Director McDonald moved, seconded by Director Willman, to approve the agenda as presented.

Transcription

1 OFFICIAL MINUTES Regular Meeting Board Of Education Cherry Creek School District 4700 South Yosemite Street Greenwood Village, Colorado April 16, 2012 A regular meeting of the Cherry Creek School District Board of Education was held on Monday, April 16, 2012, at Fox Hollow Elementary School, 6363 S. Waco Ave., Aurora, Colorado. Call to Order and Roll Call President Churchfield called the meeting to order at 6:58 p.m. The following directors were present Jennifer Churchfield, Claudine McDonald, Jim O Brien, Randy Perlis, and David Willman. Also present were Superintendent Mary Chesley and Attorney Richard J. Banta. Pledge of Allegiance President Churchfield led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. Approval of Agenda Director McDonald moved, seconded by Director Willman, to approve the agenda as presented. ROLL CALL: Churchfield-aye, McDonald-aye, O Brien-aye, Perlis-aye, Willman-aye. The motion carried. Approval of Minutes The minutes had been circulated to Board of Education members prior to the meeting. Director McDonald moved, seconded by Director Willman, that the minutes of the regular meeting of March 12, 2012, and the special meeting of March 8, 2012, be approved as presented. ROLL CALL: Churchfield-aye, McDonald-aye, O Brien-aye, Perlis-aye, Willman-aye. The motion carried. Communications: From the Board of Education Director McDonald congratulated the Overland High School Robotics team that was named regional finalist in their second year of participation in the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Competition. The OHS team kicked into high gear this year with the opening of the Institute of Science and Technology and the state-of-the-art technologies available. They will go to Nationals in St. Louis later this month best of luck to them. The members of the Robotics team are: Victor Auirre, Abiy Alemayehu, Lizarlette Alvarez, Julian Cannon, Mathew Celis, Katherine Chu, Gabe Dekay, Ider Gerulsuren, 1

2 Mariah Maestas, Sawyer McLane, Ryan Oehrle, Alex Perushin, Kian Phair, Jesse Rosechild, Andrew Trudeau, Natalie Volin, Sam Volin, and Patrick Williams. The faculty sponsors are Katherine McDonnell and Brian Huang. Director McDonald invited everyone to the next Hispanics Opportunities in Public Education (HOPE) Conference sponsored by Overland High School and Prairie Middle School. It is the next in the Success for Every Student conference series. The event will be held on April 27 beginning at 5:00 p.m. with the guest speaker, Dr. Cesar Lozano, presenting at 6:30 p.m. Dr. Lozano is a motivational speaker, author, and radio personality from Mexico. He has given lectures and trainings to more than 7 million people on the topic of personal improvement, leadership, and positive attitudes. The conference will once again be inspiring. Director Perlis congratulated the following CCSD nurses who recently earned National Certification in School Nursing (NCSN): BeaAnn Braun (Independence); Debbie Ellis (District Nurse Mentor); Dianne Gonzer (Meadow Point); Diane Lathrop (Pine Ridge); Margaret McKercher (District Nurse Mentor); Glory Platt (Endeavor); and Teresa Ross (Cherokee Trail). To attain this certification, an experienced school nurse must complete a demanding course of independent study and pass a rigorous national exam. Director Perlis announced that the CCSD Destination Imagination Tournament was held at Cherokee Trail on March 17. Congratulations to all the teams that competed. Director Perlis read the resolution proclaiming May 7-11, 2012 National Teacher Appreciation Week: It is the administration s recommendation that the Board of Education approve the following proclamation: WHEREAS, a strong, effective system of free public school education for all children and youth is essential to our democratic system of government; and WHEREAS, the United States has made considerable progress in the social, technological, and scientific fields due to our system of free and universal public education; and WHEREAS, much of this progress can be attributed to the qualified and dedicated teachers entrusted with the educational development of our children to their full potential; and WHEREAS, teachers should be accorded high public esteem, reflecting the value the community places on public education; and WHEREAS, it is appropriate that teachers be recognized for this dedication and commitment to educating their students; Now therefore be it resolved, that the Cherry Creek School District Board of Education hereby proclaims the week of May 7-11, 2012, as National Teacher Appreciation Week in the Cherry Creek School District. Director Willman noted that it is National Public School Volunteer Week and that the Board passed a proclamation resolution # in March. He thanked the many volunteers who are doing outstanding work in the schools. 2

3 Director Willman called attention to the spring season when many activities, including proms, take place. He requested that students make good choices as they move through this season. Director Willman announced that students from the Cherry Creek School District s Aurora schools were honored as Aurora Scholars during presentations on April 10 at Cherokee Trail High School. The Aurora Scholars Program is designed to identify those students in Aurora who strongly contribute to the life and community of their schools. The CCSD students, along with students from Aurora Public Schools, were recognized by officials from the City of Aurora and their schools and districts, for their academic achievements and for contributing to their school and community. One student from each grade level was selected from each elementary, middle and high school in Aurora. Another group of students will be honored during a similar ceremony on April 26 at Hinkley High School. In total, 164 students from CCSD received the honor this year. Thanks go to Aurora officials and staff who put this event together. Congratulations to all of the Cherry Creek School District s Aurora Scholars! Director Willman gave a summary of the Wellness Summit held at Grandview High School on April 14. Approximately 1,800 people attended the Summit and 500 people attended the 9 Health Fair that was held in conjunction with the summit. The event provided opportunities to sample healthy food and obtain education on mental, psychological, and environmental well-being. Thank you to the volunteers and staff who organized the event and to the sponsors, including the Community Asset Project, Kaiser Permanente, and the YMCA of Denver. Director O Brien announced that the Cherry Creek School District Finance Department was once again recognized by the Association of School Business Officials International with its Meritorious Budget Award for the district s strong budgeting practices. In receiving this award, the district was recognized for demonstrating excellence in budget presentations through understandable and clear budget guidelines; using state of the art budget practices; having short and long-term goals; following sound fiscal management practices; and supporting professional growth for the district s budget staff. The Cherry Creek School District, which has participated in the program for over 15 years, is one of very few school districts across the nation that has been consistently recognized with the budget award. Director O Brien recognized Chief Financial Officer Guy Bellville, Director of Budget Dan Huenneke and the financial services team for their dedicated, outstanding professionalism in ensuring that the hard work of budget planning and presentation gets completed annually in a timely and concise fashion. Director O Brien commented that during the five years he has been a Board member, he has had a number of parents and community members positively remark on the clear and transparent budget and financial information and ease of access to that information. President Churchfield commented on the 18 th Annual Mastering Excellence in Education luncheon hosted by the Cherry Creek Schools Foundation. Over 800 guests listened to keynote speaker, and Cherry Creek High School graduate, Aron Ralston tell the inspiring story about surviving a climbing accident in which he amputated his right arm after being trapped by a boulder for five days in a remote canyon. He thanked his teachers and the district for the excellent education and opportunities provided him. Slam Poet Jovan Mays, a graduate of Smoky Hill High School, performed a powerful piece, alongside students from Fox Hollow Elementary who shared their poetry. Julie Mork was recognized as the Foundation s Champion of Education, and Mark Overmeyer received the Catherine Canny 3

4 Educator Award. The AVID scholarship recipients, Christian Covington (Overland) and MacKenzie Cunningham (Smoky Hill), were recognized, as well as the Monte Moses Future Educator scholarship winner, Molly Bibeau. To date, the Foundation has generously given over $7 million to the district in the form of training and classroom grants. Communications: From Student Government From Cherry Creek High School, Megan Iritani and Z. Soule reported. From Smoky Hill High School Olivia Ross and Kelse Johnson reported. Communications: From the Superintendent Superintendent Chesley commented: I am most appreciative of our students comments tonight because they represent all the elements that our district and community expect of our schools. That is, we strive for excellence in academic achievement, athletics, the arts, activities, and community service. Those comments are a perfect prelude to tonight s presentation of budget planning for SY Likewise, the presentation is a prelude for resolution # For the last three years, due to the recession, the State has been unable to fund the district using the same tenets of the School Finance Formula as in the past. There have been rescissions after school years have started, and there have been reductions reflected in School Finance legislation. The presentation that will be given tonight recaps the effect of the past three years and portends our best estimate of what will occur at the end of this year s legislative session regarding school funding. There may be some slight changes as the budget bill winds through the two state houses, but no one is predicting that there will be more money than this year OR that the reductions of the last three years will be backfilled. We have 13 grades of students being educated in our 60+ buildings and programs. That is the equivalent of an American generation. Therefore, the administration has prepared resolution # that, if approved by the Board, calls for a Budget and Bond election in November Over the last three years we have reduced district and school budgets by unprecedented amounts. At the same time, we have implemented, and continue to implement, unprecedented and unfunded legislation. And yet, as the students have reported tonight, we remain successful. However, the Class of 2012 cannot be our zenith. We are at our tipping point. There is no doubt that these are difficult times in many ways. And, as we have learned from our past American history and from the lives of students in our classrooms every day, difficult times call for action. Tonight s report is the reason and tonight s resolution is the action that our students and our neighborhoods need for another educated and great generation AND for keeping our 4

5 community commitment that the success and values of neighborhoods are a reflection of the success of its schools. Special Report: Resolution: November 2012 Bond/Budget Election Superintendent Chesley introduced Chief Financial Officer Guy Bellville for a special report: Budget Development and Financial Planning FY , with Projections through FY Mr. Bellville reviewed the underlying issues in the State economy that impact public school finance, noting that the economy continues to be sluggish in its recovery as the number of jobs being added is not keeping up with population growth in the State. The Governor s FY budget request proposes a decrease of $48.4 million for K-12 education compared to the appropriation in FY The effect on Cherry Creek is an anticipated decline in per pupil funding from $6,403 to $6,272, a $131 per pupil funding reduction of 2.05%. Mr. Bellville pointed out that the most recent reduction will bring per pupil funding for SY to approximately the same amount as in SY Since SY the accumulated revenue loss to the district has been $148.6 million. Fiscal planning in this economic environment and under this State Budget Proposal will cause a funding gap of $18.3 million in The district has two choices: reduce ongoing budgeted expenditures with significant impacts to education programs and increasing class size in all schools, or utilize $18.3 million in reserves in conjunction with a $25 million local override election proposal. Mr. Bellville discussed financial projections, policies, issues, and the strategic considerations currently under review. Projected revenue and expenditures were examined, as well as the analysis of reserves. A draft contingency plan with significant reductions was presented for discussion purposes only. Without a successful election in November 2012, a budget reduction of approximately $21.7 million will be necessary in Mr. Bellville also addressed the district s upgraded General Obligation Bond Rating from the rating agencies. A $125 million bond election would allow the district to make necessary capital improvements, renovations and repairs. The cost to sustain and strengthen excellence in the district would cost the owner of the average home in the district approximately $8 per month. Board Members Comments and Concerns: Director Perlis asked what the financial impact would be on the community. On an average home in CCSD, the cost would be about $8 per month (budget question). There would not be a tax increase on the bond question. Director O Brien asked: Clarification of employment rate? Chronic unemployment is part of the rate. Clarification of the negative factor? It means not funding Amendment 23. Any chance of financial relief over the next few years due to the Lobato case? Must wait through the process, but it will probably be remanded back to the State Legislature to revise school finance law. Can we delay payment or otherwise flex payment for PERA contributions and TABOR reserves? No flex in PERA. A letter of credit can be used in regard to TABOR. Is projecting the PPR out 3 years reasonable? Projections shouldn t decline but for modeling purposes, it is reasonable. 5

6 Any increase in Title funding? It is being discussed in Congress. Clarification: school districts don t get support for capital projects/maintenance? Mostly correct. There is a program to help low-assessed value districts, mostly in rural Colorado. Director Willman commented that the State wants growth but has no plans to fund services fair? Director McDonald stated that although the presentation showed two choices more reductions or a budget election the Board members make frequent visits to schools and see the impact of past reductions. Audience Comments There were no audience comments. Consideration of Resolutions The Board of Education considered and reviewed the following matters and took appropriate action as hereinafter set forth: The consent agenda is attached to the official minutes. Director McDonald moved, seconded by Director Willman, to approve the following consent agenda, with the exception of # : # Approval of Proclamation, National Teacher Appreciation Week # Approval of Contracts, Day-Treatment and Residential-Care Placements, Out-of- District # Approval of Contracts, Day-Treatment and Residential-Care Placements, In-District # Approval of Purchase, FOSS Elementary Science Kits, Delta Education # Approval of Purchase, Reading Program, Mondo Publishing, Eastridge, Literacy Resource Specialists, Inc. # Approval of Matters Relating to Licensed Personnel (Teachers) # Approval of Matters Relating to Auxiliary Personnel # Approval of Matters Relating to Support Personnel # Approval of Change Orders, Construction Projects # Approval of Consultant, Materials Testing, Elementary School #43 # Approval of Low Bid, General Contractor, Boiler Room Improvements, Buffalo Trail Elementary School # Approval of Low Bid, Kitchen Equipment Renovations, Belleview, Canyon Creek, and Timberline Elementary Schools # Approval of Negotiated Bid, Playground Equipment, Black Forest Hills Elementary School # Approval of Ratification of Subordination Agreement and Collateral Agreement, Copperleaf Subdivision Development, South Quincy Residential Developers, Inc. 6

7 # Approval of Purchase, 3-D Prototyping Milling Machine, Cherokee Trail High School # Approval of Purchase, Apple Computers, Campus Middle School # Approval of Purchase, Reporting and Analytic Data Warehouse Software License ROLL CALL: Churchfield-aye, McDonald-aye, O Brien-aye, Perlis-aye, Willman-aye. The motion carried. # Approval of a resolution calling an election on November 6, 2012, to authorize an increase in taxes for operating expenses and the incurrence of general obligation indebtedness by the district and authorize the levy of ad valorem property taxes to pay for such general obligation indebtedness; and setting the ballot titles and ballot questions for the foregoing. Recommendation: It is the administration s recommendation that the Board of Education adopt the following resolution: WHEREAS, the Cherry Creek School District No. 5 (the District ), in the County of Arapahoe and the State of Colorado, is a public corporation duly organized and existing under the Constitution and the laws of the State of Colorado; and WHEREAS, the members of the Board of Education of the District (the Board ) have been duly elected, chosen and qualified; and WHEREAS, Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution ( TABOR ) requires voter approval for any new tax, the creation of any debt and for spending certain moneys above limits established by TABOR; and WHEREAS, the Board has determined that the interest of the District and the public interest and necessity demand and require that the District seek voter approval for a tax increase of $25,000,000 to provide additional funds for the District s general operating expenses pursuant to Section , C.R.S.; and WHEREAS, the Board has determined that the total additional local property tax revenues generated by the tax increase of $25,000,000 plus any tax revenues generated pursuant to prior authorization does not exceed twenty five percent (25%) of the District s total program in compliance with Section , C.R.S.; and WHEREAS, the Board has determined the interest of the District and the public interest and necessity demand and require enlarging, improving, remodeling, repairing, or making additions to any school building, constructing or erecting school buildings, equipping or furnishing any school building, improving school grounds, all at a cost estimated at approximately $125,000,000 (the Project ); and WHEREAS, TABOR requires the District to submit ballot issues (as defined in TABOR) to the District s electors on limited election days before action can be taken on such ballot issues; and 7

8 WHEREAS, November 6, 2012, is one of the election dates at which ballot issues may be submitted to the eligible electors of the District pursuant to TABOR; and WHEREAS, the County Clerk and Recorder in Arapahoe County (the County Clerk ) will conduct the election on November 6, 2012 as a coordinated election (the election ); and WHEREAS, it is necessary to submit to the eligible electors of the District, at the election, the proposition of (1) increasing District taxes by $25,000,000 in excess of the District s total program funding as determined pursuant to the School Finance Act, Title 22, Article 54, Part 1, C.R.S., and (2) creating general obligation indebtedness in the aggregate principal amount of not to exceed $125,000,000 to finance the Project and increasing taxes to pay such debt; and WHEREAS, the District will not have held more than one other election on the question of contracting a bonded indebtedness for any purpose within the twelve months immediately preceding the election herein called. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF CHERRY CREEK SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 5, IN THE COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE AND STATE OF COLORADO: Section 1. All action heretofore taken (not inconsistent with the provisions of this resolution) by the District and the officers thereof, directed towards the election and the objects and purposes herein stated and the questions set forth herein are, ratified, approved and confirmed. Unless otherwise defined herein, all terms used herein shall have the meanings specified in Section , C.R.S. or Section , C.R.S. Section 2. Pursuant to TABOR, Title 22, C.R.S. and the Uniform Election Code of 1992, and all laws amendatory thereof and supplemental thereto, the District hereby determines that an election shall be held on November 6, 2012 (the election ), and that there shall be submitted to the eligible electors of the District the questions set forth herein. Because the election will be held as part of the coordinated election, the Board hereby determines that the County Clerk shall conduct the election on behalf of the District. The officers of the District are hereby authorized to enter into one or more intergovernmental agreements with the County Clerk pursuant to Section , C.R.S. Any such intergovernmental agreement heretofore entered into in connection with the election is hereby ratified, approved and confirmed. Section 3. The total aggregate principal amount of the indebtedness to be incurred from time to time for the portion of the Project to be acquired pursuant to this resolution shall not exceed the sum of $125,000,000. Section 4. The Board hereby authorizes and directs the officers of the District to certify on or before September 7, 2012, the following questions in substantially the forms hereinafter set forth to the County Clerk. Such questions shall be submitted to the eligible electors of the District at the election: 8

9 QUESTION A: SHALL CHERRY CREEK SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 5 TAXES BE INCREASED $25,000,000 ANNUALLY (THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT WHICH MAY BE COLLECTED IN ANY FISCAL YEAR), BEGINNING IN TAX COLLECTION YEAR 2013 AND FOR EACH FISCAL YEAR THEREAFTER, BY AN ADDITIONAL PROPERTY TAX MILL LEVY IN EXCESS OF THE LEVY AUTHORIZED FOR THE DISTRICT S GENERAL FUND, WITHOUT LIMITATION AS TO RATE, PURSUANT TO AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION , C.R.S., SUCH ADDITIONAL REVENUES TO BE DEPOSITED IN THE GENERAL FUND AND USED FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: MAINTAINING CLASS SIZES IN THE KINDERGARTEN THROUGH TWELFTH GRADES; PROVIDING STUDENTS WITH THE CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION NECESSARY FOR SUCCESS IN COLLEGE AND THE WORKPLACE; CONTINUING THE DISTRICT S COMMITMENT TO ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND PROVIDING AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY AND STANDARDS; UTILIZING TECHNOLOGY AND COMPUTER APPLICATIONS TO ENSURE STUDENT SUCCESS IN THE 21 ST CENTURY; AND SHALL THE DISTRICT BE AUTHORIZED TO COLLECT, RETAIN AND SPEND ALL REVENUES FROM SUCH TAXES AND THE EARNINGS FROM THE INVESTMENT OF SUCH REVENUES AS A VOTER APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE AND AN EXCEPTION TO THE LIMITS WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE APPLY UNDER ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION? BOND QUESTION B: SHALL CHERRY CREEK SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 5 DEBT BE INCREASED $125,000,000 WITH A REPAYMENT COST OF $232,486,000, AND SHALL DISTRICT TAXES BE INCREASED $19,351,000 TO PAY SUCH DEBT, ALL FOR THE PURPOSE OF REPAIRING, RENOVATING, OR MAKING ADDITIONS TO SCHOOL BUILDINGS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, MODERNIZING WIRING, FIRE PROTECTION, HEAT AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS AND PLUMBING AT EXISTING SCHOOLS, 9

10 EQUIPPING OR FURNISHING SCHOOL BUILDINGS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, SCHOOL SAFETY EQUIPMENT, TECHNOLOGY AND INTERNET OR NETWORK EQUIPMENT AND, PROVIDING FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT TO INCREASE STUDENT LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES IN STEM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH) PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT, AND ACQUIRING OR PURCHASING BUILDINGS OR LAND AND IMPROVING SCHOOL GROUNDS; AND SHALL THE MILL LEVY BE INCREASED IN ANY YEAR WITHOUT LIMITATION AS TO RATE AND AMOUNT SUFFICIENT TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF, PREMIUM, IF ANY, AND INTEREST ON SUCH DEBT OR ANY REFUNDING DEBT (OR TO CREATE A RESERVE FOR SUCH PAYMENT); SUCH DEBT TO BE EVIDENCED BY THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS TO BE SOLD IN ONE SERIES OR MORE, FOR A PRICE ABOVE OR BELOW THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF SUCH SERIES, ON TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND WITH SUCH MATURITIES AS PERMITTED BY LAW, INCLUDING PROVISIONS FOR REDEMPTION OF THE BONDS PRIOR TO MATURITY WITH OR WITHOUT PAYMENT OF THE PREMIUM OF NOT TO EXCEED ONE PERCENT; AND SHALL THE DISTRICT BE AUTHORIZED TO ISSUE DEBT TO REFUND THE DEBT AUTHORIZED IN THIS QUESTION, PROVIDED THAT AFTER THE ISSUANCE OF SUCH REFUNDING DEBT THE TOTAL OUTSTANDING PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF ALL DEBT ISSUED PURSUANT TO THIS QUESTION DOES NOT EXCEED THE MAXIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNT SET FORTH ABOVE, AND PROVIDED FURTHER THAT ALL DEBT ISSUED BY THE DISTRICT PURSUANT TO THIS QUESTION IS ISSUED ON TERMS THAT DO NOT EXCEED THE REPAYMENT COSTS AUTHORIZED IN THIS QUESTION; AND SHALL SUCH TAX REVENUES AND THE EARNINGS FROM THE INVESTMENT OF SUCH BOND PROCEEDS AND TAX REVENUES BE COLLECTED, RETAINED AND SPENT AS A VOTER APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE AND AN EXCEPTION TO THE LIMITS WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE APPLY UNDER ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION OR ANY OTHER LAW? Section 5. Guy Bellville is hereby appointed as the designated election official of the District for purposes of performing acts required or permitted by law in connection with the election. Section 6. If a majority of the votes cast on the questions to authorize general obligation indebtedness and the levy of ad valorem property taxes submitted at the election shall be in favor of incurring general obligation indebtedness and levying ad valorem property taxes as provided in such questions, the District acting through the Board shall be authorized to proceed with the necessary action to incur general obligation indebtedness and levy ad valorem property taxes in accordance with such questions. 10

11 Any authority to contract general obligation indebtedness or to levy ad valorem property taxes, if conferred by the results of the election, shall be deemed and considered a continuing authority to contract the general Any authority to contract general obligation indebtedness and levy the ad valorem taxes so authorized at any one time, or from time to time, and neither the partial exercise of the authority so conferred, nor any lapse of time, shall be considered as exhausting or limiting the full authority so conferred. Section 7. Pursuant to Section , C.R.S., any election contest arising out of a ballot issue or ballot question election concerning the order of the ballot or the form or content of the ballot title shall be commenced by petition filed with the proper court within five days after the title of the ballot issue or ballot question is set, and for contests concerning the order of a ballot, within five days after the ballot order is set by the county clerk and recorder and not thereafter. Section 8. The officers of the District are authorized and directed to take all action necessary or appropriate to effectuate the provisions of this resolution. Section 9. All orders, bylaws and resolutions, or parts thereof, in conflict with this resolution, are hereby repealed. Section 10. If any section, paragraph, clause or provision of this resolution shall for any reason be held to be invalid or unenforceable, the invalidity or unenforceability of such section, paragraph, clause or provision shall not affect any of the remaining provisions of this resolution. ADOPTED AND APPROVED this April 16, 2012 (SEAL) ATTEST: President, Cherry Creek School District No. 5 Secretary, Cherry Creek School District No. 5 11

12 STATE OF COLORADO ) COUNTY OF ARAPAHOE ) SS. CHERRY CREEK SCHOOL ) DISTRICT NO. 5 ) I, Claudine McDonald, am the duly qualified and acting Secretary of the Board of Education of Cherry Creek School District No. 5 (the District ), in the County of Arapahoe and State of Colorado, and I do hereby certify: 1. The foregoing pages are a true and correct copy of a resolution (the Resolution ) passed and adopted by the Board of Education of the District (the Board ) at a regular meeting of the Board held on April 16, The Resolution was duly moved and seconded and the Resolution was adopted at the meeting of April 16, 2012, by an affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Board as follows: Name Yes No Absent Abstain Jennifer Churchfield, President Randy Perlis, Vice President Claudine McDonald, Secretary Jim O Brien, Treasurer David Willman, Assistant Secretary- Treasurer 3. The members of the Board were present at such meeting and voted on the passage of such Resolution as set forth above. 4. The Resolution was approved and authenticated by the signature of the President of the Board, sealed with the District seal, attested by the Secretary and recorded in the minutes of the Board. 5. Attached hereto as Exhibit A is a copy of the notice of the meeting April 16, 2012, which notice was posted in one place within the District at least 24 hours before such meeting and which notice included agenda information, if available. 6. There are no bylaws, rules or regulations of the Board which prevent the immediate adoption of the Resolution set forth in the foregoing proceedings. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said District, this April 16, (SEAL) Secretary 12

13 Director Perlis moved, seconded by Director Willman, to approve Resolution # Discussion: Director Perlis stated that resolution # is a desperately needed effort to fund education in the Cherry Creek School District. The district has endured over four years of budget cuts from the state. Funding has not kept up with the growth in student populations, advancing technology, and repairs to aging school buildings. On my recent visits to schools throughout the district, principals, teachers, parents, and students have expressed to me their grave concern about the budget situation in the Cherry Creek District and have asked for the Board of Education to do something to help solve these budget crises. I can tell you that my fellow Board members and I have had agonizing decisions on budget cuts over the past four years. This last round of cuts that included increasing class sizes was particularly difficult. Our principals and teachers have told us that the class size increase was a very difficult budget solution to deal with. So, I wholeheartedly support and will vote for this bond and budget election. And I will campaign with vigor until our victory on November 12 th! Director McDonald said the choice is clear. We can t assume the community won t support an election and just make cuts. There s always a risk when you ask that the community will say no, however the greater risk is not asking. At 2006 per pupil rates, we find ourselves in a situation where the excellence we strive for can be in jeopardy. The proposal of $8 per household per year is reasonable. Our ballots are going to be blurry because we are going to be bombarded with varying messages. Tonight I am not a D or an R or an I or anything else. I am a Y and wholeheartedly support resolution # calling for an election. Director Willman said that resolution # announcing our intention to go forward to the voting community for a budget/bond election is about community. Our community and neighborhood schools go hand in hand to the high value and success of our students, staff, and community. As evidenced by this past week s activities, our schools are about community service and community education. We have had not only our regular student academic and athletic endeavors this week, but also held several community and regional events in our schools such as the Aurora Scholars at Cherokee Trail High School, swimming practices and meets for our community and schools, and regional academic events such as Destination Imagination. The schools are being used as event and recreational facilities almost 24 hours a day most days. This election will help serve our community facilities ever growing maintenance and upkeep needs for the next few years, plus allow for our communities to grow in the middle and high school facilities with the current economic push by our local municipalities for economic recovery via growth in employment and construction. As our Board liaison for the Long Range Planning Committee, I recently took tours of many of our facilities including Cherry Creek High School. It is clear to me that we have passed on maintenance due to our recent budget school district cuts and we have several maintenance issues at CCHS, our largest high school. I supported the Long Range Planning Committee recommendation that we move forward calling for this resolution tonight on the bond election needed. We have asked and been rewarded by our community before to support our dedication to excellence and subsequent high value of our facilities being core community centers which has helped 13

14 create higher property and community values across the Cherry Creek School District. This election is exactly about community. I am asking our community again for their support and I am wholeheartedly supporting resolution # Director O Brien made comments in support of resolution #067-12: As Mr. Bellville has noted tonight in his presentation on the current and projected budget for the school district, and as Dr. Siegfried and members of the Long Range Facility Planning Committee shared with the Board last month, in order to continue educating the district s students over the coming few years, additional financial support is clearly required if the Cherry Creek School District is to provide a world class learning experience and environment. As our Chief Financial Officer has so clearly detailed for the Board, the State of Colorado is unable to even meet the basic requirements of educating children to be armed with the knowledge and learning required to be competitive in the everchanging global economy. It is astounding to consider that the State has underfunded education through failing to meet the tenets of Amendment 23 to the tune of over one billion dollars. In the Cherry Creek School District, this underfunding equates to a cumulative loss of approximately $148 million over the last five years. In just the last three years, on a per pupil basis, this loss of funding amounts to nearly $1,000 per pupil. While the district has done an outstanding job in managing to do more with less, the financial facts suggest that additional support is needed from our community if the CCSD is to try to sustain its ability to provide an excellent education for all its students. Likewise, in order to maintain the district s schools and attempt to accommodate the anticipated student growth over the next five years, financial support in the form of general obligation bonds will be needed. As community members of the Long Range Facility Planning Committee noted in their very detailed presentation to the Board, facility and technology upgrades will be required in order to ensure the safety and high quality of the learning environment for our students. Unfortunately, there is no capitaltype support from the State in order to meet the building, maintenance, and technology needs of the district. While I recognize that the general economy over the last several years has been very challenging for our community, I do believe that our students cannot be disadvantaged waiting for our State and nation to improve. I believe that the District Leadership Team, in concert with the Long Range Facility Planning Committee, has provided a very detailed and compelling case for the needs of the school district outlined within resolution #067-12, and I would ask all citizens to carefully review the supporting documentation that will be available on the district s website. For these reasons, and many more, I will wholeheartedly support this resolution. President Churchfield stated that in this year s message from the Board, we celebrate our district s Culture of Excellence. It s a culture that attracts the best teachers and empowers them to meet the needs of all students through dedication and innovation. It ensures that students learn in a safe and caring environment with exceptional educators and a quality curriculum, enriched with outstanding arts, athletics, and activities. That 14

15 culture benefits our community by providing an educated workforce and supporting strong, stable property values. Other Business Next regular meeting: May 14, 2012; The Challenge School; 9659 E. Mississippi Ave.; Denver, CO Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Board, Director McDonald moved, seconded by Director Willman, to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 p.m. ROLL CALL: Churchfield-aye, McDonald-aye, O Brien-aye,Perlis-aye, Willman-aye. The motion carried. Claudine McDonald, Secretary Jennifer Churchfield, President Respectfully submitted by Bobbie McIntire, Executive Secretary to the Superintendent and Board of Education. 15