USD 315 board reviews student achievement plans, Dennen Field project

The Colby USD 315 Board of Education reviewed new school improvement efforts, received an update on the Dennen Field track project and approved several student and personnel requests during its Sept. 21 meeting at the district administration building.

Student achievement dominated reports from administrators, who outlined focused 40-day improvement plans for each school.

At Colby Grade School, Principal Julie Ziegelmeier said teachers will emphasize clear instruction and connecting lessons to students’ prior knowledge. The school will use classroom walkthroughs and assessment data to measure progress, with a goal of improving benchmark results by 10% between the fall and winter testing periods.

Colby Middle School will focus on clearly communicating daily learning targets. Principal Aaron Dardis said teachers are using student-friendly “I can” statements so students understand what they are expected to learn and can assess their own progress. The middle school’s goal is to increase FastBridge reading scores by 5% during the winter assessment window.

At Colby High School, Principal Matt Sims said the improvement plan centers on increasing the depth of knowledge in classrooms. Teachers are being encouraged to move beyond recall and give students more responsibility for analyzing information, supporting conclusions with evidence and explaining their reasoning.

Board members welcomed the emphasis on measurable academic improvement.

“Obviously, there are a lot of things that go into supporting student achievement,” one board member said. “But that’s got to be our primary interest — making sure kids, when they leave this program, are successful in whatever they do.”

Enrollment reports showed 327 students at the grade school, down 10 from September 2025. Middle school enrollment increased from 296 to 309, while high school enrollment declined from 275 to 265.

Superintendent Kevin Warner also discussed a new state-required at-risk student accountability plan. The district must identify at least two groups of elementary students, establish four-year academic goals and document the evidence-based interventions supported by at-risk funding.

Districts that do not meet their goals will receive an additional year, but continued failure could affect at-risk funding beginning in the 2030-31 school year. The requirements will also eventually include individual literacy plans for certain kindergarten through third-grade students and access to a licensed reading specialist at each elementary school.

Warner said the district is reorganizing some of its school improvement work to reduce meetings, protect classroom instructional time and align state accreditation requirements with the new accountability plan.

In a facilities update, Warner said a $773,831.11 lease agreement with Western State Bank had been completed for the Dennen Field track project. Integrity Sports Solutions and McConnell & Associates were scheduled to meet with the district before demolition began the week of Sept. 28.

The board unanimously accepted donations, grants and gifts with a reported value of more than $125,000. Contributions included cash and in-kind support for the Play 315 playground project and Dennen Field, as well as school supplies, food-service assistance and equipment.

The board also unanimously approved three out-of-district band trips and fundraisers for the CHS Spirit Squad, after-school program and Play 315 Committee. Proposed playground fundraisers include a fall event, “Tattoo a Teacher” and “Chuck a Duck,” although organizers noted the events were still in the planning stage.

Early graduation requests were approved for Alana Fabrizius, Zane Gray, Faith Hoover, Aubri Lilly, Uriel Pedroza, Sofia Rapalo and Evolet Vergara, subject to completion of all graduation requirements. Participation in activities after graduation will be left to the building principal’s discretion.

The board approved hiring Donard Allen as an activity driver and Debbie Kersenbrock as a non-CDL route driver. Supplemental contracts were approved for Brent Arnberger as assistant high school baseball coach and Brenton Kirkhart and Valick Sorter as middle school KIC co-sponsors.

The board also approved a facility rental agreement and fees, authorized the disposal of designated school property, and approved the consent agenda, including meeting minutes and payment of bills. Each recorded action passed 7-0.