LAPS school officials show their Pride at the school board meeting Friday, from left, Interim Superintendent Jennifer Guy, Board VP Ellen Specter, Healthy Schools Director Kristine Coblentz, Board President Melanie Colgan and LAHS Assistant Principal Renee Dunwoody. Courtesy/LAPS
LAPS News:
The Los Alamos School Board held a Zoom meeting Friday, June 11 during which Board President Melanie Colgan opened the meeting by recognizing the efforts of the LAPS technology department.
“We couldn’t have made it through this past year without you,” President Colgan said.
She also recognized Los Alamos High School Assistant Principal Renee Dunwoody for the “incredible job” she did with graduation.
“This was the third version of graduation in the midst of a pandemic and you went above and beyond the call of duty,” Colgan said.
School Board Vice President Ellen Specter also offered kudos to LAPS Business Manager Teresa Gatewood and the LAPS Finance Team under her leadership for the work they have done and the challenges they met during the pandemic.
The board then heard from Sal Zapien, director of technology for the district. He reported on the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and the steps the district is taking to ensure the safety of students using the internet. He explained the blocking and filtering resources put in place by the department, as well as the use of GoGuardian for monitoring activity.
Zapien also discussed the education component, pointing out that the school librarians take the lead on “teaching students what is appropriate online behavior, focusing on social networking, interacting with others online and bullying.”
The technology department will continue to work with families on managing devices at home, as well showing teachers how to integrate internet safety into lesson plans, Zapien said.
“We continuously evaluate our rules and setup and take suggestions from administrators, teachers, parents and students,” he said.
Zapien also reported on several internet security improvements.
The board next reviewed a meeting schedule for 2021-22. Meetings will continue to be held on the second Tuesday and fourth Thursday of each month with a few exceptions due to holidays.
The board unanimously approved the Request For Proposal (RFP) or Request For Quote (RFQ) up to $1.525 million for system upgrades in the 400 wing of Pueblo Complex. The scope of work will include a new HVAC system, roof replacement and updates to restrooms to meet ADA compliance. The board also approved a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with High Flyers Gymnastics who will finance some additional renovations. High Flyers rents part of the 400 wing and plans to expand into the space occupied by the Los Alamos Schools Credit Union and the LAPS Foundation. Those organizations are moving this summer to a new building on Central Avenue.
President Colgan updated the board on the superintendent search. McPherson & Jacobson, LLC is under contract and will begin the search process in July. Board members will receive training in August.
In addition to the search for a new superintendent, the School Board will be looking to fill a vacancy on the board as Dawn Jalbert submitted her letter of resignation during the meeting. Her last day is June 30. The School Board has 45 days from this date to appoint a new board member. President Colgan thanked Jalbert for her service, and noted that she has been “a champion for teachers and their voices”. The board will announce plans to fill the vacancy soon.
The school board meeting originally scheduled for June 24 has been canceled. The next school board meeting is 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 13.