Regular Meeting

Douglass parent Britney Harvey said closing four schools would save $3.5 to $4 million a year. She said the district's own slide shows $7.5 to $10 million in one-time facility costs and $5 million in transition support. She asked for a year-by-year net analysis and a comparison with keeping schools open.

“A responsible plan would show exactly when savings are projected to overtake costs.”

A speaker asked how $1.2 million last year and $800,000 this year to keep Birch open for preschool fits the case for closing the school. The speaker said lost trust would hurt future bond elections.

Caitlyn Ununis described a tour of Cole. She said staff talked of possibly needing four rounds of classes and of turning therapy spaces into classrooms. She said the district had moved away from citing cost savings as a goal.

Lisa Kungl of the Intersectional Justice for Boulder Schools Coalition said the settlement with the ADL is binding. She asked the board to seat Jewish advisory council members who reflect the community's diversity, to ensure equity for other protected groups, and to protect academic inquiry and free speech. The coalition sent a statement with about 40 signatures.

Susanna Lopez and Aaron Stone raised concerns that the ADL settlement could chill free speech and lead to harassment charges against students who criticize a foreign government. Lopez also asked about protections for other student groups and about systemic bullying. Stone asked for people on both sides to help shape implementation.

Dr. Anderson explained why Resolution 26-30 against Proposition 134 came to action without the usual study session. He said the resilient schools work took the time normally used for that process. A director thanked him and said the board has long stood with trans students.

A director spoke for Resolution 26-31 supporting Proposition NN. The director said any dollar is significant, thanked BVEA, and urged voters who pick and choose to support NN. Ana Temu Otting earlier named Boulder County Measure 1A for child care as a measure she supports.

Ana Temu Otting said she supports the Brighter Start child care initiative in Boulder County and Measure 1A. She said early education helps brain development and that she hopes it comes to Broomfield.

Brendan Sullivan and Carissa presented the safety update. They reported 11 school safety advocates, more than 27,000 calls for service, about 0.5% of discipline referrals reaching law enforcement, and 92% favorable student responses on safety. They also reported 1,450 doors upgraded, more than $1 million and $800,000 in grants, and 280 training hours.

Directors asked about drills and safety staffing. Staff said each school holds two lockdown drills a year, elementary schools hold monthly fire drills, and students can opt out for individual training. Sullivan said school safety advocates are district employees and not police officers, and that the district uses behavioral threat assessment.

Jason Unger asked how evacuations work at shared campuses. Sullivan said staff work with police, fire, and the Office of Disaster Management. He said the district stages buses early when a fire starts, as it did for the Good Samaritan fire and a mountain fire near Cal-Wood.

Board policy GBI on criminal history records received light revisions to meet Colorado Bureau of Investigation requirements. The board had no objections.