Echoes from Cañon
Examples of Excellence
Board Vice-President Lloyd Harwood represented CCSD at CASB's annual Delegate Assembly.
I would like to start by offering a shout out to our transportation department. Last week we received an exit report from the Colorado Department of Education upon completion of a periodic site review that resulted in the best report the district has received in memory. In fact, I have been told our last audit, which took place four years ago, was a bit troubling. Since then Operations Manager Jeff Peterson has taken over supervision of the program. Jeff says credit goes to Transportation Manager Dave Boden and Chief Mechanic Kris Westhoff who have brought new ideas and record keeping procedures to the department. I can’t tell you how thrilled we are about this because a CDE audit indicates how safe our transportation department is operating.
I also want to thank board vice-president Lloyd Harwood for travelling to Denver last weekend to attend the Colorado Association of School Board’s annual Fall Delegate Assembly. This year Cañon City Schools had a resolution on the agenda advocating for the legislature to allocate marijuana tax dollars above the 40-million-dollar limit to the Building Excellent Schools Today construction program. Mr. Harwood reports our resolution passed on a 53-13 vote. It's our contention voters intended all marijuana tax dollars collected upon recreational legalization be applied toward school construction. With CASB’s help we hope to now convince the legislature to make this statutory change.
Last week our district literacy coaches and many of our K-5 building principals attended the Colorado READ Conference where they strengthened their knowledge base of high quality first reading instruction. I want to thank them for their willingness to spend several days away from home to enhance their skills for the benefit of our students.
I also want to thank board vice-president Lloyd Harwood for travelling to Denver last weekend to attend the Colorado Association of School Board’s annual Fall Delegate Assembly. This year Cañon City Schools had a resolution on the agenda advocating for the legislature to allocate marijuana tax dollars above the 40-million-dollar limit to the Building Excellent Schools Today construction program. Mr. Harwood reports our resolution passed on a 53-13 vote. It's our contention voters intended all marijuana tax dollars collected upon recreational legalization be applied toward school construction. With CASB’s help we hope to now convince the legislature to make this statutory change.
Last week our district literacy coaches and many of our K-5 building principals attended the Colorado READ Conference where they strengthened their knowledge base of high quality first reading instruction. I want to thank them for their willingness to spend several days away from home to enhance their skills for the benefit of our students.
The Focus of Our Work
An architect's rendering of what the new CCMS commons area might look like. Key to the design is a desire that the stage can be seen from varying levels within the commons space.
The Cañon City School District has an override and a bond question on this year’s ballot. As part of the election process voters can submit up to 500 word statements in favor or against its ballot questions. These are printed in the election information booklet distributed before the election to registered voters through the mail.
Last week I published information about question 3A. Regarding ballot question 3B, our bond, only a statement in support of it was submitted to the school district before the deadline. It follows:
A structural engineering study conducted at Washington Elementary School during the spring of 2016 revealed foundation heaving, joist creep, and wall sloping. To ensure continued safety of students and staff, the school district understands these issues need to be addressed soon. The cost for structural improvements is not significant. However, the extra work this would trigger to bring the building up to code led the board of education to conclude building a new school will be a better investment for taxpayers.
Similarly, because of the exorbitant costs associated with a major remodel at Cañon City Middle School, the school district has decided replacing the current CCMS building will be a solid long-term investment for taxpayers. The 1925 structure is fraught with asbestos laden plaster, antiquated electrical and mechanical systems, lack of ADA access, inadequate instructional spaces, and structural deterioration.
The Cañon City School District (CCSD) is pursuing two Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) grants to build the new Washington Elementary and CCMS at only 32% of actual cost to taxpayers.
Additionally, the CCSD has already received a $5 million BEST grant to perform significant health and safety upgrades at CCHS, CES, Harrison, Lincoln, and McKinley schools. Voting yes on this question will provide the $2.5 million matching funds still needed to access these BEST grant funds.
Mountain View Core Knowledge K-8 students and their families are an integral part of the Cañon City School District. Students who attend Mountain View have the same right to learn and grow in a safe and secure environment as all other CCSD students. Paying their loan in full will make available funds to further support instruction and operations, as well as to provide potential cash matches for future facility improvement grants.
All this work can be accomplished for only $3.75 per month on a home worth $100,000 in market value. Only a portion of this increase will begin during the 2018 tax year. The remaining increase can’t take effect until CCSD secures the BEST grants to build a new Washington Elementary and CCMS. As a reminder, the Homestead Tax Relief Act allows property owners aged 65 years or older who have lived in their current homes for at least 10 years to pay only half this increase.
If this effort is unsuccessful, the Board of Education must close a school, most likely Washington because of its pressing structural issues. This will require changing attendance boundaries, transporting more students on buses, and moving more students to CCMS, a facility already deemed not up to the task of modern instruction. The district has no funds available to demolish Washington and so this building could sit vacant for years.
In the end, for only an $18.2 million investment, district taxpayers will gain $52.9 million worth of construction upgrades, a nearly 200% return on investment.
No statements in opposition of question 3B were submitted to the district.
Last week I published information about question 3A. Regarding ballot question 3B, our bond, only a statement in support of it was submitted to the school district before the deadline. It follows:
A structural engineering study conducted at Washington Elementary School during the spring of 2016 revealed foundation heaving, joist creep, and wall sloping. To ensure continued safety of students and staff, the school district understands these issues need to be addressed soon. The cost for structural improvements is not significant. However, the extra work this would trigger to bring the building up to code led the board of education to conclude building a new school will be a better investment for taxpayers.
Similarly, because of the exorbitant costs associated with a major remodel at Cañon City Middle School, the school district has decided replacing the current CCMS building will be a solid long-term investment for taxpayers. The 1925 structure is fraught with asbestos laden plaster, antiquated electrical and mechanical systems, lack of ADA access, inadequate instructional spaces, and structural deterioration.
The Cañon City School District (CCSD) is pursuing two Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) grants to build the new Washington Elementary and CCMS at only 32% of actual cost to taxpayers.
Additionally, the CCSD has already received a $5 million BEST grant to perform significant health and safety upgrades at CCHS, CES, Harrison, Lincoln, and McKinley schools. Voting yes on this question will provide the $2.5 million matching funds still needed to access these BEST grant funds.
Mountain View Core Knowledge K-8 students and their families are an integral part of the Cañon City School District. Students who attend Mountain View have the same right to learn and grow in a safe and secure environment as all other CCSD students. Paying their loan in full will make available funds to further support instruction and operations, as well as to provide potential cash matches for future facility improvement grants.
All this work can be accomplished for only $3.75 per month on a home worth $100,000 in market value. Only a portion of this increase will begin during the 2018 tax year. The remaining increase can’t take effect until CCSD secures the BEST grants to build a new Washington Elementary and CCMS. As a reminder, the Homestead Tax Relief Act allows property owners aged 65 years or older who have lived in their current homes for at least 10 years to pay only half this increase.
If this effort is unsuccessful, the Board of Education must close a school, most likely Washington because of its pressing structural issues. This will require changing attendance boundaries, transporting more students on buses, and moving more students to CCMS, a facility already deemed not up to the task of modern instruction. The district has no funds available to demolish Washington and so this building could sit vacant for years.
In the end, for only an $18.2 million investment, district taxpayers will gain $52.9 million worth of construction upgrades, a nearly 200% return on investment.
No statements in opposition of question 3B were submitted to the district.
An architect's rendering of the new Washington Media Center/Library shows the possibility of space that can be opened to the outside.
Last Week
Last week I attended several parent meetings, learned about our local risk and protective data from Fremont County Communities that Care coordinator Jen O’Conner, had a lunch meeting ahead of the CASB Fall Delegate Assembly with board vice-president Lloyd Harwood, attended a board of education/student leader engagement session and a board meeting, participated in a touching base meeting with the Cañon City Police Department, attended a Building Bridges for Cañon City Kids meeting, held a classified association leaders touching base breakfast, observed delayed start professional development at several schools, attended the CCHS Parent Advisory Committee meeting, made an appearance on KRLN’s Morning Line to talk about questions 3A and 3B, attended a regional Manager’s Meeting, and met with district health and wellness leaders about an upcoming Positive Youth Development training.
This Week
Cañon City literacy coaches Jessica Stevens, Jessica Bray, Lacey LeDoux and Kelly Jones pose with Colorado READ Conference presenter Debbie Hunsaker.
I’ll be taking personal time on Monday and Tuesday to visit family, while returning to work on Wednesday. On my agenda this week include a meeting with Fremont County DHS director Steve Clifton, a District Leadership Team meeting, a touching base session with Director of Special Services Lynnette Steinhoff, and a Tabletop Crisis Simulation exercise involving Cañon City Police,
Thanks for listening once again!
George S. Welsh
Thanks for listening once again!
George S. Welsh