Mapleton Public Schools Adams County School District No.1 591 E. 80th Avenue, Denver, CO 80229 Phone: 303-853-1000 Fax: 303-853-1086

Mapleton's money shows up in schools, classrooms

Mapleton staff recommend focusing funds to provide innovative instructional technology, supportive classrooms and facility improvements to meet the needs of a growing district in the proposed 2003 budget.

"We have had many conversations with our greater community, including our 2000 mill levy election, the community survey earlier this year, and the ongoing strategic planning process," said Charlotte Scarpella, Mapleton's superintendent. "It helps us plan to meet the needs of every student in Mapleton."

Mill levy override funds, $2.7 million annually, were approved by voters in 2000 for increased student access to instructional technology, classroom materials and more adults to work with students.

Included in the budget proposal is increased funds for classroom materials, which should lower the out-of-pocket costs to district families. Also, the district plans to spend over $600,000 on textbooks in the coming year, mostly in the communications curriculum area.

Mill levy funds will also support the technology replacement program, including the second and final phase of the replacement of outdated computers. Technology funds will also allow more TV to computer and cable connections in classrooms, and a wireless mobile computer lab.
The district is also asking for additional funds for more classroom aides, and will continue lowering staffing ratios in elementary levels from 21:1 to 20:1.

To remain competitive with neighboring districts, Mapleton will raise salaries and benefits for classified and administrative staff by about 5 percent. Negotiations over teacher salaries are ongoing.

Nevertheless, while the mill levy override and Amendment 23 funds help the district, growth, aging facilities and health insurance costs eat away at Mapleton's spending power. Rises in insurance costs will consume about one-tenth of the district's total funding increase for 2003, and the district has earmarked about $6 million for capital facilities improvements for 2003.

Mapleton will focus its energies to improve student achievement, reduce achievement gaps, improve graduation and attendance rates, and maintain a safe and civil learning environment.

District leaders hope to meet these goals by implementing a standards-based educational system throughout the district; promoting a district culture of professionalism characterized by a passion for life-long growth and improvement; providing varied options and support beyond and within the school day for students who haven't met standards; assuring a safe and civil learning environment; and involving parents and community in ways that improve academic achievement.

"These goals and objectives will help us chart a clear path to all-around district improvement while meeting CDE accreditation requirements," said Scarpella.

District officials will consider actions to move Mapleton closer toward meeting these goals. Some actions may include aligning resources to a standards system, defining professionalism, ensuring extended-day learning opportunities, exploring alternative school schedules, improving communication regarding student progress, and completing capital construction projects and equipment purchases.

The District Accountability Advisory Committee gave Mapleton's improvement plan for 2002-2003 its stamp of approval.

Sandy Glasser, one of the committee's co-presidents, said the DAAC supports the overall content and direction of the district budget and improvement plan, and the emphasis on standards-based instruction.

"DAAC also likes the process by which the district budget was developed. Parents and teachers provided input into the school improvement plans, which were the basis for building the district budget," Glasser added.

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