001Heat. All right. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Happy birthday to you. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. That's what Heat. Heat. Good evening and welcome to the board of education meeting for Gley Evans School District 6 on June 8th, 2026. This meeting will now come to order. Please join us for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Miss Lemon, will you please call the role? Director. Director Bentley, >> present. >> Director Campos Spitzy, >> present. >> Director Edmonds, >> present. >> Director Lemos Garcia, >> present. >> Director Mash, >> present. >> Director Roi, >> present. six board members present >>
002and director Azari is excused this evening. Well, thank you all for joining us. It's fun to see our boardroom full of so many students that we get to honor this evening. Um, as this is our last board member for this school year, I just wanted to take an opportunity to celebrate uh the amazing accomplishments of our staff and our students and offer some some thank yous. Um, for starters, I just wanted to point out that our report to the community came out this last couple of weeks. Um, it really is all your district 6 information in one place. And this year, it really was so fun to have all of our celebrations, all of our of the years, our superintendent, teacher, and counselors and principles, and the many schools who have been or um honored.
003and we're on such a roll and we continue to do so much great work that there are two things that aren't even in this because we didn't have time to add them and that is I would like to recognize Nicole Cox um from an Kyman who is a semi- finalist for the teacher of the year Colorado teacher of the year for 2027 and also Billy Martinez which we will be honoring later today as a center of excellence. So, um, we couldn't do the work in District 6 without, for starters, our community. Um, there is never, uh, too many thank yous that can go out to our community for, um, p supporting District 6 with a mill levy override, which helps us to keep our students safe and secure with our technology. It helps us to
004fund programs. Um and of course our bond issue that built beautiful new schools again with the safety um added safety measures to each building. Um we have partnerships with individual schools um different we want to thank our faith communities. We want to thank our business communities. We want to thank individuals that offer their time and talent to our students volunteering in classrooms. Um we appreciate all of you telling the good stories of district 6. I also want to thank our families for trusting us with your child children's education, supporting the staff, supporting your students. We want to thank our students for working so hard, for caring for one another, for representing our community as you go out with your sporting events and your clubs. And of course, we cannot do any of this work in
005District 6 without the dedication, innovation, leadership, and heart that our staff brings to our buildings and our buses every day. Um, so we have just had a banner year at at District 6 and we're on a roll and the momentum is amazing and we want to thank each and every one of you for your part in supporting District 6. Um, and we hope you all have a fantastic summer. All right. At this point, we would need to approve the agenda. >> I move that the board of education agree in school district 6 approves the agenda as presented. >> A second. Thank you both. Is there any discussion on the agenda? Seeing none, Miss Lemon, will you please give us a vote? >> Director Bentley, >> I. >> Director Campos Spitzy, >> I. >> Director Edmonds,
006>> I. >> Director Lemos Garcia, >> I. Director Mash >> I. >> Director Roi >> I. >> Motion carries 6. >> The next item on our agenda is a public hearing for the 2026 2027 district budget. Um, pursuant to Colorado revised statute 22-44-110. Any taxpayer residing in the school district is entitled to register his or her comments on the proposed budget with the board of education either in writing or in person at a public hearing. Um, and I don't believe that anyone has signed up to speak to us about the budget. At this time, I'll turn it over to you, Dr. Pilch, for your honor role. Thank you so much, President Mash, and thank you so much for for all those thank yous that you offered uh to our school district community. and I truly
007appreciate that. Uh we're going to start our honor roll tonight with Assistant Superintendent Anthony Osmus coming forward to introduce our spring state champions and qualifiers and our state recognitions. >> Thank you, Dr. Pilch, President Mash, members of the board. It's an honor to be here um tonight. I'm Anthony Osmouth serving as the assistant superintendent of secondary schools and K8 schools. And this is the very last board meeting, but um some of our students athletes just finished up their season, so this is why we do this so late. Um I'll invite Jeff up first, Mr. Collins, and and your group. While I'm doing that, I'm going to share some um some spring participation data. As you know, last year, this is the second year of fourth and fifth grade athletics. So, we just finished up the
008spring fourth and fifth grade athletics. So, we had about 400 students this spring and about 800 students overall this year that participated in fourth and fifth grade athletics, which is amazing. These are students that will be feeding into our middle schools. Um, this spring over 1,200 students participated in middle school athletics. Um, they participated in soccer and uh track and also golf this year that this is the second year of golf that we had. And then we're also looking forward to um kicking off our flag football season this fall. We have girls, high school, athletic, um, part of the JASSA program for flag football. And flag football is actually one of the largest growing sports in Colorado. So, this would be nice to have our own team here in Colorado. Um, and let's celebrate some
009of our extracurricular um, all state honores and I'll turn this over first to Jeff to Jeff Collins, our AD at Northridge. >> Hi, good evening. Thanks for having us. Um, I do want to apologize. It's tough to get kids in at a meeting on a Monday afternoon in June. Um, but we do have two here. So, Kora and Jessica Santos both qualified for the state tennis tournament. That was down in PBLO. So, congratulations to them and thanks for coming. Uh, we did have three girls golfers qualify for the state uh tournament as well. If you remember that day, that Monday, it was like 40 degrees and windy and rainy and all of that stuff. They were out there playing golf that day. Um, Jade and Maddie, Jade Heepler, Mattie Nations finished 13th and 19th. So,
010they are second team all state individually. Um, LJ from Northridge, LJ Garcia, qualified um on the number and shot 72 or sorry, placed 72nd. Um, but we finished seventh as a team out of 18 that qualified as a team, which was great. Good for girls golf. Uh, we did have two relays, one girls, one boys relay team to the state track meet. Um, and then I'd like to shout out Kade Beck and Sam Evans qualifying as individuals. Um, and we did have four kids sign um, scholarship offers to play at the next level. So, it's three softball players, uh, Keegan Hood, Aya Ensa, Noel Rodriguez for, like I said, softball, and then Matthew Casia signed to play baseball next year. So, thanks again for having us. I'd like to introduce to you Jacob Rez, our
011new athletic director at Gly West. Good evening and thank you for having us. I am proud to introduce our accomplished teams and athletes led by their coaches who participated in a spring sport in the 2026 season spring season for swim led by coach Colin Shahhei. The Gley West swim team had eight state qualifying athletes across eight events athletes and coach Sehei. Congratulations on an incredible season and thank you for representing the greatness of Gley West. Led by coach Billings, the Gley West track and field team consisted of five state qualifying athletes. Athletes and coach Billings, congratulations on an amazing season and thank you for representing Gley West to the highest of standards. In tennis, led by coach Ryan Pace, the Gley West tennis team consisted of four state qualifying athletes, athletes and coach Pace, thank
012you um for representing Gley West and congratulations on your successful season. I do have coach Ryan Pace here who is going to say a couple things about his tennis team. >> Thank you guys again for having us and thank you Jacob for coming here tonight um as he just gets started. Um I just wanted to shout out our tennis team. Two of our players couldn't be here. Um D made it as a one singles player at 5A. Um and Hayden who was Khloe's partner couldn't be here too. But um our one singles uh actually made the state tournament and two singles was Harlo. Um she defeated Pine Creek to get there uh which was one of the best matches that I've ever been a part of as a coach over 16 years. And then Khloe
013was part of our two doubles with Hayden. Um they had a quite a run. They actually got out of their first round match. Um they dropped in the quarterfinals to Valor Christian, but it was such a good representation for Gley West. So thank you all. And for Central, we have Principal Amy Zulaf, who's actually just off the field herself doing some coaching. And so, she'll introduce um Brian from Central. >> Hello. Yes, I would like to apologize for my inappropriate board attire. Uh Mr. Devo had a family conflict pop up and so I came over from my son's baseball game, ran over and I did catch my breath. But I am so excited to introduce Mr. Brian Humphrey and Cat Um Cat and Mr. Humphrey won what is called the Bobby G award, which my
014wonderful Thespian friends have explained to me that it is essentially the state championship in theater, which is fantastic. And so Cat won and Mr. Humphrey won for their set design for the Drowsy Chapron. And if you saw the show, it was absolutely incredible. Literally, the back of the stage opened up and a full-size plane came out. And that wasn't even the biggest part, which is absolutely incredible. And so I'll invite them to the stage to talk more about it to the podium. >> Um so it's the Bobby G's uh is presented at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in um Denver as part of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and it's um a pretty big deal that we've we've come to recognize. Uh and it's essentially sort of the Tony's of the high school
015theater world. Um so to be nominated is a huge honor. And um then to to win is pretty fantastic. Um and so Cat did an amazing job on this uh on this set design. Um took on some very complicated working pieces that had to not only move but had to support student weight in a very safe way um and still be presentable and and have a really nice aesthetic to it as well. and um she came through uh very successfully and um we're very proud of of her work in that in that field. So um that's that's what she was presented and it was a very elegant night and she was put on the spot and I'm not going to do that to her here. Do you want to say anything? No. Okay. She said
016no. Um but thank you very much for for bringing us in and for offering that recognition. Thank you. Have you guys go to the center? We'll do a picture right here. >> We'll do a picture, Dr. Belch, and then turn it back to you. I say one more thing. >> Did we talk about Mauricio? Uh we do have one more student. He's up here. Mauricio. He swam at Gley West. um goes to Northridge I think two years ago. He wanted to learn how to swim so he joined the swim team if I'm not mistaken. Um but also got to swim at the state uh unified unified portion of the state swim meet. So congrats there. We really do appreciate you coming out um in your during your summer break, but congratulations to all of you
017and your teammates as well. Back to you, Dr. Pelch. Thank you, President Mash. Uh next, I would like to recognize um a young man who has become known to me. Uh, and I I've really enjoyed getting to know this this individual and I I'm so excited to see what what he does with his his future. So, I am excited uh to recognize Jesse Granados Ramirez um who has been selected as the Colorado Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year. So, he was our local Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year. Um, and he spoke a year ago at the Boys and Girls Club dinner and or bank Gayla, their annual Gayla, and then he this year won the Colorado Award. And come on up, Jesse. You can get closer to the podium. It's
018okay, guys. Um, I want I I first got to meet Jesse when he spoke at last year's Boys and Girls Club Gayla in 2025. And Jesse approached me and said, "Hey, I know you. You're the superintendent, Dr. Pilch and I I want to meet you. I am Jesse Granadoos and um I I just have really enjoyed watching you speak to students and things and I I want to know you and I'm sending you an email which he did and he sent an email asking for seniors to be allowed to paint their parking spots at Northridge High School. And I had been a hard no on this. Um and then but then Jesse had a great plan for doing it and how it would be managed as the student body president. and uh he advocated for
019his his colleagues at Northridge High School and we now have seniors with painted parking spots at Northridge High School. So uh with J that and that is certainly not his greatest claim to fame. It is just a fun story. Um I got to see Jesse along with his other senior classmates um on the last day for seniors at Northridge High School where they did the right of passage and uh saw that he is he exhibited his true leadership there as a leader really of that entire student body, Jesse. So thank you. Thank you for your leadership and thank you for doing that here in District 6 as well as in Colorado. With Jesse tonight is the CEO of the Weld County Boys and Girls Club, my friend Dave Dixon. Um, and he's gonna tell you
020a little bit more about Jesse and about this honor. >> Good evening. Uh, thank you, Dr. Pilch, President Nash, and me members of the board. Thanks for uh having us here this evening and recognizing Jesse. So, as Dr. Pilch mentioned, um Jesse is the Colorado Youth of the Year. And to back up a little bit and make and explain to how that works, youth of the year is a national program within the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. And it starts at the local level with organizations like Boys and Girls Clubs of Well County. There's over a thousand organizations like us nationwide. And so each organization identifies or selects their youth of the year and they all advance to their local or to their uh state competitions. So in this case, Jesse advanced and competed
021against 13 other Boys and Girls Club organizations around the state where he was ultimately selected to be the Colorado uh youth of the year. From there though, there are five regions within the Boys and Girls Club. So Jesse moved on to the regional competition just this past May as the Colorado State Representative and I am happy to report that in my mind he won, but he was runner up at the regional competition. So, uh, had he won there, he would have advanced to the national competition, which would have just been the top five kids in the country. Um, so in my book, uh, if there was a a regional winner and a runner up from five regions, Jesse is the top 10 youth of the year in the country. So, we're super proud of him.
022Um, for not only leadership examples like Dr. Piltz just mentioned, but, uh, the list goes on. And what I wanted to save some time for though is with that backdrop is just let Jesse come up here and explain a little bit what the youth of the year experience has meant to him. >> Well, thank you. Thank you so much guys for having me. I think this is such an incredible opportunity especially because truly it takes a village. I think really Colorado as a community has done so much for me especially within District 6. All the opportunities that you guys have given us and offered for us is incredible. I've been able to do so many cool things and been a part of so many great things through this district. Um, some of which being unified,
023which is such an incredible program to me. I I truly adore it. And yeah, it takes a village. So, District 6 was such a huge part in my success as well as Boys and Girls Clubs. And honestly, when I first started chasing that state um plaque in my freshman year, I didn't know what I was going to come out of it. I was going in as a shy kid who didn't really understand the world or the people around him as much. I thought fitting in was being cool. But there's no need to fit in. There's just need to stand out. So that's what I did. And I finally did it. And I was runner up at regionals. But regionals is such an incredible place because I got to build my network a little bit. I
024got to meet people like Clark Hunt and Jim Clark who are the CEOs of the Chiefs and the CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of America. So expanding my network was such an incredible opportunity. Um and being here just representing Colorado for the Boys and Girls Club is truly just an honor. Um if you would have told me when I was 5 years old that this would be me, this would be the title that I held, I wouldn't believe you because truly growing up the way I did, none of this seems like it would have been in my reach or possible. But I thank all of you guys for your work that you guys do through the district because truly I don't think this would have been possible in any other district. I love district
0256. I may be biased, but this is incredible. And thank you guys for all the work you guys do. >> You too. >> Yeah. Come on in. Okay, I have one more pretty exciting stuff tonight. Uh I this is the best part of our schoolboard meetings, let's be honest. Uh so finally uh we want to recognize some some outstanding scholars in the world of culinary arts and we have two students tonight to recognize who have been a part of the Gley West Culinary Arts Career Pathway which is led by Brenda Guzman. Uh these students earned awards and competitions that were hosted by the Family Career and Community Leaders of America or you may have heard it called FCCLA. Um and by the August Escapier School of Culinary Arts. Um these honors come not only with
026recognition but with some money uh scholarship money that will make a big difference in these students post high school education. So to introduce these students is Brenda Guzman and um the students are there with her. Come on up guys. >> Good evening. My name is Brenda Guzman. I am one of the family consumer sciences teachers at Gley West. Um first I would like to em introduce Emma Nautis. And Emma is an outgoing senior. She just graduated about two weeks ago. She has earned a total of $15,500 in scholarship money to attend Escopier School of Culinary Arts in Boulder. And a significant portion of these funds were awarded through her her participation in FCCLA competitive events and scholarship opportunities combined with the Bright Future Scholarship. These awards will allow her to compete in her degree program
027to complete her degree program without any student debt. Throughout her time in family consumer sciences at Gley West, Emma has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication, professionalism, and academic achievement. The knowledge and hands-on experience she gained through the baking and pastry, catering, and work-based learning courses along with her involvement in FCCLA have played a significant role in helping her reach this milestone. Emma will begin her studies at Escoier in August will where she will pursue a degree in baking and pastry arts. In addition to her scholarship accomplishments, she earned the National Restaurant Association Serve Safe Manager Certification while attending Gley West, which is a credential wildly wildly recognized in the food service industry and actually just helped her gain a job. And um Emma's achievements reflect her hard work, leadership, and commitment to excellence in the opportunities
028that she embraced through both family consumer sciences and FCCLA. She serves an as an outstanding example of how career and technical education coupled with student leadership development can prepare students for success in college and in their futures. Emmanatis, >> our other student that I would like to recognize is Tavan Casta Castiala. I always pronounce butcher that. >> Casta. >> Castilega. I'm going to learn that. A junior at Gley West has distinguished himself through the success in culinary competitions, earning a total of $7,500 in scholarships through opportunities um provided by Esco Scofier and Family Consu uh FCCLA. Following graduation in 2027, Taven plans to attend Escoier in Boulder to uh further pursue his passion for the culinary industry. As he enters his senior year year, he will continue participating in his scopier and FCCLA competitions, providing
029additional opportunities to expand his scholarship awards and further development his professional skills. Tavan is also committed to completing the hospitality pathway at Gley West through the advanced coursework in baking and pastry and work-based learning. His dedication to the career in technical education combined with his competitive success and strong work ethic positions him well for continued achievement in both post-secary education and culinary the culinary profession. The FCS department at Gley West would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the school board and D6 uh for its continued support in the CTE programs. These opportunities empower students like Emma and Taven to develop industry skills, learn valuable certifications, compete for scholarships, and successfully pursue their career goals. Thank you. Thank you all for being here as well. And I believe that Director Roi and I got to
030taste your culinary delights when you served lunch to the District 6 Academy. So, we can attest to your incredible talents. Have a great night. Thanks for coming. I think you're all done with your portion, Dr. Pilch. Um, but we do have another celebration. And at this time, I'll ask assistant superintendent Wes Tuttle to introduce the next celebration. >> Good evening, President Mash and Board of Education. um you alluded to it and this is an exciting thing to be able to share. So I'm joined up here by two other people. You can come closer. President, this is um the principal over at Billy Martinez, Monica Draper. And next to her is the assistant principal uh on Veronica Lucero. And let me tell you about the award that Martinez just earned. So each year Colorado Department of
031Education recognizes public schools in the state that enrolls student population with at least 75% at risk students and they demonstrate high rates of student longitudinal growth. So Billy Martinez was one of the ones that was selected for that and I went through the last three years and Billy Martinez is one of only five schools in the state that has earned this twice in the last three years. So, it's a great celebration of the hard work that's going on. So, I'm going to turn it over to Monica and let her say some words here. >> Thank you, Wes. I am never at a loss when I talk about my school. Um, I've been fortunate to be the principal there for the past 17 years and um it has been the honor of my life. I tell
032people when they apply for jobs and they ask why why we stay at Martinez, why Martinez, it's because we've created a family at Martinez. And I tell people, you will never work harder in your life than you do if you take this job at Billy Martinez. But I guarantee you, you will never love anything more because this is the hardest job I've ever loved in my life. I've been I just finished my 40th year and I can tell you that the people that we have in our building go all out for all students every single day and it shows in the work that they do. And so I'm so honored to be a part of that and to be a part of that family and um thank you for the support that you've given us
033through the years. We really appreciate it. You don't really get a plat school. >> Let's get a picture. >> Come on. >> Congratulations. And I didn't realize that you had had this distinguishment distinguished award twice. So congratulations. All right. And you're you're up again, Dr. Pelch. Then I'm then I'm not up again, I don't think, after this. Oh, wait. No, I have one more thing. Um, I am pleased tonight to introduce our latest uh group of hires. And we are almost done. We will bring you at our August board meeting our hire for our new uh director of instructional technology who takes the place of the retirement of Scott Ford. We finished those interviews today and I think we're very close to wrapping that hire up. Um but but we've got um most of our
034team hired at this point assuming that no one goes anywhere else. So first I'm pleased to introduce to you who is with us here tonight, Miss Angela Sandy. Angela will be moving over to Mer Elementary as the new assistant principal at Mer. Really excited to have her go there. She's just been in district 6 just this one year as a teacher for multilingual learners at Maplewood Elementary School, but she has impressed anyone who has had a chance to work with her. Um, and she comes with very high recommendations. She's been an educator for 17 years. She's educated in both the K12 arena as well as at the college level uh in Colorado as well as in Wyoming. And she was also a volunteer English as a second language teacher in Turkey. Um she worked at
035Adam State University as an assistant migrant program um coordinator as well as a student success coordinator. So her heart is in making sure that all students graduate high school are college and career ready um and are ready for the world that they face and and really for for children who need more. Um she we are proud to have her come to us here at Miker Elementary. Again she served as an as an English language learner, teacher, an English a regular English teacher, a German teacher I think um at at elementary middle and high school. So Angie, welcome. Glad to have you here in district 6 and glad to have you going over to Miker. Congratulations. I want to share with you the the other hires that are on your agenda tonight for recommendation um but
036were not able to be with us tonight. Um Mindy Sandavville uh is the new assistant principal at Centennial Elementary School. She is coming to us from the St. Brain Valley School District where she has served as an assistant principal intern. Um her experience has primarily been in leading data teams, multi-tered systems of support teams and she has experience in restorative justice as well and the restorative practices which is a good match for district 6. So we are excited to bring her over. Her teaching experiences in elementary education um and then as a substitute teacher which I think has to get you ready for anything you might do in education. So uh when when Mindy is able to be in town and able to to meet you all make sure you get a chance to to
037meet her. And then I I want to share with you the other two hires that are hires um on uh the district 6 superintendent cabinet. We have hired our legal counsel, our in-house legal council. Um that will replace outgoing Mr. Nate Fall, who I want to recognize as he leaves District 6. Um we have trained him well and he's moving on to one of the most prestigious law firms in Colorado who represents school law. Um so congratulations to Nate and um his replacement recommendation is Mr. Jiren Demo. Uh Jiren has served as a guardian at lightam. He served in family law uh done a lot of child welfare um practice law and um practicing his own practice as well as working with other law firms. Uh he has practiced law for the last 11 years.
038He's currently practicing law with the as an assistant county attorney in the Adams County Court off Adams County Attorney's Office um where where he's serving as a guardian at lightam um who guys is someone who advocates for children and children rights and and helps navigate the waters between them and their schools and them and their their guardians or their foster care. Um and so uh he's he's very dedicated to working with families and working around issues around families and and uh law in relation to youth. Um so we're excited to have him. He also has experience in his own law firm as well as um as assistant county attorney uh previously in the Adams County um system. So we're excited to bring him into District 6. He you may be wondering is he still going
039to practice in his own law firm? Nope, that's not the plan. He's coming full-time for District 6. So he'll be starting on July 6th in the district. So really excited to have him. Um a strong learner and writer and I think he'll do a great job for district 6. And then I also want to introduce to you on your agenda tonight for rec recommendation is to hire our new chief of communications who replaces Teresa Meyers who is retiring at the end of this year and she's been out as you know on um family medical leave since about February. And I'm very grateful to Casey Pearson um in our communications department who's been filling in as interim uh chief chief of communications. He's done a great job really doing two jobs. His job as well as
040as Teresa's job. And um but for hire tonight, I am recommending uh Mr. Michael Matthews uh who many of you know because he served previously on our board of education. Uh Mr. Matthews comes to us having been the lead pastor and associate pastor for over um for about the last 20 years at St. Patrick's P Presbyterian Church where he has extensive experience writing, communicating verbally um and marketing and preparing and and leading events there. Um he also served uh in district 6 as as the board president. uh served on the board for eight years, has extensive work in passing mill levy and bond issues and speaking publicly on behalf of the district. As you all know, he's deeply dedicated to not only District 6, but to the Gley Evans community and has a deep understanding
041of the community. He's currently serving as president on the United Way board. Um he has served on on the mayor's task force for homelessness and um he currently serves on the Gley Chamber of Commerce community council on education. And so uh we're we're excited to have him. I should have mentioned that he was previously a teacher as well. So uh we'll welcome Michael. He plans to start on July 13th here in District 6. I believe that's all I have for right now. Thank you and welcome to all our new um district 6 employees. Um the next item on our agenda is the approval of re resolution in support of Senate Bill 26-135, an initiative 195 to increase state investment in K12 public education and protect Colorado's future. This is an action item and will will
042require a motion. I move that the board of education of Girley Evans School District 6 approve the resolution in support of Senate Bill 26135 and initiative 195 to increase state investment in K through 12 public education and protect Colorado's future. >> I second. Thank you both. Is there any discussion on the Oh, no. First I will have I'm sorry. Director Campus Spitzy please read the resolution. resolution in support of Senate Bill 26-135 and initiative 195 to increase state investment in K- through2 public education and protect Colorado's future. Whereas the Gley Evans School District 6 Board of Education believes that strong, well-funded public schools are essential to student success, community well-being, and the long-term prosperity and economic competitiveness of Colorado. And whereas sustained and adequate investment in public schools has been proven to yield strong returns,
043including higher graduation rates, increased lifetime earnings, and reduced long-term public costs. And whereas Colorado school funding has not kept pace with modern educational demands, leaving inflationadjusted per pupil funding near 1989 levels, which has been negatively compounded by significant cumulative reductions through the budget stabilization factor and other pressures related to increased costs such as staffing, health care, technology, safety and security and student needs. And whereas independ independent school funding adequacy studies commissioned by the Colorado General Assembly found significant inequitable gaps between current and adequate funding levels, estimating a statewide need for approximately 3.5 billion in additional funding. And whereas as a result of these persistent funding shortfalls, Colorado school districts face severe challenges in recruiting and retaining qualified educators and support staff. With Colorado ranking near the bottom nationally in starting teacher pay and experiencing one
044of the largest teacher wage gaps in the nation, despite research demonstrating that improved compensation is directly linked to better student outcomes. And whereas students across Colorado are experiencing higher studenttoteer ratios and overcrowded classrooms while districts face intensifying expectations to provide safe and secure learning environments requiring greater resources for facility security, emergency preparedness, mental health counselors, and targeted support for atrisisk students, English language learners, and students with disabilities. And whereas the Colorado General Assembly has referred Senate Bill 26-135 to the November 2026 general election, ensuring this critical decision rest directly with the voters, which asks registered electors to approve a revenue change under Taber authorizing the state to retain and spend existing surplus revenues without raising taxes equal to the amount spent on K through2 public education funding. ing in a given fiscal year. And whereas
045if approved by voters, SP would create a positive factor that provides each school district with its proportional share of additional funding for budget years 2027 to 2028 through 2020 2036 to 2037 to increase teacher pay, improve teacher retention, lower class sizes, and increase access to career and technical courses. And whereas initiative 195, the protect Colorado's future measure would create a sustainable voter-approved revenue stream by establishing a graduated income tax system that is projected to reduce taxes for approximately 99.2% of tax filers in Weld County while asking the highest income earners to contribute more. And whereas initiative 195 is projected to generate at least 2 billion annually in new revenue that will help to provide additional funding for K- through2 public education, health care, and early childhood education to support the whole child needs of students,
046providing an estimated 19,89,000 in new annual funding directly to Gley Evans School District 6 to support local priorities such as student and staff safety. staffing, class size reductions, and student services. And whereas the board declares that the ballot measures referred by SB26-135 and initiative 195 are matters of official concern to this district and its students, families, educators, and staff. Now therefore, be it resolved that the board of education of Gley Evans, school district 6, officially declares its support for and formally endorses both the ballot measure referred by Senate Bill 26-135 and initiative 195, the protect Colorado's future measure. And be it further resolved that the board encourages community members to learn about and consider the immense benefits of both measures in providing sustainable, equitable, and adequate funding for public education, teacher compensation, smaller class sizes,
047and expanded student support services. And be it further resolved that the board directs the superintendent to share this combined resolution with stakeholders and the broader community to raise awareness of these vital efforts to support our schools and students adopted this 8th day of June 2026. >> Thank you. Thank you for reading that. Is there any discussion on the motion? Director Roi, >> I would just like to go um on record just stating that I do take exception to this legislation uh especially the initiative 195 u based on the premise that it does target um a certain group of people that are high income um earners in our state. Um I feel like these are the people that are the um business leaders, the investors, the economy drivers and uh to ask them to take a
048greater percentage of the load of u public education um on their shoulders I do not think is a a wise thing to do. For one thing, especially in our community, some of these uh highincome uh earners are the ones that invest by giving a lot into our public education. So I um and that is my comment. Thank you. Any further discussion? Okay. Well, I would like to um express my support of this measure. Um you know, it was mostly all um carefully delineated in the resolution. Um but these funds um will help to replace the funding that we were able to utilize during COVID. Uh we realized that we were able to do a lot of the measures that are on our strategic plan when we were um when we had a little bit extra
049funding through the COVID relief dollars. We spent about $19 million a year on lowering our class sizes on providing those mental health supports for students and staff. Um those were the years that we were really able to make our CTE offerings robust, increase our um dual enrollment for our students. Um and as we will be passing our budget later on, you can see um that 90% of funds spent in district 6 are to our staff. Um so I am um I feel it strongly that we need these additional funds in order to pay our staff well, in order to um replace those those positions that unfortunately we've had to lose. Um this also very specifically to our v voters will um benefit 99.2% of our voters voters and 100% of our students. So that also
050includes our students in charter schools as they would receive their share of that funding. Um so that there is um my uh my two cents on this on this measure and I will be voting yes. Seeing no further discussion, uh, Miss Lemon, would you please give us a vote? >> Director Bentley, >> nay. >> Director Campos Spitzy, >> I. >> Director Edmonds, >> I. >> Director Lamos Garcia, >> I. >> Director Mash, >> I. >> Director Roi, >> nay. >> Motion carries 42. >> I'm sorry, directors. Campos Fitzy, I didn't see you press your button. >> I was just going to say that we we discussed it. There was a robust discussion during the work session. And so if you're interested to hear more of our individual comments, um you are welcome to uh tune
051in to the work session from earlier today. Thank you for that. All right. The next item on our agenda is our budget adoption. This is a bud u an action item which will require a motion. >> I move that the board of education of Well County School District 6 approve the proposed budget for the 2026 2027 fiscal year. This includes a total appropriation of $475,996,667, the transfer of funds from the general fund, and the use of beginning fund balance where required as presented in the proposed budget document. >> We need a second, right? >> I do need a second. >> I'll second it. >> Thank you. All right. And I see Mrs. Sponsor has come to the podium to to speak on this. >> Thank you. I just wanted to mention that we also presented
052this um budget document during the work session and so I did not prepare a separate presentation. I think um we've had the opportunity to answer questions and again if people want to see that presentation they can watch the work session. I also want to note that the budget is found on our website under the financial transparency link. So if you are curious you can look at the document online. Director Edmund. >> Yeah, I just want to um since I I heard that more people watch this meeting than the the um work session, I do encourage folks to go to that just because there were a lot of great questions answered. I do want to again extend my appreciation to Megan and her team for the hard work they've put into this. Um, it's not easy
053when every year they keep telling us we get less and less money, but we need to make sure that our kids are taken care of better. So, I uh I appreciate all the hard work that you do, not only now, but as we revisit it after student or account and and we revisit it in November and December, that like your job doesn't stop today once we approve this. It's an ongoing continual conversation as we look at things more than just salary. I I appreciate the perspective of it and I do encourage the community to look at it. Great. Gives a good picture of our district that it's more than just that person standing at the front of the classroom. It's our it's our transportation. It's our nutrition services. It's our folks who are making sure
054the lawns are taken care of and the schools are safe. And so there's so much that goes into this. Um I would encourage folks particularly to look at the pages where there's a profile for each school that shows the what each family is facing in those schools. And I pointed this out in the earlier that that there's only one school that doesn't that falls below 50% free and reduced. So it provides a perspective of what our teachers are facing every day. Um and so it's just a great robust wonderful for somebody who like finances are my thing. I feel like I'm like smart when I look through this thing. So really appreciate your hard work on that. Um and your ongoing hard work and to your team as well. >> Thank you. Not seeing any
055further questions. Um I do thank you for pointing out that it is on the website. Um this is what it looks like in a binder form. It's over 200 pages. Um it is um quite easy for the lay person to access this information and to understand it. Doc uh Mrs. sponsor gives a lot of great part bar graphs and piraphphs and then um as director Edmonds mentioned um the demographics of each of our schools which is just honestly kind of fun to peruse. So um thank you to your team and Miss Lemon will you please give us a vote. Oh sorry just kidding. >> I'm sorry it's push it while I'm looking at it. >> Um I wanted to say it's so easy to find. Um, there must be a way through the website, but
056you can also just Google Gley Evans District 6 budget 2026 to 2027 and it pops up. So, you can Google it. >> See, and your comments are just some great little tidbits, so I don't want to miss them. All right. Thank you for um, Miss Lemon, please give us a vote. >> Director Bentley, I >> Dr. Campos Spitzy, I director Edmonds, I >> Dr. Lemos Garcia, I, >> Director Mash, I, >> Director Roi, I. Motion carries 6. >> Thank you. And back to you, Dr. Pelch for your report this evening. >> Thank you so much, uh, President Mash. I just have three short things. First, I want to, uh, give a shout out, as you did, to Nicole Cox, um, who is one of our teachers at Hyman Elementary School. It's truly a big deal
057to have a semi finalist for the 2027 teacher, Colorado Teacher of the Year. Um, and for us to have another semi-finalist after having just had, you know, the Colorado Teacher of the Year is really, just truly remarkable. And she's one of of 21 teachers who have been recognized as a semi-finalist. So, we're really excited for her. Um, we will not come back together for a board meeting before our big school kickoff event. So, that event is August 1st at Island Grove. It does seem a little earlier than in the past because school the fall of where school starts is a little bit earlier. And so, um, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 1st at Island Grove. And we are still taking sponsorships and participants. Um, if there's interest in that, just go to
058our district website and search school kickoff and you can sign up to do that. And then I also want to give a final recognition to Mr. West Tuttle, who is retiring after 35 years in district 6. Um he retires having been a teacher here for gifted and talented, a mathematics teacher at the secondary level at at some point in his career, an elementary teacher, an elementary principal, a director of schools and and an assistant superintendent of elementary and uh Kate schools here in District 6. Just truly truly a remarkable leader with a remarkable career. He officially retired three years ago and has returned to us for the past three years for halftime. and he he finally said, "It is time for me to go to Disneyland and to go be with my grandchildren and to
059go on those Disneyland cruises." So, u we're sending Wes and Mickey and and Goofy and Pluto off and um letting him finally retire, but he should know he leaves having left an indelible mark on District 6. We are better for his leadership and I am certainly a better leader because of his leadership, his ethics, his high moral ground, his kindness, his compassion, his wisdom, um, and his his just stick tuitiveness around public education. So, Wes, we're going to miss you. Maybe one day you'll decide to run to be a school board member. Who knows? Congratulations to you, Wes. Thank you, President Mash. Poor Wes. We've made him be the center of attention all day in his honor. So, um the next item on our agenda is public participation. I do not believe we have anyone
060signed up to speak with us the evening. So, the next item is to approve our consent agenda. I move that the board of education agree in school district 6 approves items as presented on the consent agenda and authorizes the officers to sign any and all contracts. >> I'll second that. >> Thank you. Well, um is there any discussion on the motion? Make >> sure. All right. Um seeing no discussion, will you please give us a vote? Miss Lemon. >> Director Bentley. >> I. >> Director Campos Fitzy. >> Hi. >> Director Edmonds. >> I. Director Limus Garcia >> I. >> Director Mash >> I. >> Director Roi >> I. >> Motion carries 6. >> The next item on our agenda is revisions to policy DKA payroll information. This is an action item. >> I move that
061the board of education of Girley Evans School District 6 approves a revision of policy DKA payroll information as presented. >> Second. >> Is there any discussion on the motion? When we are revising policy, often it is just cleaning up some shells and wills, etc. We've all had a chance to look at this and so Miss Lemon, will you please give us a vote? >> Director Benley, >> I. >> Director Campos Spitzy, >> I. >> Director Edmonds, >> I. >> Director Lamos Garcia, >> I. >> Director Mash, >> I. >> Director Roi, >> I. Motion carries 6. Well, >> thank you all for being in attendance this evening. Please enjoy your summer and we will see you back in August. This meeting is adjourned. Heat. Heat.