Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — While the Steamboat Springs School Board patiently waits for interested citizens to present applications to fill Matt Hermes' position as treasurer of the school board, business will continue as usual.

"As soon as we feel we have some letters of interest, we'll go ahead and interview the applicants," said Dan Birch, president of the school board.

Having received only one letter, Birch said the board would like to encourage those interested in serving the area east of U.S. 40 to submit letters of interest.

Because Paul Fisher, vice president of the school board, and Tom Sharp were not present at the scheduled March 12 meeting, it was postponed until tonight.

An item added to the agenda for tonight is the Collaborative Bargaining Team Process Review Committee that will ask board members how the collaborative bargaining process can be improved.

The review committee also has asked the entire school district faculty, staff and administrators.

"I think it can be improved. (The process) needs to consume less time. It takes a tremendous amount of time" in and out of the classroom and the office, Birch said.

Because Fisher is the committee representative, he will also ask other board members to comment on the status of the process, in order for them to continually improve the process.

"We'll probably just have some discussion. They've been working for awhile," Birch said.

The collaborative bargaining team works on a process that answers questions about employee salary and benefit negotiations. The review committee consists of school district staff, a school board member and the superintendent of the school district.

Superintendent Cindy Simms said no action will be taken in tonight's meeting, only discussion.

"We're always trying to make things better," Simms said.

For more information about the meeting and the school board vacancy, call the Steamboat School District administrative office at 879-1530.

To reach Kelly Silva call 871-4204

or e-mail ksilva@steamboatpilot.com