During its monthly meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 27, the Mapleton Public Schools Board of Education appointed members and outlined goals for this year’s District Advisory and Accountability Committee (DAAC). This year the committee, which is required by state statute, will study the district’s assessment system for the 2011-12 school year, with an emphasis on study for the district and school performance frameworks and the Colorado Growth Model. DAAC will also review and comment on the district safe schools plans, district goals and objectives with an emphasis on the Unified Improvement Plan, school improvement plans, district budget priorities, student participation in athletics and activities and parental involvement and participation.
The board is also planning to review the text and instructional materials of “We are the Students; Supreme Court Cases for and About Students” to be used in civics classes at Mapleton Early College, York International, Global Leadership Academy and the North Valley School for Young Adults. If the curriculum is brought into the district, students will be able to participate through briefing of court cases and also in moot court exercises in order to help develop student’s critical thinking skills and build their knowledge of the Constitution. This curriculum will help students to understand their Constitutional rights in order to become effective citizens. The district will also have law students from the University of Colorado, who are trained on how to implement the text, co-teach the classes. The materials will be on public display for 30 days and the board will take final action on Oct. 25.
Also during their Sept. 27 meeting, the board:
• Approved a bid for lighting in the Monterey Community School
• Approved acceptance of a grant from the Rose Community Foundation for the implementation of Learning Together interventions in both math and reading. The $92,037.50 grant was awarded to three school districts and Mapleton will receive one-third of that total.
• Approved the week of Oct. 10-16 as Classified School Employee week
Adams 12 board talks credit rating
As of mid-September, Adams 12 Five Star Schools board of education saved Adams County taxpayers approximately $2 million by refinancing the district’s $19,517,400 bond issued in 2001.
During their meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 21, the board of education heard a report from David Bell with Stifel Nicolaus Financial Corp., informing the district of the savings and also heard a presentation about the district’s current credit rating of AA Two – the second highest rating in the AA category.
This rating, which is the same as the state’s credit rating, is a result of numerous factors in the district including following a constant and methodical spending plan over the past several years.
Also during their Sept. 21 meeting, the board:
• Met with the District School Improvement Team (DSIT) to discuss activities for this school year.