After failing to meet a quorum Aug. 10, the Dolores RE-4A Board of Education met Thursday and discussed details for the November bond election, permanent substitutes and how to prevent flooding in the schools.
Because no residents addressed the board, the meeting began with board reports. All members except for Clay Tallmadge were in attendance.
The board reports centered on a public meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Dolores Public Library. Board members encouraged staff, parents and community members to attend because the bond strategy for the new school will be discussed, and added that Dolores State Bank is handling donations.
Superintendent Reece Blincoe’s report he gave an update on the bond's current status. He told the board that the bond language has been completed, and proper notice for the bond has been given on the district’s site, as well as in The Journal newspaper.
They are awaiting for the assessed values to be finished by Aug. 25 by statute, and the final language will be presented to the board Aug. 31. At that meeting, which is the last day to gain approval for the bond, the board will vote on whether to approve the bond. According to Blincoe, five board members are required to be present and vote.
Board President Maegan Crowley asked Blincoe about pricing for some aspects of the new school, but Blincoe said they wouldn’t know solid prices until they received bids, which depend on qualification for the BEST grant in 2024.
The new, big playground at Teddy Bear has been completed, and the small one should be finished this week, according to Blincoe’s report.
They also discussed whether they should go ahead with drainage work to try to prevent flooding during a spring snowmelt.
Crowley suggested that BEST might like to see the district do its due diligence and work on improving school buildings, which board members said they would discuss as an “immediate problem for the entire campus.”
Blincoe noted that he would ask the city to clean drainage lines to keep water away from the school.
Blincoe also gave updates on the 2023-2024 school year.
The district has one fewer student than last year, and additional students will begin attending after Labor Day, Blincoe said.
The board also approved hiring a permanent substitute for the Teddy Bear Preschool. Out of the estimated 144 days of school, the preschool used the sub 120 to 130 days.
Blincoe told the board that last year’s permanent substitutes worked very well and were kept busy the entire school year. He added that a sub was available to work when needed and did not need to be called in.
The board reviewed a citizen comment that inquired about the public’s access to addressing the board at policy meetings, which are open to the public but don’t allow for citizen comment.
The board agreed that the public could bring policy questions and concerns during citizen comment at regular meetings, but policy meetings should be kept to business items.
Other new hires also were approved by the board.
