Fowler School Board discusses COVID-19, CMAS testing and more in latest meeting

Mar. 5—The Fowler School District R4J hosted its monthly board of directors meeting on March 1 at the district headquarters.

Several items were discussed during the course of the meeting.

Discussion of the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 was handled by superintendent Alfie Lotrich and secondary principal Russell Bates. It was reported that the district is back in Level Blue status on the state's COVID-19 Dial.

A discussion then took place concerning the planning for end-of-year activities, and a portion of the discussion included calculating the number of participants that will be allowed in these activities.

Lotrich also informed the board that the upcoming elementary awards program will be handled through NFHS.

Mike Thomas distributed information from CEBT concerning employee health insurance for the 2021-22 academic year. After reviewing the document, Thomas recommended that CEBT be chosen as the employee health insurance provider for that school year.

The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

Lotrich began a discussion about purchasing three school vans from Perkins of La Junta. The passenger vans included a 2019 Express Passenger LT for $22,099, a 2020 Express Passenger LT for $23,599 and a 2019 Express Passenger LT for $22,099.

After discussion, it was moved to purchase the vans at a total cost of $67,797. The motion passed unanimously.

Lotrich also presented the 2021-22 calendar for approval. The proposed calendar was selected by the staff as being the most favored of the multiple options that were given. The motion passed unanimously.

Bates reported 19 FBLA students qualified for the state competition through virtual district competition and that state FBLA will also be a virtual competition.

Bates also reported that the FFA Labor Auction took place online and was a success. Board president Eric Larson offered information about how to modify the auction to help increase revenue.

Parent-teacher conferences will take place March 8 and 10, and the school board is waiting on more information from the state when it comes to Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) testing.

A state legislative bill to waive testing requirements is in the works, but this may need to be amended depending on whether a partial waiver is granted by the federal government.

In the spelling bee for participants in grades 4-8, the winners were Eli Pruett, who will represent the district at the state level, and Cole Sigler. Contestants were given written and oral tests for this competition.

Lotrich reported that Kindergarten Roundup will take place on March 5 and that the submitted BEST Grant awards notification will take place in May.

The board also approved a letter of resignation from assistant baseball coach Jason Bitter.

Tribune-Democrat reporter Ken Hamrick can be reached by email at KHamrick1@gannett.com.

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