At Boulder Elementary School, the biggest challenges this school year all come down to funding.
Some are chronic concerns, as the school looks for ways to improve and maintain facilities within a tight budget, said Maria Pace, Boulder Elementary School principal.
This year also brings challenges for improving funding for the Century 21 program, which includes after-school and summer club activities.
The Century 21 Program was started 13 years ago, according to the program director Rochelle Hesford. The program works to teach students through projects and activities based on their interests, which the program helps to cultivate, she said.
The program also has a service learning component that includes a coat drive, a high school food pantry, planting in the community garden and building a half-basketball court in Centennial Park. Most funding for the program is grant-based.
The program also raises money through fundraisers such as bake sales and selling items at the Boulder Farmers Market.
While the school works to keep their programs running, handling the cost of regular facilities upkeep is as much about planning as finding funds.
Starting her eighth year at the school, Pace said that she has seen the importance over that time of the school board’s facilities committee.
During her first year at the school, there was a facilities condition inventory, she said. Following that, the facilities committee has maintained an accurate record of improvements and what remains to be done.
“And as we’ve had money, we’ve kept up with that,” she said. “We’ve also been really mindful of any grants that have been available, to help support any needs that we have.”
Current priorities include things such as updating the gymnasium heating system, she said. The school already had an assessment done on the system several years ago while having work done on the kitchen ventilation system.
By planning ahead, they have been able to identify potential grants to pay for the work, and Pace said she expects the heating system to be a top priority for the facilities committee to look into this year.
Planning ahead also means that, while the heating system is a big concern, it’s not yet an immediate concern, she said.
The committee will also be discussing the recent purchase of property adjacent to the school, Pace said. “We would like to put a multi-use building there.”
The added space could be used for adult education, for activities such as the Century 21 Program and the garden club, and as a place to teach students pre-vocational skills before high school.
Beyond funding, Pace said she feels the school staff — from teachers through to custodians and everyone who works at the school — are always striving to make everything about the school better.
“How can we make this an even better place for kids to come and parents to feel welcome?” she said.
To seek the answer, the school will be conducting climate surveys this year to find out what the whole community wants for the school, Pace said.
“We’re just always trying to do better and make this the most positive, safe environment for kids,” she said.
Kasey Faur contributed to this report.
