What’s churning:
Last week’s work week lasted a short four days and the weekend was – for many – a somber remembrance of the decade since Sept. 11, 2001.
So it’s back to a full week ahead of state education meetings and district school board gatherings. Agendas include a discussion of a new credit-card spending policy for Denver Public Schools board members, a look at the financial health of Jefferson County Public Schools and talk about new graduation guidelines at the State Board of Education.
Meanwhile, election season is gearing up in various districts. Tonight, candidates for the Douglas County school board will speak at a Highlands Ranch elementary school. Eight candidates are vying for three seats in a community divided over vouchers and two tax increases on the Nov. 1 ballot. Learn more from this EdNews story, which includes links to candidate websites.
And communications staff in Adams 50 Westminster is putting together bios of the six candidates running for three board seats. You can learn more on the district’s elections webpage. A candidates forum is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 28. With only five board members in Westminster, the Nov. 1 election could mean a complete change in board direction for a district involved in one of the country’s most innovative reform efforts.
What’s on tap:
TODAY
Educational Success Task Force members meet from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Senate Committee Room 354 at the State Capitol. The agenda includes a discussion of the Colorado Basic Literacy Act and a presentation from Adams 50 Westminster on its standards-based learning reform. Committee website and agenda.
Denver Public Schools board members meet for their regular work session preceding Thursday’s formal board meeting. A closed-door executive session is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. before the public portion kicks off at 4:30 p.m. On tonight’s agenda – an update on the number of schools with teachers visiting families at home. It’s at the usual place, 900 Grant St. Agenda.
Douglas County school board candidates forum begins at 6:30 p.m. at Eldorado Elementary, 1305 Timbervale Trail, in Highlands Ranch. School website.
Cherry Creek School District board members meet at 7 p.m. at 5416 S. Riviera Way in Aurora. No agenda posted but here’s the district website.
TUESDAY
Westminster District 50 school board members meet at 7 p.m. at Westminster High School. Agenda items include a briefing on Colorado’s new academic standards and discussion of an upcoming school board candidates forum. Agenda.
WEDNESDAY
State Board of Education members meet at 9 a.m. at the Colorado Department of Education. Agenda items include a discussion of new state graduation guidelines, which must be approved by December. Agenda.
THURSDAY
Denver Public Schools board members meet at 5 p.m. at 900 Grant St. for their regular monthly meeting. Agenda items include the evaluation of Superintendent Tom Boasberg and a discussion of a proposed policy on credit-card spending by board members, following recent revelations that two members were over their $5,000 annual limits. Public comment is scheduled from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Agenda.
Jefferson County school board members meet at 5 p.m. at district headquarters, 1829 Denver West Drive in Golden for a work session. Agenda items include a discussion of the district’s fourth quarter financial report and a presentation from the Strategic and Sustainable Change Task Force, a partnership between the district and its teachers union looking at changes related to the new state educator effectiveness law and compensation. Read the task force agreement and see the night’s agenda.
SATURDAY
Aurora Public Schools hosts its third “Educating a Rainbow of Children” conference. It runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Vista Peak Preparatory School, 24500 E. Sixth Ave. in Aurora. It’s open to staff, students, parents and community members. Learn more here about registration and costs.