Key Communique

Jeffco Public Schools and Carmody Middle School fifth grade teacher Eric Hamlin have resolved the dispute that led to the teacher being placed on paid administrative leave.

Hamlin was put on leave August 23 for insubordination after refusing to comply with three directives from Carmody Principal John Schalk. Upon noticing two foreign flags in Hamlin's classroom, the principal determined there was a risk that Hamlin was in violation of Colorado law - CRS 18-11-205. The state statute limits the display of foreign flags in public buildings, including school buildings. There is an exception for a “temporary display of any instructional or historical materials not permanently affixed or attached to a building or grounds.” The principal reviewed Hamlin's curriculum and found no direct relationship between the flags and what Hamlin was going to teach in the next six weeks. The principal asked Hamlin to remove the flags and Hamlin refused.

While people of good faith may disagree as to the applicability of the law to individual circumstances, a teacher does not have the right to force the district to incur a greater legal risk than his or her supervising educators are willing to tolerate.

Hamlin met with district officials August 24 and arrived at a positive outcome to the dispute. The teacher and the district agreed that Hamlin would return to the classroom Friday, August 25. Both parties agree that the flags will be used in a manner consistent with an exception in the law that permits temporary displays of foreign flags as instructional materials.

“Our district believes in win-win situations. This will address the district's concerns regarding compliance with the law and get Mr. Hamlin back into the classroom,” said Jeffco Public Schools Superintendent Cindy Stevenson.
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The North Area Option School opened its doors to 50 ninth-graders on Tuesday, August 22. The school will operate as a “school-within-a school” at Arvada High School . Students will take rigorous college preparatory classes in English, geometry, earth science, American government and geography. In addition, the option school students will select from one of four world languages offered at Arvada High School , including Spanish, French, German and Chinese. Teachers from Arvada High School will also teach at the new school.

Additional grades will be added each year, with a maximum capacity of 300 students in grades 9-12. Fifty percent of the available enrollment is for Arvada High students and the remaining 50 percent will be filled with students choosing to enroll in the option alternative. The principal of the school is Eric Everding.
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Jeffco Public Schools will host a groundbreaking ceremony for the $27.7 million replacement of Arvada West High School at 4:30 p.m. , August 30, 2006 . The ceremony is open to the public and will take place at 11325 Allendale Drive , Arvada .

The new 162,000 square foot building features the incorporation of natural light, known as “daylighting.” This design has been proven to increase student performance and reduce energy costs. Students will continue to attend classes in the two existing buildings while construction is in progress. After the replacement facility is completed by fall 2008, the majority of the original school will be razed.

The funding for the project comes from the 2004 Jefferson County bond election when voters approved $323.8 million for building, renovating and repairing school facilities. The project is on-time and on-budget.
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Budgeting for Results included in 2006-2007 budget

During the 2005-06 school year, the district embarked upon a new budget development process to ensure that the 2006-07 operating budget better supports the commitment to student achievement.

The process, called Budgeting for Results ( BFR ), was an intensive year-long activity involving staff, community members, the Board of Education and consultants. These stakeholder groups examined existing financial resources, defined the desired results for student achievement, developed 12 strategies for achieving those results, designated funds to be used for implementing the strategies and gathered ideas and proposals from schools and departments for special funding. The proposals were then prioritized by all stakeholders, including the community.

In June, the Board of Education passed the district's 2006-07 budget, which included redirecting funds for the Budgeting for Results proposals. The finalized budget contains a detailed explanation of the BFR process as well as the district's planned income and expenses for the year. All Key Communicators are encouraged to read the budget and the summary of the funded BFR proposals.
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Board of Education changes meeting schedule

In an effort to improve communications with the public and productivity, the Board of Education is launching a new pilot meeting schedule. The Board will now meet from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. the second Friday of the month for a study session in the Board Room.

Regular Board of Education business meetings will be held beginning at 6 p.m. generally on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. There will be no study sessions prior to regular business meetings. The public can address the Board about topics related to education at business meetings by signing the Public Comment Roster located in the foyer outside the Board Room before the start of the meeting.

The Board of Education will pilot this schedule until December, when it will be re-evaluated.
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Important Dates

The Board of Education holds study/dialogue sessions (Seminar Room, 4th floor) and business meetings (Board Room, 5th floor) at the Educational Services Center, 1829 Denver West Drive, Bldg #27, Golden, unless otherwise noted.