RANGELY I Rangely RE-4 School Board President Sam Tolley presided over his final meeting on Oct. 19, 2021. While making jokes, he thanked the board and the admin team for all of their hard work and time together and thanked the community for allowing him to serve. Vice President Jason Cox and Director Casey Ducey are running for re-election for school board. Cox was absent for family matters and Ducey joined the meeting by phone. Superintendent Matt Scoggins presented the three with golden apples that were 3D printed by IT Specialist Jesse McCann.
The board discussed the old business of reviewing discussion for the BEST bond. An engineer from Wildan Performance Engineering was present to offer insight and answer questions. There were no members of the public community present at this meeting. Tolley noted that the board has very rarely had to restrict public comment and only in exceptional circumstances. School board meetings are always open to public comment and the freedom to address the board. Superintendent Scoggins noted that if the BEST bond passes, along the project timeline, there is more funding available and the district’s associate from the grant department will be advising when that time comes. He further discussed line items of the bond in his report to the board. Further old business included a second and final reading of GBGG Sick Leave Policy and GBAB Fingerprint based CHRI Checks. Both were passed with motions from the board.
Related: Read the 2021 School Board Candidate Q&A
New business included discussion on discipline, bullying and other behavior needs. The district has recently moved to a Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) model of behavior management. Scoggins highlighted how great the students of RE-4 are, including compliments received from businesses out of town about Rangely students’ excellent behavior. A living document, a “discipline matrix,” has been created to communicate between all team members on how to properly handle different levels of behavior conflict. The document has better-defined definitions of conflict and consequences in efforts to ensure the children are safe, parents feel secure, and the staff is supported. Scoggins hopes to share an update with parents to keep communication open and encourage feedback and participation as a community.
Superintendent Matt Scoggins addressed the board regarding a shortage of substitute teachers and gave his staff recognition to Cheri Smith and J’Lyn Wren for their management of this challenge.
Parkview Principal Carlene Cantrell discussed highlights of elementary education including two field trips to pumpkin patches for kindergarten and first grade. Parent teacher conferences showed 86% attendance rate. A brief update of moving to a two recess schedule while maintaining the same amount of time was shared.
Rangely Jr./Sr. High School Principal Crandel Mergelman had positive updates regarding the threat of vandalism. Director Low asked for an update as threats were made previously via social app TikTok. Mergelman shares that they have been one week without an incident and previous incidents have been as minor as rolls of toilet paper/paper towels down the toilet. While these are frustrating and certainly require maintenance, they are not a threat and considered minor. Currently, locker rooms are closed down to eliminate the possibility of vandalism. Mergelman has addressed students to encourage them to take pride in their school and asked students to step up in advocacy. The highlight of Mergelman’s report to the board was regarding athletics. Three Rangely students play on the Meeker softball team and they were off to the state championship. He noted the big football game would take place on Thursday, Oct. 21 and discussed shortage in officials. On Thursday, Oct. 21, a shift in the bell schedule took place. The goal is to shorten the passing period by one minute and add those minutes to the lunch period. This was changed during the 2020-2021 school year to accommodate COVID restrictions and that students would benefit from having that time back during lunch. Mergelman answered a question regarding tardiness increasing due to the shortened passing period but expressed that most students were two- to three- minutes early as it is and this was not a concern.
The meeting closed with Director Ducey sharing his enjoyment working with all team members and that he looks forward to continuing to serve if votes are in his favor. School board candidate Michael Dillon was present. After a final thanks from President Tolley the meeting was adjourned.
By KATIE KING | Special to the Herald Times
