Echoes from Cañon
Examples of Excellence
At our November 19th District Accountability Committee meeting Cañon City High School teacher Kevin Marushack presented about the group he sponsors called The Pride. The main goal of The Pride is to increase student support for Cañon City High School activities. Along the way the organization provides many students with a true sense of belonging, offering them avenues by which they can make a difference in the community, while also unifying the student body. The Pride supports local charities, offers numerous positive activities for grade 9-12 students to engage in, and continually promotes the accomplishments of Cañon City High School students. I just can’t thank Mr. Marushack and Activities Director Scott Manchester enough for this special organization they have created for our children.
Thanks to Dr. Sean Claflin many of our low income students in need of corrective vision services will benefit from a free eye clinic and glasses fitting session that will take place on December 10th and 11th at two of our schools. Dr. Claflin has lined up free equipment and support resources from lens company Essilor. Because of this vision days will take place at Harrison K-8 school on Thursday December 10th and at Washington Elementary on Friday December 12th.
Thanks to Dr. Sean Claflin many of our low income students in need of corrective vision services will benefit from a free eye clinic and glasses fitting session that will take place on December 10th and 11th at two of our schools. Dr. Claflin has lined up free equipment and support resources from lens company Essilor. Because of this vision days will take place at Harrison K-8 school on Thursday December 10th and at Washington Elementary on Friday December 12th.
The Focus of Our Work
Though effort slowed for the Thanksgiving holiday as most of our employees focused on their families, the district is in the midst of upgrading network wiring, switches, and access points in many of its buildings thanks to the acquisition of an E-rate grant that covers a large portion of this expense.
On November 17th we met with Cañon City Education Association representatives to begin conducting a salary study related to an issue we face having a handful of employees who have been working in our school district since 2009 but who have not moved from their entry level salary step since they arrived. The problem this creates is some of our folks who have as much as 6 years experience in the district are getting paid the same as our brand new teachers with little or no experience. Also, some of these same teachers are even getting paid less than new teachers to the district who have fewer years overall teaching experience (because they able to be were brought in on higher salary steps due to prior experience elsewhere). Our conversation was fruitful, we took a look at some models other districts have used in an attempt to address this same issue, and we will be spending time developing a few straw design solutions kick around at our next session.
At the November 19th District Accountability Committee meeting local and statewide student achievement data was reviewed for the purpose of making sure schools are on a positive trajectory when it comes to student learning outcomes. This work will continue at our next committee gathering scheduled for Thursday January 14th at 5:00 PM.
On November 17th we met with Cañon City Education Association representatives to begin conducting a salary study related to an issue we face having a handful of employees who have been working in our school district since 2009 but who have not moved from their entry level salary step since they arrived. The problem this creates is some of our folks who have as much as 6 years experience in the district are getting paid the same as our brand new teachers with little or no experience. Also, some of these same teachers are even getting paid less than new teachers to the district who have fewer years overall teaching experience (because they able to be were brought in on higher salary steps due to prior experience elsewhere). Our conversation was fruitful, we took a look at some models other districts have used in an attempt to address this same issue, and we will be spending time developing a few straw design solutions kick around at our next session.
At the November 19th District Accountability Committee meeting local and statewide student achievement data was reviewed for the purpose of making sure schools are on a positive trajectory when it comes to student learning outcomes. This work will continue at our next committee gathering scheduled for Thursday January 14th at 5:00 PM.
Last Week
During the week before Thanksgiving we celebrated National Education Week. I also attended a Fremont Facilities Corp meeting, Superintendent Advisory Council, and a meeting with CCEA leadership about beginning work on a salary schedule study. On Wednesday November 18th the board of education held a thank you lunch for outgoing member Mike Near. I also attended the Fremont County 1451 committee meeting, a monthly DHS information meeting, a quarterly PCC advisory committee meeting, our quarterly District Accountability Committee meeting, and had a one to one meeting with new board director Kristyn Econome.
This Week
On Monday at Noon we’ll have a board work session to prepare for our Colorado Association of School Boards convention presentation about the superintendents process we have created. I’ll spend Monday afternoon in school buildings. On Tuesday morning I have my monthly KRLN radio interview, a Superintendent Advisory Council meeting, and various building visits in the afternoon. On Wednesday morning we have our monthly Central Office Staff meeting, and in the afternoon I will spend some time in various buildings as well. I will then attend the Colorado Association of School Boards annual convention in Springs from Thursday through Sunday.
Thanks for listening once again!
George S. Welsh
Thanks for listening once again!
George S. Welsh
