincere gratitude goes to all of them. >> Yeah. And I was going to hit the microphone for that. Thank you. Shout. I you actually have another staff member and the second the last row. So thank you all to all the finance team. know, particularly for folks who don't spend of this is their body of work. This isn't something that happens in just a couple of days. This team works on the build of next year's budget as soon as they

086for pass the current year's budget. It is a constant churn. And if you go down there, there's always smoke coming out of somebody's computer. I really appreciate how hard you all have worked. And again and the this singular way it which the budget is matching the priorities and the strategy of the board of Education is something that is a bit of a shift. And I want to talk about district 11 is passed. I will talk about the other districts that I've had senior positions in oftentimes strategy and priorities are held hostage by the budget. And we continue to look for either efficiencies are opportunities. One of the slides that was up earlier today about the continued reduction in the size of central office to make sure that we prioritize the needs of our schools, which

087hidden within that giant reduction is actually a complete realignment of where the priority is at Central Office. Several years ago. We 5 chief system on the operation side and one deputy on the academic side. We are now one deputy who manages all of the operations side and helps inform what happens in our schools and our and the quality of our instruction. And now we are multiple chiefs on the academic side. So we have shifted the preponderance of where even our administrative dollars go to match that priority where we are. So they're about student achievement, every ounce of what we do every day is in order to fill fulfill those priorities of the board. So we thank you for the clarity that direction. Congratulations on a not action item to you and your team. Dr. Comfort

088and with great thanks and appreciation for make. And as promised before we move on, I would like to just ask the board for thumbs. >> To approve Dr Comfort to start messaging compensation to staff again with the caveat that this is pending board vote. We're not trying to oversell where we are, but again, because it's such a point of interest with staff's of thumbs to authorize super in 2% call him Dr. Comforts to beginning big in communications with staff. You are good to go. Our final non action item of the addresses. Mill Levy override plan amendments to program implementation plans. The 2000 PIP Amendments, 11 BN 7 B 2017 amendments, 5, 2, 2017 amendments, one, 14 11 B, this is new information for the board's to superintendent called. What information do you and your team

089have to present at this time? Dr. Comfort. >> board I we're bringing to you tonight. A few plan, amendments as you remember when we received our report from Pcg on mellow and its current implementation. They give us a variety of feedback. One of those pieces of feedback were too more effectively use the plan amendment process to match the budget of the MLS strategies. And so we bring you 3 plan amendments tonight. 2 of them have already gone through full approval from committee. One has gone through not action with them. That will go to action with them next week. So I will have that vote when I bring this back for action. But the first one is related to technology in our classrooms, our technology department was reviewing usage data in elementary schools and seeing very,

090very low usage of technology in terms of for the access to technology and one to one devices. And so we started a conversation with teachers. And what we heard is one to one devices are not necessary. We shouldn't need to use them all of the time. And so we built a plan to shift away from one to one devices into an elementary school to 2 to one, still providing ample technology access, reducing that one to one initiative. Remember that one to an initiative is relatively new to the came out of the pandemic when it was a very, very different style learning. And so we sent out a plan of reducing from 2 to one I'm sorry from one to one to 2 to one in K through 5. And we very quickly heard feedback from

091teachers, weight in 3 through 5. We're not quite ready for that yet. We're still we're accessing the curriculum or they were worried about testing. And so I think there is a larger conversation needed, but we feel very confident that moving one to one to 2 to one in our K through one grades, which is specifically IPads, makes a ton of sense. We want to take that money. We're not gonna go take devices from schools. We're basically going to slow down the replenishment process. We want to take that money and move to PIP 7 be which is instructional staff development. This is intentional. We have a couple of professional development initiatives that are proving to be very effective. One of those is the teacher coaching teachers are TCT program. So we want to increase funding so

092that more teachers are having access to TCT coaches, the model classroom visits have also been a huge success right now, the academics team is its budget. Limited on that. We want to provide some not just more money but permanent money. out of classroom visits. And then thirdly, we want to increase our dyslexia support, professional development as that is a continued need to growing need across the district. And so with this plan Amendment does is it takes $5,000 of recurring money from the technology replenishment pit and it moves it to our professional development. Have to increase those teacher, professional development opportunities. Questions from the board. Director so just clarity, I think come. >> You mentioned once Keith and followed that by saying, Kate, through one is a key apologize. Its K through kid that thank you.

093And then you said that this is only this is moving $5,000 $500,000. Okay. I thought I might of you wrong. I thought they could use a 5,000. Dr Comforts had a lot of speak. My at least didn't say 5 million dollars. Okay. 500 Billion 500 million. Yes. $500,000. Okay. Thank you. Directors or consent. This is more of A comment for the for the public. So we say that we're saving this money. We're putting into something that's effective. I've heard from law teachers. You're bring back that TCT program. And so he go are giving back and, you know, successful. Now we've got, you know, Carol at the helm of it and going do great things and >> so that's not great. But I heard are something about this is bored doing. They give us a don't

094and they take it away and don't you know, for much everybody on this board has read the book Generation. But Jonathan Height, it talks about the foam base childhood for such a play-based childhood. And the minute you put these devices, especially with the touch and play screens and these young learners you're distracting them and actually not open their brains develop. we're trying to help teachers and children of the same time. Also notice in the under utilization of these technologies at the younger grades. So I really is it's another swing for us to adapt where, you know, you had something for COVID. Now you're slowly having take it away. But research backs this up. If you look at any of the research about technology in smartphones and everybody, parents or kids differently. And that's not what

095this is about. But when your kids come to deal and schools, they will be in front of a high quality educator and elemental peace will be a tablet or a device at limited use. We can't put the state on digital state testing, which is what director Chief comfort mentioned. But if I had my way back to paper and pencil test all the things so. One small step in the right direction. And my thing. Thank you. Before we close, my only question can you just comment? have already been through the seen on the were documents that those have already received their approval. But can you just speak to that real quick just for that, particularly for a new board members? Absolutely. So we do have a citizens Oversight committee for the And so any time. >>

096We want to allocate new money which will come later, plan amendment or change funding. >> It first has to receive their approval before it comes to the board. The board ultimately can choose to approve or not approve regardless of what committee says. But our our standard process as it goes through their approval person first, they did approve this plan amendment. >> These will be coming back for a vote on June 3rd, thank you very much. To comfort. Can I go into the second? There's 2 in their first 3. And there actually Yeah, please. I thought I'm sorry that it had talked about death okay. Second one here you'll see 2017 5. >> And 2017 2. Currently the superintendent has discretion over. 25 additional teacher. Ft. And so how that's historically been is 10 Ft for

097class size needs. That's we come back in August and there's a lot of kids in a school and we didn't know that was happening. And so he's able to quickly provide fte and the other 15 or or for what has been defined as differentiated programming. We've done that for coaches and a variety of things with a transition to student-based budgeting. Schools have significantly more autonomy now to decide on their Ft. Again, we no longer tell them you will have this number of this position. And so it's removed the significant part of the need for the superintendent to be able to give this 15 additional FT. And so the request is we will keep the 10 class size fte the plant in the has designated and we want to do 2 things with the money that

098then that 15 FT would represent first right now the general fund is paying $625,000 for there to be. 25 Ft that exist in that gap. This is a consistent issue in mellow anywhere where we have fte the cost of those Ft has significantly increased. But the budget has not. And so when that happens, the general fund steps in and pays the difference. And so this would then free up. This was in my realign part of our budget strategy. This would free up $625,000. I've allocated that to compensation in in the proposed budget. It would also move $750,000 to pick 2, which is related to compensation for teachers and we would have us a bullet that it would be primarily for our staffing stability program or staffing stability program at our hardest to fill. Schools has

099been wildly successful and reducing. They can see rates again. If you've been on the board for a while room, you'll remember a number of years ago we started the year at Mitchell High School with 16 teacher vacancies. This year we started with 0 and I won't directly say the only reason is because of the staffing stability program. But I will venture to say it does not hurt. So we want to provide more consistent permanent funding right now. Staffing stability provided by one-time funding. And so this solidify it in the in the pit. It would then be accountable to all of the the normal plan Amendment or I'm sorry, pet processes. We bring yearly reviews to the committee on every pet, they review the effectiveness than they make recommendations. If they feel like that should change.

100So that's what this plan amendment is about. This is also received the approval of the MLK. Apologies for the confusion and board any questions on this second proposal. >> Director vacuum. Thank you. >> By the way, was sitting in on a little oversight committee discussion. They do such a federal job. I want to give a shout out to doctor I don't think he said doctor. So as chip backs and team of people out that they look at gun on investment ask a lot of thought the questions I learn a lot by just sitting in there watching them. there. So this is doing that. The stay once a month in bottom of week, Christian side, you talked about 25 additional if the sun that 15 that 4 different rated instruction. That's the one that's being it.

101And that ended and additional if the system going to demand. That's correct. And that in addition the so usually sufficient to meet the if that is going to be an increased indoor like any any of our schools, superintendent, that's enough. You should. Yeah, we have not use more than over the last 4 years. And that's because our projections are accurate. Schools are staffing that we have had a few circumstances where a, you know, a group of kids show up and so. >> The great news is we also are much more responsive to schools, the historic process as we would wait until October count to give them that Ft, which you basic might as well, not given the Ft, ability to hire a teacher in late October or November. You've already lost the families who were

102in oversized classrooms And so the superintendent has directed that the second we see numbers that are getting too high. The principal will call into the verifications, but then we get them that fte before school starts when possible so that they have a fighting chance that posting and hiring a qualified teacher. Perfect. Thank you for that. Just to add, we're not cutting teachers out of the budget. This is pushing teachers closer to where they should already be and be hired by. It was wonderful to have that reserved for my first couple of years. But I am holding staff in reserve instead of actually having staff already in the spaces that we need them for the budget formula. For essentials, for the staffing, stability for the title school. >> That lost their budget and actually needed this

103because it's in their you sip so on and so forth. So this again, I really want to double down Dr help. I come on your acknowledgement of the work that low Oversight Committee is doing when we make changes because this is a a 4 year-old conversation. We actually had a tying the vote from the Animal Oversight Committee on the Mitchell Promise, which then blossomed into the D 11 promise. Not because the we didn't like the AMA Low Oversight Committee, but the thinking was the community said in 2002, 7, 2017, this is how we should spend our money. What we now have is an animal oversight committee who says how is it that we can be better stewards of the public's dollars to ensure that we can meet again, those board priorities through the strategies of

104the district. And so that that shift that's happened on the Low Oversight Committee is actually now going through their own budgets. And what is your split right now? Were last year, 60, 40 operative, right Spain, 60% of the AMA low dollars on operational needs for the district instead of on programs for academic achievement and or for people who can bring academic achievement. That shift is happening and that's through very clear and transparent way that oversight committees partnered with the district to understand how they can bring resources to bear sooner faster and closer to meet. Thank you. I really appreciate what you also defense to that. We are >> proactive in meeting the needs of schools. Federal medical stop. We can. We can look Ober. We are doing proactively in August and a addition to If

105that sufficient. Good enough for me. The extra money. $625,000. I think that's what the first amount of money that I could got. The number song that free up money for compensation that you talked about and just for the community, some fairness doctors because the below is set up for addressing the cost of inflation. >> Correct. 2000 and those a fixed dollar It's it is the same. 26 million and so on in 2000 and now in 2026 and then the staffing stability program again, for transparency sake, one of the schools are going to be impacted by the staff staffing. Is it going to be the same? That one additional school next year. It will be Mitchell, Galileo, Adams and the addition of Spider Spike, OK, thank you. Dr Comfort. Would you like to move on to

1063rd Ok, the 3rd one. This is this has become a standard plan. Amendment any time. >> We want to allocate new money reserve amount money. We go through the plan amendment process. >> And so the board will remember, you 2.3% inflation adjustment on the 2017 in the low back in December. creates an opportunity for 1.2 million dollars, a mellow money. And so we're recommending to uses of that money. First. >> the allocation 2, $586,000 to the statutory requirement of charter charter schools allocations regarding to We have no ability to not allocate per pupil rate. Basically how that's calculated is we look at each charter schools percent of our overall enrollment and then they get a percentage of the M O if we were to not allocate part of the new money our overall charter schools

107portfolio, we would have to find that money from existing pips. And so instead of going to an existing Pippin cutting the last couple of years, we have said let's use part of our new money to offset that that increase in cost. There's an increase in cost because the district approved 2 new charter schools. And then you'll see that leaves a remainder of $667,000. And my request is that we add that to 2017, one comprehensive support model for the exact same reason we talked about in the previous plan Amendment. The general fund right now is kicking in more than 667,000. But we like to help balance that by making that a little more hole Melo funding and then that as well has freed up some general general fund money that I have allocated to compensation. >>

108Can you go all the way back to the beginning and explain of the board how an it comes to pass and its representation of students within the boundary because we have certainly some concerns with the charter portfolio strategy and then how the state back feels throughout week was a shunt. Just so, you know, we can stop a rumor before it starts. Sure. Of course. >> lows are passed in the exact same way bonds or pass, which is they go to the ballot. And so the district 11 community in 2002 1017, regardless, if they had kids in District 11 had kids 11 authorize charter schools, not authorize charter schools, private schools. They went to the ballot and they voted to approve both of those. Both of those in Dallas. And so again, by state law, they

109are required to receive their fair share of the mla. We don't have any option on that. there is for nandi 11 authorize charter schools. The state actually pays. This is an area that I think the state could consider in terms of its financial obligations. Payson equalization. >> Meaning they pay. >> The chart a charter school that is not authorized by the district as close as they can to that districts and mellow cost. And so that is a nother just like declining enrollment. That is a continued cost. The state absorbs because they're trying to make sure that whether you're authorized by the district or not, you don't receive significantly different funding. And so again, this was approved by the voters. All voters of District 11. And so now on an annual basis, we have to make

110sure that every charter school received their fair share of the allocation. And the good news is because the board has been approving the inflationary cause. We have not had to go to any existing anello programs and reduce funding. We haven't had to go and say, hey, because of this now we're going to cut this. And so we're requesting the continuation of that practice to make. That's the recurring budget. Secondarily, we carry a contingency and the analysts. So this is one time money because of under spend a often is largely that's usually because its positions. Right now we're predicting a balance of about 7.2 million dollars. The request is that we take $750,000 of that and we put it towards 2017 PIP 6. That is the device replenishment. We do think that we do have a

111need for some additional funding to do some staff device or punishment. I think this is a wonderful use of one-time money. This is a strategy we're trying to bring, which is how do we put the recurring money against our primary strategy? And then when we have funding available, how do we do things like investing capital projects or invest in technology? And so that is the request. Now, I will say this is only been to the Committee for Non action. It will come to them for action next week. So when I bring this back to you for action, it will have their their vote on it. Okay. Questions from the board. Thanks to comfort. Okay. And that closes it out for the night. So seeing no further business. If there are no objections, this meeting will

112adjourn. >> All right. We will adjourn this meeting at 08:00:06PM. Have a good night. Everybody. ♪