DEL NORTE— The Del Norte Board of Education heard from construction managers, parents, and students during their update meeting at the district administration building on Nov. 29.
Kicking off the meeting, seventh- and eighth-grade social studies teacher Jill Martinez introduced a presentation from some of the eighth-graders who participated in the Southern Colorado Model United Nations (SOCOMUN) high school competition hosted at Adams State University on Oct. 19–20. Martinez chimed in occasionally, but as she told the students, “It’s your show.”
SOCOMUN organizers agreed to allow eighth-graders in the high school competition for the first time this year, and Del Norte’s younger students matched up well with upperclassmen from Pagosa Springs, Alamosa and Monte Vista.
The competition started with a debate warm-up (Pepsi or Coke? vampires vs. werewolves). In the second session they had to improvise a performance, and then the serious work began drafting resolutions for Security Council and Economic Council issues.
As Martinez noted, students from Alamosa were surprised when they learned that the Del Norte kids were in eighth grade. Receiving honorable mention for contributing to an Economic Council draft resolution earned the young Tigers even more respect.
Martinez thanked Principal Russell Randolph and the board for supporting and funding the trip to ASU. Students said they would like to participate in SOCOMUN events again.
The board fielded questions from a parent about the decision to close district schools when the volleyball team traveled for the state tournament in early November.
Del Norte School District Superintendent Chris Burr explained, many teachers requested personal days off for the trip to Denver. Some faculty members who coach also teach all ages in the district, and other staff members have children in multiple grades. Burr said they couldn’t mobilize enough substitute teachers to cover the classes.
Board members received a construction progress update from NV5 with details and pictures. Now underground, more than four miles of conduit provide access to infrastructure later. The slabs on top are vast, particularly the massive gym floor section.
The theater skeleton is about two-thirds complete. Red scaffolding rises daily as crews work the walls and cover their work within the heated tents for curing. Securing the tarps from fierce wind is a daily challenge as well.
When more big, red steel beams arrive, they’ll form the full building skeleton before crews coat the outside. Overall, the project is on schedule and on budget.
Superintendent Burr initiated a discussion with High Valley Community Center Executive Director Adrienne Atencio, who described the recent art auction and other HVCC activities. Burr said the board is prepared to transfer the middle school building to HVCC.
Principal Randolph spoke next. The Del Norte Theater Group will perform “Noises Off” on Thursday and Saturday at 7 p.m., but they’ll skip Friday for the Parade of Lights celebration. A farce, the play features a moving set that creates more chaos.
Randolph also announced the Del Norte School District Winter Concert at Tiger Fieldhouse on Dec. 17 at 6 p.m.
Responding to questions about concurrent enrollment with ASU and Trinidad State Community College, Randolph explained that Del Norte students today can take these classes online.Instead of driving to Alamosa, they can complete coursework with Del Norte staff (for example, college algebra and English courses).
Donna Velasquez followed with a budget update. Velasquez said she plans to present a final budget in January, anticipating audit results by the end of December first.
The board discussed and passed two financial action items. They approved $28,000 for band equipment, and they agreed to consolidate disparate funds into a “sweep” account at Del Norte Bank.