Kristin Funston

The meeting commenced with the approval of the agenda. The primary action discussed during the recorded segment was a motion to convene an executive session. This executive session was specifically requested pursuant to Colorado Revised Statute section 24-6-402 sub4 subG to discuss documents made confidential by the Open Records Act, focusing on the content of applications and supporting documents for superintendent candidates who had not yet reached finalist status.

The special meeting between the Board of Commissioners and the Board of Education focused heavily on budgetary concerns and inter-entity collaboration. Key discussion points included the importance of childcare initiatives to retain young families and improve community consistency. There was significant discussion regarding potential funding shortfalls due to federal budget uncertainty, specifically regarding Secure Rural Schools funding and potential reductions to the P-12 budget. Members emphasized the need to advocate for the school district to receive maximum funding allocations. Other major topics included attracting tourism/visitors to boost the local economy, the status of housing initiatives like the Four Points project, the value of a strong K-12 system to the community's overall health and economy, and the management of the county jail, including potential cost savings by housing federal prisoners or contracting out incarceration services. The boards also discussed prioritizing enrollment as it directly impacts financial allocations for the school district, and reviewing past bond program execution success to build trust for future measures.

The meeting began with the approval of the agenda. Board of Education updates included ongoing work on superintendent screening and salary negotiations with educators. Discussions covered preparing answers for DAT questions related to a presentation and reviewing data from the Community Crisis Health Assessments Team (CCHAT), noting metrics on student interventions. Updates were provided on tenure pinning ceremonies and the forthcoming Emergency Operations Procedures books, which are expected for approval in August. A presentation was given on an active shooter application that would cost schools funding. Updates also mentioned community events such as a skateboard park benefit and mayor/commissioner awards celebrating students. Superintendent updates focused on the BEST grant application moving to the short list and scheduling painting and roof updates at King Murphy and Georgetown, starting June 2nd. Dusting days for incoming seventh graders were completed, and elementary field day was planned. Athletic achievements, including a new track record, were noted. There was a discussion regarding enrollment paths for the Clear Creek School District, referencing positive aspects and enrollment data for small rural districts. A significant portion of the meeting involved updates on the search for a new superintendent, naming four final candidates who will be introduced to the community on June 5th. Committee updates included remarks from the Clear Creek Education Association (CCEA) representative concerning contract negotiations, highlighting that the latest board proposal offered a 1% cost of living adjustment (COLA), which they argued was effectively a pay cut when factoring in additional work days, and called for prioritizing teacher and staff retention over excessive capital project spending. An update was also provided regarding an energy performance contracting presentation by a representative from Verigy, focusing on identifying energy/water savings to fund necessary infrastructure upgrades.

The meeting began with a motion to approve the agenda, including resolutions in support of fundraising for Cle Creek license and in opposition to Amendment 80, which diverts public funding to private educational entities. Board updates covered follow-up discussions on a marketing presentation and the development of a survey. A final report for the Carlson community meeting, detailing key themes, wants, needs, and fears, was finalized. Updates were provided on rural schools initiatives, noting alignment with the Rural Schools Alliance. Progress on the Crisis Response Handbook transition to Clear Creek was noted, with another meeting scheduled for finalization. The Mental and Emotional Behavioral Health Track involved attendance at the Colorado Roundtable on Firearm Harm Reduction. Discussions also included long-range planning committee recruitment following the bond wrapping up. Significant progress was reported on expanding early childhood education through awarded scholarships across various local organizations, funded partially by leveraged lodging taxes. In related activities, a quarterly BOC meeting confirmed all districts are fully staffed with special service providers, and a survey regarding MTSS and differentiated instruction baseline knowledge was distributed to instructors. Further, there was an update on the Henderson Li Community Investment Fund Grant application review, resulting in four recipients awarded over $200,000 in total, with Clear Creek receiving $12,500 for postsecondary pathways, educator professional development, and a business marketing class. Finally, Carlson Elementary provided an overview of moving into its new building, acknowledging the significant work involved, and reported an increase of four students year-over-year, achieving a 4% overall increase in school performance framework results from the previous year.

The meeting opened with the approval of the agenda. A significant portion of the discussion centered on community response and commitment to safety following a recent tragedy. Topics included reviewing existing comprehensive safety protocols, emergency response procedures, and continuous efforts to maintain a secure learning environment in partnership with local law enforcement. Mental health support availability for students, families, and staff was also addressed. Further discussion involved reviewing safety committee meetings, the formation of a long-term planning committee for capital projects, and the role of local law enforcement, including SROs. Key points of discussion with law enforcement representatives included response times, the potential for increased presence at specific schools like Murphy, and the feasibility of implementing a volunteer program involving retired, armed officers. The board also discussed crisis response planning, specifically the adoption of Jeffco's crisis response handbook to manage mental and emotional support following crisis events. Additionally, the Watchdog program, a voluntary parent involvement initiative focused on monitoring building access and security, was extensively reviewed as a low-cost visual deterrent and community engagement tool, noting its previous adoption by the district.