In 2008, Dolores School District voters approved a mill levy override that gave $390,000 in additional revenue to the district and that will expire soon.
About 40 percent of the revenue from increased property taxes raised by the 2008 levy - $150,000 - goes toward salaries. The rest - $240,000 - goes toward technology, library services and building improvements and projects.
The 2008 mill levy sunsets in 2016, and the district board of education wants to continue the services set with that money.
"All the teachers' salaries immediately went up $2,000 when it was passed," said Dolores School District Superintendent Scott Cooper.
"In 2008, (the mill levy) was a quick way for the district to attract and attain high-quality staff," Cooper said.
Cooper and the board have a lot to do before the levy is placed on a ballot. For example, should they ask for the same amount of money, less, or up the ante? Cooper said he expects to hold a series of public meetings to discuss the issue.
"We have to go for it now and see what the public is willing to do," Cooper said. "I hear a lot of parents say we need to invest in technology, but we need to see what the public is willing to do."
Draft school calendar up
The board of education got its first look at next year's school calendar, which includes a few minor changes from last year's.
Spring break would move to March 21-25, and students would get Columbus Day off. The first day of school would be Aug. 19, and the last day, June 2.
A draft of the calendar iss on the district's website at doloresschools.org. Cooper said he welcomes comments.
The calendar would continue to offer learning days for teachers, usually every other Friday.
The board plans to approve the calendar during its March 12 meeting.
Cooper evaluation; student testing
Cooper was evaluated last week in closed session. When board members reconvened in open session, they voted to extend Cooper's contract for another year, to June 30, 2017. This has been done the previous three years.
Cooper's salary was increased by the average percentage increase the teachers receive when new contracts are finalized this spring. This has been done the previous three years.
Board members also discussed approving a waiver from PARCC and CMAS testing requirements, but in the end decided not to do so.
"We are still going to test our kids," Cooper said.
Part of the discussion revolved around a letter from the Colorado Attorney General sent out state wide,stating that schools were not allowed to seek waivers from the state-mandated testing, which will be given on computers only for the first time this year.
