• shuttershock

Now, if you're an out-of-state-but-a-citizen-of-these-United States-yet-can't-obtain-residency-status-until-two-years-so-paying-high-tuition student like myself, then you no doubt shook your head in frustration as you made your student loan payment this month. And with the national student loan debt having crested $1 trillion, it's even more apparent now that we need deals on our education.

I, like so many are already setting out to do, was ready to begin beating the war drums demanding my tuition be lowered. I wanted to scream it from mountaintop that I deserve to be considered for in-state tuition as well. But once the caffeine in my system had diminished, I read article after article to further understand the gist of the bill. And after reading the actual bill (and not what other people thought the bill to be), I understood the various hoops through which undocumented immigrants have to leap to even be considered for in-state tuition.

(See attached pdf for actual bill:)
033_01.pdf

Here are a few stipulations to be considered:

1) The student must've attended three years of high school, or attained a GED in the state of Colorado.
2) The student must attend a college or university within 18 months of finishing high school.
3) The student must have applied for legal presence in the state.

These are among a plethora of other requirements that U.S. citizens don't have to go through.

Referred to as ASSET (Advanced Students for a Stronger Economy Tomorrow) bill, SB 033 makes Colorado one of 12 or so states to embrace such legislation. I've read that the bill makes Colorado a "haven" for undocumented immigrants, and that is bypasses the rights of citizens. But in my reading, the reality is it does nothing to compromise the level of education in colleges and universities.

Through this bill, Colorado embraces student longevity and opportunity for those that don't have it in their homeland. Lets face it: It's not like undocumented immigrants are getting a free education. I, for one, think that there is enough brain-learning to accommodate anyone. And personally, I would like to welcome undocumented immigrants to the world of student loans.

• LibAmanda
• The school library was once focused on these things, which we called "books."

I grew up a stereotype.

Too tall for my age, with bushy hair and bad fashion sense, I tended to walk down school hallways with my nose quite literally in a book. And yes, I did occasionally run into open locker doors.

Needless to say, I was one of those rare kids who took easily to the library. I loved the quiet. I loved the brainy librarians. I even loved the card catalogue. Here was a place that I could go and be left alone with my books.

And I do mean alone.

But the modern school library isn't the quiet affair that it once was, and many educators say that's a good thing. Libraries — including local ones — have gotten louder and more creative, drawing kids with programs on blogging and creating webpages.

The Colorado Department of Education just handed out 14 awards for "Highly Effective School Libraries" statewide. Three went to Colorado Springs School District 11. Only Jeffco Public Schools received more honors. That's certainly worth an "atta boy" — even if the nerd in me is a little sad to see the quiet sanctuary of the school library go the way of the dinosaur.

Colorado recognizes 14 Highly Effective School Libraries

Today’s most effective libraries are centers of activity with students sharing ideas and creating online displays of what they’re learning. Those are hallmarks of the 14 Highly Effective School Library honorees announced today by the Colorado Department of Education.

In comparison with libraries in past decades, which were associated with keeping quiet, reading, and maintaining order, today’s school libraries are the interactive hub of the school. They are places where active learning and inquiry are encouraged and explored. Students at these recognized libraries created blogs during an argumentative writing unit, created web pages to demonstrate learning in a science unit and offered constructive peer feedback to one another using Google comments.

“Twenty-first century skills are an essential component in education today, and effective school libraries and librarians are critical links for attaining these skills,” said Eugene Hainer, assistant commissioner and state librarian at CDE. “Students can benefit from the district’s support of these highly effective programs and the staff in the honored libraries.”

Prior to applying, each teacher-librarian, along with their respective principal, assessed their library program using the “Highly Effective School Library Program Evaluation Rubric.” This assessment tool outlines what a quality school library program should look like in areas such as student and teacher collaboration, differentiated instruction, curriculum development and leadership both within and outside the school community.

State and national studies conducted over the past two decades show that students in schools with endorsed librarians score better on standardized achievement tests in reading, compared with students in schools without endorsed librarians. The presence of school librarians positively impacted students’ standardized reading scores even when controlling for student poverty (free and reduced-cost meals). Even if schools had overall staff declines between 2004 and 2008, students’ standardized reading scores were better in schools that maintained or gained a licensed librarian.

Go to www.lrs.org/documents/school/school_library_impact.jpg to view a complete list of the study and its findings.

Commissioner of Education Robert Hammond will recognize the 14 libraries at the April State Board of Education meeting.

The Highly Effective School Library 2013 recipients are:

• Bennett High School, Bennett School District
• Bill Roberts ECE-8 School, Denver Public Schools
• Chipeta Elementary, Colorado Springs School District 11
• Deane Elementary, Jeffco Public Schools
• Eaglecrest High School, Cherry Creek Schools
• East Middle School, Mesa County Valley School District 51
• Holmes Middle School, Colorado Springs School District 11
• Horizon High School, Adams 12 Five Star Schools
• Ken Caryl Middle School, Jeffco Public Schools
• Martinez Elementary, Colorado Springs School District 11
• Ralston Elementary & Parmalee Elementary, Jeffco Public Schools
• Ryan Elementary, Boulder Valley School District
• Thomas Jefferson High School, Denver Public Schools

Upset parents will get a chance to recall six members of the Colorado Springs School District 11 Board of Education, the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder's Office announced today.

After some initial problems, the clerk approved the petitions to recall all the members of the board except Bob Null.

The three parents leading the effort are upset about recent school closures, including the decision to close Wasson High School, and related issues. They will need to collect 15,000 verified signatures per board member over the next 60 days in order to force an election.

Read on:

El Paso County Clerk and Recorder Approves D11 Recall Petitions for Circulation
(March 7, 2013 — Colorado Springs, Colo.) —El Paso County Clerk and Recorder Wayne Williams approved as to form petitions submitted to recall six of seven Colorado Springs School District 11 Board of Education Directors (Nora Brown, Al Loma, LuAnn Long, Sandra Mann, Elaine Naleski, and Jan Tanner). The Recall Committee may now circulate the petitions for no more than 60 days. A minimum of 15,000 verified petition signatures are required for each of the petitions.

Petitions were initially submitted on Feb. 28 and, after review, were disapproved as to form on March 4. The Recall Committee members, including Mariam Kurvink, Elaine Shoemaker, and Dorothy Dykes, submitted revised petitions March 5.

The Clerk & Recorder is the Designated Election Official (DEO) in school board recalls. Recall petitions are submitted to the Clerk and Recorder’s Office for approval as to form. The Clerk’s Office has until the close of the seventh business day following submission to approve or disapprove a petition for circulation.

Once the DEO receives a signed petition, it is reviewed and verified against the registration records. The petition review must be completed no later than 15 business days after the initial filing of the petition. If the petition is deemed sufficient, a 15-day protest period begins. If a protest is filed, a hearing is set and is heard by the DEO. The hearing shall be concluded within 30 days after the protest is filed.

If the recall petition’s sufficiency is sustained, a date for the election is set. The recall election date shall be from 45 days to 75 days after the recall petition has been deemed sufficient and the time for protest has passed. Nomination petitions for successor candidates may be circulated beginning the first date on which a protest may be filed and must be filed no later than 10 calendar days after the DEO sets the election date. Nomination petitions are taken out at the office of the DEO.

The timeline below for the recall process shows estimated dates only. All dates are subject to change depending on when/if protests are filed, how many are filed and the length of time for the Clerk’s office to complete each step.

3/07/13 — Petition approved for circulation

3/08/13 — First day to circulate the petitions

5/06/13 — Last day to file petitions with Clerk & Recorder

5/28/13 — Petition review complete and notice of appearance of sufficiency or insufficiency issued

6/12/13 — If petition is sufficient 15 day protest period ends on this day

6/21/13 — Last day to hold a hearing if protest filed on last day

7/12/13 — Final day for hearing decision

8/26/13 to 9/25/13 — If sufficiency sustained on last day, election date set between 45 and 75 days from 7/12/13

The school district is responsible for reimbursement to the Office of the Clerk & Recorder for reasonable expenses incurred in performing duties relating to the recall of an incumbent of the political subdivision. The 2006 recall election involving District 11 cost $256,729.22.

# # #

As expected, concerned parents have made needed changes to their D-11 recall petitions and resubmitted them.

EL PASO COUNTY CLERK AND RECORDER RECEIVES REVISED SUBMISSION OF D11 RECALL PETITIONS

[March 5, 2013 — Colorado Springs, CO] — The El Paso County Clerk and Recorder’s office today received a revised submission of petitions to recall six of seven Colorado Springs School District 11 Board of Education Directors (Nora Brown, Al Loma, LuAnn Long, Sandra Mann, Elaine Naleski, and Jan Tanner). The initial petitions were submitted on Feb. 28 and, after review, were disapproved as to form on March 4. The Recall Committee Members include: Mariam Kurvink, Elaine Shoemaker and Dorothy Dykes.

The Clerk & Recorder is the Designated Election Official (DEO) in school board recalls. Recall petitions are submitted to the Clerk and Recorder’s Office for approval as to form. The Clerk’s Office has until the close of the seventh business day following submission to approve or disapprove a petition for circulation. Once approved, the petition may be circulated for no more than sixty days. A minimum of 15,000 petition signatures are required for each of the School District 11 Board Directors.

El Paso County Clerk Wayne Williams has refused all six recall petitions, though will slight changes they can be resubmitted for approval.

El Paso County Clerk and Recorder Disapproves D-11 Recall Petitions Committee members may revise and resubmit petitions

[March 4, 2013 — Colorado Springs, CO] — El Paso County Clerk and Recorder Wayne Williams has disapproved as to form all six recall petitions filed Feb. 28, 2013 against directors of the Colorado Springs School District 11 Board of Education, including Nora Brown, Al Loma, LuAnn Long, Sandra Mann, Elaine Naleski, and Jan Tanner. Williams today notified recall committee members and the subjects of the recall efforts of the findings after two working days of review. Committee members (Mariam Kurvink, Elaine Shoemaker, and Dorothy Dykes)may revise and resubmit the petitions for approval.

Williams explained, “The findings, while important, were relatively small issues we believe the committee can correct rather quickly. We anticipate the committee will return the petitions for ultimate approval to begin circulation for signatures. Our office works diligently to facilitate citizens’ rights as outlined by the State Constitution.”

The Clerk & Recorder is the Designated Election Official (DEO) in school board recalls. A recall petition is submitted to the Clerk and Recorder’s Office for approval as to form. The clerk’s office has until the close of the seventh business day following submission to approve or disapprove a petition for circulation. Once approved, the petition may be circulated for no more than sixty days. A minimum of 15,000 petition signatures are required for each of the Colorado Springs School District 11 Board of Education directors.

###

——- ORIGINAL POST, Friday, 12:11 P.M. ——-

Parents upset that the Colorado Springs District 11 Board of Education has voted to close two elementary schools and Wasson High School are fighting back.

Parents will petition for a recall election challenging the seats of all board members, except Bob Null. Null fought to keep Wasson open.

In addition to closures, parents are upset that the board decided Wednesday to sell two closed schools. Irving Education Center, which was just slated for closure, and Jefferson Elementary, which was closed in 2009, will bring in more than $7 million. That's led some to question whether the true motivation for recent closures was a big pay-off.

The district denies the accusation and has given other reasons for the closures.

El Paso County Clerk & Recorder Receives 6 Recall Petitions for D11 Board of Education Directors
February 28, 2013 - This afternoon, El Paso County Clerk and Recorder Wayne Williams received six recall petitions for Directors of the District 11 Board of Education. The recall petitions were filed against the following Board Directors: Elaine Naleski, Nora Brown, Al Loma, Sandra Mann, Luann Long and Jan Tanner. The Recall Committee Members include: Mariam Kurvink, Elaine Shoemaker and Dorothy Dykes.

The Clerk & Recorder is the Designated Election Official (DEO) in school board recalls. A recall petition is submitted to the Clerk and Recorder’s Office for approval as to form. The Clerk’s Office has until the close of the seventh business day following submission to approve or disapprove a petition for circulation. Once approved, the petition may be circulated for no more than sixty days. A minimum of 15,000 petition signatures are required for each of the School District 11 Board Directors.

Once the DEO receives the signed petition, it is reviewed and verified against the registration records. The petition review must be completed no later than fifteen business days after the initial filing of the petition. If the petition is deemed sufficient, the 15 day protest period begins. If a protest is filed, a hearing is set and is heard by the DEO. The hearing shall be concluded within thirty days after the protest is filed.

If the recall petition’s sufficiency is sustained, a date for the election is set. The recall election date shall be from forty-five days to seventy-five days after the recall petition has been deemed sufficient and the time for protest has passed. Nomination petitions for successor candidates may be circulated beginning the first date on which a protest may be filed and must be filed no later than ten calendar days after the DEO sets the election date. Nomination petitions are taken out at the office of the DEO.

If the recall petitions received by the Clerk and Recorder were to be approved on March 1, 2013, and the maximum time was taken for each portion of the recall process, this is a tentative schedule for the process:

3/01/13 — Petition approved for circulation

4/30/13 — Last day to file petition with Clerk & Recorder

5/21/13 — Petition review complete and notice of appearance of sufficiency or insufficiency issued

6/05/13 — If petition is sufficient 15 day protest period ends on this day

6/14/13 — Last day to hold a hearing if protest filed on last day

7/12/13 — Final day for hearing decision

8/26/13 to 9/25/13 — If sufficiency sustained on last day, election date set between 45 and 75 days from 7/12/13

The School District is responsible for reimbursement to the Office of the Clerk & Recorder for reasonable expenses incurred by the County Clerk and Recorder in performing duties relating to the recall of an incumbent of the political subdivision. The 2006 recall election involving District 11 cost $256,729.22.

• Student Aaron Shoemaker loved Wasson's School of Innovation program.

But since the District 11 Board of Education decided that it will close Wasson at the end of the year, the School of Innovation concept looked like it would be short-lived in the Springs.

Now, it seems that may not be the case after all. Earlier this month, the Falcon School District 49 Board of Education unanimously approved a plan to make Sand Creek High School a School of Innovation. The plan will now move on to the Colorado Board of Education for final approval.

According to a press release, Sand Creek students will have the opportunity to participate in specialized programs, or “pathways,” if the plan is approved. For instance, “A media and communications pathway will focus on developing career-ready skills in the tech, graphic design and marketing industries and will include dual credit options with area universities,” it stated. Other pathways include one for visual and performing arts, and another for engineering and technology.

• Nick Gledich

The board voted 6-1 in favor of the closures, with Bob Null casting the dissenting vote.

The following is a statement released last night by Superintendent Nicholas Gledich:

Tonight the School District 11 Board of Education voted on the recommendations brought forward by staff as a result of the Optimization of Utilization Plan. The final vote this evening was in favor of the following:

· Consolidate from five to four comprehensive high schools, close Wasson High School and integrate students into Coronado, Doherty, Mitchell, and Palmer.
· Open an Early College, Career, and Alternative Education Center at the Wasson location; consolidate current alternative, career pathway, and adult and family education programs.
o This consideration provides a single location for D11 alternative programs: Tesla, Bijou, Night School, Digital, Achieve K-12, Homebound and Home School, Adult and Family Education, and Career Pathway programs (including auto, hospitality, medical, and ProStart).
· Resolve the Monroe Elementary School detached boundary. There is no impact on students.

· Close Bates Elementary School and Lincoln Elementary School; integrate students into Jackson, Edison, Audubon, and Fremont Elementary Schools

As a result of this vote, many District 11 students, families, and employees will face some significant change next school year. During the Board’s comments tonight, board members remarked on what a difficult challenge it is to close schools, but that they have to be wise stewards of taxpayer funds, while also working to ensure District 11 provides the best quality education for all students. I echo their thoughts tonight, as this has been one of the most difficult processes I’ve ever had to consider as a superintendent.

Board members also discussed the Optimization of Utilization procedure that was used to gather public input, and remarked on the inclusivity and opportunity given for public feedback. Both the Board of Education and I are grateful for all of the community members who took the time to give us feedback and ask questions during this process. The feedback was used as part of the criteria to form the recommendations and will be incorporated in how we will move forward to implement the plan and address needs. Thank you for your help in that process, it was very valuable to both the Board and me.

In light of the vote this evening, I know the coming months may be filled with many questions from our D11 families as to what happens next. I have directed all district staff to work closely together over the next few months to communicate needs and ideas, ensuring a smooth transition for all impacted students and families. Through diligent attention to details, sensitivity to those impacted by changes, and effort to prepare students for a world yet to be imagined, I know District 11 will become even stronger and continue to provide the highest quality education to all students.

Dr. Nicholas M. Gledich
Superintendent of Schools

The following details come courtesy of Wasson PTA president Fred Crofford:

On Tuesday, 05 February, at 3PM, The Wasson PTA, Wasson alumni, concerned citizens, Wasson students and Mr. Rick "Goose" Gossage will be meeting at the T-Bird located behind Wasson High School. Then at 3:30 the "Walk for Wasson" will commence and travel , as a show of solidarity, to the School District Administrative building. .


This event will be a peaceful demonstration to show the District and School Board Members that closing Wasson is a mistake and that doing so will sacrifice the 950 students currently attending Wasson. We believe other more beneficial alternatives have been made and should be considered before closing a school with a rich history like Roy J. Wasson High School..

But Wasson supporters, including alumnus and Major League great Goose Gossage, are speaking out now. They say they will reveal "the truth" about the planned closure at a press conference at 10 a.m. tomorrow, Jan. 29, in front of Wasson.

At this point they aren't revealing much about their agenda, but expect some questioning of the Board's motives.