School Board Meeting December 14, 2009

Click here for an agenda for the meeting.

There was one member of the public addressing the school board. Eva Hale spoke against the school's suggestion to eliminate the feeder routes (agenda item 7D). She said that this showed a "lack of respect," that they (residents of 16 Springs) were being "slapped again" and this would cause their property values to go down.

When the feeder routes were addressed by the board, there was strong support for and against the them. Board member Doug Porch was strongly against eliminating the feeder routes, pointing out that the school board had been told "it's a wash" in terms of the effect the budget cuts would have on the school and that people in 16 Springs used to have a bus route. Bill Denny spoke just as passionately for eliminating the feeder routes, saying "if you want to live out there that's part of living out there" and stated that "the school shouldn't have to pay them to get to school." Transportation director Mike Richline addressed the board saying that if he had to cut 4% from the transportation budget that there wasn't much room to cut, since most of the budget was for contract expenses and contract rentals. In his opinion, the only areas to cut were maintenance, fuel or feeder routes. It was pointed out that these feeder routes were also in areas like Russia Canyon and Pinon. Superintendent Hancock's comment was that maintenance and fuel were not places that they could cut costs. No action was taken by the board on this item.

Due to the power outages and school cancellations of last week, the Financial Reports were not prepared, so items 6A and 6B of the agenda were not addressed.

In action item 7A, the board approved policy advisories 67 (GCCB) and 68 (GCCD) in their "second reading." Since these policy advisories were never read to the public, nor made available to the public at the meetings, I do not have the wording of these policies. Nor was I able to get copies from the Administration. I have been told that when they are updated they will be available on the school's web site. I have asked that "readings" of future policy advisories either be read to the public or a copy be made available to the public.

The board also approved several waivers for graduating seniors. These waivers dealt with NM History and competency testing. Two students that transferred their senior year had not had NM History since it wasn't required at their former schools.

The board approved Title I application amendments. It also received a packet for its annual evaluation of school superintendent Tommy Hancock. School board members are to turn their evaluations in by January 4th.