The Dolores school board on Oct. 13 discussed successes in a new class and an internship program that is equipping teens interested in STEM. The board also provided updates on audits and maintenance updates.
The Dolores School District Re-4A meeting kicked off with a presentation about a new small-engines class that is teaching high school students how to work with small engines and troubleshoot issues that may arise in mechanic work.
The teacher who started the class, Clint Schurr, spoke of the benefits of hands-on learning with the basics of mechanics and other maintenance projects while in school. He encouraged residents to donate unneeded engines for use in the classroom.
Three students talked about how the class has affected them and what they’ve learned.
“Small engines class is probably my favorite part of the school,” said one student.
Two others pointed to the problem-solving aspects and said they were learning life skills.
Karen Webster shared the Pinhead internship’s successes and how it benefits students in the school system. The Pinhead Institute originated in Telluride and was created to foster a love of STEM in students who excel in science and math. Pinhead helps pay for and find students internships in these fields to prepare them for college and beyond. Internships are offered to juniors and seniors in high school who are part of the program.
One student named Keegan spoke to the board about his Pinhead aerospace engineering internship, saying that he normally would not have afforded such an internship. For example, he was able to work with his mentor to build a satellite that will go to Mars in 2024.
“The work ethic I learned is indescribable,” Keegan said.
To learn more about Pinhead and the internships, visit online at pinheadinstitute.org.
Dolores High School was randomly selected for a handicap accessibility standard audit by the Office of Civil Rights. Entrances and ramp slopes were measured, and they found the ramp on the new science building was built at a 13% slope, but it can be no higher than a 7% slope to be up to standard. The district has two years to repair it.
Other accessibility problems were found, but the district is waiting on the full, written audit report set to come in the next few weeks before making an action plan.
Alfonso Goad presented the maintenance report, noting that the list brought before the board still needs to be organized and prioritized.
Maintenance projects include new windows in the schools, updates on all bathrooms (specifically on partitions in the elementary school), new locks, shingles on the football shed, ventilation in the wood shop and a new heating unit in the Little Bear Gym, which is expected to cost at least $12,000.
Playgrounds have not been updated in a few years, he said, and new air-conditioning units are needed in the art building, library and wood shop.
The board approved a contract for FMN architect services. The first meeting with the contractors will take place on Oct. 20 to begin discussing plans. Before approving the contract, the board voted to add the administration building for new building consideration, as well as add the 14th Street lot to the contract.
The district already has $110,000 set aside for the project and has plans to keep the community updated on any new buildings or projects. The updates will be available soon online.
The board unanimously approved new grant writer Clara Martinez and approved the hiring of new teachers for elementary music, middle school science, secondary ESS para, secondary math and elementary technology.
Superintendent Reece Blincoe also updated the board on the city’s town house initiative, which was discussed at the previous board meeting in September. He said there is no guarantee that the city will reserve units for teachers, so Blincoe and the board discussed whether it would be worth looking into using school land to build units for teachers who may need affordable housing.
Board President Meagan Crowley said she didn’t think it was the school’s responsibility to house teachers but she wanted to hear thoughts from the community and teachers regarding this idea before making an official decision.
The next Dolores School Board meeting will be held on Nov. 10 at 6 p.m.
