District Accountability Committee

All schools and districts are required by state law to convene Accountability Committees that must meet at least quarterly. Statute requires that School and District Accountability Committees fulfill specific responsibilities which can be found on the Colorado Department of Education's website.

If you are interested in becoming involved in the District Accountability Committee (DAC) or a specific School Accountability Committee (SAC). Please reach out to the Chair for more information: 

District Accountability Committee (DAC)

Dr. David Blackburn
[email protected]

The DAC is made up of community members, business owners, parents, and staff. It serves a critical role in supporting the Board of Education and ensuring that our elected officials maintain a core focus on the issues most important to its stakeholders. 

You do not need to have educational training, just a willingness to share and gather community perspectives for the Board to review. At its simplest, your opinion matters because these are your schools. 

The DAC meets roughly quarterly to review and support the Board of Education in:

Setting priorities for today, as well as identifying priorities for the future.

Reviewing and confirming data on District performance that supports accreditation.

Reviewing budget and recommending fiscal policy.

In addition, the DAC frequently supports the Board in gathering input from the community on values, initiatives, and aspirations. At other times the DAC may help the Board with particular research projects to support community priorities.  

Please reach out to Superintendent Blackburn and you will be sent quick instructional videos to ensure you have background for the agenda.  It is an easy way to support your Education Community.

Dates for this year include:

November 15th, 2023 Late Kickoff meeting
December 11th, 2023 Facility Group Work Prep for any Board Presentation
December 20th, 2023 Facility Group Work
January 24th, 2024 DAC meeting 
March 6th, 2024 Budget and Facility Plan Update
May 8th, 2024 Final Budget & EOY Strategic priorities

Meetings will be held at 627 Oak Street, Salida, CO 81236

2023-2024 Participants
School District Staff: David Blackburn, Will Wooddell, Deb Bass-O'Brien, Darcy Harris
Business: Gwen Allen, Jake Rishavy, Alex Lunsford, Rob Gartzman, Christian Koch
Community: Kirk Banghart, John Vandewalle, Rob Simpson, Fred Maxwell, Dave Armstrong, Ann Fortune, Leslie Garrity

Teacher Effectiveness Program
The Salida School District has been on the front edge of implementing the new teacher effectiveness evaluation system since the Senate passed the bill in 2009.  It is many times known as SB-191.  Every single employee, whether they are certified or classified (licensed by CDE or not licensed) is evaluated every year.  The Board of Education evaluates the Superintendent as well, and it is done three times a year. The district has piloted multiple times the State's evaluation system and rubric.  The district continues to use the state developed system to ensure, not only compliance, but honest evaluative conversations.  Classified staff are evaluated using their job descriptions as a guide.  The district does have a 1338 council to review the district's implementation of the effectiveness.  If you are interested in participating in that review please contact Superintendent Blackburn at [email protected].

To understand more of the details regarding the evaluation system please utilize this link:
http://www.cde.state.co.us/educatoreffectiveness/statemodelevaluationsystem"



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