June 11, 2008 News Release to media
BVSD and the Boulder Valley Education Association Reach Accord
School Board unanimously approves 2008-09 agreement Tuesday night after BVEA members ratify it.
BOULDER – The Boulder Valley School District (BVSD) ratified a successor agreement with the Boulder Valley Education Association (BVEA) at its regular meeting on Tuesday, June10. BVEA represents more than 2,000 teachers and other licensed staff in Colorado’s eighth largest school district. This agreement was ratified by the BVEA membership in late May.
For the 2008-09 school year, the agreement guarantees BVSD teachers a 2.7 percent cost of living increase to the salary schedule in addition to funding salary schedule step increases and the employee cost of health, dental and life insurance. The new base salary for a beginning teacher at Step 1 B.A. level will be $33,518.
The other key elements of the recommended pay accord include the following additional payments for the term of the agreement; one year.
- Continuing annual stipends for special education instructors ($400), occupational therapists ($700) and physical therapists ($700).
- An additional 5 percent increase for speech and language specialists who have earned the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence.
- Elimination of experience steps 25-28 on the salary schedule
In addition, BVSD and BVEA ratified the following:
- Provision of seniority status for teachers employed at a .5 FTE contract
- Beginning the negotiations process no later than January 15, 2009 to discuss a professional salary schedule and language issues with completion to be no later than April 1, with a mediator to be preselected by March 15, 2009 if impasse is anticipated.
- Identification of language specific to the middle level with compensation granted through a stipend or annual leave for employees implementing an optional advisory or similar student support program for students.
- Changes in the number of teacher work days and professional development days in the calendar with 5 ½ days identified for each. Staffs can determine through shared decision making the option to be flexible in the distribution of the total time for professional development.
- Clarification on student load limits for health classes
- Student IEP caseload review guideline numbers for special education teachers and specialists
- Alignment of dates for teacher observations for evaluation to coincide with school calendars
- Addition of an Employee Assistance Program as part of the overall health benefit package
- Increase to the number of days teachers can be paid for unused annual leave days upon separation from the district
- Clarification on the teacher tuition reimbursement program to reimburse the costs of off-campus classes
- Provision of the use of district email and mail systems within the parameters of school district policy
- Utilization of an interest-based problem-solving framework for grievances
- Language to encourage the use of a Faculty Advisory Committee at the school level as a mutual problem-solving forum
- Opportunity for staff to provide meaningful input into the planning and implementation of professional development activities at the building level
- Up to five days to be provided to teachers working during the 110 retirement year
- A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to design and implement a building teacher survey to solicit feedback on building issues
The negotiations process was implemented using an interest-based model. The Board of Education complimented the negotiation team for the positive partnership that has continued in the District and through the negotiations process. |
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An invitation to the Boulder Valley School District Community from the Boulder Valley Board of Education for
A Community Education Forum Concerning Issues Related to
an Announced Petition Campaign to Split BVSD into Two Districts
As the publicly elected leaders of the Boulder Valley School District, the seven members of the Board of Education believe that it is their responsibility to initiate a public discussion of this proposal given its potential instructional, financial, and operational consequences for BVSD students, families, and communities.
The meeting will be broadcast live on Comcast cable channel 22 in the City of Boulder and east Boulder County.
SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA
BVSD Board Meeting Room,
6500 East Arapahoe Road
Thursday, June 19, 2008
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
I. Call Meeting to Order, Roll Call and Pledge of Allegiance
II. Presentation from CAPE (Invited) (10 minutes)
III. Presentation from District (10 minutes)
IV. Board Communication (40 minutes)
V. Public Hearing and Public Participation (60 minutes)
Members of the public may address the Board of Education on agenda items during this portion of the meeting. Those persons wishing to speak can sign up prior to public participation. Public participation shall end promptly after one hour. All speakers will be asked to limit their comments to two minutes or less.
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THANKS SCHOOLS FOR CREATIVE BASKETS
A distinctive element of Impact on Education’s annual FUNraiser, Razzle Dazzle, is the silent auction which features baskets donated from BVSD schools. This year’s event- Beach Bali--a festive Indonesian inspired dinner & dance held May 31st under a tent at the Boulder Reservoir--featured baskets donated by 53 schools. The themed baskets have been a staple of Razzle Dazzle since its initiation over 20 years ago. Some schools leverage their brand or a key program in their basket theme such as Whittier International’s International basket; Creekside Elementary’s gardening basket; or Boulder TEC’s collection of gift certificates for a variety automotive and cosmetology services. Other schools celebrate the end of the school year with martini or margarita fixins. Still others--such as Douglass Elementary with their tower of games--landed on winning formula years ago and repeat it each year. Collectively, school baskets raised over $8,800 for Impact at this year’s event! In addition to setting a record for dollars raised, more schools also participated this year!
Razzle Dazzle is Impact on Education’s largest single source of funding, and attracts 500 guests--this year’s event raised over $185,000! In addition to support from corporations, foundations and individuals--and BVSD’s employee giving campaign--Razzle Dazzle proceeds allow Impact on Education to fund programs that encourage creativity and innovation and create opportunities for “at risk” students from economically disadvantaged homes, increase student interest and achievement in science, technology and math and help motivate and reward excellent teachers. In the 2007-08 school year, Impact on Education invested over $970,000 to benefit BVSD students and teachers.
Impact on Education is proud to support BVSD and appreciates support from BVSD schools and employees! For more information, visit www.ImpactOnEducation.org. |
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Update from Susan Cousins, Bond Communications Specialist
Six photos worth a million words:
Boulder High – administrative suite expansion and remodeling
Centaurus – classroom addition for World Languages and Pre-engineering
Crest View – classroom addition
Fairview – administrative suite remodeling
Foothill – Foundation for the new wing and IMC
Manhattan Middle School – new science wing
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Under New Management
- Brett Livingston, Principal, Aspen Creek K-8, effective July 1, 2008
- Alejandra Sotiros, Principal, Creekside Elementary, effective July 28, 2008
- Schneeweiss, Francis, Assistant Director of Interventions, ELL Learning Services, effective July 1, 2008
- Drew Adams, Assistant Principal, Casey Middle, effective July 28, 2008
Other Board Approvals
- The 2008-09 budget for the general fund and other district funds was adopted with three significant adjustments from the 2008-09 Proposed Budget document presented on May 27, 2008. These changes are as follows:
1. Additional expenditures and transfers for negotiated contracts ($4.3M)
2. Revenues, expenditures and transfers for the Full Day Kindergarten Program
($1.1M revenue and $0.86M expenditure and transfer)
3. Required 6 percent for TABOR and contingency reserves ($0.3M) for these additional
expenditures
State statutes specify that the superintendent must present a budget to the board of education by June 1, and the board must adopt a budget by June 30. The superintendent presented the Preliminary 2008-09 budget to the board of education on April 22, 2008, and the Proposed 2008-09 Budget on May 27, 2008. The board received public input on the budget throughout the spring. The board may consider and adopt final revisions to the budget prior to January 31, 2009, in accordance with state law.
- A negotiated agreement between BVSD and the Boulder Valley Education Association (BVEA) was ratified by the board. The BVEA membership has also ratified the agreement. The negotiations process has been completed for a new contract to go into effect July 1, 2008. The settlement is within the parameters established by the Board of Education.
- A negotiated agreement between BVSD and the Boulder Valley Educational Office Professionals (BVEOP) was ratifiedby the board. The BVEOP membership has also ratified the agreement. The negotiations process has been completed for a new contract to go in to effect July 1, 2008. The settlement is within the parameters established by the Board of Education.
- A negotiated agreement between BVSD and the Boulder Valley Paraeducator Association (BVPA) was ratified by the board. The BVPA membership has also ratified the agreement. The negotiations process for a new contract to go into effect July 1, 2008. The settlement is within the parameters established by the Board of Education
- An award of contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder in an amount not to exceed $570,000 was approved for playground and irrigation improvements for Ryan and Douglass Elementary schools under the 2006 Bond Program.
- Loan Resolution 08-11 was approved which authorizes the district to participate in the State of Colorado Interest-Free Loan Program for the 2008-09 fiscal year. During the past three fiscal years, the District participated in the State of Colorado Interest-Free Loan Program in order to meet its cash flow needs. The district will again begins its fiscal year on July 1st and expends its budget on a relatively even scale over the 12 month period. However, the District receives a majority of its funding during the months of March through June, thereby creating a cash flow deficit in the first half of the fiscal year.
- The board approved the self-funded health plan administered by Great-West Healthcare/Cigna, the self-funded dental plan administered by Delta Dental, and the renewal of the District’s fully insured health plan with Kaiser Permanente for the period of July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009, along with the consulting agreement with Gallagher Benefit Services.
- Revisions to the Elementary Mathematics Curriculum were approved. A guaranteed and viable curriculum is a necessity for creating a program of mathematics that provides a common foundation of challenging mathematics for all students. In 2006 a process of revision began on the mathematics curriculum of BVSD to ensure a strong common mathematical foundation. This revision was inspired by the Curriculum Focal Points released in 2006 by the National Council of Teacher of Mathematics as an addendum to their Principles and Standards (2000) document.
- Several new courses and a new curriculum strand were approved for Monarch High School--High School of Business for the 2008-09 school year.
- The Board is requested to authorize an employee to sell products to, and/or perform services for, the Boulder Valley School District. Kelley King, principal, was granted permission to sell copies via her company, Impact Learning, Inc., of her books, Strategies for Teaching Boys and Girls: A Workbook for Elementary Educators and Strategies for Teaching Boys and Girls: A Workbook for Secondary Educators, to various parents and/or students, schools, and departments within the District. She is authorized to sell copies of the books at the author's discounted rate on an as-requested basis through June 30, 2009.
- Policies CC, CD, CE, CHA, CHB, CHD, CJ, and CK were repealed. Regular review of board policies and superintendent regulations supports the superintendent's initiative to streamline BVSD's existing policy manual that currently contains over 500 policies, regulations and exhibits. The policy review initiative commenced in October of 2007 and is expected to run through May 2009 or beyond. The desired result of the policy initiative is to create a policy manual that is less reactive, more purposeful, and more supportive of Board goals and the efficient functioning of the schools. By doing this work, we endeavor to make the discussion of policy a regular aspect of the school and district cultures and, ultimately provide greater relevance, clarity and alignment of policies with community values.
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Hats Off!
In the June 10 board meeting, Superintendent Chris King recognized exceptional community members and district employees who have exemplified the dedication that makes Boulder Valley School District one of Colorado’s very best.
First, he thanked the Sharefest 2008 campaign for their sincerely appreciated, high-quality work on six BVSD schools on May 31. This work involves minor construction, repairs, painting, clean up and landscaping that not only dramatically improves the school site in just one day but saves BVSD taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in basic maintenance costs. Sharefest 2008 organizers provided more than 3,500 volunteers from 35 area churches as well as community volunteers and even off-the-clock BVSD staff. Community volunteers were not required to be a church member or even religious. Anyone wishing to show up at a Sharefest site and pitch in was welcomed.
The six BVSD schools that benefited from Sharefest 2008 are:
Boulder High School,
Monarch High School,
Birch Elementary School,
Coal Creek Elementary School,
Superior Elementary School, and
University Hill Elementary School.
Superintendent’s Honor Roll
Two groups of employees were inducted into the Superintendent’s Honor Roll in Tuesday’s meeting – one whose work was very high-profile and the other whose behind the scenes efforts were noticed by four BVSD principals.
The BVSD Website Redesign Team was recognized for its work to create and launch the new district website. After more than a year of careful planning, design, and development, the new BVSD website launched March 30, 2008. This project, which began in early 2007, was a major collaborative effort between the district's Information Technology Division, the Communications Division, the Board of Education, many other BVSD staff members, and most importantly, BVSD community members.
The website redesign team members are:
Kevin Cubillas– IT Applications Director – Kevin was responsible for student audience area as well as coordination of the web oversight team.
Eric Howell – Webmaster – Eric directed website design, project management and intern supervision, coordination of focus group and usability testing.
Ryan Keller – Web Developer – Ryan used his advanced knowledge of Microsoft Sharepoint to oversee site migration and data acquisition.
Maela Moore – Communications Manager – Maela consulted on writing, site structure and knowledge of communities being served by site.
Michelle Mullins – Michelle, a web design intern, was responsible for large areas of site migration as well as site design updates on school sites.
Erika Yamasaki – Erika, also a web design intern, was responsible for large areas of site migration as well as offering a BVSD student perspective to the site and its migration.
BVSD Operations Supervisor Mac Puzak and his night custodial crew Enes Mesan and Ari Kamin were the other group inducted into the Honor Roll during Tuesday’s meeting. Mac and his night crew were nominated for the Honor Roll by Casey Middle School Principal Alison Boggs, Emerald Elementary School Principal Larry Leatherman, Whittier International Elementary School Principal Lauren Hoyt, and University Hill Elementary School Principal Leonora Velasquez.
Just one of several examples of this group’s “above and beyond the call of duty” attitude came from Casey Principal Alison Boggs in her nomination:
“Sometimes they have five or six schools to clean in one evening. Yet, I have never heard them complain. They are always gracious, energetic, and positive. …for example, our night custodian called at the last minute to say she wouldn’t be able to come to work. Mac contacted me immediately and offered to send someone out to clean this weekend since they were overloaded on Friday night. This isn’t the first time they have come in on a weekend to make sure that our school is clean and ready for students.”
Thank you all for the excellent work you do every night. |
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