MINUTES
Regular Board Meeting
Hanover Jr/Sr High School School
December 14, 2016 – 6:30 pm
1.00 Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance
Board President, Mark McPherson, called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance
was said.
2.00 Roll Call
Roll was taken. Members Tag Allen, Mike Lawson, Mark McPherson, Ed Sweazy, and Randy
Underwood were present.
3.00 Executive Session
3.01 Executive Session – An Executive Session will be conducted to discuss the determination of
positions relative to matters that may be subject to negotiations, development of strategy for
negotiations, and instruction of negotiations. C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(e). – Mark McPherson (Randy
Underwood) moved (seconded) to move into executive session at 6:35 p.m. The motion carried with Mr.
Allen, Mr. Lawson, Mr. McPherson, Mr. Sweazy, and Mr. Underwood voting yes. The Board returned
from executive session and resumed the regular meeting at 7:04 p.m.
4.00 Modification/Approval of Agenda
Mr. Underwood asked to separate Consent Agenda Item 7.05 and move it to Action Item 11.01a. Randy
Underwood (Mike Lawson) moved (seconded) to approve the agenda as amended. The motion carried
with Mr. Allen, Mr. Lawson, Mr. McPherson, Mr. Sweazy, and Mr. Underwood voting yes.
5.00 Student Performances
None
6.00 Open Forum
6. 01 Scott Gardner – Mr. Gardner had a letter written by another community member. Mr. McPherson
did not let him read the letter as it was not from him directly. He asked that he present it to the Board
individually.
6. 02 Chandra Vigil – Ms. Vigil asked if it were possible for students to have student email accounts.
She said that there is an internet company that is willing to provide internet for $10 a month for homes
with students. She stated that students will not only be able to do their homework, but they will also be
able to obtain Microsoft Office for free. Mr. McPherson asked that the superintendent look into this. Ms.
Vigil stated that for the record, she is ok with arming staff.
6. 03 Terry Siewiyumptewa – Mrs. Siewiymptewa works with the Hanover Outreach Pantry, and she
stated that they were able to feed 118 families for Thanksgiving. She thanked the Hanover High School
Wrestling Team for their help putting together the boxes. Mrs. Siewiyumptewa would like the school
district to consider opening the school library to the community. She said she would volunteer her time to
help run this. She also voiced her support of the Board and their decision to arm staff. She feels that
there is no ready access to law enforcement, and armed staff would help protect our students and staff.
Posted by Tambra Bernal, BOE Administrative Assistant
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7.00 Consent Agenda
Randy Underwood (Ed Sweazy) moved (seconded) to approve consent agenda as previously amended.
The motion carried with Mr. Allen, Mr. Lawson, Mr. McPherson, Mr. Sweazy, and Mr. Underwood voting
yes.
8.00 Board/Superintendent Comments
8.01 Superintendent – Dr. Schmidt thanked staff for their work regarding the recent desk audit. In prior
years, money had to be paid back to Colorado Department of Education, and this year we do not. It is a
group audit between student counts, transportation, and food services. Dr. Schmidt also thanked Tambra
Bernal for her ability to get the retro pay processed for staff in such a short amount of time.
Energy program is obtaining quotes to put in propane heat in the old elementary gym which would save
the district money. Energy committee and facilities committee meetings will start January 12, 2017 at
6:00 p.m. to help set and prioritize needs. Nutrition services director is putting together a health and
wellness committee that will start meeting in late January to early February.
8.02 Board of Education Members – Mr. Lawson stated that over the last couple of months the Board
has talked and worked through some tough decisions. We have worked through the process of negative
spending and kept the books in the black. He stated that we have a few slit decisions, but as a Board, we
are committed to the community and doing what is in the best interest of the kids. He stated that while at
the CASB convention he, the board treasurer, and the superintendent had some time to brainstorm about
online streaming or module for classes as a way to help bring more kids into the school. He stated that
other schools in our area are doing this, and it is working very well for them. He would like to see us look
into this as well.
Mr. Allen stated that he likes to catch students doing good. He used a couple students as an example
whom he witnessed helping younger students. He wanted to recognize this.
Mr. McPherson stated that the Board has a lot of contentious issues that they need to work through. He
thanked all his fellow board members for all their time; none of this is personal.
Mr. Sweazy and Mr. Underwood did not have any comments.
9.00 DAC Report to Board
9.01 DAC Update – Mrs. Marilyn Olson updated the Board about communication signs being placed in
major areas chalk boards to write events on. The DAC is working on putting together chaperone trainings
and handbooks as well as discussing how they can help with performance assessments. Mrs. Olson
stated that the DAC has reviewed the amended budget, and they feel the amended budget is probably
the best we can do.
10.00 Discussion Items
10.01 Concurrent Enrollment / ICAP / Course Catalogue – Ms. Courtney LaPar, School Counselor,
addressed the Board about upcoming dates and events. The ASVAB test scores will be discussed with
students on January 4th. On January 5th, there will be a Concurrent Enrollment meeting to discuss AVP
along with graduation requirements. There will be a presentation during the school day to be followed
with a parent meeting on January 17th. There will be a FAFSA meeting on January 24th at 6:00 p.m. in
the central computer lab and an AVP daytime visit at PPCC on February 6th. A course catalog is being
put together using the information course descriptions from the State Course Code required submission.
We already have our courses aligned to this information as part of our state reporting, so will use those
descriptions to write our local course descriptions with the help of each teacher in their field of expertise.
10.02 2016-2017 Amended Budget – Dr. Schmidt explained that one reason you amend your budget is
because your enrollment has either gone up bringing additional revenue or down taking revenue away.
The second reason has to do with assessed property value increase or decrease. Dr. Schmidt explained
that our preliminary budget was built on 241 students, but our actual per pupil count from October count
turned out to be 248, so we have additional revenue this year. Dr. Schmidt noted that we will have a
Posted by Tambra Bernal, BOE Administrative Assistant
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$77,000 abatement from Pikes Peak International Raceway, and we have already been informed that we
will see a second abatement from Excel Energy of approximately $150,000 next year. We also recently
learned of a bill to Colorado Department of Education that was received in 2012 for $35,000 from prior
years’ audits that has never been paid, so we must pay it now. Tambra did contact CDE to see about
monthly payments, and they agreed. You will see this reflected as a negative revenue of $20,500 for this
fiscal year, and the remaining balance to be paid in the next fiscal year. This amended budget also
reflects some instructional purchases and staff raises that were put into place. With these changes, the
amended budget will add $26,000 to our fund balance.
11.00 Action Items
11.01 Approve Superintendent Contract – Randy Underwood (Tag Allen) moved (seconded) to
approve the superintendent contract. Mr. Lawson stated that he would like to amend paragraph e)1 to
read that the District would pay 50% of the long-term disability and Dr. Schmidt to pay the other 50%. Mr.
Lawson stated that we do not pay 100% coverage for any other employees, so we negotiated to a 50/50
split. Dr. Schmidt thanked all five Board members for stating that they support him in this role as
superintendent. Randy Underwood (Ed Sweazy) moved (seconded) to approve the superintendent
contract as amended. The motion carried with Mr. Allen, Mr. McPherson, Mr. Sweazy, and Mr.
Underwood voting yes. Mr. Lawson voted no.
11.01a Approve Staff Recommendations – Mr. McPherson explained that the staff recommendations
consisted of two resignations and the high school principal’s contract. Mr. McPherson provided that the
contract was proposed asking for 183 days, and the Board has negotiated to 170 days at the current
salary with the ability for the superintendent to request an additional 13 days at per diem rate should
those days be needed and paid in half-day increments. Tag Allen (Randy Underwood) moved
(seconded) to approve the resignations and principal’s contract as amended. The motion carried with Mr.
Allen, Mr. McPherson, Mr. Sweazy, and Mr. Underwood voting yes. Mr. Lawson voted no.
11.02 Approve Preschool Director Stipend – Randy Underwood (Tag Allen) moved (seconded) to
approve the preschool director stipend. The motion carried with Mr. Allen, Mr. Lawson, Mr. McPherson,
Mr. Sweazy, and Mr. Underwood voting yes.
11.03 Approve Mill Levy – Randy Underwood (Mike Lawson) moved (seconded) to approve the Mill
Levy at 22 mills for the Bond. Mrs. Bernal explained that she would recommend increasing the Bond Mill
to 24 for the next year as the Abatement Mill is being decreased by 2.5 Mills. She explained this would
give the Bond fund a cushion to fall upon to better prepare for the Excel Energy $156,000 Abatement that
will be hitting us next year all the while still saving tax payers half a mill and money. Randy Underwood
(Mike Lawson) moved (seconded) to approve the Mill Levy at 24 mills for the Bond as amended. The
motion carried with Mr. Allen, Mr. Lawson, Mr. McPherson, Mr. Sweazy, and Mr. Underwood voting yes.
11.04 Approve Accreditation Report to Submit with FY15-16 Annual Financial Report to CDE –
Randy Underwood (Tag Allen) moved (seconded) to approve the accreditation report to submit with
FY15-16 annual financial report to CDE. The motion carried with Mr. Allen, Mr. Lawson, Mr. McPherson,
Mr. Sweazy, and Mr. Underwood voting yes.
11.05 Approve Armed Staff – Resolution – Mark McPherson read the resolution into the record. Mark
McPherson (Ed Sweazy) moved (seconded) to approve the Armed Staff Resolution. Mr. Underwood read
a statement that he prepared explaining why he does not support this particular resolution. He agrees
that we need to arm staff, but he wants to see more details in the resolution itself. Mr. Lawson stated that
he feels the resolution does cover all aspects, and he adds that there are still many steps that need to
happen before staff can be armed; extensive training as an example. Mr. Sweazy brought up that 911
was called from the front office and it took 45 minutes for responders to arrive. Mr. McPherson suggests
hiring a full-time SRO. Mr. Allen stated that because our district is so spread out, the time needed for one
SRO to respond between our two schools still is not acceptable. The motion carried with Mr. Allen, Mr.
Lawson, and Mr. Sweazy voting yes. Mr. McPherson and Mr. Underwood voted no.
Posted by Tambra Bernal, BOE Administrative Assistant
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12.00 Director Updates
12.01 Hanover Jr/Sr High School Principal Update – No comments.
12.02 Prairie Heights Elementary Principal Update – No comments.
12.03 Athletic Director Update – No comments.
12.04 Maintenance and Transportation Update – No comments.
12.05 Kitchen Update – No comments.
12.06 DAC Updates – No comments.
13.00 Other Business
None.
14.00 Adjournment
Mike Lawson (Randy Underwood) moved (seconded) to adjourn at 8:47 p.m. The motion carried with Mr.
Allen, Mr. Lawson, Mr. McPherson, Mr. Sweazy, and Mr. Underwood voting yes.
Future Important Dates
Wednesday, January 18, 2017 @ 6:30 PM – Hanover Jr/Sr High School – Regular School Board Meeting
Wednesday, February 15, 2016 @ 6:30 PM – Hanover Jr/Sr High School – Regular School Board
Meeting
Approval by President of the Board of Education
___________________________________________________
Mark McPherson, President
Date _____________________
Approval by Secretary of the Board of Education
___________________________________________________
Michael Lawson, Secretary
Posted by Tambra Bernal, BOE Administrative Assistant
Date _____________________
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