STEM School Highlands Ranch
Minutes
Board of Director's Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday April 1, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Location
8920 Barrons Blvd
P-TECH Mechatronics Room
Highlands Ranch, CO 80129
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Directors Present
C. Gustafson, D. Lomelino, E. Quigley, G. Shick, G. Wing, I. Kalra, R. Lukez
Directors Absent
None
Ex Officio Members Present
M. Cartier
Non Voting Members Present
M. Cartier
Guests Present
A. Cardinal, A. Westfall, Amie McElroy, Chris Damour, Kathy Dwyer, L. Kovalesky, Laurie Veldhuizen, M. Pritchard (remote), Ryan Alsup, Sean Milner
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Pledge of Allegiance
D.
Reciting of the Mission Statement
II. Approve Meeting Minutes
A.
Board Meeting March 4th
B.
Board Meeting March 24th
Rudy abstained because he was not present at that meeting
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| D. Lomelino |
Aye
|
| E. Quigley |
Aye
|
| R. Lukez |
Abstain
|
| C. Gustafson |
Aye
|
| G. Wing |
Aye
|
| I. Kalra |
Aye
|
| G. Shick |
Aye
|
III. STEM School Highlands Ranch Updates
A.
National Honor Society Spotlight
B.
MSU Aerospace Program
Executive Director Update - Lynann
Enrollment update 1500 (projected 1560) (net increase 7%)
Great progress made but comes with challenges for resources (may need additional staff after needs assessment)
Testing season starts in April
Parent SAC survey opens on 4/6 and close on 4/20
New STEM electives/exploratory courses for next year
MSU AES 1050 - Introduction to Space
MSU AES 1910 - Aerospace Industry Exploration and Analysis
C.
Elementary Math Curriculum
Previously discussed; no additional updates
D.
Standards Based Grading Changes
Only apply to 6-12; no changes at elementary level
Key Changes:
- Points based assignments
- Point-based weighting
- Consistent assignment categories
- Final grade reporting
- Traditional grading scale (A-F; plan to have possibility of +/- added)
- "Floor 50" for good faith effort
What remains
- Proficiency Scales (1-4)
- Standards Alignment (Aligned to CO State Standards)
- Existing Retake Policy
- Late Work Policy
- AP/CE
Lot of feedback and data from stakeholder groups over the past three years
IV. KOSON Schools
A.
CIO Update - Strategic Updates
Presented by Matt Cartier
Submitted a replication application today DCSD for extended timeline to help provide flexibility
Rationale for Growth:
- Extend mission and vision
- Financial sustainability
- Stronger academic and programming impact
- Increase student access
- Increase talent pipeline and staff retention
- Resiliency and Long Term Viability
Review Strategic plan for alignment
V. Board Committee Updates
A.
Finance Committee Update
Presented by Sean Milner
PPR & Assumptions: Projected to increase by 2.7% (depending on final enrollment numbers)
- Align with new DCSD salary schedule
- Insurance premium increase
- ERP system
- Retention bonuses
- Property upgrades
- Substitute teachers
Shared proposed final budget
Discussion around admin:teacher ratio and what right sized teams look like across multiple schools
B.
CIO Support & Evaluation Committee
Presented by Erin Quigley
Will follow similar process as last year, will use BOT tool for EOY Evaluation:
- CIO 24-25 Goals will be presented on EOY Report
- CIO Self evaluation on BOT and summary of 360 review from direct reports
Proposed timeline; must follow closely so we are prepared on June 3 for vote on Evaluation Report
Increasing transparency/accountability for CIO and board
C.
Governance Committee
Discussion around minor changes to enrollment policy
VI. Consent Agenda
A.
Vote for Consent Agenda Items
VII. Public Comment
A.
Public Comment Sign up link
No public comment
VIII. Executive Session
A.
Executive Session Discussions
The Board may vote to enter into executive session pursuant to C.R.S. ยง 24-6-402(4)(a & e) to discuss options regarding the potential purchase, acquisition, lease, transfer, or sale of real estate for future expansion and for advice to negotiators regarding such options.
Entered executive session at 7:24pm
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| R. Lukez |
Aye
|
| G. Shick |
Aye
|
| G. Wing |
Aye
|
| I. Kalra |
Aye
|
| C. Gustafson |
Aye
|
| D. Lomelino |
Aye
|
| E. Quigley |
Aye
|
Executive session ended 9:31pm
IX. Resume Public Session
A.
Real Estate Transaction
B.
Real Estate Transaction
X. Board of Director's Updates
A.
Preview of Next Meeting
Approving preliminary budget
CIO Eval
Parent Handbook
XI. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
- NHS 2024-2025 STEM Board Presentation.pptx.pdf
- Mathematics_Curriculum_Pilot.pdf
- Why Replicate Board Presentation 20250401.pptx.pdf
- Proposed Budget FY 25-26.pdf
- Overview_of_CIO_EOY_Eval_Process.pdf
- Policy_Enrollment_Draft Changes.pdf
- Policy_Enrollment_2025.pdf
- Policy_Use Of DCSD Policies_2024.pdf
- Policy_Policy Adoption Process_2022.pdf
- Policy_Board Training_2023.pdf
- Policy_Conflict of Interest_2023.pdf
- March Board Presentation 24_25.pdf
Presented by Kathy Dwyer and NHS Student President Kylie Pautler
Overview of NHS and school events organized by NHS
$95,944 raised in total over 7 years for Wish Week
Upcoming partner event with Backpack Society
Students can apply for NHS for next school year in April; induction in May