RANGELY | At the May 17, 2022, school board meeting, the board approved the contract for Chris Miller, Jr./Sr. High School Principal. Superintendent Matt Scoggins offered recognition to Miller and is excited to have him with the district. Miller hails from St. Louis and has lived, worked and played in Colorado for 19 years. He and his family are moving to Rangely from Rifle, where they have lived for the past 11 years. The Miller family includes mom, wife and teacher Brooke, and six children. The family is very excited to join the Rangely community and the Panther team.
Miller has two undergraduate degrees from the University of Northern Colorado in elementary education and English as a second language for grades K-12. After graduating, he pursued his graduate degree from UNCO in special education and completed graduate work in educational technology at Boise State University. Miller additionally earned his Master of Educational Leadership from Western Governors University in 2017. He has had experience teaching English in Thailand and China. Miller has visited 38 countries across six continents while building experience volunteering in humanitarian projects, including building churches and houses in Southern Africa and working in Mother Theresa homes in India. His professional goals align with Rangely 4-E district goals to build champions for life. He aims to create a physically and emotionally safe environment where a team of students, teachers, parents and the community dedicates their efforts to support each other. Miller recognizes and emphasizes the need for teamwork and community participation in achieving success, “together, and only together, we will build a community of champions in life.” Supporting teachers, students and parents separately and collectively to help create learning experiences and shape each student’s vision for their lives and dreams. The board was enthusiastic about approving Miller’s contract and looks forward to all that the Miller family will bring to Rangely.
Scoggins also offered recognition to the Jr./Sr. High School admin team for their efforts in hosting the Senior Awards Presentation, which was “emotional and inspiring.” In his report as superintendent to the Board, Scoggins shared updates that included a survey seeking feedback about potentially awarding a “teacher-of-the-year,” details about the JSHS hiring process, a presentation on the BEST Grant application, and information on a data breach from EDU Climber. Letters would be going home to families about the data breach and that it was a mild breach with limited information accessed. The district has applied for several grants with highlights including grants for HEPA filters being tested around the EEC building to see if they are disruptive, grants to further increase robotics and 3D printing accessibility for students. In partnership with Meeker School District RE-1, a program to boost social-emotional learning (SEL) and support. Scoggins remarked on how difficult the school year has been for many students, families and staff. He hopes to increase the ability to support those struggling and build more vital skills in moving forward positively from complex challenges. The board held a discussion with Scoggins about the projected budget. Scoggins detailed several critical items, including a rise in health insurance premiums and which may be flexible in negotiating.
Hike and Bike to school day was held on May 11. The weather cooperated, and many families participated. Parkview Elementary Principal Carlene Cantrell offered a special shout-out to Barb Combes, a Title I teacher, for coordinating and running the Family Math and Literacy Night on May 3. Combes is retiring at the end of this school year, and she was honored with thanks from Cantrell and the board. Cantrell offered recognition to Angie Hill for her work in organizing a bike rodeo on May 11 and with Field Day on May 23. Summer school will be provided at Parkview in July. Dorthy McCarty, Chloe Schifano, and Kamryn Prince have signed up to teach this year
By KATIE KING | Special to The Herald Times
