The Colorado ISD School Board convened on November 11, 2024, to celebrate academic and extracurricular achievements, discuss progress on district initiatives, and make important decisions affecting the school community. The meeting was marked by the recognition of outstanding teachers and staff, updates on student activities, and the continued progress of district projects.
The meeting began with CES/CMS Principal Lorianne Toombs and CHS Principal Steven Komppa presenting the Staff and Teacher of the Month awards for August, September, and October. Honorees included Kaki Wulfjen and Margie Blassingame from CES/CMS, and Ashley Wulfjen and Anita Rena from CHS for August; Irene Armstrong, an 8th-grade history teacher celebrated for her passion and excellence in teaching, Ashley Hernandez, praised for her innovative approach to speech therapy, Coach Laura, who stepped into high school math instruction while coaching volleyball, and Melie Forbes for September; and Amber Sandoval, a 4th-grade math teacher noted for her instructional impact, Cammie Oliver for her dedicated support of 2nd graders, Jessica Jarrett, who has driven significant growth as a dyslexia teacher, Susie Moran for her work helping Spanish-speaking students build English fluency, and Coach O for October.
Principal Komppa shared exciting updates from Colorado High School, including a smooth transition from football and volleyball to basketball season. He discussed preparations for upcoming one-act play competitions and student trips, such as the reward trip to Abilene Jump Park for juniors and seniors and a college tour to Angelo State University for freshmen and sophomores. He also emphasized the expansion of Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, highlighting student success in robotics competitions, where students have excelled, and the welding department’s real-world business projects under the leadership of Mr. Martinez. Other notable achievements included strong performances in TAFE competitions, where eight of nine students advanced, and the band’s impressive debut at their first area competition, placing 15th. Interim testing is ongoing, with a focus on Lone Star Governance goals using Eduphoria assessments.
At CES/CMS, Principal Toombs highlighted achievements in robotics, including a notable performance by two 8th-grade girls who won four of five matches, and upcoming events like the Safety City field trip for 3rd graders, the middle school one-act play competition, and a Thanksgiving family meal with improved accommodations. UIL competitions are scheduled for December 4, and recent 3rd-8th grade math and reading benchmarks have been completed. Creative engagement activities, such as a cookie election where students learned about voting, Red Ribbon Week activities, and a Halloween parade, were noted, along with the 5th-grade honor choir’s attendance at the Abilene Philharmonic.
A significant agenda item was the appointment of Rachel Silva to fill the District 3 trustee vacancy, following Frank Martinez’s departure. Dr. Larry Polk announced the vacancy and mentioned that three applications had been received, but one was from an ineligible community member. The remaining two candidates, Rachel Silva and Lana Parras, were eligible. Silva, known for her active involvement in school activities, received unanimous approval from the board members during the voting process. Board President Emily Strain expressed gratitude for both applicants’ willingness to serve and praised Trustee Martinez for his exceptional service. Board member Ty Wood also acknowledged Lana Parras as an excellent candidate and thanked her for her contributions.
The board also reviewed the district’s audit report for the 2024 fiscal year. The report confirmed that the district’s financial statements were accurate and in compliance with accounting standards. Key highlights included a healthy liquidity ratio, a positive net investment in capital assets, and a General Fund balance exceeding the final amended budget. The audit reviewed the district’s controls over disbursements and found no issues, indicating strong internal compliance. Trustees John Martinez and Liliana Ornelas motioned to approve the audit report, which was carried unanimously.
Claire Saiz from Gallagher Construction provided an update on Bond 2024 projects. The baseball and softball fields are on track for completion by early to mid-February, despite weather-related delays. The dugouts and backstop wall masonry are complete, and metal roofing installation for the dugouts is underway. Additionally, the site fencing project has been revised by a new contractor, reducing the cost estimate from $24,000–$25,000 to $16,000, resulting in savings of approximately $5,000–$6,000. The district is also using crushed stone for improved drainage around the pitcher’s mound, particularly on the baseball field, with the softball field progressing slightly ahead of the baseball field. Saiz also reported a positive community response to the new BSN scoreboards, which were provided at a total cost of $79,000, a significant reduction from the original estimate of $130,000. The concession stand renovations are moving forward, with one bid received from JW&T for $192,628, which is under the $200,000 budget cap. The bid is considered favorable, as JW&T previously worked on the dugouts with high-quality results. For the Career and Technical Education (CTE) building project, Requests for Qualifications (RFQs) have been published, and key dates for pre-bid and proposal meetings have been outlined. The board praised the efforts of Gallagher’s project manager and CISD staff, including Mr. Oliver for his consistent site visits, Athletic Director Monty Leaf for ensuring UIL compliance, and Technology Director BJ Graham for his role in ensuring that infrastructure needs are met for the new facilities. The update was informational, with no further action required by the board at this time. Another update is scheduled for the following month.
Superintendent Dr. Larry Polk provided an update on the district’s use of the Sentinel platform, which allows the state to monitor various aspects of school districts, including student attendance and safety. The platform provides real-time tracking of safety data, such as door audits and behavioral threat assessments. The district also introduced the EDFAI platform, which further centralizes safety data for more efficient monitoring. Director of Technology, BJ Graham, explained how the platform has been used to monitor exterior doors, improving safety protocols and replacing older methods. Additionally, a new Smart Tag system for buses was introduced, designed to track student ridership and ensure bus safety. The system scans students when they board and disembark, providing live data to safety officers and school administrators. While some technical challenges have arisen, the district remains optimistic about its potential to enhance safety and accountability. BJ Graham also presented information on the KnowBe4 Cybersecurity Awareness Training, aimed at equipping staff with the skills needed to identify and handle cybersecurity threats. The board approved the training unanimously.
The board also reviewed the district’s ESL Annual Report for 2024-2025, presented by Assistant Superintendent Denise Farmer. The district currently serves 57 English Language Learners (ELLs), with 9 certified ESL teachers working across different grade levels. The district offers two ESL programs: one content-based and another alternative program for students without access to a certified ESL teacher. Despite challenges in achieving expected TELPAS (Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System) scores, particularly in the speaking component, the district is taking steps to improve student performance. New strategies, including focused speaking practice and the use of AI grading for speaking assessments, are expected to help more students exit the ESL program. The board unanimously approved the ESL Annual Report after a motion by board member John Martinez and a second by Liliana Ornelas.
In financial matters, the board reviewed and approved the resolution to maintain the district’s investment program for the 2023-2024 school year. CFO Jerri Kimball presented the resolution as part of the annual review process, ensuring the district’s investment practices remain consistent. The motion was passed with unanimous support from the board.
The board entered into a closed session to discuss personnel matters, including the approval of certified staff recommendations. After the closed session, the board approved the staff recommendations unanimously. The meeting was then adjourned, with no further business on the agenda. The next board meeting is scheduled for December 9 at 5:30 PM in the C.E. "Buddy" Compton Boardroom.