The Dolores RE-4A school board on Monday thanked voters for passing the mill levy, discussed the BEST grant and approved the return of a high school girls golf team.
The monthly meeting began with speeches by candidates running for the elementary school’s student council. The students shared why their fellow students should vote for them, highlighting their passion to help end bullying and make the school a better place.
“I believe that a positive school environment starts with us,” one student said. “We can all make a difference by treating each other with kindness, standing up against bullying and helping.”
The board also congratulated the cross-country team for their performance at the state meet. Later on, the board thanked the community for passing the ballot initiative to renew the mill levy for the school.
“Thank you to voters,” the board said. “The money will be used well for staff salary and school supplies.”
“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! The unverified results show that our Dolores community passed the mill levy override to support our students and teachers,” acting Superintendent Alesa Reed said in her monthly blog. “We are truly grateful. Our community has supported our school in boundless ways over the years. Your generosity is remarkable.”
The district is still in the running for the BEST grant this year and is currently third in line for the grant, according to Reed and board President Maegan Crowley.
“We are in a great position to receive the BEST grant. We will let you know as soon as we hear if we are allocated funds,” Reed said.
“There’s a good chance,” Crowley said.
Crowley shared that the district is at an advantage because their bond as passed last November. If the school is awarded the BEST grant, the bond will come into effect. Until then, it stays dormant.
Depending on the scope of some of the projects ahead of Dolores, some of the funds could be reallocated as well, they said.
In discussion items, the board briefly touched on their construction committee, which has been renamed the Design Advisory Group. This group, should the BEST grant be awarded to the district, will help make plans for the construction for the new school.
The board also discussed adding a girls golf team back to the school’s sport roster, which they approved later on in action items.
The team was proposed a few months ago at another board meeting, but it didn’t make another appearance until it was on the board’s discussion and action items for this meeting.
The board unanimously approved adding the girls golf team back to the school’s sports. There are currently nine girls in the high school who wish to play, as well as multiple middle schoolers who will come up to fill those spots, according to those advocating for the team.
Members of the community have also stepped up to help provide funding, and there are resources for the team to get clubs and uniforms.
The next Dolores school board is Monday, Dec. 9 at 6 p.m.
