The Montezuma-Cortez RE-1 school board on Aug.20 discussed the results of summer school and their intention to try to withdraw from San Juan BOCES for the second year in a row.
At the start of the meeting, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Education Department representatives celebrated the success of the first Towaoc open house and said they’d like to hold one each year. Schools, principals and other staff attended, answering student and parent questions and helping students register for classes.
They also thanked the school bus drivers who go to Towaoc every day and transport students to and from school.
The Montezuma-Cortez School to Farm program also presented, saying that they are expanding teaching services to the middle school, which includes classroom and garden lessons.
On Friday, Sept. 21, they will host a garden open house and providing a “meal celebrating fall harvest” for attendees.
Superintendent Tom Burris introduced the new director of Human Resources, Justin Schmitt, who replaces the fired Cynthia Eldredge. Schmitt is the former principal of Dolores High School.
Burris stated that the play structure at the middle school was set for construction Aug. 29 through Aug. 3 and that he has been in touch with lawyers for the HVAC system.
On-Time Sports, a which reportedly makes and provides shirts for the schools, has an unauthorized contract, according to Burris, and he advised listeners to not engage or buy from On-Time Sports.
He also said the district’s application to pull out of BOCES was due Sept. 1.
Next, the district’s principals gave a presentation about summer school. High school Principal Jennifer Boniface started, saying that 131 credits were completed by high schoolers over the summer.
Last year, the high school utilized an online program, which wasn’t as effective as having teachers in the classroom. This year, teachers taught units catered to the students – English, math, science and social studies, which included American government, American history and world history.
While they struggled to find staff, there were no major discipline issues. Summer school started with 80 students and finished with 67.
Drew Pearson, the middle school principal, said their summer school is used in part for grade-level promotion.
If a student misses 25% of school or fails three classes over the course of the school year, they are required to attend summer school to move on to the next grade. Though 67 CMS students qualified for summer school, only 62 attended.
“Six or so fizzled out” and some were asked not to return because of behavioral issues, but 46 passed all classes with “great success,” Pearson said.
Three students were retained in their current grade.
Pearson said this method of summer school has been effective for the past two years. In the first year, the number of F grades went down by over 50%, and this year by 40%.
Robert Layman, Mesa Elementary’s principal, said that they “had a lot of fun this year,” and 100% attendance. Layman and Kemper Elementary’s Principal Kathleen Nelson spoke of the literacy-based grant both schools received for summer school.
Mesa and Kemper received the grant in partnership with a school district near Fort Collins. Nelson said their attendance was at 86% by the end of summer school. Both schools saw significant improvement in their school’s DIBELS testing.
Lewis-Arriola Elementary School Principal Angela Sauk shared that the funding that was found through Assistant Superintendent Eddie Ramirez allowed Lewis-Arriola to hold their first summer school from 8 a.m. to noon. Thirteen students were targeted for summer school in first through fourth grades, and reading was emphasized.
When Executive Director of Student Academic Services Jim Parr gave his report, he shared that Kemper and Mesa were close to being back to their pre-COVID levels, while Lewis-Arriola “blew theirs away.”
The board honored theater program teacher Nicholaus Sandler for being chosen as Colorado Drama Teacher of the Year, presenting him with a plaque and a gift from the board.
Another report noted that the international teachers have arrived and are training and for their positions. Right now, substitutes are working in classrooms meant for the new teachers, until the new teachers are ready in the next few weeks.
“I think they’re doing great. They’re really happy to be here,” the report said, adding that the teachers had expressed their hope to make a difference.
- A woman identified as Susan praised the superintendent for his performance, saying that the progress at the schools was “off the charts” and that the superintendent is “doing pretty good.” She also commended the school board and principals.
- Former board member Sherri Wright also addressed the board, saying, “It makes me sad to hear the community say the things they say about Mr. Burris.m Do not listen to the negative. Do not. It is not true,” she said.
- The board addressed their mill levy resolution and ballot wording before adjourning.
- The next board meeting is Tuesday, Sept. 3 at 6 p.m.
