Gilpin School Board announces new superintendent
“The right choice.”
Gilpin School’s Board of Education conducted a budget workshop prior to their regular meeting on May 18, 2009. Board President Scott Groginsky and members, Rusty Hardy, Craig Holmes, Bob Masslich and Jerry Yocom were present, as were Superintendent Ken Ladouceur and Principals Alexis Donaldson and Lisa Schell. During the regular meeting, the Board announced the name of the new superintendent.
Tina Goar
Tina Goar was one of three final candidates the Board considered to replace Superintendent Ken Ladouceur. Prior to accepting the Gilpin position, Goar was superintendent at Buena Vista School District. Her three year contract specifies a starting salary of $110,000 per year with an additional $2,400 tax sheltered annuity and full benefits. Board members expressed thanks to the Colorado Association of School Boards for helping with the process and to citizen committees who also interviewed the candidates and provided input prior to the Board’s decision. Goar is the right choice for the community, said Holmes.
Warshinsky Retires
After 27 years, Kindergarten teacher Alan Warshinsky is retiring. The Board accepted his letter of resignation with thanks. “He’s made a lasting impact and great contribution to our schools,” said Groginsky.
Budget Final
Finalizing the budget was delayed this year while state legislators determined how and how much to fund public education. The District Accountability Committee (DAC) has not reviewed the budget, as yet, as they are charged to do by the state. The budget document is available to the public at the district office. Approval of the preliminary budget is scheduled for the June 15, 2009, meeting. Final budget approval is done in October. The Board will use money generated by a Black Hawk sales tax to cover the current $75,000 deficit which resulted from funding the new AVID and RTI academic programs for students.
Fees
Board members reviewed and approved the following fees:
Kindergarten: The school currently offers a half-day kindergarten program (funded via tax dollars) and two full-day tuition-based kindergarten programs (traditional and Montessori). Tuition for the full-day programs is $275 per month. The Board decided to reduce that fee to $55 for families who are enrolled in the reduced lunch program and to 0$ for those who qualify for the free lunch program. Kindergarten tuition has been producing about $45,000 in annual revenue.
Athletic/Activity: Middle School athletic fees are $50 per activity with a maximum of $225 per year. Exceptions are football ($60), Snowdodgers ($75), and drama ($15). In High school, the athletic fee is $100 for the first activity; $75 for the second and $50 for the third. Exceptions: football ($110), Snowdodgers ($75), and drama ($30).
Academic: The voluntary fee for elementary grades is $40 per student per year. In middle and high school, the fees, both voluntary and mandatory, are specific to class, for example: $25 (per student per year) for Design and Engineering; $15 for art and foreign language.Band and/or choir is $30 each, per student per year. Holmes has requested the numbers next year, as to how may folks pay the optional fees and the resulting revenue. For a complete list of these varying fees, please contact the school district.
Building/Equipment Use: These fees are graduated depending on the group using the facilities (youth or adult), midweek or weekend use, and which room/equipment is being used.
Lunch: Pending state approval, next year lunch and breakfast fees will increase .25 for elementary and middle/high school. That makes breakfast $1.25; elementary lunch, $2.25; and middle/high school lunch, $2.50. The price for an adult lunch will be $2.90 (an increase of .35). Milk, ala carte, is going from .40 to .45 per carton. The prices are comparable to, and still lower than, most neighboring districts.
Writing Center
Junior, Kira Hicks, told the Board about the new Writing Center where student “editors” will help their peers (middle/high school students) improve writing skills. High school English teacher, Jeff Schuessler, developed the Center and criteria for the students to earn course credit for their tutoring efforts. There are 13-14 student tutors, said Hicks, who have been training two hours a week for several weeks. They hope to have the Center staffed and open all day long during school days next year.
Advertise at the School
The District will soon offer advertising space in the gym and perhaps in other places for school functions. There are two sizes of signs. Rates have not yet been finalized but should be in place by the start of school next fall. “The price is right,” said Holmes, who used his company’s buying power to negotiate a deal with a vendor to custom make the signs for advertisers.
Executive Session
Following the public session, the Board and superintendent met in Executive Session to discuss a student issue. Gilpin’s Board of Education meets next on June 1, 2009.