CHAFFEE'S SCHOOL PLAN ADDRESSED

CHAFFEE -- Members of the Chaffee School Board recently outlined objectives for the district's next academic year.

The district hopes to formulate and implement a five-year response plan to the recent state school evaluation, consider replacement of the arts building and examine the need for a possible levy increase in light of state funding restrictions.

"I won't say any of these goals is most important," said district superintendent Wayne Pressley, "but we will be placing a lot of emphasis on the response plan to our evaluation."

The district received an excellent overall rating from the state Department of Education.

The responses to the department's evaluation will include addressing the few areas "for consideration of improvement" and updating several policy guidelines, Pressley said.

"We're just now beginning that process," he said. "When the principals get back on board, we'll set up a committee to oversee the response plan."

Pressley was apprehensive in discussing board plans to investigate operating budget needs to determine if a levy increase possibly will be assessed.

"We have to see if we'll be able to hold our own or if it will be appropriate to look at more local efforts to raise funding for our schools," he said. "So much of these plans are still in their infancy, so we haven't taken any action on our funding situation."

Replacement of the arts building also is included in future plans. The building is the last in existence of those to be replaced through long-range facility updating objectives.

Pressley said, "When the time is appropriate and funding is available, we will be replacing the building."