DEL NORTE— The Del Norte Board of Education listened to a presentation by local resident Mike Hurst about some concerns that have been voiced by a group of citizens about the direction of the school board and the future of the district.
During the presentation, Hurst explained that the group of citizens voicing their concerns feel that the school board is not utilizing specific resources to enhance learning in the school and utilizing curriculum that does not comply with state standards.
“We want what is best for the children here in Del Norte. We are addressing our concerns to the board and not the administration. We also recognize what a thankless job this is and want to begin by thanking you for your service to this school. We also want what is best for the community. I approached you individually and asked that you speak with us on a personal basis and because you did not respond, we have decided to request this public forum,” stated Hurst.
“The educational system here in Del Norte is in desperate shape. The community has provided funding for this new school, and we just wanted to plant a seed for this board to consider where the district will go from here. We now have the tools in place to ensure teachers and staff use best policies and practices to make a better future for this district. We want to know what your plan is to improve achievement requirements and become more accessible to the community by being more transparent,” stated Hurst.
Hurst continued, stating that the group of concerned citizens merely want to ask the board to begin thinking of how they want to improve in the future and to contemplate on the issues in order to take proper action.
One of the reading programs through the Read Act Grant utilized by the school, the innovation program, is not in compliance with state standards. Hurst explained that the concerned citizens want to know why the school did not use the state standard, to which the board explained that there was no requirement from the state that they use the specific program. The school uses a collaborative classroom curriculum rather than the program through the state and feel that it has helped improve reading for students since its inception into the curriculum.
Curriculum Director Aaron Horrocks stated that the board is already in the process of becoming more transparent and available to the community. “We want people to know that they are welcome to any one of the board meetings. They are public meetings and if anyone has concerns regarding school business they are welcome to attend and share their concerns with the board,” said Horrocks.
Horrocks also explained that the board is in the process of redoing the way they take minutes during their meetings and have begun to post the minutes online for public review. “Reading the minutes is not the best way to understand what happens during these meetings. We encourage people to attend.”
At the end of the discussion, board members stated that they are in the midst of having the discussion on how they want to proceed directing the school into the future and are relying on their qualified staff to make decisions regarding curriculum. “We have faith in our educational staff to make the right decision for our students. We are transitioning into a new phase right along with the new school,” said Horrocks.
School board meetings are held in the mini gym next to the new administration offices every fourth Thursday of the month at 5 p.m. All meetings are open to the public.