ALAMOSA — Monday night brought a busy meeting for the Alamosa Board of Education. With several changes under consideration, there was much discussion.

One of the biggest changes currently being proposed is an amendment to the district calendar. A committee of district personnel and parents was formed for the purpose of setting the prospective dates for the 2019-20 school year. The biggest proposed change is to make Fridays the early release day for the entire district. A survey was sent out to district staff and the response was largely favorable to the proposed switch.

Graduation could be  moved

Another key change to the calendar would be to move the graduation date for AHS one week earlier. According to District Superintendent Rob Alejo and Alamosa High School Principal Andy Lavier, there has been a conflict in previous years between the dates for the CHSAA Track and Field State Championships and the AHS graduation day. This conflict has often forced student athletes to choose between the graduation ceremony and participating in the championship.

The calendar committee requested to move the graduation date to May 16. There is consensus that the changes would be beneficial. Board member Christine Haslett pointed out that the proposals are intended to “meet as many needs as possible,” across the district. The committee was commended for their work.

There also was an extensive discussion regarding a prospective policy change regarding parents’ ability to request teachers at Alamosa Elementary School. The policy was brought before the board for a second reading; however, there were numerous concerns voiced by the board and staff in the audience, thus the policy was kept at second-reading status.

Funding challenges

During the superintendent’s report, Alejo informed the board that he would update them on the progress of the state legislature’s consideration of the 2019-20 School Finance Act. President Arlan Van Ry also noted that he sees potential for even more challenges ahead for the district when it comes to funding. He voiced concern over how the funding for full-day kindergarten is going to affect rural schools across the state. The legislature is currently considering education related items so it remains to be seen how much the funding situation will change.

The board will consider the proposals with final decisions on each matter expected by May.