[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6110252,"mediaKeyId","2758484-2e31cfaded51cca3c88a8182331ee248","parentId",2758484,"title","Board advances second reading of phone, sick‑leave and health policies; cell‑phone rules draw debate","audioSeconds",1084,"startMs",3442000,"endMs",4526000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2758484-2e31cfaded51cca3c88a8182331ee248&start=3442&end=4526","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2758484-2e31cfaded51cca3c88a8182331ee248/thumbnail_3442000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6110252/Colorado/Board-advances-second-reading-of-phone-sickleave-and-health-policies-cellphone-rules-draw-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6110252-57f4e5c07fba625593e62f237aab2ca8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770867341&Signature=gu6XFnR5Y7SGvIMRUvYiLStRS2mA75QA0HLM31e85YqcHtSocyQsIZBjiaYIzwM-vpe70jVo4EivK3Fou6ooD9UISCVg94EOwmlOIQwWxmtG5l~z2anWM0UCIeM4E10xR8OCDupjzSp9KXhMXlICeR2YS5HzP92R2ipegQGo5t264J0y10l8PyToiEesifrqX98tE8-c2IdtttcOr-hxxIxcAKlOTIg-o0SkVUko7PsiOJ1FWJg-Dq2nryli8RAtIJhY57J1U8RpAgm039TWBD2umKqhHbKt4mQni3k2P-jDu7PduqPvKFX0E3KV8uKVCLoK~BRy1hJm9rVJyUDMJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-24T22:56:42Z","article","The Elizabeth School District Board of Education on March 24 advanced or approved multiple personnel and student‑policy items and held extended discussion of a proposed student personal‑technology policy (cell‑phone rules).

Votes at a glance

- GBGH (replacement) — Sick Leave Bank (second reading): board approved second reading (roll call: Callahan Aye; Fletcher Aye; Olson Aye; Powell Aye; Waller Aye). The policy consolidates sick‑leave bank rules across employee classifications and maintains separate lead banks for classified and licensed employees; it will return for a third and final reading.

- GDCA (classified sick bank) — repeal: board moved to table the repeal until the consolidated bank (GBGH) is finalized (motion to table approved by roll call; all ayes).

- JICJ (second reading) — Student Use of Cell Phones and Other Personal Technology Devices: board approved the second reading (not final adoption). The policy (as discussed) would prohibit students in pre‑K through 12 from using PTDs on school premises during the school day (with specified exceptions), require devices to be silenced and stored in backpacks or school‑designated locations, and allow use during lunch and certain non‑instructional activities subject to final language. The board asked staff to clarify language about which grades and when (for example, high‑school lunch), transportation and field trips, and to provide procedures for secure storage when staff take custody of devices.

- IHAM and IHAM‑R — Health Education policy and regulation (second readings): board approved the revisions to rename and narrow the policy to health education (the district is not adopting a separate comprehensive sex‑education curriculum), and approved the regulation that provides a parent exemption form and procedure.

- IKE (first reading) — Ensuring All Students Meet Standards: first reading approved; board will return for second reading. The policy clarifies promotion/retention triggers and notification timing.

- ILBC and ILBC‑R (first readings) — Early Literacy and Reading Comprehension: first readings approved; these align the district policy with recent Read Act changes and add implementation details (screening, interventions, retention considerations). Board discussed dyslexia screening, take‑flight intervention plans, and the role of IEPs/504 plans in exemption or accommodation.

Cell‑phone policy: extended discussion

Board members and parents had submitted about 290 survey responses used to inform the cell‑phone policy discussion. Members said the policy intent is to reduce instructional distraction while preserving parent contact for emergencies. Director Callahan summarized parent feedback: many support restrictions during instruction and passing periods but some wanted phone use allowed at lunch. \"The purpose of the policy is you can have your phone in your possession. It's just in your backpack and not in use,\" Callahan said.

Board members debated details that staff will refine with TAC and CAC: whether elementary and middle school students should be cleared for device use at lunch, whether high‑school students should have lunch‑period device privileges, whether buses and field trips should permit device use, whether silencing versus powering off should be required, and how to securely store devices when staff retain them after repeated violations. Several members recommended a single, consistent procedure across schools rather than ad‑hoc teacher practices, and proposed options such as secure office lockers or classroom pouches for confiscated devices; staff will weigh cost, operational concerns, and emergency access before returning recommended procedures.

Next steps

- Staff will take board edits to TAC and CAC, revise policy/regulation language (clarify grade bands, bus/field‑trip rules, storage and handling procedures, and exception language for medical or IEP/504 needs), and resend the community survey for additional feedback.

- The GBGH policy will return for a third and final reading, and the district will hold the repeal of the old classified sick‑bank policy until GBGH is finalized.

Ending: Board members asked staff to return revised language and implementation procedures before final votes; the board received several second readings as votes to advance policy work but left operational procedures to administrators for consistent implementation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","ESD Board Meeting: Business Session for Monday, March 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Elizabeth School District board advanced several personnel and student policies on March 24 — approving second readings of a consolidated sick‑leave bank policy and health‑education rules and moving a new personal‑technology (cell‑phone) policy to the next stage while tabling the repeal of an older classified sick‑bank policy.","taxTitle","ELIZABETH SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts , Colorado","taxId",55430,"location","Colorado","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6110257,"Outside counsel outlines Colorado Open Meetings Law and limits on executive sessions",228,2041000,2269000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2758484-2e31cfaded51cca3c88a8182331ee248&start=2041&end=2269","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2758484-2e31cfaded51cca3c88a8182331ee248/thumbnail_2041000.jpg","/articles/6110257/Colorado/Outside-counsel-outlines-Colorado-Open-Meetings-Law-and-limits-on-executive-sessions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6110257-15bc9de1b17bf3ff73db7541b7aec0db/orig.mp4?Expires=1770867341&Signature=FNar6XxxKUQe7DUQnXr2bwTnqVOTjEMdH2fsFLAsxfnCIuoW3kw8XGZqg~TwbBfEjtZ3hUZIgm7yG2VHpBoysweW3-0GlqDvCv5UWeyIq82kJ9~wfKFFDtkm2FbM9yWpMBZi0QVuJxodqihh2o6spQXlYIuYG9TYe9R1VAxqGEdNkwng6A1Wi5pYrB2UUezUCrhTBiy~RW5VtVeINvRhvCMvLNpNbUPla4u7B~C6kgBLRHRARIVv6VU0Qzusjb4Dg~2IwdMOoSFd59CbJTH7W03YBjOEpjoiTb7iEyUfrbx-c0t1PKGZ-pwywvipcULnNfiSUKg7MqK0rwcIFPvf-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the March 24 special meeting, the Elizabeth School District invited outside legal counsel Brad Miller to explain Colorado’s open‑meetings rules and best practices for executive sessions and public‑records compliance.

Miller told the board that a quorum for a five‑member board is three members, and that any gathering of three or more with the purpose of discussing district business generally must be publicly noticed under the Colorado Open Meetings Law (C.R.S. 24‑6‑402). He emphasized that serial, back‑and‑forth email exchanges or paired meetings that effectively build consensus among a quorum also risk constituting a meeting that must be noticed.

Miller reviewed the narrow, enumerated reasons the statute permits an executive session — for example, legal advice, specific personnel performance matters, negotiations and security — and stressed that the agenda must cite the statute and give sufficient particularity about the topic. He explained the roll‑call and two‑thirds vote requirement to enter an executive session, the recording rules (recording is generally required but may be paused for sensitive student matters or privileged legal advice), and the requirement to resume open session for any formal action.

On public records (CORA), Miller urged the board to avoid conducting district business over personal email accounts because personal accounts can be subject to records requests and produce material outside the district’s customary records management and review processes. He explained fee estimates for large CORA requests and the reasonableness of charging for staff time and review costs under state rules.

Miller also recommended minimizing executive‑session frequency to avoid an “aura of non‑transparency” and described how improper agenda breadth or off‑topic discussion inside a session could create discoverable records. Board members asked clarifying questions about how to combine topics in one motion, whether multiple purposes can be cited in one session notice, and how to document transitions within sessions; Miller answered with procedural examples.

Ending: Miller left a reference outline with the board and said he would provide follow-up materials; board members asked staff to ensure future notices cite applicable statutory subsections and provide sufficient topic particularity.
","Brad Miller, outside counsel, briefed the board on March 24 about Colorado’s Open Meetings Law, when executive sessions are permitted, necessary agenda specificity, roll-call and recording rules, and CORA (Open Records) implications for board email and personal accounts.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6110261,"Superintendent says judge ordered return of removed books; district appeals to federal circuit",4391,1827000,6218000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2758484-2e31cfaded51cca3c88a8182331ee248&start=1827&end=6218","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2758484-2e31cfaded51cca3c88a8182331ee248/thumbnail_1827000.jpg","/articles/6110261/Colorado/Superintendent-says-judge-ordered-return-of-removed-books-district-appeals-to-federal-circuit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6110261-3bbd78fe390300bfb1852fdcbf7601fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770867341&Signature=JEQcka1DaEGblf~68bnKMiFuq0L7cdin3tEzJc2z1pgFjA7oBpBeBgJWBc-XVa-KK1C-FXNrgAqW52PLj9qIYOhc2tHzY9i6ZlgE72L273QcIHGTgTnfzv9Btd2zhdCHFy0FQCHzdriUTA0L6NRNPJ7UPTa5Lz3ugCD3HwpojbhgW02LPYXdPw1nl5UPvYW4rVi6femBfIOb-CMJe4XRvh-MDAavzUAIpxaPxD6CiD2bbhqobzvKOr~y7Ox5WkmV9HgY7fLHkGBuFuvKtxwpQ16LltOS~NeWjm39IdrrvVr98oxXjdn0Ss5egGL4J0Pdjz7DrAUEpr9NaGUDLekwZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent (name not specified in transcript) updated the Elizabeth School District Board of Education on March 24 about litigation filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on behalf of parents challenging the district’s removal of certain library materials.

The superintendent said the court issued a preliminary injunction that would require the district to return the books to shelves, but the district cannot comply immediately because the district believes the relevant books were already discarded. “We have filed a motion to stay and appeal,” the superintendent said, and staff notified the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals about the filing.

The superintendent told the board the district disagrees with the ruling and plans to pursue appellate review. He said the district has posted filings and related documents on a district website and will continue to update the community. The superintendent also said the district believes the content of the material is the issue in the litigation and that the district is exercising any available appellate remedies.

Board members asked and staff answered procedural questions about timelines and the stay process. The superintendent said he had issued a community update earlier in the day explaining the case and the district’s next steps. He told the board the district expects additional procedural steps from the Tenth Circuit and that it will keep the public informed.

Ending: The district has filed a motion to stay and an appeal; the board and superintendent said they will post filings to the district website and send future updates as rulings become available.","Superintendent informed the board that a district judge issued a preliminary injunction ordering the return of certain library books; the district says the books were discarded, has filed a motion to stay and is pursuing appeal to the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6110266,"CFO reviews budget-to-actual, flags higher legal costs and payroll timing impacts",1205,3115000,4320000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2758484-2e31cfaded51cca3c88a8182331ee248&start=3115&end=4320","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2758484-2e31cfaded51cca3c88a8182331ee248/thumbnail_3115000.jpg","/articles/6110266/Colorado/CFO-reviews-budget-to-actual-flags-higher-legal-costs-and-payroll-timing-impacts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6110266-90e12ed49df650435cb938d129e25393/orig.mp4?Expires=1770867341&Signature=Dw~FV4gT2O7qPosntV6WlXbJqMbBW8xsVCeAGWckL0hOYVxeulYxaaNlg7v4BELQ6fZwUVqVoCyU2uqNwm1FDcf0u9gZADHuKL37Wbr1sLhNjTOfMmSt0dLctlnjAqP29y4x-Zj4cuo6r1YqyH85NvBEGr7TXhZ9mXEqaE0ydcghCnaN8KKdL-rZjc3kWM9Awc3hzEGRmRs72KJDPDbUoZlg~pF7m-ysQYKgweqOGfcm4kHPoOH~Ja-DpF0Rl7iLsgh0cxMdd5u1ogTeAvTmAKD3WCxWIWCptBiwhyeg~dj~0aI3NogUzDcRfWgOPvgvgIIBP8BUMXDXKq3Bc~2aMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District Chief Financial Officer Rebecca briefed the Elizabeth School District Board of Education on March 24 about the district’s budget-to-actual performance through mid‑March.

Rebecca said the report uses the revised budget adopted in January and provides year‑to‑date totals through March 18, with the exception of a property-tax notice that was included though the cash had not yet arrived. She told the board that state equalization payments are nearly complete for the year (87.4% of the budgeted amount had been received at the time of the report) and that property‑tax receipts typically come later — with a large portion paid in April and June — so cash timing affects apparent month‑to‑month percentages.

On expenditures, Rebecca said overall salary-and-benefit percentages remain above target partly because payroll for staff who were cut earlier in the year still appear in year‑to‑date totals; those costs will not repeat in later months. She said the district’s average salary-and-benefit rate was about 65.7% of annualized expectations and that some categories (notably subs and overtime) were higher than planned. She recommended closer, more frequent monitoring and proposed presenting an updated report after March payroll is processed so the board can see the effect of staffing changes.

The CFO also said legal expenses are “unprecedented” this year, with a settlement and continued litigation reflected in the figures; she told the board they may need a supplemental budget to cover higher legal costs unless offset by other funds. Rebecca noted fund-by-fund details: food service and grants are tracking as expected given reimbursement timing, the athletics and activities fund will be made whole by district transfer if needed, and capital reserve spending has used previously prefunded amounts but no new transfers were planned for the remainder of the year.

Board members asked about fund allocations to charter schools (Rebecca explained the district receives per‑pupil revenue and then passes through an amount to its charter partners based on negotiated service estimates) and about timing for property tax and MLO receipts. Rebecca said she would provide more staff-level detail — such as counts per salary category — in future reports if the board wants it.

Ending: The board asked the CFO to return with an updated budget-to-actual after March payroll is posted, and to continue monitoring legal expense exposure and end-of-year transfers.","District CFO Rebecca presented a budget-to-actual update at the March 24 special meeting, reporting most revenue streams near expectations but noting unusually high legal costs this year and that payroll timing (March payroll) and property tax timing make comparisons interim.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6110271,"Legacy Academy principal reports midyear NWEA gains after curriculum, instruction shift",1013,216000,1229000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2758484-2e31cfaded51cca3c88a8182331ee248&start=216&end=1229","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2758484-2e31cfaded51cca3c88a8182331ee248/thumbnail_216000.jpg","/articles/6110271/Colorado/Legacy-Academy-principal-reports-midyear-NWEA-gains-after-curriculum-instruction-shift","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6110271-9d2b33e671c4eecbb91d13d1664d8144/orig.mp4?Expires=1770867341&Signature=XW47~MhRa5ZR7aQQE0Kz0PgF7pF-0LzksY031Z90bWdUzPCVpwbArPb8yCPUtKWTSyOueg2DlPbyKfU7vIzSzNMxZiPWo0L4P5i-STwK86QN98PkpKfiUNTyuG2qMgT4WUYFfjorrVtIiV3g9ZUTQj~ibyg79XFQVA1wCL2RHwW3nao3aT73qCrI2VSboKldO5dQUg1SMXVyEQXcj2W8G2nxaqSZMyQFmY0awGmVi9Fi6aVtUwLdsU0cJ3hZHVHc~XPgnyCANDGSZT0s6c1SrxhGD0WddGcBCpO6S4lycDI1Nm6EOk9W8WnatGVE5ZEOGVRJp38OUUGz9rNrj-eqlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Legacy Academy Principal Tony Verjink told the Elizabeth School District Board of Education on March 24 that the charter school has seen “substantial growth gains” on midyear NWEA (MAP) testing after changing curriculum and instructional expectations.

Verjink said Legacy moved away from the largely digital curriculum it had used and introduced an instructional framework this school year that emphasizes direct, explicit instruction, new core curriculum choices and regular progress monitoring. “We made our goal: 60th percentile growth for math and reading,” Verjink said of the school’s target, then added, “By the end of the year, we’re at 60th–70th percentile” for midyear measures compared with the prior full year.

The school reported the largest individual gains in reading after adopting Benchmark Advanced and tightened teacher planning, checks for understanding, and progress monitoring. Verjink said math instruction has moved toward a stronger core (he said the school is using Saxon math while searching for a permanent math curriculum). Classroom practice now mixes digital tools with more pencil-and-paper work for younger grades, he said, to preserve digital skills used on state tests while restoring basic direct instruction.

Executive Director Merlin Holmes thanked the board and the district’s superintendent for partnership. Verjink described other school changes: a move toward “self-managing classrooms,” clearer learning objectives, and more structured formative checks that he said have helped students who had been “struggling for quite a few years.” He said some classrooms showed growth in the 80th percentile for individual students, and reading growth was lifting achievement measures overall.

Board members asked timing and implementation questions. Verjink said the direct-instruction shift began this school year and that the executive director joined the school in November; the school is continuing to monitor spring data and adjust curriculum choices, especially in science where the school plans additional review. Verjink and Holmes said the school will continue using iPads for some instruction because state testing is digital, but the balance of tasks has shifted toward teacher-led instruction.

The board thanked Legacy’s leaders for the presentation and noted the district will include Legacy’s data in its broader review of district progress.

Ending: Legacy’s leaders said spring testing and end-of-year MAP results will give a fuller picture of whether midyear gains continue; the board and district staff said they will continue to monitor outcomes and curriculum alignment across the district.","At a March 24 special meeting, Legacy Academy Principal Tony Verjink and Executive Director Merlin Holmes told the Elizabeth School District board that midyear NWEA (MAP) data show improved growth after the charter shifted away from mostly digital curriculum toward more direct instruction and new reading and math materials.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board advances second reading of phone, sick‑leave and health policies; cell‑phone rules draw debate

Outside counsel outlines Colorado Open Meetings Law and limits on executive sessions

Superintendent says judge ordered return of removed books; district appeals to federal circuit

CFO reviews budget-to-actual, flags higher legal costs and payroll timing impacts

Legacy Academy principal reports midyear NWEA gains after curriculum, instruction shift