Board of Education Business Meeting 1/20/26

001Yes, >> Mrs. Woods. >> Yes. >> May I have a motion to approve the meeting minutes for 12 9 2025 and 1216 2025? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Mr. Chavis >> approved. >> Mrs. Cole, >> yes. Mrs. Evansson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Heights, yes. Mrs. Woods, >> yes. So, the first thing we're going to do is recognitions. >> And while Secretary Heights is coming up, I just want to remind folks that this month is uh board appreciation month. We did a resolution at the last meeting. Um but it is still board appreciation month. That's actually why we have cake in the back. So, if your parents will allow you, please take cake on your way out. But can we give one more round of applause to our board for all the leadership and

002service they have? >> [snorts] >> I'll do this one and then I'll help you out with that one. >> Would Michael Chemist Carter Haywood and coach Joe Ramuno please join me at the front of the room? [applause] Yeah, I believe the other two have um practices this evening, so they're unable to attend, but we're going to go through this anyway. So, Michael Carter and Coach Ramuno each had an incredible season with the Palisad High School football program, earning player of the year, coach of the year honors. Wow, I messed that up. Earning player of the year, and coach of the year honors, the Bulldogs finished with a 10-3 record and went undefeated in league play. A big accomplishment that reflects the work that these players and coachers put in all year. Michael Kimus was named

003the defensive player of the year and he was a steady presence on the field leading the team with 9.6 tackles per game and adding multiple sacks throughout the season. [snorts] Michael's effort, grit, and consistency helped set the tone for the Bulldog defense. Carter Haywood earned special teams player of the year. As a junior, Carter made an impact in many ways, especially on special teams where field positions and timing mattered. His versatility and reliability made a tangible difference in close games and key moments. Coach [snorts] Ramuno had spent years building the Bulldog program, and his influence goes beyond wins and losses. He's known for setting high expectations, caring about his players, and helping young people grow into strong teammates and leaders both on and off the field, earning him a well-deserved title of coach of the

004year. The board of education and superintendent Hill are excited to recognize Carter, Michael, and Coach Ramuno for the way they represented Palisade High School and District 51 this season. Congratulations to all three of you on a job well done. [applause] >> Amy, would we like to give these to him to take back to them or hold on for the Do you want them? Take them all. Here you go. Congratulations. I didn't know I didn't see the coaches. All right. Will Elena um and I think Amora were the the voted stickers. I voted stickers because I don't think Jacob and Rhett made it, right? Are you the only one that came? All right, come on. Oh. Oh, great. Come here. Okay, come on up. Yes. Yes. All right. All right. Well, all right. So, the Mesa

005County Elections Office hosts its annual I voted sticker contest to celebrate students creativity and encourage civic pride across Mesa County. This year we had more they had more than 150 students submit designs which were narrowed down to 16 student finalists by the election judges before the community voted for their favorites. We're proud to share excuse me um that we had four winning designs that came from my goodness I don't know why I'm shaking here. Um, we this year we had more than 150 students submit designs which were narrowed to 16 finalists by the election judges before the community voted for their favorites. We're proud to share that all four winning designs came from district 51 students showcasing not only their talent but also their strong support they received from their teachers staff um who encourage

006student voice, creativ creativity and civic learning. So, we have is it Elena? Oh, Amora. And then Elena. Okay. And then we also have Rhett and Jacob. So, um, Elena is from New Emerson Elementary. Rhett was from Independence Academy. Jacob is from Independence. And Amora is from Grand High School. And you're our first high school student. Awesome. That won it. Their designs will appear on the official I voted stickers during this year's election season, giving students a visible role in celebrating civic participation throughout the community. The board of education and Superintendent Hill are proud to recognize these students for their creativity and early involvement in civic life. We look forward to seeing your designs worn across Mesa County this election season. So, I encourage you to vote in person so you guys can receive a sticker

007this year. So this is your guys's. [applause] So Callie will get Wait, wait, wait. She'll want to get your picture here. >> [applause] >> Next we have the Mesa View Chicken Hawks. Would you all join me at the front of the room, please? [applause] Tonight, we're excited to celebrate the Mesa View Elementary community, the team, the Chicken Hawks, who comp who competed competed at the first Lego League State Championship in December. This competition brings together teams from across the state to showcase robotics, problem solving, teamwork, and innovation. The Chicken Hawks earned first place. [applause] She had to bring that, didn't she? In the core values category, which honors teams that best demonstrate teamwork, inclusion, respect, and gracious professionalism while creating a positive and supportive team environment. Their sixth place championship ranked performance also earned them

008an invitation to compete at the international level which is a rare and exciting honor. This is the second year in a row that the chicken hawks have earned this award. Oh, it said that I am wrong. It says second, but they said it's the third and that's important. [laughter] Good job, guys. So, it's the third year. Thank you for correcting me in a row that the chickens hawk chicken hawks have earned this award showing their continued commitment to the spirit of the first Lego League. This achievement reflects not only the technical skills but the strong character. The way that this team worked together supported other teams and represented their school which stood out to the judges and their fellow competitors. We also want to recognize coach Liz Fitzgerald who helped start this community team to

009make first Lego League accessible to students across Ma or Mesa County. Her commitment has opened the door for even more students to explore robotics as we are grateful for her passion for teaching and dedication to our D51 community. The board of education and superintendent Hill are excited to recognize this team for their leadership, teamwork, and commitment to the values of first. Congratulation on an outstanding season and best of luck at the international competition. I also need to mention Marty Fitzgerald who's also here. [applause] >> Say he's a great man spoken from the mouths of babes. So, our team members are Georgie Jurgens, Connor Day, RER Day, Holden Gonzalez, Kyla Kohler, Madison Sanchez, and Zay Smith. [applause] All right, let me get Connor Day. Good job. Uh, Zay Smith, these are kind of weird. I'm gonna

010hand this to you and then I'm gonna shake your hand. Or what do you want? Fist bump. We're just gonna fist bump. Keep it simple. Madison Sanchez. Fist bump. Great job. Kyla Kohler. Congratulations. Ryer Day. Holding Gonzalez. Congratulations. Good job. And Georgie Jurgens, there you are. Congratulations. All right, let's give a round of applause. Thank you. [applause] It is a delight to see all of you here tonight, especially all these students. Could I have uh Fra Middle School livewires 3.0 students and coaches come and if you could just [cheering] [applause] keep going? Can you go that way? Thank you. >> Yeah. Thank you. Good job. All right. The Fruta Middle School Livewires 3.0 were one of seven district 51 teams to compete at the first Lego League state championship in December. Joining teams from across

011Colorado to showcase robotics, problem solving, teamwork, and innovation. Competing among some of the top teams in the state, the Livewires 3.0 took the podium for the core values award alongside the Mesa View Chickenhawks. The Livewires 3.0 earned third place in the core values category, an award that recognizes how teams work together, treat others, and contribute to a positive comp competition environment. What stood out was the way this team handled both wins and challenges. They showed impressive leadership, a positive attitude, and genuine willingness to support others, leaving a strong impression on judges and fellow teams. Under the steady leadership of Mrs. Miss Cooney, am I saying that right? The [clears throat] team was guided throughout the season with consistent support and high expectations, helping students grow as teammates, problem solvers, and leaders. The board of education

012and superintendent Hill are proud to recognize the Fra Middle School Livewires 3.0 for their dedication, effort, and positive impact at the state championship. Congratulations on this well-earned accomplishment. [applause and cheering] All right. So, your certificates are for Michaela Allen, Olivia Hughes, Kendall Hoen, [applause] Elsie Wallace, Ava Serriani, Kaden Cooney, Chloe Dawson, Rashan Johnson, [applause] and Asher Serriani. Congratulations >> [cheering and applause] >> Hello. Hello. Uh, could I have Ashley Elliott and Tyrell Elliot up front with me, please? >> How you doing? Why don't you on this side for me? Brick Bobcats. Will they please join me? [applause] >> With the de uh at at the first Lego League state championship in December, the Brick Bobcats competed alongside teams from across Colorado and stood out among a strong field earning a judges award. This award is

013given to teams who impress judges in a unique way they may not fit into a traditional categories recognizing qualities such as leadership, perseverance, creativity, growth, and his distinct team journey. This recognition reflects the strong impression the Brick Bobcats made through their collaboration, positive attitude, and determination throughout the competition. We also want to recognize the coaches who supported this team all season as their guidance, patience, and commitment helped these students build confidence, strengthen teamwork, and develop a sense of responsibility to one another that made this achievement possible. The board of education and superintendent Dr. Hill are proud to recognize DIA brick Bobcats for their commitment, hard work, and strong representation of the school and the district 51. Congratulations on this wellachchieved recognition. [applause] Maxwell uh Biona Camila Yoya Ashley Aguilera Fernanda Ordones Ordons. Thank you. Maya

014Luna Luna. Thank you, Braxton Elliot. There you go. [applause] Alexander Alba Marcas. Mateo Garcia. Congratulations. Noel Manohares. Thank you. That one will be on. Gracious. Thank you. >> [applause] >> All right. Thank you so much. Um, it's my pleasure to ask the Mesa View Elementary Hawk Challenger students to come join me at the front of the room, please. [cheering] [applause] >> And then is it? >> Um, okay. Okay, so at the first Lego League state championship in December where teams from across Colorado came together to solve challenges through robotics, creativity, and teamwork, the MVE MVE Hawk Challengers delivered an outstanding performance, showcasing their school and district pride in earning a spot on the podium. The Hawk Challengers earned second place in the robot design category. The award focuses on how teams approach the engineering process,

015how they plan, build, test, and improve their robot robot. Judges look closely at how the team how well a team understands the design choices, how reliable the robot is, and how clearly students can explain how it works. This recognition reflects the team's strategic planning, problem solving, and willingness to learn through trial and error. The robot design showed strong thinking, teamwork, and attention to detail, made possible by the coaches who shared their knowledge, guided the process, and supported students every step of the way. The board of education and Superintendent Hill are proud to recognize the MVE Hawk Challengers for their engineering skills, collaboration, and dedication throughout the season. Congratulations on your second place finish. A well-deserved accomplishment. [applause] All right, Madden. Madden, [applause] >> Colt, [cheering and applause] Xavier, Juniper, and Atlas. [applause] And thank you

016to the coaches also as well. Thank you for your hard work. >> [applause] [cheering] >> Hello everyone. Uh before we go on, there is cake in the back. Please cut up some and take some home with you, please. We will not eat it all here. So, if you guys will take it home, that would be great. Uh, if you want to stay here uh for the rest of the stuff, you're more than welcome. But if you would like to go home, you can leave. [laughter] for all that is uh remained. There is a signup sheet over here for uh for the audience comments. If you would like to sign up so that you you be able to speak, please sign up. Thank you so much. We'll go on to board reports. Good things. >> I

017just wanted to um recognize [clears throat] we did celebrate uh art for one of the poster contests for MLK. I went on I believe it was Saturday and was able to see all of the artwork and I just want to congratulate the kids again. They were beautiful and amazing. There were a number of um entries and then also I went to the workforce development day at CMU um just to to learn more and that was also very impressive. uh really want to congratulate our district team for putting that on, but really thank the community for their partnership in hosting that. Um I went to the D1 Foundation Sparkle and Swap getting ready for the White and it was actually really fun. Um it was a small but mighty little group. So if they hold it

018again, I suggest anyone go if you go to White Ice fairly often. Um and then also just a reminder that white ice is coming up in the next couple of weeks. >> I got to attend um the actual I voted um sticker uh when uh uh clerk gross uh recognized the students at the uh county commissioners meeting. So that was really fun to see their families there and gave them baskets and uh recognized them. So um Dr. Hill said a few words um that morning. So, it was fun to um see the students there that morning and the commissioners um said a few things. So, it was a a neat morning there with the students there as well. Had an opportunity to visit a couple of schools and I just want to say thank you

019to the staff for being so welcoming and just taking us through and showing us your classrooms and um shout out to do Rios. I had an opportunity to be there a couple weeks ago and it was just nice seeing the students and the staff and touching base with everybody. So, Thanks for that. >> I was able to attend the Central High School Warrior Classic. It was a wonderful thing. I really appreciate the amount of people that were there from the community supporting our wrestlers. Uh give a shout out to our female uh Phoenix team. They won the Warrior Classic. And shout out especially to Dan Brook's daughter who won her uh weight class in the tournament. So that was that was really cool to watch. I never seen Dan move so fast in my life

020when he's up and down in that chair watching his his daughter wrestle. Totally amazing. But it was uh an amazing wrestling tournament. There was both gyms were completely full and you saw children uh there was one young man that I don't remember he was where he was from but he wrestled somebody that was from Utah that was a two-year state champion undefeated. and this young man uh pinned him within a minute. Uh and his family just went crazy just because it was like it was amazing matches. So I really appreciate it lots. >> Do we have any community activities and updates? >> Um I um went to the parks improvement advisory board. So we call that PAB. Um we just meet quarterly. So we had our first meeting of the year. Um, so that is

021two members from the city of Grand Junction, two members from D-51, and two members from the JO committee and two members from the county. And so um we just kind of all um jointly or well collaboratively um work through different projects um you know across the district and um the county and the city. Um you know we all use Stoker Stadium. So, um mostly just talked about um uh well CMU's obviously update with the farmhouse um and what they want to do with that. Um the entryway project to Stoker Stadium. Um as you guys have probably seen, they do not use the um building with the ticket entrance anymore because a lot of people use um their phones now for virtual tickets. So, they're thinking about um taking that building down um to create a

022better um ingress and egress um into uh Stoker Stadium. So, um so there might be some work that you'll start seeing um to the entrance there. I'm not exactly sure when they might get going on that, but um uh since all entities kind of use that, they're looking at a a more efficient way of utilizing that space. and um there'll still be a way to get tickets at the at the gate um but they need to utilize it in a better way. So um so it was great to just meet um everybody there and um kind of see what some of the projects are coming up and then um I'm on the D-51 foundation board um at least till a couple more months and then we'll transition over to Director Woods. Um and so basically

023just getting ready for the big white iced event. Um wrapping up with uh donations. Um lots of great items for the silent auction and um just the event for the evening. So um basically we just kind of work really hard um getting all of that ready for that evening. So those are my two committee updates. >> Anything else? No. Then we have uh D51 happenings and celebrations. >> Good evening board. I'm Sierra Hawkins, communications and marketing specialist for District 51, here to share the latest happenings and celebrations across D51. To start, our January Golden Apple Award winner is Sue Smith, a kindergarten teacher at Pier Park Elementary. Sue is recognized for her exceptional dedication to students and staff, consistently supporting her classroom, colleagues, and substitute teachers wherever she is needed. Her passion for teaching kindergarten

024is reflected in the growth and success of her students, and her impact extends well beyond the classroom. Families and former students continue to recognize her years later as a favorite teacher. Sue's commitment, generosity, and lasting influence make her truly deserving of this award, and we are grateful to have her as part of our D51 community. Deputy Davidson from Mesa County Sheriff's Office made a special visit to Thunder Mountain Elementary, where he taught students about what it's like to serve as a deputy and quickly made a number of new friends. Visits like this highlight the positive connections our students build with law enforcement, making January's Law Enforcement Appreciation Day an especially meaningful time to thank D-51 school resource officers, security staff, and local deputies who help keep our schools and communities safe. Through the relationships they

025relationships they build and the reassurance they provide, they play an important role in creating supportive and safe learning environments for our students. D51 high school juniors participated in the annual workforce development day this year at Colorado Mesa University where students engaged in hands-on learning tied to career readiness and post-graduation planning. Students tooured campus selected breakout sessions aligned to their interests including healthcare technology construction and entrepreneurship and heard a keynote from Dr. Roberto Mononttoya, senior vice president for stu student services at CMU. This event highlights that strong schools really do build build strong communities. And we're so grateful to our community partners, our career college and readiness team, especially Andrea Keer, our high school counselors, and our district leaders for making these count these opportunities possible for our students. Central High School marked an import, excuse

026me, Central High School marked an important milestone in STEM education with the signing of a new partnership with Colorado Mesa University and CU Boulder Engineering. This collaboration, which was formalized through a recent signing event at Central High School, will create expanded opportunities for students interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics beyond high school. Through the partnership, students will have access to mentorship, hands-on learning opportunities, and concurrent enrollment options designed to expose them to real world engineering and innovation. The signing event brought together CHS students, families, and partners, reflecting a shared commitment to student opportunity and academic excellence. We are so grateful for our partners at CMU and for CHS STEM coordinator Noel Wescott and principal Zeb Hayward for bringing this partnership to life and making this opportunity possible for central STEM central STEM students. Fruitfell

027Elementary received $7,500 from the Grand Junction Lions Club, matched by School District 51, for a total of 15,000 to fund a universal all-inclusive carousel for the school playground. This investment will help ensure that play is accessible for all students. Brookville will recognize the Lions Club through a commemorative plaque and continued participation in community events, including the Lions Club parade, annual carnival, and kickwalk on February 21st. We appreciate the Lions Club ongoing partnership and commitment to supporting inclusive spaces for our students. Mesa View Elementary continues to engage students in career exploration through its career day series held every six weeks in partnership with local businesses and organizations. This month, students explored engineering in action with support from Eureka McConnell Science Museum, taking on the role of engineers as they designed roller coasters and learned about centri

028centrifugal force. Thank you. Thanks to Bella Find from Eureka for leading an engaging handson experience that helps students see how science and engineering come to life and connect to real world careers. Finally, School District 51 has officially launched Parent Square as our new unified communication platform, strengthening how schools and families stay connected. To support families in using the platform with confidence, D51 will be offering Parent Square 101, free in-person training sessions hosted at each high school. These sessions are designed for families who are new to Parent Square or just would like some helpful tips and guidance, ensuring everyone has the tools they need to stay informed and engaged. More information about these can be found on our website and social media platforms. That's all we have for January happenings and celebrations. Be sure to catch

029up on all things D51 by following us on X, Twitter, and Instagram at D51 schools. Thank you. >> Thank you. If I can say something really quick, the Fruit Veil, if anyone's been to the Fruit Veil playground, you know that this is much much needed and it's so great that they're getting all of these grants and awards. Um there's not really a playground there anymore. So, I'm just so thrilled for that group that they're getting all these extras. >> Thank you. Next, we have uh superintendent report. >> Yeah. Um a couple things before we jump into that. One, I do want to thank Cali [clears throat] and the team for all the work that went into the Parent Square launch. That's like a it's like a quick update that goes on the screen, but that

030was months if not a year or more uh worth of work um with a committee. And remember that ties back to the strategic plan around how we can find ways to better communicate with families. And so, a lot of work from Cali and the team went into just selection and roll out of that um application. And I would say, you know, as a parent, I've enjoyed it a lot. it's a lot easier for me to use. I can get that daily digest where I can get all the information in one spot. So, um just want to thank Cali and the team for launching that um that app. It took a lot of work and I know it was just one slide on the screen, but y'all did a lot to get that to happen. Um

031and then also forgot to mention earlier, but Jacob wasn't here tonight, but that kiddo that was one of the I or was one of the four finalists for I Voted also was a student who won the MLK poster contest. So, he's a very good artist um and was recognized on Monday. So, Jacob at Independence, I know he wasn't here tonight, but congratulations to him on winning both of those art contests. So, um that's all the good news I have because now we're going to jump into not fun news. Um so, uh my report tonight really is around legislative update, but also a lot around budget. Um and so we have Amy Atwood, uh on the call. She's going to give us a legislative update at the state and federal level and then also Mel's going

032to come up and join her in a second as well uh to talk about some some latest updates before we get into the district budget. So, I'll turn it over to Amy. Thanks for being here. >> Great. Thank you. Can you hear me? >> Yes. >> Okay, great. Good evening. Amy Atwood, contract lobbyist with the district. Tonight, I'll go through a few things. First, I'll start with the federal update, then go through the legislative update and bills, and [music] then we'll talk about the budget. So, first the federal update. Overall, federal funding remains in flux as the Trump administration continues continues efforts to dismantle the US Department of Education. Ultimately, Congress has to approve that. So, to totally dismantle the department, Congress has to approve that. The president has approved cuts, but to fully implement

033it, more steps have to happen and again, Congress has to be included. His 26 proposal, FY26, this is a few things that are in it. Um, cut to the overall US Department of Education budget by 15%. So even if it is um dismantled the overall education funding would be cut by 15% or 67 billion. Another 77 million is recommended for cuts to teacher quality partnerships. The White House has also said that it wants to eliminate $315 million for preschool development grants. And then recently, um, the Trump administration, it was at the end of December, had announced that they would be withholding funds for, uh, preschool, child care, TANNIF, and it was estimated to be $300 million, would be frozen, and that hasn't come to fruition. The state AG has asked for a temporary stay on

034that and is suing the administration over that. So that hasn't come to fruition and none have none none of these other cuts have either. But I think just putting it out there that a 15% overall cut to federal funding would would definitely have an impact on the district. How quickly that could happen or if it could happen is still um to be seen. Okay, let's go into legislative overview. of the Colorado legislative session started last Wednesday and it has started off really fast. We had nearly a 100 bills introduced and that's the first time on the first day in the years that I've been there, the 15 years I've been there, that we've seen a 100 bills in the first day introduced. So, they are certainly getting to work. Um the makeup is still democratic

035controlled. The Democrats have a majority. Um they don't have a supermajority by one. And a super majority would um allow uh ballot measures, propositions to be put on the ballot without a Republican vote. Um as well as overturn a veto. So currently they have to have some type of bipartisan support to do those to do those two things. But the makeup the numbers from last year are still the numbers numbers this year. There is um a split within the Democratic caucus right now between what those are calling the opportunity caucus and they are saying they are more moderate and then the progressive caucus. So, and it is a big rift and it will have um it will have implications going forward within session and depending on how that opportunity caucus plays with its votes. Now,

036nobody is beholden to a caucus for their vote. I want to say that. But just who who people who the legislators are are going to it will it will definitely have an impact. So, we'll have to see how that plays out as well. Later this evening, you will receive a an email from me with the bill chart. So, all any of the bills that have been introduced so far, I think there are five bills that have been introduced so far are on that chart. You can go in, you can read the bills. Please don't hesitate to email me back or text me if you have questions on any of those bills and then we can we can discuss um any questions. Also, if you are in a meeting or you hear someone talk about legislation

037and you don't know the bill number, that's okay. Just email me, text me, and I'll be able to figure out what you're talking about and chase down answers. So again, don't don't hesitate. And during session, um texting is quicker for me than email because I'm up and talking all day long. So if you want a quick response, please text me and my cell phone will be in that in the email I send tonight. And lastly, with the bill list, you will see a school finance act bill on the chart. whether that is the bill that is ultimately passes or not, it is a placeholder right now. So I I just I I say that because I don't believe that the school finance act is going to run before the budget this year, which would make

038it different than any other year school finance has run. So when you see that, um, just know that it will change. It definitely will change. And then state budget. I've talked about this every time I speak. The state budget is definitely overspent or in the hole by $850 million. That is including the new revenue coming in. So there is there is more revenue coming into the state in the 2627 budget year. Um, but the obligations of current statute are are outpacing the revenue that's coming in by $850 million. What is driving that predominantly is Medicaid and Medicaid expansion? Colorado has a has a large Medicaid population. So, discussions are happening about provide cutting provider rates and services. So that is one one big budget item that is being discussed. So is K12 education is being

039discussed for a cut. Whether we see that as a budget stabilization factor or something else is still to be seen. And higher education, higher education is also looking um looking at a cut. Those three, Medicaid, higher education, and K12 are twothirds of the state budget. So when the legislature has to go to the deep pockets that to to those areas that have deep pockets, unfortunately, we are we are one of them. education is. So with that, no decisions have been made on on any kind of cuts and we likely won't see that in the school finance act until much later, closer to April. But there is an issue that has um come to light, a glitch. We found out about it on Friday that the way the way the department of education and legislative services,

040legislative council services ran the formula for district 51 and the hold harmless provision in district 51 that the glitch is they weren't they didn't run the numbers right and district 51 is looking at a $600,000 cut in this current budget year. So Mel can talk more about the the mechanics of it, but I want you to know that I'm on top of it. So I have met with the department of education. I have met with legislative council staff. I've met with the speaker of the house. I've met with uh joint budget committee members. I've met with case um Colorado school executives. I did that all throughout the weekend. Um Dr. Hill reached out to the commissioner and her got a text back. So this is it is on the radar and we are working to

041to have the state hold the commitment that they made in negotiations which was it really was a hold harmless that a district could not go negative. But it seems that the bill itself wasn't written that way. So that's why we're in this position. Um, but I just want you to know it is top of mind and it is I spent a good portion of the weekend and today chasing chasing down and letting everyone know that it absolutely is unacceptable. So with that, happy news. Are there any questions? Are are we the only district that this was that was affected by this or are there other districts that was that were affected by this? Quote, >> there are four there are four districts that are affected. Um three two really small districts. Aspen is small, but

042it has a bigger budget. Um, but the hit to their budgets is inconsequential and nobody none of the other three are being hit like Mesa. >> Thank you. I I think it's important historical perspective like this was the conversation that we had in the past and you know you worked with um Representative Tagert and folks at the state level to try to find some way to do a hold harmless list for certain districts that were going to be negatively impacted by um some of the things that were going to be implemented. And so and even the board, you know, asked questions and asked for you to go back and and the board ultimately supported the school finance act because of the fact that we were told that there would be a hold harmless provision put

043in there and and you you used the word glitch because that was the word that was used when we got the phone call on Friday. It's you know uh in being interpreted differently um than it was prior. And so you know I it's frustrating. It's also frustrating because um we're it's January 20th and now we're being told, "Oh, oops. We need $600,000 back um after you've already planned for the year and we're already halfway over halfway through it." So, it's an issue. Um you know, Mel and I spoke with CDE on um Friday and had a fun conversation with them and um and also talking to the commissioner. I do think that there to your point, you know, I don't want to speak for anybody, but I think there is an understanding and some support

044around trying to find a solution. Um, but until the ink's dry, I don't believe anything. And so I there is an there is a a chance that we could be talking about a $600,000 hole that we didn't expect before um in our budget this school year because of a a quote unquote glitch at the state level. So, um, and you said earlier that you thought we'd try to we'd find some resolution within the next week or two around this. >> Yes, I was just going to mention that. So, this is part of what they call supplementals, supplemental bills because it impacts this current year and every department, every state department has supplemental bills and this will be a part of could be a part of the Department of Education supplemental bill and those run They'll

045they'll run in the beginning of February. So, we should have resolution fairly quickly at least for this current year. >> Any other questions about that? Again, it it's unfortunate. Feels like we were told one thing or something else is happening now, but just any questions about that one in specific or specifically from the board. >> So, worst case scenario is they want $600,000 back. >> Yeah. So essentially it would reduce our PPR by about $31 this year, the amount we receive per student. >> Um so it would be a fix in this year, but then I think even as we're planning for next year, like that's our new PPR that whatever increase or decrease would be calculated off of. So it will be an ongoing no matter if they're able to fix it in this

046current budget year for us through the supplemental process, but it's definitely something we'll now also have to consider next year. Amy, was it um I don't know if it was you last time or maybe it's been I don't know. There's been so much that's been coming out that I've reading or hearing. Is the um or maybe Mel, you said it last time. Is the governor considering um going after the specific ownership tax to take off the top and then not get like if we get specific ownership tax then not giving us that amount of money if we collect that. Were you telling >> I I have some slides today um to kind of go into what it could look like just based on last year's number for us but it would be a substantial hit.

047I know Amy is on top of that one as well and monitoring it. >> Do all counties or All districts get specific ownership tax that we know >> it's from the vehicle registrations. Um, so it's divvied up though between the local governments based on the number of mills that are levied. And so in Mesa County, we levy have the largest levy. And so we receive quite a bit in specific ownership. And so it would be a really large impact to us. >> And also areas that have um additional MLOs's that their uh voters have approved. So additional mills that they're levying either for bond or for mill levy overrides. it would be including that money as well from the specific ownership piece of it and moving that into formula. And so districts that have more

048voter approved funding would be hit harder as well. >> So my frustration around this is that they say they're not going to hit K12 funding, but they are going to hit K12. Correct. >> Right. because so they're they're going to say we're not necessarily going to cut your dollars, but we're going to cut your dollars by going after other monies that you use. And so I mean, if I'm looking I'm looking at the second quarter financials and for the 24 25 year specific ownership tax, it's like 12 million. >> And I mean, and then we get five million. I mean, so it's a significant amount of our I mean budget. >> Yeah. And the way that you're explaining it is exactly how I see and Amy might have a different take on it, but being

049in those conversations, but it's I the way it makes it hard for local school districts and communities to explain it to um their their towns and their cities because in the states information that they're putting out, they're saying they're fully funding um the finance formula going to a new formula, all of those things. But just like the changes to averaging is a budget reduction to us. This is another change to the formula, that is a budget reduction to local school districts. Well, it's I'll just call it what it is. It's a shell game, right? It's just you put the ball under one cup and then you're just moving it the ball under a different cup is what is what they're trying to do. Amy, maybe you can answer this. How can we as a board,

050I mean, I guess maybe help you lobby for what we need best this year? And maybe it's too early for you to answer that, but I mean, to me, this is just kind of pulling the rug out from underneath us again. Um, again, you know, when a year or two ago, they said they were doing away with the budget stabilization factor, but then [snorts] there was kind of a workaround. Um, >> sorry. >> That's okay. Little friend there. Why do cats love computers and monitors? I don't know. That's I get it. So, um, they then there was sort of a workaround of them still trying to kind of do the BS factor. So, again, it's they're they're going to just like I said, they're going to say they're not going after K12 funding, but but

051they are. They're just going to kind of come at us from the side or from the back. So, I don't know if there's a way that you can kind of keep us surprised of how we can best help you. >> Definitely. And and as a collective K12 lobbying core um and districts really we're saying if you're going to cut us, cut us with a BS factor because we can track that. Don't be sneaky and do it all these different ways. Um just call it what it is. this so tax issue of it's a local it's local dollars but it hasn't been running through the formula. It really it hasn't been accounted for really anywhere but in your in your local the budget that you have. And so what the governor's office is saying is that

052this money is local money and the more local money that gets put in the less state money we in turn get. So there's an interpretation of law at play here again. Um, and it's unfortunate that this is the year that the budget director, Mark Farendino, has chosen to use it. He was a CFO at DPS and so he knew about this a long ago. It's been on their radar. So know that we are lobbying hard and once once things start to solidify a little bit more and I would say just that'll be in the next couple weeks I'll have for you um what you can do to help. Is anyone coming to the Casby Day at the Capitol? >> Yeah Vicki Vicki and I are coming to that. So I was going to ask if

053we can meet you there. >> Definitely. and we'll connect and we can even connect on the phone on your way in um the day before and we can talk about talking points and I can set up meetings so that you specifically you you get meetings um and it's coming up >> in the next next week. So, I think I'm going to I'm going to also push that we have meetings on um on the glitch that we need to have meetings on that, too. So, let's connect. Actually, we need to connect before next week. So, I'll reach out to you to connect. Yeah, that would be good because maybe you can get them kind of caught up on um yeah, just what we really advocated for with that bill with the hold harmless because it was

054a carveout that we really advocated for for here in Mesa County which was Amy worked really hard on that. Um I I'm I'm just so frustrated with our state um and because this is this is not equitable funding. I mean, if they want to take this so tax, this then puts us this is not even two steps forward, one step back. This would be five steps back if they want to go after this specific ownership tax. I mean, it's it's tens of millions of dollars, at least in our instance. And I mean, that is more than pulling the rug out from underneath us. I mean, that's almost crippling um to many districts. And so I mean it's I mean I'm not I mean I'm not over exaggerating. This is this is really really bad for

055them to go about it that way. So I know I'm preaching to the choir Amy. So um if you guys can at all you know ex you know say that to to them there but I don't know if I don't know if our counterpart like it's just different over here sometimes than it is in Denver. So, and and again, what do we rank right now out of the districts? Have we moved up or down? >> 2 171 >> 171. Yeah. >> And the in the specific >> course now with this change, we probably just dropped again. >> The specific ownership tax will it'll hit every district. Um, but like you said, it'll hit each district differently. I think on the call we were on last week, DPS mentioned it would be like a $28 million

056hit to them, too. So, I I have a feeling that this is going to get a lot of um push back from districts across the state. Uh unfortunately, I mean, for a good reason, but unfortunately, we're even having to have this discussion. So, yeah, and as a reminder, all this and we're still underfunding uh K12 by three and a half billion dollars a year in the state. And then we're over here trying to figure out how to keep $5 million um because the state wants to take that now, too. So, it's the whole thing's unfortunate. So, but I I do we do appreciate um the amount of calls that you've made over the weekend and the folks you're talking to and I know we've got some planned meetings coming up as well. So, we'll keep

057the board updated on what happens with the um quoteunquote glitch. >> Okay, sounds good. Thank you. >> Were there any other questions for Amy? I know she's going to hang on in case there's anything that comes up during mills, but anything right now for her? Okay. And I know I mentioned earlier that no more good news, but we do have good news. We have a great CFO who um has helped us navigate all this and so she's going to share um our budget update next. >> Mel, I do have a question though. >> Did you say how much if we get hit with the ownership tax? Like what are we looking at? >> Yeah, based on last year's numbers, it would be 5.8 million. And I do have some slides towards the tail end of

058this that talks just about future years and and that change specifically, but it would be 5.8. Um the thing about specific ownership tax is that you don't know what you're going to get until it's collected and passed on from the county to us. And so um using last year's numbers, that would be the number is 5.8 million. >> Thank you. >> Yep. All right. So, um there are two parts to the presentation tonight. The first is um more the typical piece that we would be reporting on and that's the second quarter uh business financials and investment reports and then our budget readtion which is kind of our midyear true up um before I go into some of the the overall funding concerns. And so, excuse me really for this current year um you know we

059plan to be where we're at. There are some changes to revenue, some changes to expenses that we're trueing up. Um, but for this current year, um, our planning has been sufficient and and we're okay. We're in a good position there. Um, the quarterly financials, we continue to meet with our fiscal oversight committee. That's a committee of community members that meet um to review the financials and prepare a memo to the board ahead of uh tonight's meeting. Um, across all of our funds, our revenues and expenses are tracking largely as we would expect, but because this is presented in tandem with the readopted budget, if there were any notable variances, we've reconciled those in the readopted budget. And so, they really go hand in hand in this quarter. And so, just to speak to the general

060fund at midyear, uh, we've received 42.61% of our budgeted revenues. Last year was a little bit higher pace at 44%. Um that's partly due to the shift of a little more local uh property taxes in the formula this year, a little less state equalization with those property taxes being received in the spring. Um and then also just the October student count adjustments that are um adjusted in the readopted budget. Um the other pieces are expenses. We're at 49.02% of budgeted expenses. Last year we were at 47.89. And by far the largest contributing factor to this are those COLA one-time um cost of living in L payments to staff that uh the first of two payments went out in the December payroll. And so that definitely increases our expenses, but it hasn't been incorporated in the

061readopted budget because they were approved in July after the adopted budget had been approved. And so that is a true up in the readopted budget as well. So just high level why we read budgets. It is that's allowable by state statute for districts to do by January 31st of each fiscal year. Really, the purposes are that we do adopt a budget in June before we have our final um end of uh year fund balances. Our year goes through June 30th. And so, this is our first opportunity to adjust our beginning fund balance to the actual for each fund. It's also where we make reconciliations to revenue um for our October count and the MILV certification that the board approves in December. And then as well as updating any expenditures that have changed um since the

062June budget adoption. So these slides are a little tedious, but they'll kind of walk through the revenue, the transfer, and the expenditure adjustments line by line. board, you also had a full reconciliation in your packets that walk through the individual changes um in the general fund as well as in the other funds. And so just starting from the top again because of the late timing of the glitch um this is all pre $600,000 glitch. And so [clears throat] as of Friday morning, um our PPPR had changed by $2.32 from adopted budget and we were down 37.6 funded student FTE after our averaging calculation from what we had come in expecting. And so our actual K12 student count was down 559 students from last year. And we had budgeted for most of that at 483. Um

063but there was a slightly greater decline than we were anticipating. And so that means $464,000 less in revenue than was included in the adopted budget. Um, our 1996 mil levy override is the only MLO that adjusts for inflation. And so, as approved in the December mil levy certification, uh, we will receive 2.3% more in that. And so, that's a positive adjustment of about 142,000. Um, there are several state categoricals. Um, some are based in reimbursements on reimbursements, some are allocations, but we pull these directly from CDE's web page of the give and take of those and they do net to a decrease of $173,000 from what we had adopted in June. Um, our mineral lease revenue again is one of those uh pass through revenues that we kind of get it when we get it.

064And so just looking at the last couple years experience, um we do need to adjust that revenue line item down to be more what we're currently receiving. And so an adjustment there of $250,000 less. And ironically, our bright spot in the readopted budget was our specific ownership revenue that those tax collections have been increasing. We think about like the cost of a vehicle, right? That's a big component in what you pay for your vehicle registration. And we know that that's certainly been increasing in recent years that and that people are still buying vehicles. And so it definitely has an economic um driver behind it. But this is just based on our last year's collections. And our collections are up about 5% this current year as well at this midyear point. And so um trueing that

065up closer to what we actually expect. Um, so it's ironic that that's kind of the lone bright spot that helped us balance the budget given where those talks are going, but these do net into an increase in anticipated revenue of $1.2 million in the current year. Um, so just to delve a little bit more into student count, um, preschool through 12th grade, we were down 622 students this year from last, um, from 19,920 to 1929. That's an additional decline of 3%. So we continue to experience those really steep declines. Um if we look back to 201920, that's a cumulative decline of 12 and a.5% of our student population or 2766 students. Uh we've been in an averaging position when it comes to our funding since the year 202021. And up until this year, that had

066been calculated based on a five-year averaging where we get the benefit of the greatest of either actual or up to a five-year average count. This year, of course, that was reduced to four years, and it's currently in legislation to reduce that to three years next year. But of course, with the state's budget the way that it is, there are talks that that could reduce to two years in future years, um, as soon as 2728, I would imagine. And so, through averaging, the district is receiving 8.8 8 million through uh this year. And so that's why averaging is so important. It's just that it gives us the time to adjust to those declines um over a few years at least and to adjust and make thoughtful decisions rather than just the yo-yo of up and down

067in student enrollment and immediately losing the full amount of funding. And so we are being funded for 787 student FTE more than our actual student FTE count um would support. So the next uh category are transfers. So these are either the transfers in between our funds like general fund to capital. All right. And it's also the category where we pass through our PPR money for our in district charter schools. So, Independence, Juniper, and Mesa Valley, we received the funding and that's included in our overall total student count um their enrollments and their counts were up 65 student FTE from the budgets that they had submitted to us at adoption. And so that means that we'll be passing on $777,000 either through PPR and the local mil levy share um more than we had budgeted for

068at adopted. So that's the other piece of the PPR true up. Um transfer from the 2024 MIL levy override. Those are those five days uh student contact days. We transfer it from the mil levy override the 2024 back in to offset the actual general fund costs. And so there's always a true up on the actual salaries there. And then we've talked about it before but our risk management uh fund fund 64 it's the last fund in any budget book um has really been struggling. that transfer has not been increased the entire time that that fund's been in existence. It's been at one and a half million dollars. Um but it's just not carrying keeping up with costs. We see costs in personnel increasing in that fund. We see costs of um property insurance and claims,

069workers comp, those types of things um are all increasing. And so we need to at least increase it by this 500,000. That was the amount that I could put in and still have a balanced budget. but it is something that we'll need to plan for to continue to increase if possible next year as well. Um, so their reserve funds are something that we're closely monitoring because they are getting pretty low and some of those claims you don't always know and so you do need to have a reserve in that fund. And so you'll remember the increase to revenue was 1.2 um but we're transferring 1.4 out in addition to what we had planned for at adopted. [snorts] So the last category are our expenditure adjustments. And so there's two categories on here this year. One

070is ongoing changes and one is one time change to expenditures. Um, so throughout this year, uh, we've been working hard that just knowing the type of budget, um, that we're in and what we're expecting is that when there are position vacancies that have come up throughout the year, we're looking at those at central office to make sure if there's anything we can do to save money before we back field those positions. And so these first two line items are just kind of routine things trueing up to our actual CMU Tech and Boseies contract. Um, we had budgeted for kind of an idea, a placeholder before the contract was signed. We're actually going to spend $87,000 less on that contract this year than we had planned for. Um, our compensation oversight committee continues to meet and

071that's the committee that reviews positions for if they're in or out of market and so very few adjustments um have been recommended and approved just $2,800. And so these ongoing changes are primarily those cost-saving measures that we've been able to do. And again, that's what's been so important to get us back to a balanced readed budget are these changes that have been made throughout the year. And so as these positions have come open, um they we've not posted them to backfill. So one is the assessment admin specialist position, one attendance advocate, one groundskeeper position, one carpenter, one AV tech. um when there was a warehouse person opening, we reduced the days from a year round to more of a school year calendar for one and then moving um one of our special service provider positions

072into into some grant funding. And so these are things that we'll continue to look at throughout the remainder of the year and pull back any savings um that we can capture and just gearing up for where we're at next year. Um certainly if the glitch sticks and we're looking at a $600,000 funding reduction, um rather than having those go towards what we're trying to achieve for next year, we would first need to start covering that piece. So it does, uh set us back. Um [snorts] by far the largest adjustment in this budget is the one time those cola payments to employees. Um so that's a $3.1 $3.1 million add to budget. That's a onetime expense. And just as a reminder, those payments are equal to 2.3%. So the amount of inflation um onto a employees

073base annual salary for a max of $3,000 payment for the year. Um 1.5 almost 1.6 was paid from the general fund in the December payroll and then the second payment will be made in the May payroll. And they followed the funding source of the regular assignment. So this is the general fund portion, but there were similar adjustments made to the other funds if their funding source was outside of general fund. [snorts] And so when you kind of net all of this together, what we're looking at far as the fund balance or how we think the general fund will end at the end of the year, um we had come into this adopted budget with $368,000 use of ongoing fund balance. So our budget wasn't quite balanced coming into this year. um with the readapted budget,

074we're now planning to use 3.1 million of fund balance. But again, that's because of those onetime payments. And so if we're looking at just our ongoing result of operations, we are back to a balanced budget at 30,268 to the positive. Um that would put us at a year-end fund balance of 21% of our current year expenditures and transfers in either committed or unassigned reserves by the end of the year. So that meets our 20% committed minimum and then a little bit of flexibility there with 1% above that in unassigned. And so that's about $3 million that you see here, the 313342. It's kind of confusing because those numbers are pretty close, but they are two different numbers and two different calculations. Um, but that kind of is our our flexibility above the 20% and again

075because it's reserves, those are onetime dollars. Um, so other notable changes, just walking through other funds, we did true up the beginning fund balances across all funds. So that's a change you'll see to each fund. Um, looking at our interest revenues across all funds, rates are starting to drop. And so there were some um, accounts that needed to be adjusted in other funds. And then we've talked about it in the past, but preschool nutrition services and then that risk management that we were able to increase the transfer for, those are all funds that continue to have uh less revenue increases than their expenses um are increasing. And so the revenue is just not keeping pace with costs. And so we'll continue to monitor those. Um all but the nutrition services fund are supported at least

076in part by a transfer from the general fund. And so that's something that we'll definitely need to be reviewing for next year as well is just what that level of support from the general fund can be and should be um and what we'll be able to do there. Um the other piece was the closeout of the Grand Junction High School bond project. be presented in that on the December board meeting um with the MI levby certification, but this uh readopted budget formalizes that that we're moving $3.1 million that was remaining in our bond project funds into our bond redemption fund. Um that'll be used to repay the debt as was approved by voters in the ballot question. Um within the capital projects, there was the sale of the Elm Cottage that was about $350,000 of

077revenue. So, we've chewed that budget up. Um, the addition of the phase one uh remodel of the D51 Educational Services Center at East now that the Thank you. Um, now that the Compass lease has expired, um, so that expiration of that lease was already budgeted for, but just adding in that phase one cost of the remodel and then formalizing a line item within capital projects for safety and security. um before they didn't really have a designated capital fund project and so just being able to set that line item in there for some equipment needs. Um there is also a new fund added in there. Uh fund 44 is brand new and that is where we're going to be tracking our energy performance project that was approved last month as well um with Schneider Electric. And

078so we have received the uh proceeds from that financing. And so that's where the revenue and expenses will be tracked. And then within our 2024 MIL levby fund, the upfront contribution from our maintenance dollars that'll go towards uh funding the first portion of those projects, the budget was also added for that. And then I've touched on it already, but that increase to the transfer and the risk management fund where we're closely monitoring our costs and reserve levels. So that's kind of the current year budget before I really delve into next year. Um, so I'll pause if you guys have any questions on kind of the current year piece. [clears throat] If you could just um clarify for me and and maybe we can do this later too, but on the risk management um and it

079could be both, but increasing costs, is it more workers comp and comp claims? I would say the biggest piece that we've seen across the board are insurance premiums. So like our property insurance is a definitely a big factor that and this just the natural increases of the cost of everything including salary and benefits where we haven't changed that transfer in in many many years since this fund started. Okay. And then um on the Colorado preschool program you just said that the revenues were not keeping up with cost. Is that a similar I noticed that the numbers of kids were down, but yeah, so they were down a little bit from what they were budgeting for at the beginning of the year. And so we made those adjustments, but really it's a symptom of UPK, the

080universal preschool program, where we used to receive funding for preschoolers at the same as our PPR, our per pupil revenue. And now there's an entirely different formula for calculating how much we receive. And it's based on the number of hours of services that students qualify for. and it also changes throughout the year. So, it's not just based on an October count. It really is month by month, but then their increases that they um uh approve through the state budget aren't the same as our PPR increases either. And so, it's like our staff, we increase salaries and benefits across the board, but those rates that we're getting from our UPK uh funding are not the same as the PPR increases or any changes there. And so, they're just they're not keeping pace. Yeah, I guess I

081just [clears throat] like um I'm not going to be real articulate about this, but it feels like uh and I'm I'm a real proponent of universal preschool, of course, for all the right reasons, but it's just feels like another example of districts taking on a state. And so, currently we're transferring $400,000 in additional funding. um above and beyond the either preschool special education funding or the UPK reimbursements, a little bit of tuition, but we're we are supplementing it with our general fund dollars. And that's really common. When I talk to other districts across the state, a lot of them are having to supplement it a lot more significantly than we are. And so that definitely is a testament to our preschool um folks and how they are managing the resources that they have. But there

082are a lot of districts that are heavily supplementing that funding level since that change to UPK. And so I've said it before, but it's like instead of an unfunded mandate, it's the underfunded mandate where like the healthy school meal for all meal reimbursement rates aren't keeping place with costs. And then neither is UPK. [snorts] Director Woods. Um, a couple well year and a half or two ago when I first got on CASBY um we talked about this at one of our board meetings and I'll tell you that when um the legislature and the governor did not talk to any school districts um or school personnel at depth about this um to really kind of get down to the nuts and bolts about it um nor about the roll out about it which even some of

083our own local people attested to that and it was very frustrating. Um, and so while the idea and the intent is really great, um, the just the process is and and obviously the funding is not adequate. And so I think that's where it's such it's so frustrating because they legislate for education policy, which again in Colorado, we have local control, which is why we're all sitting here. um because we know what works best in our area and it's what we do at our local level which is due to policy work um but they want to do it in Denver and then they don't understand um the rules that they make or what they want to legislate and then it rolls out here and then it's either not funded well or it's unfunded and then um

084they don't understand how it's going to roll out and the effects of that. So, you're you're 100% right. And the frustration was statewide um with the universal prek. And so, um unfortunately, it's you know, Mel and her team are maneuvering um and our, you know, preschool teams are maneuvering with it. And so, yeah, we just don't have the funds now to keep up keep pace with it. So, >> okay. Um so, I'm moving to kind of >> Can I ask one more about >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Sorry. just taking the floor here. Um, [clears throat] and then the other question really was on the nutrition services and and just you probably said that. So, it really is the cost of what it takes to run. It's the reimbursement rates. Um, and I wish I don't

085have the exact numbers from Dan Sharp, but it's the reimbursement rates. I believe it's the federal ones that haven't changed or aren't increasing very quickly. And so even though we think about what food costs have done in the last few years in addition to labor costs and those reimbursement rates that we get for the meals have not increased at that same rate. And so we just met with the their team and nutrition services last week to go over kind of second quarter and some of their planning. And the last couple of years they've been making changes already to some of their like supply costs um adjusting their labor hours and they'll they'll continue to do that. um in order to have a balanced budget, but um it's definitely one that we're closely watching because during

086the COVID years um there was additional funding and it was kind of the start of the the healthy school meals for all where um there were all all meals were funded during the COVID years and so now coming off of that thankfully they had some reserve level in there to use but they are they're getting down to where we need to closely watch it. So what passed in November, Mel, is that do we receive? So it continues the healthy school meals for all funding, but it didn't change the reimbursement rates. And so that means that we'll continue to receive funding from the state for any meals that aren't um reimbursed federally, meaning that our parents and our kiddos don't have to pay for lunches still. But it didn't improve the funding situation for this fund

087necessarily. I do think next year there are a couple programs that it does pay for. One is around um local food and that there might be some additional funding for that. Um and then there was some like staff retention type uh funds that were built into healthy school meals for all that now that that program is funded at the state level um that we should be receiving some funds for that as well. But those would be additional costs too. All right. Um, so unfortunately that was the positive part of my presentation. Um, so just to update some of the future funding and I know Amy Atwood touched on some of this too, but I'm hoping to give a little more context to how things might um, affect us. And so there was a school finance

088bill that was introduced. Um but that's just based on like Amy said, it's a placeholder and that's what we heard in Colorado school finance project meeting on Friday as well. Um that it's doesn't include any of the governor's proposed changes or any of the ledge council recommendations. It's just basically what's currently in law. um where they're still not expecting them to actually consider school finance until after the March economic revenue forecasts are released and the state can see kind of that 800 million dollar shortfall if it's getting better or worse. Um some of the information that they put out, they're now predicting about a 50% chance of a recession in the state of Colorado. And so that's just one more data p point that I think they'll want to see if it's getting better or

089worse before they consider something as substantial as school finance. Um [snorts] so I just want to talk about student count averaging and this is something that we've been talking about last year where that change was made but I just put some numbers to it. Um and director Cole I think this was one of your questions last time was just what does it look like when we change student count averaging? Basically what it means is that it's a one two. So not only are we dealing with our declines in student enrollment, but then there's an additional amount of funding that would be reduced um coming out of that up to eight and a half 8.8 million that we currently receive for student count averaging. And so on the left here I have just their historical enrollment

090of the student FTE count that are included in the averaging formula. And you can see why going from five to four was big is our fifth year was our only year over 20,000 student FTE. And so dropping that off definitely had an impact this year. Um but once you get to year two, we're now no longer above 19,000 student FTE that are averaged in our formula either. And so you can see kind of those year-over-year changes to just the count. But I have the four-year averaging on the right grayed out. That's what our current budget and funding are based on. But if we had remained at a five-year average, if that um provision hadn't changed, it would have meant receiving $265 uh funding for 265 more student FTE, which was $3 million. So, if we

091think how handy that $3 million would have come in this year, um the cost of a step is about 3.4 3.3.4 million. And so, definitely that played a role. Um, but if we're looking at going down to a three-year averaging, and again, these are just based on our current numbers, we'd need to do this calculation for our next year enrollment projections. But had we been funded at a three-year average this year, that would have meant an additional reduction of $3.1 million in funding or $281 student FTE less. A two-year average is a hit of $5.6 million, 500 fewer students. And if we were to go down to a one-year actual count, that's that full $ 8.8 million um benefit that we're currently receiving would be gone and we would have funding for 787 fewer student

092FTE. And so I think that's just hopefully some some context when they talk about changes to student count averaging. They are very impactful to a district like ours with the rate of declines that we're experiencing. I think when Amy also talks about like the districts would just prefer a budget stabilization factor to come back. It's not that anyone wants that. Like we had over $250 million in funding withheld over the years that the budget stabilization factor was in place, but at least it was even. So when there's changes to these student count averaging, it's not even. So, where our funding gets hit really hard, there are a handful of districts that are still growing or others that don't have the same rate of decline that they could see new funding or at least um holding

093closer to where they're at. And so, it doesn't impact districts in the same way, similar to how the SO tax change wouldn't impact districts in the same way. And so, for all of its faults, the budget stabilization factor at least did reduce districts evenly. it was a total reduction to total program funding. So the only districts that didn't feel that were districts that were entirely locally funded, but everybody else shared in it kind of equally. So when we think about um like how to offer competitive salaries, obviously that just adds to our ability, our hindrance to be able to do that. Um when there's differences in funding, another district might be able to do something that we're just um not going to be able to do. um because of some of these uneven changes. >>

094Mel, but that's what this we need to get ready for that, right? I mean, the governor or the state is really pushing for us to get to just to not to not be averaging [snorts] at all, right? Isn't that kind of what they've stated? So we really need to be preparing ourselves to >> to to really get to what one or twoyear averaging. Is that what we're kind of sensing? >> I I think twoyear hopefully or they were talking about having some kind of smoothing factor that would replace averaging and so we know next year that the three-year averaging is a starting point. >> Right. So we at the very least we have to prepare for that. And then uh [snorts] I don't know if this is too early to answer, but so we could

095put a pin in it, but are we going to get some kind of estimation of what our next year numbers, student numbers might be from Shannon at some point or Okay, we can talk about that when you're ready. >> Yeah. No, we do already have those. Um we'll be updating our school staffing, but just his presentation that he did on enrollment projections for next year, I believe it was about 400 students for next year. 397 was what he was projecting as a decline. >> And what did he project for this year? But we were actually down more. >> Uh 489 483 or 489. >> Okay. [snorts] So this slide I took from that Colorado school finance update where they were talking about not next year but the year after that in 2728. And so I

096think this goes hand inhand with the specific ownership tax is that the current law is the first section on here. Um you'll remember last year the bill the new finance formula was originally supposed to be a six-year phase in. So that was one of the changes that was made last year as they extended that to an even slower phase in at seven years. And so um the governor last week did put out a revised request for 2728 that would return that phase in to six years. So, the original plan, but it has unconditional two-year averaging is the way they worded it on this slide. And so, of course, that would be a huge hit to us and likely negate any of the gains that we would get from going back from seven years to a

097six-year phase in. So, it's kind of where all of these hold harmless pieces are really important to us and when they change is very frustrating. Um, and in his revised request, there actually weren't any hold harmless provisions that were specified. And so, it does feel like that it would be a two-year averaging. Um, no matter what that looked like in 2728 is at least the revised request. Um, I don't like this graph, but I like that it the visual that it provides. So, this was in some of the information put out by I think it was ledge counsel on this one, but it when they're making the recommendation to move that specific ownership tax into formula, this is why. Um, so this shows that the state ed fund would be below zero by 202930 based

098on just current law. But if they were to take our SOT taxes and put them towards the formula, then the state education fund is okay. And so it's frustrating, but I think it exactly demonstrates why they would be looking to do that. Um, but it would absolutely be a reduction to districts. And so just to kind of delve into it, I know we've talked about it a little bit at the top, but specific ownership revenue is the locally collected collected taxes that are paid on vehicle registrations. Um, historically, some of it has counted towards formula. there is a component in there, but districts also receive another share that isn't counted into formula. Um, and a lot of that is because we've passed MLOS's or bonds locally and so we receive additional uh local dollars in

099that way and they haven't been counted towards formula. And so this reduces district budgets because we already budget for it. I mean, you've seen just in this readopted budget that we would looked at our SOT tax collections and were able to increase our budget by $2 million this year to help balance things out. If this were the case and we had a year where we're like, hey, SOT taxes are coming in higher than we planned for, all that would mean now is that the state would be paying less. They wouldn't change our overall budget. And so I think this readopted budget just perved as proved as kind of the perfect example of what would change and that's that we wouldn't have that $2 million to help balance our current budget. Um and so that's why

100it reduces district's budget is that our total amount of PPR or school finance funding wouldn't change. Um just the amount of local to state share would change and so we would lose all of those additional SOT dollars that are currently budgeted for. And so if we were looking at last year 2425, we received about 13.5 million in SOT taxes between the general fund and the 2024 milly override fund. 7.7 of it's already counted into formula, but it's really that 5.8 million that we're talking about that's currently outside of formula that we would lose. And so it would be pulled in there. Um, and the only offset then in that 2728 governor's revised budget would be the change from a seven-year phase and back to a six. But at a two-year student count averaging, it would

101be highly unlikely that we would have anything to offset it. And so I at this point, I would say we would should expect to re lose about $6 million in funding. So that would be a substantial uh funding reduction. I think it adds another layer of volatility. Like I mentioned, we don't get know those taxes until they're received. And so it just adds another piece um that's not a guarantee into our PPR formula funding. Um and so these changes could happen as soon as 2627 actually. And so up until now, these haven't been part of our budget planning scenarios for next year because this is really just kind of coming to light. um one the idea and two the speed that it could um actually impact for next year. [snorts] Um so at our December

10216th budget update um I pulled this slide from the slide deck that I presented then where we were talking about some of our next steps. Um the first one is tonight our budget readdoption that that kind of uh midyear level setting of where revenues and expenses are. In the next couple of weeks we'll be working to formalize our school and central office staffing levels. Um looking at enrollment at the school level for next year and building out those staffing sheets after school of choice closes. Um we're continuing to look at any um areas in programs or operations that we can have cost savings. um just really plan trying to plan for the future as best as possible, but of course when the the uh marks keep changing, it's a little bit frustrating and hard to

103do that. Um continue to work with our lobbyists and representatives to make sure that we're being advocated for on the West Slope and what some of these changes would mean to us. And then just continuing to really double down on the communication with our staff and community about some of these challenges that we're having. And so we had said in December 16th our commitment obviously we want to meet the educational needs of our students first and foremost and be able to pay our staff competitively and have um competitive benefits. Uh we talked about prioritizing the return to an annual step increase. That's still a priority. I think we do need to be um a little bit realistic though if we have the specific ownership tax change for next year um that that just might not

104be likely. Um, but our initial planning was to be able to do that. And so hopefully we are still able to and then just trying to plan the best that we can for the long term and all of these decisions that are being made. And so um, we'll have continued updates um, as all of this kind of comes to fruition. But really tonight, the resolutions that are before you are the budget readoption and the resolutions that go along with that, which is the use of beginning fund balance. So any funds that are using fund bal plan to use fund balance on their budgets um there's a a breakdown of the amount of that in the reason and how would that would be balanced in the future and then the borrowing of unencumbered money from other

105district funds. That one is also a routine resolution that just helps us to manage our cash flow in between our funds. So any questions? Sorry, I didn't know my throat was scratchy until I came up here. Doing a lot of talking. Um, I do have one more. I do have one question. If we go back to the table, um, with the averaging, [snorts] so the the averaging is based on our PPR, right? >> Okay. So, if you So, if you could guesstimate if we lose the SO tax and we're at a two-year averaging, what do you think? >> I mean, that's 10 million in these current numbers. >> Just right off the top, right? So, I just wanted to make sure that like if it was that simple of math, >> unfortunately. Yeah. >> And

106and I think also on top of that, this table assumes no change in our declining enrollment, right? Correct. Yep. You would also add on top of that next year's declines into that calculation, >> right? So if next year's declines go down even more and then even the year after that goes down, right? So I mean so it's more [laughter] >> yeah conservatively 10 million. >> It's it's obviously going to be more than 10 because if yeah if we if we didn't lose any students it would be that and obviously I think they're going to push for a two-year averaging. So, >> and that's what we we've talked before, you know, appreciate the board um putting so much emphasis over the past few years on building up some sort of a reserve because these are the

107emergencies [clears throat] we talk about, right? Like if you if this happens, we we didn't even get into if the federal government um doesn't fund the title funds that we um receive. You know, these are the times when you have to, you know, kind of pull from those reserves because they're onetime dollars if we need to get through something like this. And we had that conversation today as a senior leadership team, right? we they come back and say we're specific ownership tax is gone for next year, we're going to have to have that discussion with the board um about how do we that's how to use our term but smoothing factor and we have our own smoothing factor to get us through those times. So, um, so you know, the the bright side is that

108we have worked to build that up over the past few years in case something like this does happen, but it's not what you would want to you'd hope to have to use those dollars for when you're finding these things out um so late in the year. So, or in the school year, >> right? But we've used those those SO funds for ongoing funds, right? I mean, so those >> So, right, reserve funds would only give us a short amount of time to kind of >> correct >> figure out solution. Correct. Yep. >> Right. And my concern with reserve funds is >> we don't have a great way to really then replenish a lot of our reserve funds. So, we're going to have to balance that very carefully. So, if we get hit really really hard,

109like 10 million or more hard with with a two-year averaging and the SO tax and title funds, I mean, that's that's going to be really tough. I mean, that's going to deplete our reserves rather significantly. That's gonna then we don't have very much time to figure out how to then get ongoing funds for the rest of those items and then all those reserve funds are gone. Sorry, Mel. I'm >> right. No, a couple out >> a couple You are. I'm adding up all those numbers. >> Um, a couple things of of just we built those reserve funds because we had the opportunity to. It's not something that we have an ongoing opportunity to be able to do. it was because of those federal CO dollars. So, yes, to this point, we've been super careful with

110um committing those reserves for for the emergent type things um that we're facing. Um, I think there's always that and I know you guys have been paying attention to this very closely as well, but the ongoing and the one time is something that we'll have to continue talking about as we start planning for next year too is just making sure that we aren't overcommitting ourselves to because to this point we haven't we have a balanced budget right now. Um, even though we have all of these hard things coming right now, we've done the work to have a balanced budget. Um, and so it's just it it's not going to be easy. It's definitely rough season ahead. But when we talk start looking at staffing or when we offered the early retirement incentive, which we actually

111had a really good response to, we looked at those that closed on Friday, um, we just took a a look at those. I mean, those are the reasons why, right, is to try to be able to adjust our budget the best way that we can with as little impact to students and staff um as possible. But certainly like the things that keep piling on just make that goal tougher. >> Yeah. It puts the board in a in a tough spot. Um, I know the county is in a tough spot with what they're able to do with, you know, salary increases right now. Um, I think they're actually in a freeze right now with some of their stuff. And so, I mean, we're not the only entity that's getting affected by just kind of everything that's

112going on. Um, but it's frustrating because you value you value the work of what everyone's doing. And I know we're all very concerned about not wanting to um get as extreme as having to do any kind of um reduction in force or anything like that. We've already t Dr. Hill with, you know, looking at major, you know, try to do even more cuts within the district and and those things are not easy. That stresses everyone out. So, and but looking at these these kind of numbers, um I it it really concerns me because now I'm [snorts] just be honest. The only way that I could see our way out of this would be our local community helping us pass a mill. I mean, I I don't I don't see any other way that with, you

113know, more and more cuts in the district um without affecting um you know, it would have to either be layoffs or something quite significant to get to to those numbers. And I don't even think that would even get to those kinds of numbers. And that and that just hurts an organization, right, when you have to start doing those types of things. And so I think you know unfortunately what the state won't do we would then have to ask our local community to have to step up and do. Um and but that's significant. Those are really significant numbers. So and I think obviously these are things the board will just have to think on and consider you know depending on what rolls out from this legislative session. >> Yeah. And I had kind of met with

114Mel because I was trying to like wrap my mind around all of this. And um in the presentation it says we have like our our 20% reserve cap plus like like that little tiny bit extra, right? And so it got me thinking, do we and you're kind of talking about it right now like do we as a board have priorities set for when we have that little tiny bit extra that's one-time funds to like earmark and brace for impact? Right. So, um, what are the places in our budget and where has the board named the priorities or if we have this little tiny bit extra onetime money? Maybe it doesn't go in like to the reserves because we've m we've met that cap, but are there other little funds that could be used um that

115could have like a little bit of an earmark in? So whether that is salaries just to like give us like a floater or um another part of our budget that takes up some dollars but we can give it a little extra here so that we have more cash flow later or whatever. So, I'm hoping that we as a board can possibly like sit down and start naming those priorities if we're going to start seeing some of these drastic cuts when we have this little bit of extra. And even if we're going into possibly needing to use our reserves um for whatever it is, what are the priorities in order that we use those reserves for? Not only so that we can be transparent with our own board, but like with our community and our community

116understands where our priorities lay lie, whichever that word is, one of those I think that'll be where, you know, Dr. Hill and um staff will come and tell us kind of like based off needs. You know, I I I would say I would think that if we don't get the title funding, there's going to be some priorities that they'll >> Yeah. >> recommend if if if and when those things kind of happen. >> I would say right now we're like cautiously watching to see what happens because, you know, we've been working this year on trying to figure out as a as a team. We just had our sixth um I'm not calling them retreats anymore because retreats are fun. Um we just had our sixth, you know, budget discussion as a team um because when

117Mel originally talked to us uh in the summer and the fall, we were talking about around 4.4 million. that's grown to six million of ongoing costs you have to find within the in the um budget to try to get back to steps to account for health insurance uh cost account for energy costs to account for um declining enroll like all these things we're working on trying to find six million and you know that's where on the slide before we're looking at central office staffing and where we're going to have to reduce we're talking about staffing at schools looking at departmental budgets all these things we work so hard to try to get to this $6 million number and And then when you find out that there could be a $5 point something million dollar hit

118from um SOT um and then a $600,000 glitch like all these things that have been coming um as of late um it kind of knocks you back a little bit. And so we are being very cautious around um those dollars especially those reserve dollars in case something like this does happen and we have to come back to the board and say we need to use some of these funds to get us through um a stretch of time um because these are so late in the game. I guess it's it's not a there's no smoothing with these. It could just happen overnight. So, we definitely would want to obviously involve the board, especially if we have to go below 20% um involving the board around what we want to use those reserve dollars for. Um so,

119I I think I think setting priorities are great and [clears throat] we also have to be ready for it may not be priorities. It may be just trying to figure out how to cover some costs. Um Yeah. Short term. Yeah. >> Yeah. No, I hear that. It it's more about thinking about like whether we as a board have like shared priorities to weigh these recommendations that are coming in from you. So I know cash flow like those are priorities, right? Where where we have to pay money specifically today. Um but it's it's also just more of when you bring us a recommendation, we as a board have these shared priorities and understanding and then you also have those shared priorities and understanding. So when you're coming together trying to figure out where this hole is,

120you know, okay, the board is going to weigh these ideas in this way. So I'm just wondering if there's a way we can proactively think about those um ideas so that it's not you bring us a recommendation and then we're trying to figure it out what we believe and then you're like I need to know rather than you have a good idea and then we also have a good idea. Yeah, I I think that would definitely help from a budget planning point of view because there's a lot of things obviously that are very out of our control, but if we have an understanding of where you all are coming from and what you agree as a priority, then that definitely helps. >> I would agree. It seems like instead of not just looking at what

121we're doing for this year, we really have to take a look how we're going to do this budget because we're going if the declining enrollment continues and the state budget keeps on going down the drain. Um we have to look at how we're going to make our district viable for the next five years, next seven years. And this that lies on this board to try to figure out and and really meet with staff and try to figure out how do we do that? And I don't and I those are hard conversations that we have to have and really take a look of what can we do and what are things that we are unable to do. >> Yeah. I think about our values that we did this last work session and I think director Woods

122brought it up. It's not necessarily that we want to be proactive. It's that we want to be prepared and like ready um to make these kinds of decisions. And so that's why I'm that's why my wheels are starting to turn. like where are we and what are we going to do to proactively and be prepared for the years to come. >> That's a good point. And then I just think about like second and third order effects because when I look at something I'm looking at the shell but then there's so much on the inside of it. And if we're if we're focused on one thing and then you can give us kind of a breakdown of okay well you're focused on this but then that affects this and that affects this and that affects this.

123So then we can figure out if we're even putting the dollars in the right place you know or if we need to looking at programs or you know bigger things. So I think it would be helpful for us to know what our priorities are and then meeting up with staff and understanding you know all the different layers of that because that could be we could think oh that might just be oh my gosh it might just be a million dollars like that's nothing right but then it ends up as we start looking at being you know three four five million dollars that it's going to take in order to sustain that. So, I think that's a good idea and it would be great to have a collaborative meeting with staff about that. >> I agree.

124>> Y'all picked a heck of a time to be on the school board. Uh, did I mention it's schoolboard recognition month? So, thank you all for thanks for your service. Um, >> sorry for the bummer presentation. >> Yeah. Uh, and we will, um, you know, like I said, we're having to make some final decisions around, um, basically how we're going to balance the budget for next school year and and accounting for, um, you know, things like, um, our steps and lane structure. And so, we'll have more updates um, some final decisions on that in the next few weeks and then obviously update the board at the meeting next month as well. So, um, that work continues. So, any more questions for Mel? No, the only thing I would say is I know these conversations are

125hard and it's hard for all of us and and anyone listening to those um you know we always talk about being efficient in what we're doing and I can see that that's what you're attempting to do and it's not just in our business department but I also know the efficiency that is attempting to happen out in school just needs to be recognized. I know that we all do, but these kinds of conversations puts um immense stress on all staff. And so I just appreciate uh you know, this is the time that you have to say we really need to come together um to tackle this and we all want the same thing and I'm just really rooting for covering our costs right now. But yeah, >> well it's to end on a positive note. It's

126again it's through all this we're still seeing great results academically because of our our teachers and our staff and our principal central office. So we're we're getting good results as a district even in a time of really budget years. So um proud of all of our staff across the district. >> Thank you m for your work. >> Before we go to audience comments, one make sure everybody's okay. Need anybody need a break? Take a five minute break then. Okay, we are back. Uh the next uh thing we have is audience comments. >> Okay, excuse [clears throat] me. We have three um audience comments this evening. First up is Anna Elliott and on deck is Dan Worth. I want to stop uh start off by thanking Mel um immensely for that report. Even though I only

127have a high school education, I've got lots of years of experience, but it was very um rewarding to hear her spell that out. I would recommend that she go to the state house and do a lesson on how to balance a budget because that's what I heard over and over. It's coming from the state house that you're in this position. [applause] A one a one member superma majority is all that's holding this from being veto proof. Elections are coming up again this year. It's very important. It's very important to do your research and your homework on who you're going to send. You want to send people who are friendly for education that um will support the schools instead of pulling glitches wherever um it's handy to be able to meet. What did uh Amy say?

128There's a 800 $850 million overspent. That's coming directly from the people make the laws and how they spend our money in that state house. I started out with a checkbook when I was 18 and I put in my deposits and the checks I had to write for rent and food and gas and by God I never over overspend if I could help it because there was a great penalty for it. This state house is not paying any penalty for overspending our tax dollars. They aren't budgeting. They need mail there. So, I read in the business times the most recent issue on how to be able to solve what's going on in the state house. Um, this was put out a little tutorial by um Cindy Scala and Kirby Richardson. And the first thing that they

129remind us of in this article is to use Tracer. Now, who knows what Tracer is? I think if a lot of people looked at Tracer, they would know how influential money can be for putting people in positions in the state house that were making our budget and how they run our business. So, go to the secretary, go to the Colorado Secretary of State Tracer. Um, search by candidate name and view direct cash and income contributions. Click on linked committees to see who fund them. Search for independent expenditure committees active in the same race. review 48 hour notices and item. So, it's really important that you do your homework. We tell our kids when they come home from school, do your homework. Do your research. You're responsible. And each one of us that are eligible to

130vote that get a ballot should do our homework and do our research to see who's in office and spending our money and overspending the money that we don't even have. Thank you. Next up is Dan Worth and on deck is Lisa Castow. >> I'm I'm in favor of Mel advising at the state level, but she's not allowed to leave us [clears throat] and go to the state. Are we good on time? So, I'm here uh Mesa Valley Education Association would like to recognize the um the school board since it's appreciation month. And so, I'm going to read the beginning of this letter and then the proclamation we have for you. I can't read the whole letter due to time, but um dear members of the D-51 school board and Brian, on behalf of the Mesa

131Valley uh Education Association and the nearly 3,500 staff members who serve our 19,000 students, I'm honored to present the enclosed proclamation designating January 2026 as schoolboard appreciation month. The proclamation reads, "Whereas Mesa County School District 51 serves over 19,000 students across 40 schools and programs throughout the Grand Valley. And whereas school board members are tasked with creating a vision that reflects high standards of our community and the diverse needs of the students they serve. Whereas the District 51 school board of education has recently welcomed newly elected members, fostering a climate of renewal and a refreshed vision for the district's future. And whereas the board has demonstrated a commendable commitment to team building and strategic goal setting as a unified body, ensuring the district is prepared to meet the unique needs of every student. And whereas

132the five members of the board of education serve as dedicated volunteers, sacrificing countless hours of their per personal time to govern the largest school district between Denver and Salt Lake City. And whereas this board has shown an authentic and consistent willingness to listen to educators, valuing the professional expertise of nearly 3,500 employees who serve our schools every day. And whereas a transparent and collaborative partnership between the board and the MVA is essential for the continuous improvement and the ongoing success of our public education system. Now therefore, on behalf of the members of the Mesa Valley Education Association, I Danworth do hereby recognize the month of January 2026 as schoolboard appreciation month and call upon all educators, staff, and members of our community to express their sincere gratitude for the board of education members who lead

133with integrity and a deep respect for the teaching profession. In witness whereof, I have here on my hand this 20th day of January, 2026. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dan. >> Up next is Lisa Castow. >> Good evening. Good to see you all. I wanted to speak to you about Gateway. Uh I've lived in Gateway for about 35 years. Uh I'm a business owner. I I also wanted to speak uh about the Daily Sentinel article that came out on Saturday. There was some potentially minor discrepancies, potentially major discrepancies uh of bold-faced inaccurate information that and I know how printing goes. So maybe it wasn't what you had exactly said or uh maybe what you meant. Uh I am the current uh fire board chair at Gateway. So I deal with some of the meal levies,

134the money, the funding things, the this stuff tonight. I I'm into those things. Thank you for taking the time to talk with Mr. Bolton about our school. We do not want our school tore down. So that that was on the books. I emailed the previous board members about the school being uh demolished. That was not made aware to the community. It was not discussed when anyone came out about that. Uh the an overall picture I didn't prepare anything obviously uh but the money that comes from the state like they they they center around Denver, right? And then we're the like little guy that kind of gets like oh well pushed to the side. That essentially happens with rural America too in rural Colorado and Gateway. So we just like kind of push them to the

135side and it doesn't get them a lot of attention. The students are being pulled out of the district. That's part of our problem with numbers. Why are our numbers decreasing? Part of that is because it feels like there's a gap between the parents and the teachers, the parents and the staff parents and the board parents and the state all those things where we can bridge those gaps. That would be great. So that's part of the reason that I'm here and I'm asking you to not continue consideration of demoli the demolition of the gateway school. We have other options on the table. We could do homeschool co-ops. We could do online things for the future of my town. It really has been affected. There's no as a business owner of I would like to hire a

136family to come to Gateway and work on our ranch, our seventh generation Colorado cattle ranch. I'm not able to do that without asking them to provide, you know, put their kid on a bus for an hour and a half. My kids get on the bus at 6:20 a.m. The bus comes back by approximately 10 hours later. They don't get any extracurriculars to that. That's all on me. And that's a lot. Like imagine getting up and driving to Gateway to put in your day and then coming back afterward and then if you wanted to spend time seeing your kids in sports or anything, you're down here. Like I'm not going to get home for an hour past the time I leave here and my kids get to do that. And you're asking that all the kids

137in my community, the kids in the future of my community to do that. And that by demolitioning this school, you're taking away options that we might have in the future to build something, not just right now, but five years from now. What about kids who have that are not old enough to be in school yet? What does that future look like for them? So, please don't tear our school down. More conversations with us. And I do appreciate your time. Thank you for being on board. >> Thank you, Miss Caster. >> Can I ask a clarifying question? Um, we were not asked any information for the Daily Sentinel article. Is that correct? >> Right. that was um that report was written, my understanding is based off of email requests. So yeah, we didn't give any interviews

138for >> Yeah. So they so they didn't ask us about any information. So whatever information was in the paper was information they pulled themselves. So we didn't provide them with your background. So you might want to take that up with the paper um as a correction. Just just as FYI, they didn't contact us for any information. Yeah. Our next item is the consent agenda. License and administration personnel actions and gifts. May I have a motion to approve the consent agenda? >> Motion to approve the consent agenda. >> Second. >> Mr. Chavis >> approved. >> Mrs. Cole, >> yes. >> Mrs. Evansson. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Heights. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Woods. >> Yes. >> Next is our business items. May I have a motion uh for approval on 2025 to 2026 budget readdoptation. >> Motion

139to approve the business item for 2025 2026 budget readoption resolution. Second. I don't have any discussion. No, I feel like I asked all the questions with Mel. So, >> Mr. Chavis, >> approved. >> Mrs. Cole, >> yes. >> Mrs. Evansson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Heights, >> yes. >> Mrs. Woods, >> yes. >> May I have a motion to for approval uh for use of beginning in the fund balance? Motion to approve the use of beginning fund balance. >> Second. >> Any discussion, >> pretty straightforward. >> Mr. Chavis, >> group. >> Mrs. Cole, >> yes. >> Mrs. Evansson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Heights, >> yes. >> Mrs. Woods, >> yes. May I have a motion for approval on the borrowed unencumbered money from other district funds? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >>

140Straight forward. >> Mr. Chavez >> approved. >> Mrs. Cole, >> yes. >> Mrs. Evansson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Heights, >> yes. >> Mrs. Woods, >> yes. I have a motion for approval regarding Central High School condo walls naming committee request. >> Motion to approve the CH candle wall naming committee request. Second. >> I would Can I read this because so I knew so I actually personally knew Pat Cand I liked what um Central High School wrote um about him. is such a neat guy if if you had a chance to know him. So, um, and I thought what Central wrote about him was really neat here. So, um, so the purpose of the bulletin board, the candle is twofold. One, to honor Pat Cand's passion and work with the Central High School community and students

141over the past 25 years, and two, to offer challenging real life thinking math problems for all students um, to engage. Um, so Pat was um, so beyond the classroom, Pat served as a reliable substitute teacher and a consistent Friday helper, providing the extra hands needed to wrap up the schoolwork uh, or school week smoothly, excuse me. On Fridays, Pat would pull any students um, to aid in the learning that they were struggling on. He would take small groups in the classroom. This commitment extended to having an extensive participation in the booster club when he was president. Even after the booster club disbanded, Pat still provided food for teachers at parent teacher conferences and Pat wanted to ensure that kids and students were taken care of. Um Pat's children attended Central High School and unfortunately Pat

142um passed away March 18th, 2025. So Pat was also very active in our community and that's how I actually ended up getting to know Pat. So um I think this is such a great honor um for Pat and his family. Thank you for reading that. >> Yeah. >> Any other discussion? >> I would just like to also honor Mr. Cond. He my daughter and my two kids went to Central High School and my daughter was a recipient of his support. Um so yeah, she and every time he saw her in the years after, he always knew her by her first name. Mr. Chavis, >> approved. >> Mrs. Cole, >> yes. Mrs. Evansson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Heights, >> Mrs. Woods, >> yes. >> Thank you all. Future meeting agenda items. >> Anybody have any agenda

143items you'd like to have in the future? If you can't think of any you want that you come back to you later on, uh please send Amy uh Vicki and I or um Brian Hill um your your ideas and we'll get them on the agenda in the future. Thank you. Um future meetings, next one is February 3rd at the Harry Butler boardroom at 5:00. February 17th, Harry Butler boardroom also at five o'clock. Uh, also, if you guys remember, February 5th, I believe, we have the naturalization ceremony at Junction High School. So, hope to see you. We see you all there. Uh, may I have a motion for adjournment? >> Motion to [laughter] rush. I know. >> I think people are tired. Well, thank you all. You guys drive home safely.