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Council Notes October 17 2024

10/17/2024 Council Meeting Minutes
Horizons K-8 School
Meeting Agenda:  Copy of Council Meeting Agenda (Detailed) – October 17, 2024.docx - Google Docs

Call to Order: 5:34 PM

  • Quorum established

Facilitators: Kristin Hauger, Travis Lockhart, Jasmine GBC

Notetaker: Michelle Bargo

5:34 PM - Welcome Meditation - Kristin Hauger

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5:41 PM - Built-In SAC Meeting - GBC

  • This is the first of 4 built-in SAC Meetings at Council this school year.  Future SAC Meetings will occur at the following Council meetings: Dec. 19, Feb. 20, Apr. 17
  • Principal’s Update
    • Our 24/25 enrollment totals are either 359 or 361, depending on how BVSD calculates the count.
    • Horizons Budget: 
      • Fund 11 is based on our student enrollment numbers and covers operating costs.   No interest is earned on this account.
      • Council Budget is money that we have earned through fundraising.  This account earns interest.
      • BVSD just reimbursed some overcharged funds from 23/24.
      • In 5/24 Council approved approximately $215 K for various purchases.  The transfer may or may not occur this fiscal year.  
    • UIP (Unified Improvement Plan): 
      • Based on CMAS scores, we are in the highest category of school performance.  Horizons is consistently high in performance.
      • Horizons showed relatively less progress in the category of growth last year.  
      • Our UIP is to improve math differentiation with a focus on grades 3/4.  The goal is more leveled math groups.  Last school year in math: 
        • 45% of 3/4 students experienced a year’s worth of growth in math last year
        • 75% of middle school students experienced a year’s worth of growth in math last year
  • DAC Report - Becky Goddard
    • Board of Ed report: 
      • There are policy issues related to the upcoming elections:  
        • BVSD is opposed to Amendment 80 (school of choice).  The reason for this opposition is that the amendment is worded in a way that creates a gateway to public vouchers for private schools.
        • BVSD is in support of RTD measure 7A.
      • The district is looking at increasing the math and science hours required for HS graduation from 20 to 30 hours.
      • In the future, Becky will have the opportunity to present perspectives from Horizons to DAC.

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6:16 PM - Nine Horizons docents took parents on tours of the pop-up art exhibit on display.  Thank you to Persephone, Corwin, Francesca, Freya, Miller, Louisa, Allen, Elja, and Jaclyn!

6:48 PM - Hawks Happenings

  • Kim Paplawski, Megan Siat, & Fran Cohen presented slides from several recent 1/2 field trips: 
    • YMCA of the Rockies: Students experienced low ropes, team building, stream ecology, and more.  There was a magical moment when elk gathered nearby.  
    • Jeff & Paige concert in Burke Park
    • Walden Ponds 
    • Growing Gardens - The kids really enjoyed wearing the bee-keeping suits.
    • Denver Botanic Gardens
    • Sombrero Marsh

7:04 PM - Classroom Cleaning: Discussion Protocol - Kristin Hauger

  • There are 2 existing classroom cleaning practices at Horizons:
    • Families have historically volunteered to do the classroom cleaning.
    • Parents who can’t volunteer to clean the classrooms have in the past paid a “cleaning fee” as a way to contribute.
  • Community comments
  • Breakout groups
  • Motion:  Return to a historical classroom cleaning model.  Families can volunteer to clean classrooms at least twice per year per student and/or pay a voluntary donation which goes towards vacuum cleaners or cleaning supplies.  No outside cleaners are allowed.
    • Seconded: Elizabeth Parady
    • Concorded

** Attendees can independently review the final agenda items individually due to the late hour.  Find a link to the agenda at the top of this document.

Adjourned:  7:42 PM