Mario Castillo

The budget includes details on the organization, financial status, and school summaries for Adams County School District 14. It covers various funds including the General Fund, Nutrition Services Fund, Governmental-Designated Grants Fund, Pupil Activity Fund, Bond Redemption Fund, Non-Voter Approved Debt Fund, Building Fund, and Capital Reserve Fund. Key discussion points involve revenue projections, budgeted reserves, and expenditures across different departments such as the Board of Education, Legal Services, Office of the Superintendent, Business Support Services, Financial Services, Human Resources, Community Schools, Learning Services, and others. It also addresses state funding, including the impact of the Public School Finance Act of 1994, and provides a funding projection for the years 2023-2028.

Adams 14 School District's strategic plan is dedicated to preparing students for future careers by cultivating their capacity to create, connect, contribute, compete, and commit. The plan focuses on ensuring students are academically prepared and self-aware, innovative problem solvers, collaborative, communicative, culturally responsive, civically engaged, globally aware, marketable, digitally literate, responsible, resilient, proactive, and persistent.

The Adams County School District 14 Board of Education convened for a study session to discuss the implications of being on year 5 of the 5-year accountability clock. Commissioner Rich Crandall spoke about the options available to the State Board of Education, including reorganization, management changes, converting schools to charter schools, granting Innovation Status, or closing schools. Adams 14 is advocating for Innovation Status, which the state's review panel supports. The district will create innovation plans corresponding to a district-wide plan, to be submitted to the state department of education and the state board. Commissioner Crandall also agreed to conduct a town hall forum with teachers and staff. The focus should include a 3 to 5 year plan which accounts for those students who will be transitioning to high school as well. Council members, State Representative Moreno, and community members spoke in support of the innovation work.

The Adams County School District 14 Board of Education convened for a study session and a regular meeting. The study session included a presentation on the draft 2018-2019 budget. The regular meeting involved discussions and presentations from the Recess Advisory Committee, the District Accountability Advisory Committee, and a presentation on Positive Behavior Support. The board discussed CTA negotiations, teacher retention, and administrative issues. Various consent items were approved, with some exceptions regarding non-renewals. The board also discussed and approved several business items, including the renewal of Barracuda service contracts, increasing funds for Apple Inc., and purchasing Chromebooks and I-Stations for multiple elementary schools. Additionally, calendar changes and the purchase of custodial equipment were approved. The Board of Education held discussions regarding advisory committees and formed committees to conform to Policy BDF. The board also convened in executive session to receive legal advice.

The board discussed budgetary concerns, the possibility of in-house general counsel, and pending legal matters regarding BOCES and HOPE Online. They also reviewed the superintendent's goals and discussed personnel matters. Presentations were given by principals regarding curriculum, instructional materials, and substitute teachers. The board also heard presentations on the 7 Mindsets program, Monaco Elementary School, and Adams City High School. Policy revisions were discussed and voted on, covering topics such as staff ethics, accomplishment reporting, and support staff policies. The board approved a curriculum change proposal for Kearney Middle School to introduce archery, out-of-state travel to Baltimore, Maryland, and the renewal of the iLoka, Inc. contract for Fiscal Year 2016-2017. Additionally, they approved Precision School Improvement, LLC to support the district's Innovation Zone Implementation and a calendar change for Lester Arnold High School. Budget questions and clarifications were addressed, and the Commissioner of Education expressed interest in holding a study session with the Board on Year 5 Focus.