Echoes from Cañon
Examples of Excellence
Pat Callahan has dedicated 30 years to CCSD student-athletes.
I want to mention Cañon City High School soccer coach Pat Callahan, thank him for 30 years of loyal service to our students, and congratulate him on garnering his 300th win this year as coach of our men’s team. During his 30 years of service Pat's teams have won numerous league titles, and even a state championship (1991). However, in speaking to people who know Coach Callahan best, they say his greatest achievement has been positively impacting the fine young men and women he works with on their journey to adulthood. Pat, I know very few people who have made such an impact on a community. Thank you for all you do for our kids!
Last week Board President Larry Oddo traveled to Colorado Springs to engage with board of education presidents from our region and representatives of the Colorado Association of School Boards. I appreciate his willingness to put forth this extra effort to advocate for our children and to sharpen his governance skills.
On a weekly basis, I am reminded of the value of Colorado’s Safe2Tell school safety reporting system. Thanks to this anonymous reporting process and many heads up students, staff, and parents willing to file reports, we get a constant stream of information that helps us address student safety and security concerns.
I observed some outstanding Professional Learning Community work going on in Harrison at the middle school level. I appreciate how teachers are closely monitoring the academic progress of students and setting up needed interventions through their RISE sessions. Principal Marne Autobee is very hopeful this effort will translate into a lower class failure rate this year.
I have also observed outstanding work at Cañon City Middle School related to the district's focus on student engagement. Principal Tim Renn has been sharing photos and videos of teachers using a variety of creative engagement strategies. Using these tools this ensures more students are focused on their daily learning target. I truly appreciate the professionalism with which the CCMS staff is approaching this effort.
Last week Board President Larry Oddo traveled to Colorado Springs to engage with board of education presidents from our region and representatives of the Colorado Association of School Boards. I appreciate his willingness to put forth this extra effort to advocate for our children and to sharpen his governance skills.
On a weekly basis, I am reminded of the value of Colorado’s Safe2Tell school safety reporting system. Thanks to this anonymous reporting process and many heads up students, staff, and parents willing to file reports, we get a constant stream of information that helps us address student safety and security concerns.
I observed some outstanding Professional Learning Community work going on in Harrison at the middle school level. I appreciate how teachers are closely monitoring the academic progress of students and setting up needed interventions through their RISE sessions. Principal Marne Autobee is very hopeful this effort will translate into a lower class failure rate this year.
I have also observed outstanding work at Cañon City Middle School related to the district's focus on student engagement. Principal Tim Renn has been sharing photos and videos of teachers using a variety of creative engagement strategies. Using these tools this ensures more students are focused on their daily learning target. I truly appreciate the professionalism with which the CCMS staff is approaching this effort.
The Focus of Our Work
CCMS students engage in learning by participating in an inside/outside circle activity.
I attended a Colorado Safe Schools Resource Center meeting last Tuesday. At it I learned about a new adult sexual misconduct training they are developing to support school districts. Director of Student Support Services Paula Buser already has CSSRC lined them to train our staff members in this realm. We’ll be offering this opportunity to various staff groups several times throughout the remainder of this school year.
As many of you know, the Cañon City School District has an override and a bond question on this year’s ballot. As part of the process, when holding an election, voters can submit to the district up to 500 word statements in favor or against the issues. These are printed in an election blue-book distributed before the election to registered voters through the mail. Fremont County voters should receive theirs in the coming week.
Regarding ballot question 3A, our override, only one statement in support of it was submitted to the school district before the deadline. It follows:
The purpose of this mill levy override is to increase the school district’s annual operations revenues by $1.385 million per year above what it currently receives, for a 10-year period. Doing so would increase the district’s per-pupil funding from only 95% of state average to 100%.
This ballot measure clearly states funds will only be spent to . . .
-Upgrade outdated instructional materials,
- Increase student access to technology,
- Improve the level of building maintenance and school safety,
- Attract and retain high quality staff members, and
- Enhance educational opportunities for preschool children.
As many of you know, the Cañon City School District has an override and a bond question on this year’s ballot. As part of the process, when holding an election, voters can submit to the district up to 500 word statements in favor or against the issues. These are printed in an election blue-book distributed before the election to registered voters through the mail. Fremont County voters should receive theirs in the coming week.
Regarding ballot question 3A, our override, only one statement in support of it was submitted to the school district before the deadline. It follows:
The purpose of this mill levy override is to increase the school district’s annual operations revenues by $1.385 million per year above what it currently receives, for a 10-year period. Doing so would increase the district’s per-pupil funding from only 95% of state average to 100%.
This ballot measure clearly states funds will only be spent to . . .
-Upgrade outdated instructional materials,
- Increase student access to technology,
- Improve the level of building maintenance and school safety,
- Attract and retain high quality staff members, and
- Enhance educational opportunities for preschool children.
As part of their civic engagement curriculum, Cañon City High School Tiger Open Pathways students had an opportunity to present their opinion on ballot question 3A to the Cañon City Council.
These revenues are needed in part because of the effects of the Great Recession. As a result education funding cuts have amounted to a $3.5 million per-year reduction in the school district’s budget as promised in voter approved Amendment 23 of Colorado’s constitution. In other words, during the past seven years, the Cañon City School District has had to operate on only six years of funding. In response to this funding reduction, the school district froze salaries, reduced the workforce, postponed technology upgrades, and deferred building maintenance efforts.
If this question is approved, Cañon City students will benefit from consistently updated curriculum materials. Adequate resources will finally be available to maintain and repair new and existing facilities. Hiring highly qualified teachers and support staff will become less difficult than it has been. And, while many of our students do not possess a modern digital device or internet access at home, all students will gain from a one-to-one initiative to place a personal technology device in the hands of every student. This program will increase their opportunities to use technology safely and for learning as well as for exploring career opportunities. Finally, more of the district’s neediest preschool-aged children will be ensured the services they desperately need to start school on an even footing.
All children across the school district will benefit from this mill levy override, including those who attend Mountain View Core Knowledge Charter School. Override dollars will be expended at an equal per-student rate of investment for all children.
All of this will be accomplished for only $3.58 per month for $100,000 of market home value. This increase would begin during the 2018 tax year. Payments will be made for 10 years, ending after the 2027 tax year. As a reminder, the Homestead Tax Relief Act allows Cañon City property owners aged 65 years or older who have lived in their current homes for at least 10 years to only pay only half of this tax increase.
No statements were submitted in opposition to question 3A. Next week I'll share statements in support and in opposition of ballot question 3B.
If this question is approved, Cañon City students will benefit from consistently updated curriculum materials. Adequate resources will finally be available to maintain and repair new and existing facilities. Hiring highly qualified teachers and support staff will become less difficult than it has been. And, while many of our students do not possess a modern digital device or internet access at home, all students will gain from a one-to-one initiative to place a personal technology device in the hands of every student. This program will increase their opportunities to use technology safely and for learning as well as for exploring career opportunities. Finally, more of the district’s neediest preschool-aged children will be ensured the services they desperately need to start school on an even footing.
All children across the school district will benefit from this mill levy override, including those who attend Mountain View Core Knowledge Charter School. Override dollars will be expended at an equal per-student rate of investment for all children.
All of this will be accomplished for only $3.58 per month for $100,000 of market home value. This increase would begin during the 2018 tax year. Payments will be made for 10 years, ending after the 2027 tax year. As a reminder, the Homestead Tax Relief Act allows Cañon City property owners aged 65 years or older who have lived in their current homes for at least 10 years to only pay only half of this tax increase.
No statements were submitted in opposition to question 3A. Next week I'll share statements in support and in opposition of ballot question 3B.
Last Week
Last week I touched base with Director of Instruction Adam Hartman, held a Superintendent Advisory Council meeting, attended an Admin Office BSERT meeting, worked with Mr. Hartman to revise our Early Literacy Grant budget, presented information about our ballot questions to the Cañon City Council, Rotary Club, Harrison PTO, and Mountain View Core Knowledge School Boosters, attended a Colorado Safe Schools Resource Center board meeting, held central administration and operations team meetings, and met with our CCEA officers.
This Week
Board President Larry Oddo participated in a CASB Region 6 Board President's work session in Springs.
This week my calendar is loaded with parent meetings, a Communities that Care data finding session with Jen O’Conner, a lunch meeting with BOE Vice-President Lloyd Harwood, a board of education/student leader engagement session followed by a regular board meeting, a touching base meeting with the Cañon City Police Department, a Building Bridges for Cañon City Kids meeting, a classified association leaders monthly touching base breakfast, observing delayed start professional development initiatives at several schools, making an appearance on KRLN’s Morning Line, attending a regional Manager’s Meeting, and making a trip to Denver to serve on the CASE superintendent of the year selection committee.
Thanks for listening once again!
George S. Welsh
Thanks for listening once again!
George S. Welsh
