Meeker

Meeker superintendent shares response to state survey

MEEKER | Meeker School District Superintendent Chris Selle shared with the board last week the district’s response to a survey from key legislators and referred the board to a compilation of active legislative issues.
A few weeks ago, a small group of legislators sent school districts across the state a survey asking key questions that could jump start an effort to establish a vision for Colorado’s public education. They asked the districts to discuss the questions with their school boards and their district accountability committees. Meeker’s state representative Bob Rankin (R-Carbondale) and Rep. Millie Hamner (D-Frisco), both members of the powerful Joint Budget Committee, are part of this legislative group.
One of the last questions asked on the survey was whether the district or community members would be interested in getting involved in helping legislators develop a statewide plan to improve public education and would the effort be meaningful.
Meeker responded: “We are not particularly interested in getting involved with this plan and question if it is meaningful. With regard to school funding, multiple studies and multiple plans have been conducted and presented with no tangible improvements in funding. Caution exists regarding what benefit can come from another study or plan……We do not need another plan. We need the resources and freedom to use our professional judgement (sic) to address the needs we see in our local communities.”
Regarding whether the Meeker groups were satisfied with student achievement and outcomes, and five top strategies, the response was that while Meeker academic achievement is generally strong, top strategies to improve are: additional student emotional support so as to further limit classroom interruptions; smaller classes; more technical curriculum and instruction; academic interventions via reading and other federal programs; and greater differentiation for advanced students.
The reply further identified other needs: To have salaries and benefits that are competitive with other industries requiring similar education and training; expanded curricula and electives; broader cultural experience for students; greater service opportunities for students; more up-to-date curriculum materials; and filling some growing gaps in appropriate educational facilities.
Regarding what learning experiences are foreseen for students down the road, the types and levels of learning, and how information and learning will be accomplished, Meeker’s response was: through STEM/STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) and technical integration students will become more creators of technology rather than simply being consumers; increased critical thinking and problem solving; increased collaboration in order to be competitive in the worldwide market; and it will become increasingly important for all kids to get a high school education in order to position themselves for post-secondary education in some form or to have a marketable skill set.
Regarding what the Colorado legislature has done to support or detract from the district’s ability to do the best for our students, Meeker’s response was: most legislation has detracted—getting mandate after mandate over the last seven to eight years without the resources to implement them; recent reductions in state standardized testing has been beneficial, but the constantly changing policies have caused much frustration; cutting required uniform improvement plans to once every two years (from every year) for rural districts has been helpful, but there’s not much benefit to improvement plans in general; and the BEST (Building Excellent Schools Today) grant program has been a real plus.
Regarding the district’s top challenges: Insufficient funding to meet student needs; dealing with legislation or rules suitable for urban/suburban districts that have no context for rural districts; redundant data reporting; increasing social, emotional needs of students; providing competitive salaries; aging and inadequate facilities (especially the high school); funding curriculum materials; funding instructional coaching; and funding transportation (buying school buses and small vehicles).
In closing remarks, Meeker said legislative efforts to address funding inadequacies for K-12 education are greatly appreciated and that they hope this effort will afford local communities the flexibility needed to determine the best uses for additional dollars when they become a reality.
Selle’s legislative referral was to an analysis of bills important to education done by the Colorado Rural Schools Alliance (CRSA). They identified finance, assessment (testing) and flexibility as the big issues. On the state budgeting process, they report that the current budget (Long Bill) for K-12 education, which was released last week, is $140 million higher than the governor requested, and that it does not rely on any increase in marijuana taxes or a partial repeal of the senior homestead exemption. Total funding for Colorado public schools looks to remain flat for 2017-2018, but there is skepticism that the legislature can actually find the necessary dollars to make that a reality. There is still an expectation of an increase in the negative factor (balancing take-away).
With regard to the TABOR (Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights) Act from 1992, two Republican western slope legislators have introduced a bill to put a proposition before voters on the November ballot which would change the way the excess state revenue cap is calculated. The change would grow the cap annually by the average rate of change in state personal income for the previous five years. Proponents argue that this is a better measure of state prosperity. It would reduce revenues due back to state residents by $133 million for the next fiscal year and $203 million for 2018-19. CRSA supports this bill.
A measure to require the sharing of school district mill levy revenues with charter schools is in progress. This bill would have little to no impact for Meeker, but is an important funding question for alternative charter schools state-wide. CRSA opposes this concept.
Regarding the vision and study of education in Colorado down the road, it’s possible the legislature may form an interim committee to study school finance and create a better funding formula. Rankin and Hamner may also push the creation of a legislative task force to focus on a strong education vision and finding a way to generate the necessary revenue. This is a follow-up effort on the survey discussed above.
Legislation to set a uniform mill levy for every school district, as has been recommended by the Joint Budget Committee, is expected but has not yet been introduced.
On flexibility, Rep. Jim Wilson (R-Salida) has a bill which would allow rural districts to hire unlicensed teachers if they cannot find a qualified, licensed teacher for a given position. The school board, in those cases, would have to enact a “critical teacher shortage” resolution.
On standardized testing, a bipartisan bill is pending which would eliminate current ninth grade PARCC tests, replacing them with a test aligned with the 10th grade tests which are now from SAT. CRSA supports this change.
The current 110/140 day limits on retired (PERA) teachers would be eliminated for those who return to teach, cook or drive a bus for a rural district. PERA itself opposes this legislation citing fiscal issues, but CRSA, the Colorado Association of School Executives and the Colorado Education Association support it.
A bill to allow a diploma endorsement for mastery in STEM subjects is pending. CRSA is neutral on this issue as students in rural schools would be disadvantaged by not having access to advanced classes.
Newly elected state representative Barbara McLachlan (D-Durango) has introduced a bill that would require the Colorado Departments of Higher Education and K-12 Education to do strategic planning regarding teacher shortages. CRSA supports her bill.

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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.
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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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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.
6 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!
13 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.
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2 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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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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Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
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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.
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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