Recap: March 25 Board of Education Regular Session

Here’s a brief summary of the meeting:

Student Presentations

Student Art Month Showcase: In celebration of Student Art Month, district art teachers selected one student from each school to present a piece of their artwork. Students spoke about their creative process and what art means to them. The showcase highlighted the talent of 9-R students and the dedication of their teachers.

Meeting Minutes: Approved minutes from February and March meetings.
HR Consent Agenda: Approved personnel items presented.
Policy Updates: Approved updates and revisions to Board policies.
Financial Planning and Administration: Confirmed compliance with OE-05: Financial Planning and OE-06: Financial Administration.
2026-27 Academic Calendar: Officially approved the calendar for the 2026–2027 school year.

Quarterly Financials: Director of Finance Kira Horenn provided an update, including clarification on fund balances and revenue recognition.
Board Policy Compliance: Continued review and updates to maintain alignment with financial oversight expectations.
Student Board Member Applications: Shared information about the application process for next year’s student representatives.
Upcoming Events: Reviewed calendar items and upcoming engagements.

Community Service Impact: Dr. Cheser reported that over 3,600 students have participated in community service projects, contributing meaningfully across the region.
Student Behavior Trends: Dr. Vanessa Giddings shared behavior data showing a significant decrease in state-reported incidents, attributed to pre-entry programs, bullying prevention, family support resources, and community outreach.

A community member expressed concern about the district’s strategic priorities.
A suggestion was made to distribute professional development days more evenly throughout the school year.
A request was submitted for a policy exemption allowing oversized signage to dedicate the DHS track in honor of Coach Keller.

Next Work Session: Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. at Escalante Middle School (141 Baker Lane, Durango)
Next Regular Meeting: Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 5:30 p.m., at Impact Career Innovation Center on the Durango High School campus (2390 Main Ave., Durango)