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Steamboat Springs — The Steamboat Springs School Board has a chance to review a year's worth of improvement data from each of the schools in the district tonight.

Since last spring, staff members at each building have been working to compile a school improvement plan with goals aligned to those of the Steamboat Springs School District. From raising standardized test scores to making sure every student knows the school's positive behavior system, these goals are supported with a plan for how to reach the goals using "response to intervention" training.

The goals also address some of the shortcomings of the schools and specific problem areas the staff have identified. For Steamboat Springs Middle School, one goal includes reducing achievement gaps for low-income and minority students by 4 percent.

"Each school had latitude in developing their goals. The intent of the process is to set high but achievable goals that are meaningful for the school and staff," the report states.

The board also is facing a potential budget cut from the state. Finance Director Dale Mellor will present a news release from the Colorado Department of Education showing a $222 million cut in state funding. Only a small portion of Steamboat's funds come from the state. Most of the funding comes from local taxes.

Workshop

This will be the second time in four days the board has met. On Friday, the board held an afternoon-long workshop to discuss some of the most contentious issues facing the district, including accountability for money spent, especially money from the Education Fund Board.

Although the board could not pass any motions during the workshop, members brainstormed several solutions and sought to clarify the process of accepting gifts from the Fund Board.

The district, led by Superintendent Shalee Cunningham, also will soon begin a strategic planning session for community members and staff to have input on the long-term future of the district. Cunningham said she will begin seeking 30 community members to take part in the weekend workshop.

From the discussions, the group will develop three to five goals to accomplish during an 18-month period.

"It's a fun, exciting, intense three days," Cunningham said about the sessions. She previously has run sessions as a consultant in California.

Cunningham said she will seek a cross-section of local professionals to take part in the workshop.

- To reach Zach Fridell, call 871-4208 or e-mail zfridell@steamboatpilot.com