A message from Superintendent Chris King - Challenging fiscal times ahead for K-12 education
The Colorado legislature is off to a faster than usual start passing the key elements of the state’s “Race to the Top” national entry which this board endorsed on Jan. 12. The reform of the Public Employee Retirement Association or PERA was heard in its first committee on Jan. 26. This is a bipartisan proposal intended to stabilize Colorado’s public employee pension plan.

Both “Race to the Top” and PERA reform could have budget implications for our district. At same time that these two bills have been moving forward, the legislature’s powerful Joint Budget Committee is moving closer to developing a proposed state budget for the 2010-2011 fiscal year which begins July 1.

While July 1 may seem a long way off, it really is not given the work still to be done by the state and each of Colorado’s 178 school districts. I am determined with the assistance of staff to increase the BVSD community’s understanding of our challenges through education and communication.

One way in which I will educate anyone interested is to, with the board’s consent, set aside the first information item of this board meeting and the next four meetings for a public explanation of the financial challenges BVSD faces. We will show how Colorado K-12 came to be in this crisis, its implications for BVSD, and the options available to us as we meet this challenge.

The second Superintendent’s Budget Advisory Committee meeting was held on Jan. 27. Our main focus is the current budget outlook and our reserves as a district. I am personally speaking with as many school faculties as my schedule will permit. When I cannot make a meeting, I will do my best to send a Cabinet representative.

Finally and most importantly, I am scheduling more community budget forums – 10 so far – than have ever been scheduled before. This is to communicate with and listen to as many BVSD stakeholders as possible before I must submit a preliminary 2010-2011 budget to you for your consideration. A news advisory with the dates, locations and times for those meetings will be going out to the media tomorrow. It will also be shared with all schools.

There will also be a budget crisis webpage with a link from the front of the BVSD website going up this week. This page will have the latest budget information that we have to share, a public meeting schedule, and other information that I believe will help people understand how this coming year is unique in its challenges.

I appreciate the board’s support in designating the lead information at five meetings in a row to giving the BVSD community the information needed to understand and respond to this unprecedented challenge.

On a positive note, I cannot think of any other school community more ready and able to meet this crisis in a way that not only safeguards classroom instruction as much as possible but allows us to continue to improve each student’s learning.

A message from Superintendent Chris King about the BVSD Staff Snapshot Survey
Each year we survey students, parents and staff in order to gather information that can be used to guide efforts to improve our schools. The survey of BVSD staff is particularly important because school staff members are in a key position to identify how well current processes are working and where improvement efforts are most needed. This survey is also an opportunity for school staff to provide feedback on school and district leadership.

I urge all school staff members to make your voice heard by completing the 2010 Staff Snapshot Survey at your school. Your principal will schedule the survey administration at a time in early February when all staff can be present. It will take approximately 30 minutes to complete the survey. All staff members who wish to write comments are encouraged to do so on the back of their survey directions sheet. Your comments may be returned with the completed survey or separately by intra-district mail to Planning and Assessment.

A non-office staff member in your school will administer the survey using a protocol to ensure similar across-the-district administration. Your principal and assistant principal(s) will not be in the room when the survey is administered.

To read the full instructions and protocol for administering and completing the BVSD Staff Snapshot Survey, click here. If you have concerns about the administration of this survey, please contact Brigitte Mutter at extension 5147.

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Principal Feedback Procedures: The staff snapshot survey is our yearly opportunity to provide constructive, candid and confidential feedback to our building administrator(s) by writing comments on the back of the survey’s “direction sheet" which will be given to every staff member. Teachers are encouraged to provide feedback to their administrators in this manner. Some schools have reported improper survey administration procedures that impair staff members’ ability to complete the survey, such as not enough time and lack of confidentiality procedures. TAC, Dr. Chris King and Dr. Ellen Miller-Brown discussed strategies for improving teacher confidence in the administration of the survey, as well as increasing participation from every staff member. Appropriate protocols for the administration of the survey will be made public through BVSD On The Inside (click here for the full document), and reviewed with all principals. Keep an eye out for this information, and remember to report any questionable snapshot survey procedures in your building to TAC and Brigitte Mutter, Assistant Director of Research and Assessment at extension 5147. The School Improvement Survey is for building improvement. Results are not used to evaluate building administrators, and sharing of results is up to the administration's discretion.

Changes at the Arapahoe Campus: The Arapahoe Campus now serves three separate but integrated programs under one roof. The changes there have affected Arapahoe Campus students who have IEPs because the Career Technology Education certificate courses offered there cannot be modified due to external requirements and assessments. For further information regarding the programmatic, staffing, and enrollment changes there, please see the full TAC minutes, or contact Kim Bane, Director of Special Education at 720 561-5072.

IT: Dr. King plans to publish a statement regarding the timeline for hiring the new Chief Information Officer. Stay tuned. The projector initiative is in full swing around the district, do you have yours yet? 2004 BVSD Board of Education policies regarding web, internet and email use are being reviewed to help the district catch up with the needs of students in a rapidly changing technological world. Adjustments to the district web filter are being proposed for the high school level to make information more accessible and reduce the number of times web blocks prevent students from accessing valid educational resources.

New Teacher Orientation: The district will continue offering a voluntary New Teacher Open House in August to provide recent hires with information for helping them succeed in BVSD.  At the Open House a new teacher can learn about IT, BVSD legal matters, payroll information, curriculum resources and BVEA membership. Attendees receive CDE credit for participation.

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Don’t Miss the 18th Annual Impact Awards Dinner Celebration!
Hi Ho, Hi Ho!
To the Impact dinner you go!
The UMC is the place to be
To celebrate teachers and old friends to see
Not in the morning, but instead at night
The Glenn Miller Ballroom will be quite a sight!

Hi Ho, Hi Harry!
Jonathan, Corby, Kristen, Kristie and Larry!
For them you’ll cheer
And about them you’ll hear
Why each award recipient
Is so wise and percipient!

Hi Ho, Hi Impact
Hope you can join us - that’s a fact!
Call 303-245-5937
To join us for dinner on February 11
For the evening we’re charging $35, that’s all!
So join us for dinner and come have a ball!

As an independent non-profit organization, Impact on Education relies entirely upon donations from organizations and individuals who share our commitment to increasing student learning, expanding equity and rewarding creativity and innovation. Thanks again for your support! www.ImpactOnEducation.org

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Savings Opportunities
Whether you are a 23-year-old employee just starting in Boulder Valley, or your 23-year anniversary with the district is right around the corner, it is a good time to seriously think about saving. BVSD’s next savings plan seminar will be Monday, Feb. 1, at the Ed Center (Black Diamond Room) from 4:00-5:30 p.m. The presentation will be from 4:30-5:15 p.m. We will explain the differences between the 401(k), 403(b) and 457 savings plans and provide information about the “110." This is also a good opportunity to talk with PERA.

BVSD offers seven voluntary tax-deferred savings opportunities: 401(k) through PERA, five different 403(b) providers, and one 457 plan. It is confusing without the right information. Representatives from each plan, including PERA, will be there to explain how these tax-deferred plans operate and answer questions. Kelly Stecklein, CFP, MBA, MSF, who represents Security Benefit, will be presenting insights on “How to Plan for your Future." Gallagher Retirement Services is sponsoring the event with a $100 Savings Bond for one lucky attendee. Information about the plans is available on the web.

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The Cold Facts
Although the district is not regulated by OSHA, here are some informative facts given by OSHA regarding cold weather:

How cold is too cold? According to OSHA, cold stress can occur when the body is unable to warm itself. This can lead to tissue damage and possibly death. Four factors contribute to cold stress: cold air temperatures, high velocity air movement, dampness of the air, and contact with cold water or surfaces. A cold environment forces the body to work harder to maintain its temperature. Cold air, water, and snow all draw heat from the body.OSHA also points out that while below-freezing conditions and inadequate protection can bring about cold stress, problems can also occur with much higher temperatures, even in the 50s, when coupled with rain and wind.

What happens in the cold? Energy is used to warm the body's internal temperature. Over time, the body will begin to shift blood from the extremities and outer skin to the core (the chest and abdomen). This allows exposed skin and the extremities to cool rapidly, increasing the risk of problems.

The most common cold-induced problems are hypothermia, frostbite, and trench foot. Hypothermia occurs when body heat is lost faster than it can be replaced. When the core body temperature drops from the normal 98.6°F to around 95°F, symptoms generally begin. The person may begin to shiver and stomp the feet in order to generate heat. Workers may lose coordination, experience slurred speech, and fumble with items in their hands. The skin will likely be pale and cold. As the body temperature falls, symptoms will worsen and shivering will stop. At a body temperature of below 85°F, severe hypothermia will develop and the person may become unconscious; at 78°F, death can occur. Treatment depends on the severity of the hypothermia.

Frostbite occurs when the skin actually freezes and loses water. In severe cases, amputation of the frostbitten area may be required. Frostbite usually affects the extremities. The affected body part will be cold, tingling, stinging, or aching, followed by numbness. The skin turns red in color, then purple, then white, and is cold to the touch. In severe cases, there may be blisters.

Trench foot, or immersion foot, is caused when the feet are immersed in cold water at temperatures above freezing for long periods of time. It is similar to frostbite, but considered less severe. Symptoms include tingling, itching, or a burning sensation.

The Basics
OSHA's cold weather recommendations include the following:

• Wear at least three layers of clothing-an outer layer, such as Gortex, to break the wind; a middle layer of down or wool to absorb sweat and provide insulation; and an inner layer of cotton or synthetic weave to allow ventilation.
• Wear a hat. Considerable heat escapes the body from the head.
• Keep a change of dry clothing available in case work clothes become wet.
• Wear loose rather than tight clothing for better ventilation.
• Follow work practices including-drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, schedule work during the warmer parts of the day, take breaks out of the cold, work in pairs, avoid fatigue, and consume warm, high-calorie food.
  

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Assessment in BVSD
Lorrie Shepard, Ph.D., Dean of Education at CU-Boulder, will lead an Assessment Discussion on Thursday, Feb. 25 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in the BVSD Education Center Board Room at 6500 East Arapahoe Road.

Everyone interested in assessment for students in BVSD is invited to attend – teachers, parents, principals, etc. In preparation for the meeting, please read this article authored by Dr. Lorrie Shepard.

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Did you know?
Vehicle idling is a significant source of air pollution. One minute of vehicle idling produces more carbon monoxide than the smoke from three packs of cigarettes. Also, most drivers end up wasting one to two tankfuls of fuel per year idling. Visit the Engines Off! Denver website for more information. BVSD has an operating procedure that prohibits buses and Transportation Support Vehicles from idling for more than five minutes within any given one hour period. Buses are not to idle while loading or unloading at schools. Drivers are to take care that exhaust from other buses entering the interior of the bus is minimized by closing doors and windows whenever possible.

Kudos!
Superior Elementary School is partnering with the American Lung Association to run a pilot anti-idling campaign this spring. Last year, Ryan Elementary was part of a similar pilot, which showed successful results. We hope to use lessons learned from these schools to eventually extrapolate district-wide. Thanks to parent volunteers from Superior Elementary led by Amy Lythgoe and Tia Bach, and Natalia Swalnick from the American Lung Association, for their support of this program.

Tips
Although it is tempting to keep cars and busses running, especially during colder weather, please turn off vehicles while waiting to pick up children at our schools. This is better for the environment and the health of our kids. This will also save on fuel, and will not harm your engine (idling for more than 10 seconds uses more fuel than restarting your vehicle and most vehicles only need 30 seconds to warm up).  Even better, reduce the number of vehicles by walking, biking,  bussing or carpooling to school.

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Board Approvals

• The board approved a donation from the Center for ReSource Conservation to BCSIS/High Peaks and Arapahoe Ridge of two solar PV and monitoring systems valued at $120,652.24. The equipment and installation for these new solar systems will be provided free of charge by the Center for ReSource Conservation. The donation also includes a solar monitoring system that will provide the school with system performance, solar electricity production, and CO2 reduction. Current monitoring and solar educational material will inform the school community how solar electricity works and its benefits.
• A $10,000 donation from the City and County of Broomfield to Emerald Elementary School to be used to install a running path was approved by the board.
• A $10,000 donation from Edith Eddy to the Nutrition Services Department to be used to support the School Food Project was approved by the board.
• A $10,000 donation from Eliza and Todd Woloson to the Nutrition Services Department to be used to support the School Food Project was approved by the board.
• Horizons K-8 School's renewal application and the negotiated proposed Charter School Contract were approved by the board.
• The board approved the following recommendations for membership on the Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee:
  Jessica Coulson, Citizen-at-Large, 3-year term
  Kirk Oglesby, Community Representative-Broomfield, 3-year term
  Brett Livingston, Middle Level Principal Representative, 2-year
  Jennifer O’Brien, Community Representative - Boulder, 3-year term
  Juana Gomez, Citizen-at-Large, 3-year term
  Amy Paa-Rogers, High School Teacher Representative, 3-year
  Ginger Ramsey, High School Principal Representative, 3-year
  Kiva Stram, Community Representative - Nederland, 3-year
  Middle level Teacher Representative, 2-year: Open
• Final acceptance of the Bond Program project for Nederland Elementary School site, structural and irrigation improvements was approved by the board.
• Final Acceptance of the Bond Program project Flatirons Elementary addition and renovation was approved by the board.
• The board approved the 2010 BVSD Legislative Agenda. The Boulder Valley Board of Education has approved the paid representation of the Boulder Valley School District before the Colorado General Assembly and has directed the district administration to engage a professional lobbyist on BVSD's behalf. That lobbyist's representation is to be guided by the beliefs, guiding principles and planks of its annually approved legislative platform.

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Hats Off!
Congratulations to this week's Superintendent's Honor Roll recipients:
During the January 26 board meeting, Colorado 5A State Cross Country Champion Kelsey Lakowske and Foothill Elementary School Physical Education Teacher James Brittenham were honored.

Kelsey, a junior at Boulder High School, went undefeated in cross country competition this fall. She also won the prestigious Liberty Bell Invitational as well as being the Front Range League Champion, Regional Champion, and 5A State Champion. Along the way she ran a time of 17:18 making her the second fastest runner ever for Boulder High School. After the state championship meet, Kelsey went to the Foot Locker Regional Championship in Kenosha, Wisconsin. She finished 5th and qualified for the National Championship in San Diego in December where she placed sixth nationally. Kelsey is the only girl from Colorado and one of 40 in the nation to run in the National Championship this year. She also won the Colorado Gatorade (Runner) Player of the Year. Congratulations, Kelsey, on your hard-earned state and national recognition.

On October 30, James Brittenham was named Colorado’s 2009 Outstanding Young Professional by the Colorado Association for Health, Physical Education, Reaction, and Dance. According to Fireside Elementary School Teacher Elaine Rosquist who nominated him for this honor roll, “James is an exceptional person to have in a leadership position. He understands the needs of children and is able to motivate his students to live an active, healthy lifestyle, while treating them with dignity and respect.”

James not only teaches his young students the importance of physical conditioning, he also teaches the importance of community awareness and caring. In the past two years, James and his students have raised over $30,000 for the American Heart Association. Thank you, James, for your commitment to the total well being of each of your students.

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