A message from Superintendent Chris King - BVSD Update
The Colorado General Assembly adjourned last Wednesday, May 6. Several bills related to Colorado public education are on their way to Governor Ritter for his consideration. Any bill passed inside the last 10 days of the session may be reviewed by the governor for 30 days from the end of the session.

For that reason, we will wait to present a complete rundown of major K-12 legislation to the board in June. However, there is one bill that I need to report about. That is Senate Bill 256, the 2009-2010 amendments to the Colorado School Finance Act. At first glance it might appear that Amendment 23’s requirement to increase K-12 funding by inflation plus one percent was met. However, in reality, it was not. BVSD will have $3.8 million less to budget with for next year than Amendment 23 was expected to provide.

This was the result of several factors. The key points were:

• A March 20 revenue forecast that came in over $150 million less than expected.
• Requirements of federal stimulus legislation that caused the Joint Budget Committee to recommend cutting $150 million from K-12’s projected increase statewide or $5 million from BVSD’s expected funding increase.
• A state cut of $150 million was reduced to $110 million during Senate consideration which meant BVSD’s loss of $5 million was reduced to $3.8 million.
• When the bill went to the House, representatives decided to fully fund Amendment 23 which would have restored the $3.8 million to BVSD without any strings attached.
• However, in conference committee, the legislature decided to fund BVSD’s full $5 million Amendment 23 increase on a conditional basis.

That condition significantly impacts BVSD’s budget for next fiscal year. In effect, the state will withhold $3.8 million of possible BVSD funds in a new fiscal emergency restricted reserve until at least January 29, 2010 to determine if these dollars are needed by the state to help with a fiscal emergency.

Obviously, BVSD cannot count upon this $3.8 million and therefore cannot build our proposed budget with this amount in it. Worse still, the bill does not spell out just what constitutes a state fiscal emergency and it does not require the legislature to release the funds if January 29 comes and no emergency is declared. The bill only states that the legislature may release the funds after that date.

I am afraid that we must view the likelihood of BVSD receiving that $3.8 million in 2009-2010 as, at best, slim. Nevertheless, I want to assure the board and the community that we can indeed build a budget with the revenue we know we will have.

Further, I am determined to keep faith with the top two priorities of our parents and employees. First, I believe that current classroom ratios of students to teachers must be maintained. Second, I am committed to do everything possible to maintain current teaching positions.

In keeping these promises, I must also protect the financial stability of our school district as dictated by board policy and as demonstrated by our high bond rating. This rating has maximized the funds available for construction related to the 2006 voter-approved bond program.

As challenging as this year’s budget process is, it has resulted in some very positive developments. More input than ever before has been gathered from parents, staff, and the community at large than in any year in recent memory and an overwhelming consensus has formed around protecting classroom learning, teacher/student ratios and teaching positions.

BVSD faces its toughest budget in years but, thanks to central administration reallocations of Education Center staff to schools and central operating budget cuts over the past two years, we have protected classroom learning from direct cuts. I am determined to continue that approach next year.

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Impact on Education Expanding Take My Teacher Home Program
Last year, Impact on Education partnered with BVSD Instructional Technology staff to launch Take My Teacher Home, an innovative program that uses teacher-recorded lessons on iPod Shuffles and an activity bag to extend the learning day for struggling kindergarteners. Currently, nearly 450 (21.5 percent) BVSD kindergarten students start school below grade level or are non-proficient in reading, according to district assessments and standards. Studies show that extending the learning day, differentiating instruction, and clear guided lessons can help this target population reach grade level status and maintain their gains.

Initially pilot tested in two classrooms in spring 2008, Take My Teacher Home was expanded to five English classrooms and three Spanish classrooms last November. Results have been dramatic—over 90 percent of participants have achieved grade level proficiency and last year’s students are holding their gains in first grade. Without early intervention, students continue to fall further behind, require more expensive remediation, become discouraged and have an increased likelihood of dropping out of school. With Take My Teacher Home, students see themselves as successful learners and become more engaged in class. Impact on Education is looking forward to expanding the program in 2009-10.  Interested kindergarten teachers should contact Jennifer Hanson at 720-561-5234 before May 22. Specific results are available at here and by clicking on “Take My Teacher Home."

Founded in 1983, Impact on Education is dedicated to educational excellence, equity and innovation in BVSD, focusing on creating opportunities for students from low-income families; increasing student interest and achievement in science, technology and math; and encouraging and rewarding excellent teachers. Since its inception, the organization has invested over $11 million to benefit 450,000 students and 3,000 teachers.  For more information, visit our website.

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Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for Eligible Employees
The Employee Assistance Program is the newest benefit to BVSD eligible employees (*Eligible employees are those who work 20+ hours per week, or those who are contracted at 50 percent or greater for a minimum of 90 days, in a regular position.)  Employees and immediate family members now have access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through ComPsych, The GuidanceResources Company, at no cost to the employee.  No registration is required.  Simply call the convenient toll-free number (1-866-519-8359) 24 hours a day, seven days a week for confidential access to:

Confidential Counseling on Personal Issues - Complete referral assistance to in-person counseling support in any array of personal difficulties.  This service, staffed by experienced clinicians, is available to you and your family by calling the toll free line 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  A Guidance Consultant will refer you to a local counselor or to resources in your community for any personal concern, including:

• Relationships
• Job Pressures
• Problems with your children
• Marital Conflicts
• Substance Abuse 
• Grief and Loss 
• Stress, anxiety or depression
• Empty-nesting

Legal Services - Provides telephone access to licensed attorneys for information on any legal concern you may be facing.  If your legal matter requires in-person assistance, you are eligible to receive a free half-hour consultation with an in-network attorney in your area.  After the consultation, you are eligible to receive a 25 percent discount on the customary legal fees.

Financial Services - Allows you to consult directly with a financial professional by telephone.  Call for tools and information regarding your specific financial questions on budgeting, tax issues, credit cards and loans, investment resources and other money matters.

In addition to calling ComPsych's toll-free number, you may also access GuidanceResources Online by visiting their website. "First time users" will be prompted for the Boulder Valley School District ID: BVSDEAP to register and create your own username and password.

BVSD Blood Drive
Thursday, May 21st, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. in the Crescent Room at the Ed Center. 
Please contact Susana Aguirre at 303-447-5022 to schedule an appointment to donate blood.

Your donation will help Bonfils maintain the community blood supply and give a kid with cancer, a car accident victim or another patient in need a future. You have what it takes to save a life. It's already inside you.

For more information about Bonfils Blood Center or general information about donor eligibility, contact Bonfils’ Donor Relations at 303-363-2202.     

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Put the Brakes on Road Rage - A Serious Highway Hazard
Do you know of anyone, including yourself, who hasn't been ticked off by a tailgater, a lane hog, or someone who won't move over to let you onto the highway? Admit it, haven't you sometimes dreamed of, or even indulged in, some minor retaliation? You may excuse such behavior, but unfortunately, an angry response may be like waving a red cape in front of a bull. It could get you in real trouble with another driver.

Behavior experts have come up with a number of possible explanations for road rage. The most common theory is that the stresses of everyday life, both on and off the job, have become so intense that they lead to coping mechanisms of which people may not even be aware. It goes something like this:

My boss is driving me crazy. My co-workers are no help. I'm not getting the attention and support I need from my boyfriend/girlfriend, husband/wife, kids, or friends. High prices and taxes are eating up my paycheck in no time. But when I'm in my car/truck I'm in charge, and nobody's going to push me around. So if you know what's good for you, you'd better stay out of my way.

Of course, all of this is felt, rather than spoken out loud. When this kind of attitude occurs on the road, whether it's yours or another driver's, it only makes sense to focus on managing your feelings rather than expressing them. Ask yourself whether your true goal is to win some sort of competition with other drivers on the road, to get where you're going a couple of minutes faster, or to get there in one piece by maintaining a cool head rather than by being a hothead.

Assuming you arrive at the commonsense answer to that question, then concentrate on not allowing the situation to escalate. Don't allow either your own anger or the other driver's to put your safety at risk. Patiently remind yourself that the calmer driver (you) is the better driver. So, yield the right-of-way even to someone who is obviously proceeding in an inappropriate way.

Choosing sensible behavior may be easier said than done, of course, but it will be well worth the effort. You'll know you've used sound judgment. You'll have decreased your stress level. And most important of all, you'll be safer for the rest of your drive.

Road rage is like a contagious disease. Protect yourself and others by controlling your behavior on the road and steer clear of any obviously "infected" drivers.

May 13, 2009 Information from Business Legal Reports

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Open Casting Call for  Education TV Programs
Boulder Community Media in partnership with Boulder Valley Media Alliance will hold an open casting call for students of all ages on Wednesday, May 20 from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. in downtown Boulder. Bring a head shot and resume if you have them, but they are not required.

You'll have a chance to be on camera and those who attend the casting call have a greater liklihood of appearing on programs like Studio B, DownTown SpotLight, Art Perspectives, Process Now! and other new shows in development. Students have great "out of classroom" experiences and hands-on learning in the control room and operating cameras.

Students who are younger than high school should bring a parent or other caring adult. Weather permitting, the try-outs will be on the Pearl Street Mall near the Downtown Boulder kiosk at the corner of the mall and 13th Street. For more information call 303-910-5782 or email BV22.

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RESULTS of BVSD Bike to School Day - Earth Day - 04.22.09

Thanks to all of you for supporting this fun event through biking or walking if you were able to, and by spreading the word about Bike to School Day.                                                                                                                     

For more information, contact the Event Coordinator, or go to the website.

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End of Year Clean Up
As you prepare for the end of the year clean up, please be mindful of what you put in the trash.  Many of the items left in lockers and classrooms can be reused or recycled. There are organizations willing to partner with our schools to help collect reusable items and will, for example, donate them to schools in need. For information about these options, please contact Ghita, by email or telephone (303-447-5181).

Kudos!
Congratulations to Boulder's Arapahoe Campus, BCSIS and High Peaks schools, the winners of the “Renew Our Schools” pilot grant program.  These two school buildings will be awarded 10kW photovoltaic solar systems, which will be installed over the summer. The equipment and installation for these new solar systems will be provided free of charge by the Center for Resource Conservation due to donation from a Boulder-based family foundation. The donation also includes a solar monitoring system that will provide the school with system performance, solar electricity production, and CO2 reduction.

Of the 35 schools in BVSD that were eligible for this grant, 22 applied. Six were selected as finalists who were all interviewed before the final grant awardees were chosen. All of the applications were wonderful, and we are hoping this will be a program and partnership that continues.

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Under New Management
Kim Bane, Director of Special Education - Student Success, effective January 1, 2009
James Hill, Assistant Principal, Fairview High School, effective August 1, 2009

Other Board Approvals

• The board approved a Voluntary Vision Plan for employees. VSP-Vision Care for Life has agreed to a two-year rate guarantee beginning September 1, 2009. This is 100 percent voluntary coverage. There is no district contribution. The monthly rates for employees are scheduled to be:
       Employee only: $6.90
       Employee plus one dependent: $13.81
       Employee plus children: $14.78
       Employee plus family: $23.62
  The coverage provides for an annual eye exam ($10 co-pay) and annual materials allowance of $130 ($25 co-pay) including lenses, frames, and contacts in addition to other discounts.
  Our first VSP Open Enrollment period is scheduled for September 2009. The district currently provides very limited vision benefits as part of the health plans. Beginning July 1, our self-funded Great-West plans will no longer provide this benefit (one eye exam every two years; no materials). Kaiser still provides a limited vision exam benefit.
• The following courses for 2009-10 were approved by the board: 
       J66 Imagine, Design, Build - Grade 7
       J67 Imagine, Design, Build - Grade 8
       F104 World Language 6
       F104 World Language 7
       S101 Introduction to Biotechnology
       S102 Biotechnology
• The adoption of textbooks for Centaurus High School IB Programs was approved by the board.  The following textbook was approved for use in the class, Theory of Knowledge: Plato and Platypus Walk into a Bar by Thomas Cathart and Daniel Klein, New York, New York, Abrams Image, 2007.
  The following textbook was approved for use in the class, IB Asian History HL: The Search for Modern China by J. Spence, W.W. Horton and Company, 1999.
• The award of contract for Bond Program construction services at Nederland Elementary School was authorized by the board. Upon completion of construction documents for the Bond Program’s project at Nederland Elementary, the Bond Program issued a construction bid to seven prequalified firms: Colorado Designscapes, Golden Triangle Construction, Goodland Construction, Growling Bear Company, Mark Young Construction, Palace Construction, and W.O. Danielson Construction. Bond staff will review all bids on the afternoon of May 14 and determine the lowest responsive and responsible bidder with a bid that is within the construction budget of $795,000.00.
  Construction will commence when the school year ends and will take place over the summer. As part of the work, the existing asphalt parking and drive areas will be removed, and recycled for re-use at the BVSD Nederland Transportation Terminal. The site’s dramatic grade changes, extensive paving work, and unique access point will require the site to remain closed to the public.
• The arbitration report from Arbitrator MacLean dated April 20, 2009 was accepted by the board.
• The board approved the deletion of Board Policies DBB Fiscal Year; DBC Budget Deadlines and Schedules; DBH Budget Adoption Procedures; DIA Accounting System; DJB Petty Cash Accounts; and DK Payment Procedures.
• The board approved Resolution 09-06. The Colorado State Statutes require that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, any action to nonrenew the employment contracts of licensed probationary employees, including limited term temporary teachers, be taken by the Board of Education prior to June 1. Annually the school district is required by state statute to renew or nonrenew the employment contracts of licensed personnel who are in their first three years of employment. The appropriate administrative procedures have been followed to meet this requirement.

One grant was approved:

• GRANT: Operations – Emergency Radio Equipment – JAG Colorado Division of Criminal Justice - 09
  

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Hats Off! Congratulations to this week's Superintendent's Honor Roll recipients:
During the May 12 board meeing, four students were honored as 2009 National Scholastic Art Medalist winners:

• Jack Dickson, Peak to Peak Charter School, grade 10 - Silver Medal, Photography, "No Hope" 
• Mahalia Mae Porter, New Vista High School, grade 12 - Silver Medal, Painting, "Rights" 
• Sylvie Smith, Fairview High School, grade 11 - Silver Medal, Design Graphic, Non-Profit Poster, "The Butterfly Pavilion"
• Sophia Sweeney, Boulder High School, grade 12 - American Visions Medal, Painting, "Portrait 2"

The Scholastics Art and Writing Awards recognize student achievement in the visual arts and creative writing. These students, along with the others who earned national medals, will be celebrated at Carnegie Hall in New York City on June 4.
Only 1000 students in the nation are chosen to receive national medals in this prestigious competition which began in 1923. For the 2009 competition, 140,000 works were submitted to 81 regional affiliates.

Of particular note is Boulder High student Sophia Sweeney’s American Visions Medal, which is one of approximately 80 awarded in this competition. Sophia’s painting will be included in the National Student Art Exhibition to be held in New York City in June.

Congratulations to each of you for your outstanding achievement.

Call for Nominations!
We would like to devote the two June 2009 Superintendent’s Honor Rolls to BVSD staff members. Do you know someone who has gone beyond the call in some way to support students, schools, or the district in general? Please email your nominations to Communications.

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