La Garita property sale discussed

CREEDE— The Creede Board of Education signed off on the budget as presented during their strategic meeting on Dec. 18. In addition to fielding updates, commissioners approved policy document changes and addressed practical issues related to the sale of property on La Garita Street.
Sherry Scallan, director of finance and human resources for the district, reminded board members they won’t see the fine-tuned budget for approval until all revenues are in and expenses are finalized.
Board President Damon Gibbons mentioned a recent impromptu faculty meeting regarding the district’s financial outlook, among other issues. Revenues have been declining for the past decade while expenses continue to rise. The nature of government accounting is tricky, but Gibbons said the board works with Scallan and Superintendent Lis Richard to maintain the big-picture financial view of revenues.
Principal John Goss started his update describing two student groups working on problems. Goss plans to meet with one set of students concerned about the dress code policy, and the student council wants to discuss a new way to manage the break between fourth period and lunch.
A 42-year veteran of the Creede School District, Goss concentrates on relationships between students, faculty and staff members. Creede School District employs restorative practices for conflict resolution, but also proactively, as Goss demonstrated with students initiating discussions.
Goss recently received the Demont Award during the 78th Annual CASB Convention at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. Created in 2002, the Demont Award recognizes exceptional school administrators. Goss is committed to restorative practices, dedicating specific staff members to the approach and discovering success.
Following the principal’s report, board members processed the first and second readings of multiple policies, an ongoing task until dozens of documents are updated.
Next, the board addressed practical considerations for selling property on La Garita Street. They approved moving the playground equipment to the Creede Early Learning Center, devised a plan for managing adjacent property boundary discrepancies and selected Broken Arrow Realty as a broker (crediting a favorable commission rate in their proposal and demonstrating experience with plat analysis).
Dean of Restorative Services Collin Vinchattle fulfills the district’s Title IX requirements to designate a staff member, so the board also voted to relieve David Robinson of these duties.
Considering that more than 97 percent of Mineral County residents pay their property taxes, the board agreed to steer clear of punishing people by increasing the mill levy. Also, the board recognized that many personal and commercial taxpayers have suffered fire damage recently and don’t need a tax increase. The board voted unanimously to keep the mill levy rate the same as last year.
Revisiting the “full-day K” discussion, Gibbons explained how Creede’s old plan means the district is reimbursed .58 instead one-for-one for each pupil. Apparently, the next budget from the State General Fund will reimburse 100 percent.
The board approved the 2018-2019 budget as presented, praising Scallan for her expertise. Working with Richard, Scallan manages revenues, expenses and separate funding streams.
The next board meeting is scheduled for Jan. 22 at 1 p.m. in the Creede School Lecture Hall.