Frequently Asked Questions

• Purchase order file copies (signed and dated)
• Invoices or statements sent to the school
• Employee reimbursement purchase orders
• Mileage Reimbursement Forms
• Requests for new vendors and vendor changes

Checks are run on the 2nd and 16th of each month. If the 2nd or the 16th is on a weekend, checks will be run on the Friday or Monday closest to the 2nd or 16th. Checks are processed and sent out (mailed or sent to the schools via inner-school mail) on the day following the check runs.

All documents need to be submitted to Accounts Payable at least two full days before the scheduled check runs. To be included in the check run on the 2nd of the month, items must be received by the last day of the previous month. To be included in the check run on the 16th of the month, items must be received by the 14th of the month. Documents received later than two days before the check run will be processed in the following check run. Documents include the file copy of purchase orders, receipts, and invoices that have been sent to the school. ALL file copies of purchase orders MUST HAVE DATES AND SIGNATURES.

Purchase orders are needed for all vendor purchases except routine monthly bills such as utilities, phones, or a vendor such as SOS Staffing where someone at the school signs for the service.

Purchase order numbers must appear on all invoices and documents relating to an order. Orders must be faxed or mailed. Do not place orders on the phone. This often leads to duplicate orders being sent to schools. RPO (Request for Purchase Order) numbers should NEVER be used for ordering. An RPO number means the money is available for the purchase. Until the Director of Business Services approves the Purchase Order, the purchase is not approved and cannot be made.

(for more specific instructions please see the appropriate section in the Finance Policies & Procedures handbook available on the Business Services homepage)

The billing address is always 201 East 12th Street, Durango, CO 81301. Vendors should send ALL invoices and statements to the Finance Office. There are NO EXCEPTIONS.

The ship to address is the school’s street address (with the teacher’s name if needed – ATTN: teacher’s name). If items are shipped to and/or billed to a teacher’s home address, the teacher will be responsible for payment.

Cancelled orders are handled by the school. The school must contact the vendor to cancel the order. Put the date you called the vendor to cancel the order and the first and last name of the person you talked with to cancel the order on the purchase order. Send the purchase order marked CANCEL to Accounts Payable so the purchase order can be closed. If the school or the vendor cancels part of an order, or the vendor informs you that an item is no longer available, send this information to Accounts Payable.

Send the notice of memberships or dues with the signed and dated file copy of the purchase order to Accounts Payable. If a membership list needs to be sent with the check, send this information with the purchase order. Indicate on the purchase order what information needs to accompany the check. If membership forms are not sent with the check, the vendor often does not know where to apply the payment.

Send the subscription form or the renewal form with the signed and dated copy of the purchase order to Accounts Payable so the form can be sent with the check. Without the specific subscription form or renewal form, the vendor does not know which school or account to credit with the payment. If a new subscription is being ordered, the order form needs to be sent with the signed and dated copy of the purchase order to Accounts Payable so the form can be sent with the check.

Payments are made when the signed and dated purchase order is sent to Accounts Payable and an invoice has been received from the vendor. When a school receives an order (or partial order), the purchase order needs to be signed, dated, and sent to the Accounts Payable. Partial orders or back orders can be noted on the purchase order. It is the Accounts Payable person’s responsibility to keep the purchase order open until all of the order is received. It is important for the purchase order to be sent promptly, even if only a partial order is received, because the vendor wants payment for what has been shipped.

The school handles returns. Put the date you called the vendor about the return and the first and last name of the person you spoke with on the purchase order. If the vendor gives you a “Pick-Up” number or label, put the number on the purchase order also. If the school is required to ship the package, use UPS or FedEx so we will have a tracking number to use if a problem develops regarding the return. When items are returned, send an email to Accounts Payable and provide the following information.

• Vendor Name
• Purchase order number
• Date of the return
• How the item was returned (UPS or FedEx)
• The items and dollar amount returned

Although purchases by employees without prior approval are highly discouraged we understand that emergencies do arise. Therefore, in emergency situations only, requests for reimbursement for purchases made by an employee must be submitted on a purchase order. Original receipts need to be attached to the signed and dated purchase order when it is sent to Accounts Payable. SALES TAX WILL NOT BE REIMBURSED.

Requests for in-district mileage reimbursement needs to be on an “In-district Mileage Reimbursement Request” form and should be turned in by the 10th of the following month. The mileage reimbursement form goes from the first day of each month until the last day of each month. The form must have a date, an account number and be signed by the employee and the employee’s supervisor. Mileage reimbursement requests more than 10 days past the end of the month needing reimbursement may not be paid.

To have a new vendor added to the list, use the “Vendor Information Form” or a “W-9 Form” so that all the information needed to add the vendor is available. This can be faxed or emailed to Accounts Payable.

When requesting an individual as a new vendor put “EMP” after the name if the person is a school district employee.

When using the Vendor List pull-down menu to do purchase orders, be sure to check the COMPLETE NAME AND ADDRESS before selecting a vendor. There are many vendors with similar names and your order will be delayed if the order is sent to the wrong vendor.

Vendors frequently change names or are bought out by other companies. Accounts Payable will provide a list of vendors with name changes. Use the list to find “old” vendor names and their “new” alias or call Accounts Payable if you have a question about a vendor.

Colorado law requires boards of education to appoint a district accountability committee to ensure parental and community involvement in the district’s educational program. The committee’s duties include:

• Annual review of each school’s student achievement goals and action plans as published in their accountability reports
• Special study projects as identified by the Board of Education

The DAAC is responsible for reporting to the Board of Education, parents, teachers, administrators, and the public on how well 9-R schools perform at helping students acquire the skills and knowledge outlined in the district’s Results. Through its annual review and publication of school and district accountability reports, the DAAC ensures that:

• Individual school learning goals for students are aligned with district, state, and federal academic standards
• School action plans and resources are used to support those goals
• Assessments results are used to modify teaching strategies, curriculum, and other educational programs to improve student achievement

Durango School District 9-R relies on the DAAC to provide valuable community input on issues facing our schools. The DAAC’s recent projects have included:

• Bylaws and Handbook. The bylaws have been realigned with state laws. In addition, the DAAC and SAC handbook have been revised and were reviewed at orientation. All schools have been provided copies of the handbook for reference.
• Unified Improvement Plans (UIP). Unified Improvement Plans are a vital component and charge of DAAC. To help implement current best practices in education and have this reflect in the progress schools have made, the Unified Improvement Plan template has been refined. An expanded training for principals, SAC, and DAAC representatives on the UIP requirements has been implemented. UIP plans are now submitted electronically and the review evaluation process is collaborative.
• Use of assessment data: For many years the primary source of assessment data has been TCAP status data. Schools now incorporate the status data and are able to include TCAP growth data. These data make it possible for schools to have an overall understanding about whether the scores are growing, declining, or remaining relative stable. This helped a number of schools understand that while the performance of many of their students was high, little growth was being made. All schools used student growth or lack thereof when writing their School Improvement Plans this year. As a result, achievement goals were written with this focus in mind.
• Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA)/MAPS Tests. Last year, the district purchased a new assessment measure called NWEA. NWEA tests are administered electronically in the content areas of reading, language usage, mathematics, and science. They are administered in fall, winter, and spring and the results are highly correlated with TCAP. The turnaround time on test results is overnight so teachers are able to have immediate feedback on student performance and incorporate the data to differentiate in their classroom instruction. The results of these tests make it possible for teacher to monitor student growth more frequently and within each subject skills that are specific to the content area. Use of NWEA growth data was incorporated into the SIP goals.
• Professional Development. Our district has established a professional development plan that includes teachers and administrators at all levels. The training that has been provided is based on the work of Harvey Silver and others and focuses on how to better identify student learning styles and implement strategies that address those styles and make classroom differentiation more manageable.
• Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). During weekly PLC meetings teachers are more intentional in using TCAP status data, TCAP growth data, NWEA results, and the strategies that we have been integrating from the work of Harvey Silver and his colleagues. For the first time we have aligned assessment data, professional development, and classroom practice across the district.
• Parent Survey. Implementation of a district wide parent survey to provide individual schools and the district with consistent information about school climate, school safety, staff performance, and the educational program has continued.
• Budget. The committee members review recommendations for budget expenditures. This information is analyzed and patterns are noted. Recommendations are then taken to the FAC committee that we have been working collaboratively with on budget areas.

1. One parent from each school in the district. Parent members must be members of their school advisory councils and may not be employees of the district, nor related to an employee of the district.
2. Two teachers from the elementary level.
3. One teacher from the middle school level.
4. One teacher from the high school level.
5. One school administrator, either a principal or assistant principal, from any school in the district.
6. Three non-parent, community members. One of these community members should be a person involved in business. It is preferred that one be from the minority population and one from the non-profit sector.
   • Parent members will be nominated by their school advisory council.
   • Community members will be nominated by a committee formed from the membership of the DAAC.
   • A teacher body will nominate teachers.
   • The district’s K-12 principals will nominate administrator members.
   • The board of education will determine the membership of the DAAC by appointment and is not bound by the nomination process.

The committee reports directly to the 9-R Board of Education, which approves the DAAC members and gives the committee its charges every year.

Unified improvement planning is the most essential duty of the School Advisory Council. It is the blueprint for change that improves students’ learning. We have a separate page with additional information about Unified Improvement Plans and links to the plan for each school.

The DAAC meets the first Tuesday of every month, September through May. Meetings go from 4:30-6:30 p.m. To volunteer please contact your school principal or the Office of the Superintendent:

Jane Schold

• Phone: 247-5411, ext. 1448
• Email: jschold@durango.k12.co.us

All applicants must apply for a specific position during the advertised posting period and submit a complete application packet by 4:00 p.m. Mountain Time by the noted "Closing Date". Should a position be noted as "Open Until Filled", that position may close at any time.

If you saw an advertisement for a position in the newspaper and the position is not listed, that position is now closed and has been removed from this site. If a position re-opens, it will be re-posted at this site.

Contacting the school is not necessary in order to be considered a candidate if you already have a current application on file. There is a lag time between a position being removed from this site and the school completing their screening and candidate selection for interview process. If you are selected for an interview, you will be contacted by the school site or department.

Durango's Minority Achievement Task Force recommends that the school district, "Actively recruit and hire more teachers with diverse ethnic backgrounds." If you are a candidate for employment who can help accomplish this goal, please indicate your interest in a cover letter included with your application.

If you are submitting your application from a gmail.com or a yahoo.com account, there is a strong possibility it will NOT reach us. Please consider submitting via U.S. Mail or via Fax to (970) 385-3643. Thank you.

In accordance with the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) as well as recommendations made in past Durango School District 9-R financial audit management letters, the Durango School District 9-R Board of Education herein establishes a Finance Advisory Committee. The Board of Education recognizes the need for a Finance Advisory Committee as an external monitoring committee to help ensure continued financial safety and soundness in the district.

The Finance Advisory Committee shall review and monitor the financial operation of the district.

A committee is a board committee only if its existence and charge come from the board, regardless whether board members sit on the committee. The only board committees are those which are set forth in this policy. Unless otherwise stated, a committee ceases to exist as soon as its task is complete or its time-frame has expired.

The new School Based Health Center (SBHC) offers a practical and inexpensive approach for providing preventive and primary health care services to students during school hours. The center serves students who are under-insured and uninsured, are without transportation to health care providers, or those with family members unable to take time off from work to take their children to doctors during the school day. The SBHC is an extension of public health in the community and is an integrated part of the healthy schools initiative occurring throughout Durango School District 9-R.

Well child exams, sports physical exams, support for chronic conditions such as asthma, care for acute illnesses and injuries, preventive dental services, pregnancy prevention/education, family planning (a portion of reproductive health care services to be offered as described below), behavioral health services, immunizations, health and wellness education, prescriptions for medications, referrals as needed for students and school staff with established primary care providers or more serious health concerns.

Screening and education of normal growth and adolescent physical development, screening for high risk behaviors, teaching breast and testicular exams, screening and treatment of sexually transmitted infections, screening and treatment of normal vaginal infections, screening for menstrual irregularities, screening for cervical cancer and other family risk factors, HIV prevention and contraceptive counseling, prescribing and distribution.

Medical providers and health educators always encourage risk reduction, with abstinence at the top of the list and use science-based strategies to teach students. Some of these strategies include delaying sexual involvement, having fewer partners and possible use of a hormonal method (e.g. the pill, depo shot or patch) in combination with consistent and correct condom use. Students are able to understand medical facts including both the abstinence message and information on how to reduce risk if they do become sexually active.

A licensed practical nurse serving as the SBHC coordinator, an administrative assistant, a nurse practitioner who can diagnose and prescribe and a behavioral health consultant who provides behavioral/mental health education and consulting, crisis evaluation, and short-term therapies. Other local medical providers may be added as pro bono or funded arrangements are developed for example, appointment with a dermatologist, or allergist.

Students must have a consent form signed by their parents or guardians to access school-based health center services. Students may be seen one time to discuss needs without parent permission. Colorado law allows for youth age 15 or older to access mental health services without parent consent. Colorado law allows for the dispensing of contraception to minors (no age in statue) without parent consent. Reproductive health care including contraception is considered to be the standard of care for adolescents. Although the SBHC is allowed by law to provide contraceptive services without parent permission we will respect any parent’s lack of consent.

Yes, however continuity with a students established primary care provider is maintained. No student is ever denied service because of a family’s ability to pay.

Under the district's governance system, the Board of Education adopts policies that define the expected outcomes of the district's work and provide a framework within which the district operates. Policies are divided into four categories:

• Board Culture: These policies define how the board governs itself and the district.
• Board and Superintendent Relationship: These policies define the board's relationship with and delegation of authority to the superintendent.
• Superintendent Expectations: These policies define the limits of the superintendent's decision-making authority to select resources, teachers, and educational programs that he or she believes best serve student-learning needs. SEs give the superintendent wide latitude to make decisions to meet the board's expectations.
• Results Policies: These are the academic goals that the board expects students to achieve.

Regulations are the procedures that define how the district will fulfill the goals defined in board policy. They also may clarify policy or state law.

Both regulation and policy may include exhibits that usually explain in detail how regulation and policy are fulfilled. For example, board policy and state law require the district to adopt a code of conduct for student behavior. The actual code of conduct appears as an exhibit attached to the appropriate board policy and/or regulation.

The Board of Education adopts district policies. The superintendent, in collaboration with district administrators, principals, and directors, develops and approves all regulations. In other words, the board defines the goals. The superintendent defines how, as outlined in regulation, district employees will meet those goals.

The superintendent has the authority to act when no policy or regulation exists to guide decision-making.

A board member may request that a change in policy is needed. If the board is in agreement, it is placed on a future agenda for discussion. After discussion, the president typically assigns a subcommittee of board members to write the new policy language if required.

The proposed policy is then place on the board agenda for discussion when the subcommittee has concluded its work. The board may then elect to table the item for additional work and/or later consideration, or it may direct the president to place the proposed policy on the next board meeting agenda as an action item. Action items are submitted for the board's approval. A simple majority vote rules. The process gives the public an opportunity to comment on the proposal prior to final adoption.

A proposal to modify or adopt new regulation is submitted to the superintendent's cabinet for review and modification. The proposed regulation is then submitted to Leadership Council for its review and comment. (The Leadership Council includes the superintendent, cabinet members, and school principals.)

In addition, those who would be affected by changes to regulations, rules or procedures are consulted, including, when applicable, staff, students, parents/guardians, and the community.

After the Leadership Council reviews the proposed regulation, it returns to cabinet for final review and adoption. The new regulation is then posted to the Web site.

All policies and regulations are published in a searchable database on the Board of Education's Web site.

Here's a quick navigation guide:

• Click here for the board's Web site

• Click on the "Policies" button on the tool bar at the top of the screen for a listing of all policies and regulations. They will appear on the left side of the screen. Click on the arrow next to each policy/regulation type, and all the policies and regulations will appear as a list

• To search for a specific policy, click on "Search" on the tool bar at the top of the screen

• Type in your key words. Be sure to select the "policies" button to search the policies and regulations database

• Having trouble finding what you need? Call Communications at 247-5411, ext. 1440, or email us with your questions

In its policy, SE-2: Organizational Culture, the Durango School District 9-R Board of Education directs the district to provide for effective handling of complaints. Parents who are dissatisfied are urged to file a complaint by following these procedures:

1. Conference with Staff Member: If you have a concern or complaint, please discuss it first with the staff member involved to see if the problem can be resolved at that level.
2. Informal Conference: If discussion with the staff member fails to resolve the concern to your satisfaction and you consider the matter serious enough to justify further discussion, an informal conference will be scheduled with you, the staff member involved, and the building administrator. This conference should be requested by you promptly after the conference with the involved staff member and will be scheduled within two weeks after your request.
3. Written Complaint: If the conference with the involved staff member and the building administrator fails to resolve your complaint, you will need to prepare, sign, and file a written complaint with the building administrator within two weeks after the completion of the informal conference. Upon your request, the building administrator will supply you with a complaint form for this purpose.
4. Formal Complaint Conference: After the building administrator has received the written complaint, a copy will be given to the staff member involved and a formal conference will be held between the building administrator and the staff member. This conference will be completed within two weeks after the receipt of the written complaint.
5. Administrative Determination: Within two weeks following the formal complaint conference, the building administrator will determine whether:
   1. the complaint is justified and documentation regarding the complaint is to be included in the staff member's personnel file and/or evaluation report, or
   2. the complaint is without justification and documentation will not be included in the staff member's personnel file or evaluation report.
6. Notice of Administrative Determination: A written copy of the building administrator's decision will be mailed or delivered to you and to the staff member involved by the building administrator.
7. Appeal to Superintendent: If you believe the decision reached by the building administrator is wrong, you may appeal the decision to the Durango School District 9-R Superintendent.

Under the district's governance system, the superintendent's decision is final. However, if you believe that the superintendent violated board policy in the process of making the decision, you may submit an appeal to the board based on the superintendent's alleged policy violations but not the decision itself. If the superintendent made the decision within the confines of board policy, the superintendent's decision stands. If the board finds that the superintendent violated policy, the board may then direct the superintendent to reconsider the decision within the confines of policy.

Go to - Transcript Release Form. Instructions are provided at the bottom of the form.

Go to - Transcript Release Form. Instructions are provided at the bottom of the form. You can also call ACT directly at ACT Testing Service 319-337-1320/1313 or SAT directly at SAT Testing 888-728-4357.

Go to - Transcript Release Form.  Instructions are provided at the bottom of the form.

Go to - Transcript Release Form. Instructions are provided at the bottom of the form or have the new school request them for you.

Go to the 9-R school where the student is currently enrolled.  Sign Withdrawal Forms so your child’s records can be processed for the new school. You must provide the new school's name and address.

Go to - Transcript Release Form.  Instructions are provided at the bottom of the form. You can also sign a Records Request Form at the new school.  The new school will fax the Records Request Form to Durango School District 9-R's Student Support Services office at 970-382-0588 for processing.

Call Jessica VanHorn, State GED Program Assistant, at 303-866-6613 or visit CDE's GED Information page.

Contact San Juan BOCES at 970-247-3261.