Budget looks bleak for

next year



By REBECCA

VAN DYKE

ALAMOSA — As Alamosa Public Schools moves closer to their groundbreaking for the two new elementary schools, they are finishing up the final planning and hiring.

Alan Freidhof, owner of The Master’s Builders in Pueblo, was the winning bidder for the position of owner’s representative for the construction of the schools. A general contractor in Pueblo, Freidhof will be responsible for the project from start to finish while working with laborers, the school board, and Charlie Jackson, director of maintenance for Alamosa Public Schools who will be in charge of maintaining the facilities post construction.

Introduced at the school board meeting last Tuesday, Freidhof wasted no time in getting involved. He is already attending meetings with various groups including the Master Facilities Planning Committee where he and a small group of teachers, school board members, administrators, and parents will meet with Neenan Archistructure as plans move into the execution phase.

Henry Herrera, retiring superintendent for Alamosa Public Schools, opened up discussion for the preliminary budget for the next school year.

He advised that the district is expecting a 4.9 percent increase in funding but will not see another increase in funding for two more years. “The next two years look very dismal financially,” he told the school board. He also said the Colorado Department of Education will restore the five year averaging for student enrollment and feels that the budget for next year will be very similar to the current budget. Just as a word of warning, Herrera said the board needs to be sure that everything that goes into place for the next budget year will be sustainable for at least the next two years. The board will continue their budget discussions on May 19.

Future Farmers of America (FFA) officers Kassie Howard, Krystal Huffaker, Jennifer Keen, and Levi Rutgers gave an update to the board on their current activities including the state judging contest held in Fort Collins last weekend as well as the State Convention to be held later this summer. Kevin Rice, FFA sponsor told the board that their Junk Auction was successful, bringing in $5,000.

The board also recognized three teachers for their contributions to education. Barb Kruse was recognized for her recent nomination for Alamosa School District Teacher of the Year. Michele Kritner was nominated for SLV BOCES Teacher of the Year award, and Esmeralda Martinez received the Colorado ELA Teacher of the Year Award.