Outgoing school board member Steve Boerigter, right, at a Leader’s Breakfast during his board tenure. Courtesy/LAPS
LAPS News:
The Los Alamos School Board met Dec. 14 in the School Board Room on Trinity Drive for its final regular meeting of 2021.
Board members recognized Steve Boerigter for his years of service on the board. HIs first School Board meeting was March 14, 2017.
The Board had a full agenda, which began with the approval of the recommended Notice of Sale Resolution of Bond Sale. This will be a sale of $10,000,000 of the general obligation bonds.
The Board then heard a presentation by Phil Gursky on a potential Canyon Complex development. The proposal calls for 32 residential duplex townhomes on almost seven acres owned by Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS). The property would be divided into long term leasehold parcels with LAPS as the lessor.
Principal Kati Steinberg of the Los Alamos Online Learning Academy (LAOLA ) updated the Board on the second year of the online learning option for students in kindergarten through 8th grade. She reviewed how students are making connections with each other, building school culture, recognizing each other’s strengths, cheering each other on and celebrating together, even if they are not together in person.
Steinberg said LAOLA is a great option for students and families who need to travel, citing one student who is participating in national rodeos and others who are traveling out of the country. Students log in to school not just from home but hotel rooms and RVs. She briefly discussed test scores for math, explaining that these scores are from tests taken at the beginning of the year.
“Like everyone else, LAOLA is looking at instructional strategies to improve math outcomes,” she said. “We will get there by sharing, learning and practicing problem solving strategies.”
Los Alamos Deputy County Manager Anne Laurent updated the Board on the North Mesa Community Gymnasium Project. Los Alamos County Council approved $350,000 from a State Legislative Capital Outlay grant for the planning and design of the project. Four sites have been considered for the location of the new gym near Los Alamos Middle School (LAMS). After much discussion, the School Board agreed to meet with the County Council to ensure that all parties are on the same page regarding the project.
Board members unanimously approved a $15 minimum hourly wage adjustment for 137 LAPS employees earning below this amount. The Board also agreed that the approximately $93,000 in one-time supplemental funds will come from leased funds.
The School Board next appointed six staff members to serve on the LAPS Union Negotiating Team. Human Resources Director Joe Palmer will serve as the lead staff on the team, which also includes LAMS Assistant Principal Andy Ainsworth, Aspen Elementary School Principal Michele Altherr, LAPS Director of Facilities Tommy Castillo, Los Alamos High School Assistant Principal Renee Dunwoody and LAPS Preschool Director Gina Terrazas. Attorney Karla Schultz will serve as necessary for legal consultation.
Interim Superintendent Jennifer Guy gave an update on COVID-19 positive cases in the schools, as well as recent state guidelines.
Interim Superintendent Guy concluded the meeting by presenting legislative recommendations for the upcoming legislative session in January.
LAPS will recommend:
- Staff compensation at regionally competitive levels;
- Local decision making;
- Funding for inclusive learning;
- Flexibility for K-5 Plus; and
- Capital Outlay Act.
The session opens Jan. 18.
The next school board meeting is 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 11, in the School Board Room. Board members Melanie Colgan, Antonio Jaurigue, Erin Green and Ellen Specter will be sworn in and board officer elections will be held.
