Hoehne Reorganized School District No. 3 certifies 2025 mill levy and adopts early literacy, ELL policy updates

The Hoehne Reorganized School District No. 3 Board of Education on Dec. 17 adopted Resolution No. 21-13 certifying the district’s 2025 mill levy and approved several policy revisions to comply with Colorado’s READ Act.

The board voted unanimously to certify a total mill levy of 31.186 for the calendar year beginning Jan. 1, 2025, under C.R.S. §39-5-128 and §39-10-114. Board documents list a certified assessed valuation of $54,960,650 and certified amounts of $1,465,141 for the General Fund (from a 26.658 mill levy), $1,558 for Abatement (0.028 mills), and $247,323 for Bond Redemption (4.500 mills), producing a total certified amount of $1,714,022.

Superintendent Joseph DeAngelis presented the resolution and the board proceeded to a roll-call vote after Board Member Jennifer Yates moved and Todd Arnhold seconded the motion. The roll indicated five members present and voting in favor; Treasurer Brad Mincic and Vice President Cameron Cummings were absent.

Separately, the board unanimously approved revisions to Policy ILBC (Early Literacy and Reading Comprehension) to add language required by the Colorado READ Act specifying that instructional programs and interventions be evidence-based and scientifically based and that they focus on phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary development, reading fluency including oral skills, and reading comprehension. The board also accepted the first reading of ILBC-R, the related administrative regulation required by the READ Act, and approved revisions to Policy IHBEA governing English Language Learners; motions on each policy item passed without dissent.

Board Member Jennifer Yates moved each policy motion, with either Todd Arnhold or Torrey Walters seconding; roll calls were unanimous in favor. Meeting minutes record no amendments to the drafted language; the actions were recorded as adopted.

The mill levy certification directs Business Services to deliver a certified copy of the resolution to the Board of County Commissioners of Las Animas County no later than Jan. 10, 2025, as required by state statute. The policy changes were presented as required steps to ensure district compliance with state literacy requirements.

Votes at a glance: Resolution No. 21-13 (mill levy) — motion by Jennifer Yates, seconded by Todd Arnhold; outcome: approved unanimously. Policy ILBC revision — moved by Jennifer Yates, seconded by Todd Arnhold; approved unanimously. ILBC-R (first reading) — moved by Todd Arnhold, seconded by Torrey Walters; approved unanimously. Policy IHBEA revision — moved by Jennifer Yates, seconded by Torrey Walters; approved unanimously.

The board adjourned at 6:51 p.m.; its next regular meeting is scheduled for Jan. 22, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.