Meeker

Meeker School Board ponders budget, may use carry-over funds

MEEKER I The Meeker School District RE-1 (MSD) Board of Education Board held two work sessions last week to discuss next year’s budget.
On Thursday night, a committee was formed to draft and promote a mill levy increase for the November ballot. Natosha Clatterbaugh was chosen as chairman.
No decisions were made at Wednesday’s work session, but a significant change in direction was articulated by MSD Board President Bill deVergie.
“I’m tired of cutting and wonder at what point we stop,” deVergie said.
MSD has been making cuts since 2003, and many on the board said they can’t make further cuts without risking the district’s educational mission. The board discussed using its end-of-year reserves for the next two to five years to maintain current programs.
Board member Bud Ridings shared some of the risks he took in his business and thought using reserves to invest in the future might be a good idea.
“We need to take care of what we have — meaning our people,” Ridings said.
Studies show one bad year takes students three good years to get back, said Barone Middle School Principal Jim Hanks. When asked what was minimum funding, Hanks responded, “I think we are there.”
“These kids can’t put their education on the shelf for a year or two; this is their only shot,” said Mary Strang, president of the Meeker Education Foundation.
Most of the board members talked about finding the “happy medium to get by.”
deVergie said it will take a combination of cost savings like the four-day week, passing a mill levy this fall, having outside help from other special taxing districts and maybe risking annual borrowing to meet payroll.
MSD Supervisor Mark Meyer said that with the current $3.9 million in reserves, MSD is close to needing a loan to meet this year’s payroll obligations. The estimated $3.2 million that would be left in reserves after FY 2013-14 obligations might not be enough to meet payroll and other expenses while waiting for annual tax revenue next year. Interest-free loans are available from the Colorado State Treasurer for this purpose and would likely be needed in future years to alleviate temporary annual deficits if the reserve fund is depleted. School districts must ask for the funds by May 30 and pay them back by June 25.
“If closing a building saves us $12, we should do it, so the money can go toward kids,” board member Tom Allen said when discussing the use of the administration building.
The MSD board made an agreement with Meeker Fire District to do fire safety checks and update fire extinguishers, saving the district up to $15,000. The hospital board has been approached to fund some of MSD’s health functions. Superintendent Mark Meyer said Verizon was interested in a cell tower near the football field, which could be up to $9,600 per year in rent.
The board has contacted Eastern Rio Blanco Metropolitan (ERBM) Park and Recreation District about a partnership or additional grant. The ERBM has already promised $400,000 toward a new high school track. Discussions are also under way about a reduction in funding for the Rio Blanco Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES).
After suggesting Rio Blanco County purchase the old BLM building or the rock school house, in a meeting with several board members, the Rio Blanco County Commissioners turned down any help for the schools.
MSD Transportation Director Roy Wedding discussed cost-savings proposals, including shortening or combining current routes, eliminating routes and using smaller buses.
“The Piceance Creek and Highway 64 bus route should be looked at to save money,” board member Todd Shults said.
Wedding urged the board to work with parents that may be impacted directly. He said the board could consider asking for fees since other Colorado school districts do this. Wedding said he wasn’t offering solutions, just options.
MSD will spend $278,000 for athletic programs in FY 2013-14, and deVergie expressed concern that athletic cuts have not been discussed.
Tim Webber, the executive director of the Western Rio Blanco Metropolitan (WRBM) Recreation and Park District spoke Wednesday night. Rangely voters approved a mill levy crafted by Webber to fund Rangely School District athletics to relieve the Rangely district of extra-curricular expenses. RSD now uses all its per-pupil funds allocated by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) for academic programs.
Webber said that WRBM has no direct responsibility for hiring, firing or other program-related decisions, but estimates that the fiscal oversight saved RSD $40,000 in the first year and it seems to be a success.

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  • Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
  • The 2024 Meeker High School boys basketball team held their awards banquet last week. Jace Mobley was named Player of the Western Slope League and all-conference, Ryan Sullivan all-conference, Jonathon Fitzgibbons all-conference, Ethan Quinn honorable mention all-conference, Jacob Simonsen honorable mention all conference. Mobley will play in All State games. Coach Klark Kindler was named Western Slope Coach of the Year. Left to right: Bryan Rosas, Simonsen, Quinn, Fitzgibbons, Mobley and Sullivan.
  • It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week.
Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
We appreciate all your continued support!
  • It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
  • Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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  • Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
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Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
15 hours ago
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The 2024 Meeker High School boys basketball team held their awards banquet last week. Jace Mobley was named Player of the Western Slope League and all-conference, Ryan Sullivan all-conference, Jonathon Fitzgibbons all-conference, Ethan Quinn honorable mention all-conference, Jacob Simonsen honorable mention all conference. Mobley will play in All State games. Coach Klark Kindler was named Western Slope Coach of the Year. Left to right: Bryan Rosas, Simonsen, Quinn, Fitzgibbons, Mobley and Sullivan.
The 2024 Meeker High School boys basketball team held their awards banquet last week. Jace Mobley was named Player of the Western Slope League and all-conference, Ryan Sullivan all-conference, Jonathon Fitzgibbons all-conference, Ethan Quinn honorable mention all-conference, Jacob Simonsen honorable mention all conference. Mobley will play in All State games. Coach Klark Kindler was named Western Slope Coach of the Year. Left to right: Bryan Rosas, Simonsen, Quinn, Fitzgibbons, Mobley and Sullivan.
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It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week.
Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
We appreciate all your continued support!
It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week. Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! We appreciate all your continued support!
22 hours ago
View on Instagram |
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It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
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4 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
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A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
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