Welcome to the first edition of the Superintendent's Blog. After each regular meeting of the La Veta RE-2 Board of Education, I will publish a short update like this one so our families and community can hear directly about the work of your school board: the direction we are setting, the policies we are shaping, and how we are stewarding district resources. Please note that links are embedded throughout this communication.
A note on who you will hear from. This summer we welcomed Erica Switzer as our K-12 Principal, an important step in our leadership transition. With Mrs. Switzer leading the school, you will hear from me more regularly in my role as Superintendent on matters of board governance, policy, budget, and district strategic priorities. Mrs. Switzer will be your voice for the day-to-day life of the school: classrooms and instruction, schedules and events, the student handbook, and building operations. We think this clarity will serve families well. To help you see how the whole team fits together, our updated organizational chart is shared alongside this post, and a Who to Contact This Summer guide appears at the end.
Back-to-school registration begins in earnest on Wednesday, July 15. Watch for communication from Mrs. Switzer with everything your family needs to register for the 2026-27 school year.
Highlights from the July 8 School Board Meeting
The board adopted District End Statements. This is the centerpiece of our move to Policy Governance. Ends statements describe what our students should know, be able to do, and become as Redhawks. They are the outcomes the board will use to monitor district performance and to evaluate my work as Superintendent. Our teacher leadership team has already begun working on how to bring these statements to life in student-friendly language, and we look forward to sharing that work as it takes shape. Monitoring dashboards will come back to the board at future meetings.
First reading of Policy AD, District Mission and Philosophy. Colorado's Safe Schools law now requires every district mission to include a commitment to the safety of students and staff. Our updated policy adds that commitment while keeping the mission our community knows: graduating lifelong learners and productive citizens.
Attendance policy and practice. The board discussed a complete attendance package, including the policy, procedures, parent communication, and guidance for teachers on makeup work. The board anticipates acting on a first reading of the policies on July 22 and a second reading on August 10. I will share this information as it is considered and approved, and it will be incorporated into our improved Student and Family Handbook, scheduled for distribution at our back-to-school open house on Thursday, August 13. Please plan to join us.
Homeschool policy. State law recently changed how districts may serve homeschool students. For now, the board is inclined to hold off on part-time academic enrollment while legal guidance develops, and it remains committed to welcoming homeschool students in extracurricular activities. More discussion is ahead.
Other business. The board approved our Nutrition Services team for 2026-27, accepted a staff resignation, and settled final 2025-26 operating costs for the Future Redhawks Child Care Center.
We are hiring. The district is still advertising for a couple of positions and is actively looking for coaches for several of our athletic programs. Candidates can review all current openings and apply at HERE. If you know someone who would be a great fit for our Redhawks, please share the link.
What We Are Working On Now
This week alone, our leadership team is finalizing the master schedule with Mrs. Switzer, preparing for registration, addressing policy relevant to the development of an improved Student and Family Handbook, and planning early childhood programming with Early Childhood Director Cindy Campbell.
We have also been attending to facilities improvements, including refinishing gym floors, completing xeriscaping outside, and cleaning the turf field. We’re also mapping how we will communicate with families throughout the year. Every one of these efforts ties back to the Ends the board just adopted.
Watch the Meeting
A recording of the July 8 meeting is available here.
Sharing a recording link is our starting point. The district is exploring options for broadcasting and sharing all board meetings so that every community member can see this work firsthand in an easily accessible way.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 22 at 6:00 p.m. It will feature a presentation from Mrs. Switzer on the teacher leadership team's work on C.L.A.W.S., the school's grassroots behavioral framework, and a presentation from Assistant Principal and CTE Director Alan Nelms on the expansion of CTE pathways for our students in grades 8 through 12. Agendas and packets are always available on our Diligent page here.
Questions are welcome at bree.jones@lvk12.org or 719-742-6416.
Who to Contact This Summer
We often share contact lists when something goes wrong. This one is different. It is meant to help you understand who does what at La Veta Public Schools, so you always know where to start. One summer note: our teachers are on a well-earned break and return to work in August, so during the summer months the Front Office and the team below are your best starting points. All email addresses are firstname.lastname@lvk12.org
Front Office, 719-742-6417. Your first stop for almost anything: general questions, forms, scheduling meetings with staff, and reporting facility or maintenance needs. Not sure who to ask? Start here.
Your Child's Teacher. Beginning in August, the person closest to your child's daily learning. Grades, assignments, academic progress, classroom life, homework, and curriculum questions all start here.
Coaches. Our coaches lead their programs: playing time, team rules, practice and game schedules, and your student athlete's development. A conversation with the coach is always the right first step. Coaches are active all summer running weights, workouts, and camps, and we love seeing the dedication of our students as they prepare in the summer for success in the school year. Be sure you are signed up for SportsYou to stay connected with your student's program.
Erica Switzer, K-12 Principal, 719-742-6426. Leads the school. Curriculum, instruction, and grading practices school-wide, building schedules and events, kindergarten readiness and transition, and day-to-day school operations. Mrs. Switzer also serves as the district's Title IX Coordinator.
Alan Nelms, Assistant Principal and CTE Director, 719-742-6443. Guides student behavior and discipline, responds to bullying and peer conflict, leads chronic absenteeism intervention and student crisis response, and directs our growing CTE programs.
Dr. Jenny Peil, School Counselor, 719-742-6410. Supports the whole child: social-emotional wellbeing, mental health support, attendance support, and our C.L.A.W.S. behavioral framework.
Rick Sciacca, Director of Student Services, 719-742-6421. Keeps students on track to graduate: graduation requirements and credits, student records and transcripts, and assessment results and testing accommodations. Please note that Mr. Sciacca is unavailable until August 1. In the meantime, questions traditionally routed to him should be addressed to Dr. Jones.
Lon Goemmer, Athletic and Transportation Director, 719-742-6438. Oversees our athletic programs, eligibility, and activities transportation, and supports coaches and families when a team conversation needs another set of ears.
Dr. Bree Jones, Superintendent, 719-742-6416. Leads the district. Board governance, policy, budget, personnel, media and public records, discrimination or civil rights concerns not addressed through the Title IX process, and any matter not resolved at the building level.
Helpful Links
Thank you for reading, and Go Redhawks!
Dr. Bree Jones, Superintendent, La Veta School District RE-2
719-742-6416