RANGELY I Matt Scoggins introduced new faculty, either new to the district or new to a position.
• Maya Mercado – Paraprofessional
• Chloe Schifano – Kindergarten Teacher
• Jesse McCann – IT Director
• Matt Mercado – Special Ed Teacher
• Kimberlee Waller – Custodial Staff
New BOCES board member Ann Franklin was introduced and officers were named.
• President – Kevin Amack (Meeker)
• Vice President – Sarah Nielsen (Rangely)
• Secretary – Jerry Lebleu (Rangely)
School board meetings were set on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:15 p.m. in the EEC building. The postings of the meetings will continue to be on the website and at each school building, at least twenty-four hours before the meeting starts.
The school board will pursue a BEST grant this year despite the match being 73% of the awarded amount. The goal is to cover the critical items that will keep students and faculty dry, warm and safe. These items include roofing, HVAC, and safety and security. There are several places in the EEC building that have had significant leaks and there are fire suppression problems at RJSHS. The final grant applications are expected to fall between $17-20 million.
Superintendent Matt Scoggins updated the board regarding several major maintenance issues. A line in the fire suppression system burst on the first day back to school, one of the two boilers at the high school failed in December and was replaced with a Lochinvar. The other boiler is 15 years old and is expected to fail next. A crack in the wall of the weight room is getting bigger as settling issues become more apparent. On a positive note, in efforts to improve access to events in the school district, the district is working with the NFHS Network. They will install cameras in the gym and football field. Viewers will need to pay to watch games through the service.
Parkview Elementary Principal Carlene Cantrell reported on testing for Kindergarten through fifth grade. DIEBELS testing was completed prior to Christmas break and MAPS testing was completed in January. The math curriculum committee is reviewing three options for Parkview’s upcoming math curriculum adoption. In staffing updates, Cantrell expressed excitement over Chloe Schifano as the new kindergarten teacher, noting that she is a great addition to the staff. Cantrell highlighted that it has been a smooth transition for Matthew Mercado from paraprofessional to special education teacher. Mercado makes the second special education teacher on staff. Kamryn Prince will be stepping into the role of long-term substitute for third grade through the remainder of the semester. She has been a substitute in the district for a year and a half and the school is excited to have her in Parkview on a daily basis. Prince will complete her degree in elementary education in the Fall of 2022. Several staff members from all three schools are participating in a book study of “Because of a Teacher” by George Couros. The book is a collection of stories from educators meant to help uplift teachers and offer encouragement that what they do matters. Parkview Elementary is hopeful that they will be able to hold the “Night at Hogwarts” event on March 4, 2022. They will monitor the health of the community before making a final decision.
Rangely Junior/Senior High School Principal Crandel Mergleman provided an update to the board with appreciation to the teachers who made the quick transition to virtual learning during the first week back. He reports about 75% virtual attendance. In winter sports, wrestlers had a great showing at the Tournament of Champions; boys and girls basketball teams are starting into their season while jr. high girls basketball is at the mid-point of their season. MAPS testting was expected to be completed by Jan. 26. English and social studies teachers have been working on their curriculum review and Mr. Kilduff took students to the National Western Stock Show in the final week of January.
Special to the Herald Times
