Accountability

Good afternoon, Platte Valley Community! We wanted to take a brief moment to share a few year-end items as the 2023-2024 school year has officially come to a close. It is hard for me to believe we are at the beginning of July. Of course, we have been working hard over the past month preparing for the start of the 2024-2025 school year. In actuality, this work for us began in late winter/early spring as we start preliminary planning for the upcoming school year while simultaneously working to successfully close the school year we are in (2023-2024).

By all indications we have had a successful 2023-2024 school year. Feedback from stakeholders across the community including students, staff (teachers, instructional aides, operations, etc.), parents, and community members has been overwhelmingly positive. The District successfully began its partnership and implemented the Dream Team program, providing increased opportunities and connections for middle and high school students to connect to post-secondary opportunities and programs. These programs include trade and vocational schools along with four-year universities. It provides opportunities for students to connect with career opportunities and educational workshops. During its first year of implementation, we had 49 middle school students and 40 high school students enrolled in the program. In addition to the Dream Team program, Platte Valley officially began its partnership with the Town of Kersey on a School Resource Officer (SRO) program. In December Jonathan Lange started as the Platte Valley SRO providing services that have increased safety and security in addition to working with students and families to see law enforcement in a different light. Jonathan and the SRO program have been an incredible success in its first year of implementation.

Early assessment data from SAT/PSAT and internal NWEA MAPS testing overall look positive and we continue to wait on state CMAS data. Beyond assessment data, we had numerous academic achievements across all areas of the District. Successes included continued strong attendance, over 25% of secondary students earning straight A’s or all A’s and B’s throughout the school year, a Boetcher award winner for the fifth time in six years, and numerous state and national recognitions in FBLA, FCCLA, and FFA.

The District’s assessed value (AV) increased approximately 69% to $4.17 billion. Looking ahead we have built our projections for 2024-2025 based on a conservative 30% decrease. We are accustomed to the significant ebbs and flows that come with the impact of the oil and gas industry on our assessed value. We have been diligent with our planning and closely follow the oil and gas industry, valuations, etc. knowing the impact it has on the District. The data below highlights a number of the successes I have referenced above.

Academic Achievements

• SAT/PSAT. For the 3rd consecutive year, we have beaten the state average in SAT achievement scores. Prior to these past three years, the District had never beaten the state average on the SAT.

• NWEA MAPS. This is a local assessment (we choose to use it) that is nationally normed for the District to use for progress monitoring. Unlike CMAS, we receive timely and actionable data through these assessments. The elementary was 69th percentile in growth and 66th percentile in achievement in math.

• National Scholarship Winners. Misael Lopez Hernandez earned the Boettcher Scholarship. This is the most competitive scholarship in the state and is Platte Valley High School’s fifth Boettcher winner in six years. Misael will attend the University of Colorado on a full ride scholarship.

• Concurrent Enrollment. We had 97 students enroll in college courses offered through Platte Valley High School and AIMS Community College, earning over 450 credits and 3 degrees and certificates that were awarded through AIMS Community College.

• Honor Roll. Over 25% of middle and high school students earned straight A’s or all A’s and B’s.

• Attendance Data. Platte Valley elementary had a 95% attendance rate, the middle school 94.5% and high school 92.5%. Our students and families want to be here, and we want our students to be here!