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Articles from Vol. 23 No. 9 - September 2, 2023

Monument Academy School Board, Aug. 10 and 19 – Board receives ACLU demand letter

By Jackie Burhans

The Monument Academy (MA) board called a rare Saturday special meeting on Aug. 19 to discuss a demand letter from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on their resolution, proclamation, and policies regarding transgender, gender nonconforming, and nonbinary students.

At its regular meeting on Aug. 10, MA’s board heard about a new quarterly dashboard, enrollment updates, carline information, and finances.

Board discusses ACLU demand letter

The MA board met at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 19, to go into executive session for legal advice on specific legal matters regarding a demand letter received by legal counsel, to discuss security measures, and to discuss personnel matters with prior notice. All board members were present, along with the board’s lawyer, Brad Miller of Miller Farmer Carson Law LLC.

The board returned after an hour to unanimously approve the creation of a Legal Affairs subcommittee to address issues regarding their resolution. Board President Ryan Graham and Director Karen Hoida will serve on the subcommittee. Graham explained that MA had received a demand letter from the ACLU of Colorado addressing its recent resolution regarding transgender students. There was no imminent threat of litigation, he said.

The letter, which is included in MA’s board meeting highlight document, is titled “Unlawful actions of Monument Academy and its school board” and says that MA’s actions undermine the safety and well-being of transgender, gender nonconforming, and nonbinary students and flout multiple state and federal laws. ACLU notes that the refusal to provide students access to restrooms consistent with their gender is prohibited by the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA) per CRS 24-34-601 and that MA’s dress code impermissibly treats students differently based on gender, which violates CADA as well as students’ constitutional rights to freedom of expression.

Finally, the ACLU characterizes MA’s recent resolution as signaling its open hostility to transgender, gender nonconforming, and nonbinary students, as well as to Colorado and federal nondiscrimination laws. The ACLU requested a substantive response from MA by Aug. 31 and reserves all rights to file necessary legal action to ensure compliance with Colorado and federal law. You can see the demand letter at https://bit.ly/MA-ACLU-Demand.

Quarterly dashboard overview

Interim Chief Operating Officer Kim McClelland introduced consultant Jennifer Strawbridge of Analytical Discoveries, who is helping the school create a dashboard to present a deep dive into academic growth to the community.

Strawbridge presented baseline results from the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years. She said she loves working with leadership teams and helping people understand how they can best use this information to drive instruction and improve academic achievement. She color-coded the dashboard to show how it is related to MA’s mission statement.

Strawbridge showed the results from the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS), which breaks achievement data into four categories: above, at, below, and well below for grade level. The dashboard compares one year to the following year, and the goal is to see the “at” and “above” bars increase. The tests done at the beginning of the year can show a “summer slide,” indicating testing challenges more than knowledge loss, she said. Testing is also done mid-year and at the end of the year to capture growth for kindergarten through third grade and the beginning and end of the year only from fourth to eighth grade.

Next, Strawbridge showed the NWEA (formerly Northwest Evaluation Association) MAP data, which goes beyond reading and divides results into quintiles. NWEA was acquired in May 2023 by Houghton Mifflin. Her chart had a dashed line for the grade-level achievement score in each subject area. Again, she noted that this dashboard was a baseline they could use to track improvement. NWEA looks at the median growth percentile (MGP), where MA students are compared against other students nationally who have the same starting score and grade level. MGP helps to adjust for any skewing that might take place with students who show very low or very high growth. Strawbridge said that MGP is one of the most important pieces of data when looking at growth since it tells you if a school is growing kids academically.

Middle and high school students take the PSAT and SAT, respectively, and that data is currently embargoed, so will be presented in the Q1 dashboard.

In addition to academics, the dashboards will track attendance and discipline, both of which are correlated with academic achievement and growth. Strawbridge reviewed specific data, pointing out where scores were good and where they needed work. McClelland said parents will be able to see this information under the strategic plan in the school board section of the website at https://bit.ly/ma-boe.

Strawbridge said that the participation level in DIBELS and NWEA MAP is near 100%, unlike the Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) tests. She noted that CMAS and NWEA are correlated but that the state won’t use NWEA data unless you qualify for the “request to reconsider” process that the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) uses for schools that disagree with the initial CDE rating of its school performance framework. MA is not eligible for the “request to reconsider” process, which requires that 90% of its students take the state assessment without opting out.

Enrollment update

McClelland updated the board on MA’s current enrollment, saying she wished she had better historical data to track the ebbs and flows to understand what happened between the last day of school and now. She noted that students may move away or make other decisions for many reasons and that MA also sees students come in after school has started up to the Oct. 1 student count deadline.

Elementary enrollment is at 518, which is down from the budget. Middle school is at 399, and high school is at 130 for a total of 1,047, with 529 at the secondary school. Although the budgeted number is lower, the total number has increased from the previous year.

She also noted that there has been discussion about increasing class sizes to 28 students, noting that they are not raising the class size for every class. To be fiscally responsible, she said, schools will oversubscribe some classes at the beginning of the year because there may be some attrition. MA cannot hire a new teacher if there are two kids over the policy ratio of teachers to students.

McClelland said she wanted to be clear about the ratio and the need to boost enrollment, noting that MA would be putting out yard signs to get the word out. The number one reason people are not enrolling in MA is that they are choosing to homeschool, she said, followed by choosing to enroll in district-run schools in D38 or D20, and concerns about construction and carlines.

Carline concerns

McClelland said getting the word out on how carpooling and the carline would work was important. Information, including a video for phase 1 access to the West Campus, is on the website. This information was shared at town halls, meet-and-greet meetings, and using the new ParentSquare platform. Information about the significant changes to the carline and student parking was part of the East Campus Handbook updates reported on by high school Principal David Kennington.

For more information, email carline@monumentacademy.net or see the MA website under the parents section at https://bit.ly/MA-Carline. Information on the Highway 105 construction project can be found at http://EPC-Hwy105AConstruction.com/.

Finances

Financial consultant Glenn Gustafson reported that the pre-audit June 30 financial statements were available, but he was waiting for D38 to finish its audit and reconcile with MA. Preliminary results show that revenues exceed expenses by $88,000, but he expects additional revenue from special education (SPED) funds in September.

Gustafson said the new audit firm, Hoelting & Co., has significant experience in charter school accounting. The firm was in MA for two days with non-stop requests for information. He complimented Business Manager Diane Smith for her recordkeeping and documentation of expenditures and deposits.

The July books are closed, and the financial statements are in the hands of the Finance Committee, which will schedule a meeting to review. All budgets are in the black, unlike last year, Gustafson said. He noted that bringing payroll back in-house would save about $4,000 per month after initial conversion costs. The next conversion this fall will be the purchasing module so administrators and teachers can use its electronic workflow to speed up approvals.

Finally, Gustafson said he did some work over the summer at another charter school that qualified for the employee retention tax credit (ERTC) refund. The ERTC is available for businesses and tax-exempt organizations that had employees and were affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Not all charter schools qualify, so he engaged a consultant to do a feasibility study for free to see if MA qualified. If MA does qualify, the consultant would receive a 5% fee. To apply for the ERTC takes a lot of work, Gustafson noted, requiring records back to 2020, but could result in a significant refund.

Highlights

Board meeting highlights include:

  • Board member Craig Carlie spotlighted the work of Kendra Kuhlmann, who works in Marketing, for streamlining the communication and marketing effort. Kuhlmann presented at the meeting on the rollout of the new parent communication platform ParentSquare, detailing the progress and backup plans and noting the challenges.
  • McClelland introduced the discussion of new and updated supplementary materials and video resource policies IIAC-MA, IIAC-E1-MA, IIAC-E2-MA, IJ-MA, and IJ-E1-MA. She noted that MA would adopt the standard nomenclature used by D38 for its policies but with MA at the end to differentiate those modified by MA. McClelland said she wanted to have legal review the changes before final adoption. Approved MA board policies can be found at https://bit.ly/ma-bd-policies.
  • Kennington and middle school Principal Collin Vinchattle discussed updates to the East Campus Handbook, noting changes around attendance, late submission, phone usage, carline, and student parking. The board asked for updates to board candidate qualifications and the volunteer management system but proposed forgoing curriculum policy changes since those were not yet approved. The board unanimously approved the handbook with these changes.
  • McClelland said the portables would not be available on day one as they need additional work on ramps, fencing, and electrical work, followed by a final walkthrough and certificate of occupancy. Kennington said there were alternative plans in place and that it was a matter of weeks, not months, before the portables would be ready.
  • The board unanimously approved a motion to move the board meetings from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month. This change was made to avoid conflict with sports practices and to allow more time for the board to socialize.

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The MA School Board meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month. The next regular board meeting will be on Thursday, Sept. 14, at 6:30 p.m. at the East Campus. See more information at https://bit.ly/ma-boe.

Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me.

Other Monument Academy articles

Woodmoor Improvement Association, Aug. 23 – Board hears about possible extension of Furrow Road

By Jackie Burhans

At its Aug. 23 meeting, the Woodmoor Improvement Association (WIA) board heard about traffic-related issues and solutions and discussed moving its investments to higher interest-bearing accounts. Board directors provided updates in each of their areas of responsibility.

Furrow Road extension back on the table

The WIA board discussed area traffic issues stemming from construction projects and the start of the school year. President Brian Bush commended Woodmoor Public Safety (WPS) Chief Kevin Nielsen for providing guidance about the change in WPS’ role in school traffic control.

Public Safety Director Brad Gleason reported that Highway 105 has transitioned to night work for at least another week, and the complete closure of Knollwood Drive has been delayed until early September. He also reported that the El Paso County Department of Public Works was also considering opening Furrow Road south of Highway 105 to Higby Road as soon as feasible, making traffic more efficient for emergency vehicles.

Note: Furrow Road is closed off south of Highway 105 at Lamplight Drive.

Above: At the August Woodmoor Improvement Association board meeting, Director Brad Gleason and Woodmoor Public Safety Chief Kevin Nielsen noted that the county is looking into removing the barriers at Furrow Road and Lamplight Drive to allow traffic to proceed south to Higby Road. This extension had been discussed in 2021 and tabled in February 2022. At the time, consultants and county engineers noted that the road would probably have to be opened by 2040 per the county’s Master Transportation Corridor Plan or sooner if there was an extended emergency or an increased pace of development that required traffic relief. The county had discussed plans to install traffic calming measures to address residents’ concerns. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

Vice President Peter Bille asked if the county was talking about extending Furrow after they said they wouldn’t at an Aug. 17, 2022, community meeting. See photo caption in the OCN September 2022 issue at www.ocn.me/v22n9.htm#photos.

At that meeting, Stantec consultants said they did not recommend extending Furrow Road at that time, though a county engineer anticipated it might be needed by 2040 according to the Major Transportation Corridors Plan or in the case of a long-term significant emergency or if an increased pace of development required traffic relief. The road, Bille said, would not be extended without implementing the traffic calming measures discussed at that meeting.

Nielsen noted that the Monument Fire Distirct (MFD) was pushing to have Furrow extended. He said some logistical things need to happen before the county removes the barriers. Asked if they might shut it down when the construction is done, Nielsen said he wasn’t sure but noted that the road was always intended to be open, but he thought they might have to close again temporarily to complete the traffic calming measures.

Finally, Bush noted that Wildcat, the firm working on Highway 105, had 25 loads of dirt to deliver to a builder who needed it but could only do so between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., so he granted the exception to do so on behalf of the board. He said the contractor had contacted almost all the neighbors and hoped to take delivery this coming weekend.

Note: For updates on Highway 105, please see: http://EPC-Hwy105AConstruction.com/

Board moves investments, reviews finances

Bush said that WIA was converting assets into higher interest-bearing accounts. Some of the money had been locked into Certificates of Deposits (CDs), which have come or are coming due. He said that WIA was working with its financial advisor to roll that money into accounts that would yield 5% to 5.5% as compared to less than 2% for CDs. He said that WIA would invest in more liquid instruments to take advantage of future actions by the Federal Reserve.

He said expenses are generally well in hand thanks to the staff, though the $175 budget for property taxes was exceeded (a total of $900) due to taxes on The Preserve. He asked that staff work on improved projections as WIA moves into its budgeting cycle, noting that expenses for The Preserve were taken out of the prior year’s operational funds but would come into the current budget at some point.

Board highlights

  • Resident Jennifer Davis thanked the board for its July meeting with South Woodmoor residents soliciting feedback on the South Woodmoor Preserve improvements.
  • Covenants Director Per Suhr reported three covenant hearings in July and August for fireworks use, a barking dog, and a loose dog, resulting in fines.
  • Gleason reported that the new vehicles are in use, and each has pros and cons, with one having a better backup camera and visibility and the other getting 48 to 52 miles per gallon compared to 20. Bush provided feedback to the officers that taking good care of their vehicles allowed WIA to get money for selling old Jeeps to help fund these new vehicles.
  • Architectural Control Director Ed Miller reported that 62 projects had been submitted in July, with 52 approved in the office and nine approved by the Architectural Control Committee for a 98.89% approval rate year-to-date. In 2023 WIA has had 329 projects to date, which is a decrease of 15.6% over 2022.
  • Forestry Administrator Justin Gates reported 12 Firewise and forestry health visits in July, noting that the rate has been slowing down for wildfire mitigation projects. There is still money available in the 50/50 matching grant for mitigation work, he said, and agreed to send out an email blast as well as write a newsletter article encouraging residents to sign up.
  • Common Areas Director Steve Cutler reported that the parking lot by The Barn had been resealed and restriped and that common areas identified as areas of concern had been mitigated in July and August.
  • Bush reported that the Country Club at Woodmoor would be digging a trench for its new bathroom near hole 5 in the coming week and had already completed the sewer hookup for a new bathroom near hole 13. The bathrooms are not yet functional.

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The WIA Board of Directors usually meets at 7 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month in the Barn at 1691 Woodmoor Drive, Monument. The next meeting will be on Sep. 27.

The WIA calendar can be found at www.woodmoor.org/wia-calendar/. WIA board meeting minutes can be found at www.woodmoor.org/meeting-minutes/ once approved and posted.

Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me.

Other Woodmoor Improvement Association articles

Triview Metropolitan District, Aug. 17 – Water usage sets record high

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Triview Metropolitan District (TMD) meeting on Aug. 17, the board heard about recording breaking high-water usage in July, approved a water use agreement and the completion of a new park, and received an update on the Northern Delivery System (NDS) pipeline project. The district held an executive session that resulted in an exclusion of property.

Water usage reaches all-time high

Superintendent Shawn Sexton said that July set a record high for water pumped at about 49 million gallons, with a 9% variance. All wells are available, and all three plants are running well. The district is approaching an extended period of pumping capacity at 17.5 gallons per minute, and that can be problematic, he said.

District Manager James McGrady said August is looking equally high for water usage, pumping 2.2-2.3 million gallons per day. The district has seven or eight wells running and can meet the demand without using the ninth. The NDS pipeline will make a huge difference once operational and will meet the demands of the district at buildout, he said.

Vice President Anthony Sexton said it might be the last July the district pumped well water.

President Mark Melville said if a problem occurs with the NDS, the district has about a million gallons of water in the tanks, about one day’s worth of storage capacity. In an emergency, the tanks would provide the residents with enough water to take a shower in the morning, but the district has the capability to pump about 1.5 million to 2 million gallons of groundwater a day to maintain supply to the district, he said.

Water use agreement

Water Attorney Chris Cummins said that late that afternoon, a water use sharing agreement had been reached between Triview and the Arkansas Ground and Reservoir Association (AGRA), both representing the majority ownership of the Excelsior Irrigating Co. The agreement allows both entities to use each other’s water rights, with written notice, when necessary, when those water shares are not in use, he said.

McGrady said the district is having a banner year capturing water, 120% above average, but needs to think about water storage a couple of years down the road. The district will always top off Stonewall Springs Reservoir before selling water and ensure the district is taken care of first, he said.

The board unanimously approved the agreement.

NDS update

McGrady said the NDS pipeline installation is almost completed from B plant to Stage Coach Road, representing about two-thirds of the pipeline. The project is on track and under budget, and all the pipeline will be installed by September, he said. Baptist, Roller Coaster, and Northgate Roads will be paved out with a 2-inch overlay by the end of October.

Director Sexton asked if the new fire hydrants could be protected from vehicles in any way.

McGrady said the hydrants are designed to break off during collisions, and if damage occurs frequently the district would consider moving a hydrant back a few feet, but replacing hydrants occasionally will be part of the game. He informed Fire Chief Andy Kovacs that all the hydrants will be charged in the next few weeks, and Kovacs is thrilled to have fire protection for the first time in Black Forest. The pump station (at the intersection of Old Northgate Road on the eastside of Highway 83) foundation is being formed and poured and will be dried in by October. The district staff will begin installing electrical and pumps inside during the winter with an anticipated completion date in July 2024, he said.

Note: For NDS pipeline project updates, alternate traffic routes, road closures, answers to questions, and to sign-up for email and text notifications, visit www.triviewnds.com. The link can also be found at www.triviewmetro.com.

Renewable water

During public comments, this reporter requested information on renewable reuse water return flows to the district.

Melville said the district-owned water mostly flows through homes to the Upper Monument Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility, where it is treated before flowing downstream. Flows are exchanged or captured in the Big Johnson Reservoir, or at the Stonewall Springs Reservoir via the Southern Delivery System/Arkansas River, where it can be used to extinction. The district puts about an acre-foot or 326,000 gallons into Monument Creek per day, to be captured and reused. The district plans (with the 1041 permits already in place) to capture its water and return those flows via the NDS pipeline. It was part of the district’s strategy to move to a renewable/reuse water system and be less reliant on groundwater from the Denver Basin aquifer system, said Melville.

Cummins said Forest Lakes Metropolitan District (FLMD) anticipates taking part in the NDS system and using some of the TMD excess pipeline capacity to deliver return flows to FLMD but not TMD water. It is unclear how FLMD return flows will be captured and returned for reuse, he said. See FLMD article on page < 9 >.

Employee retirement plan change

Assistant District Manager Steve Sheffield said that when he was hired, he tried to roll over his retirement plan and the response he received from Lincoln Financial was not helpful, resulting in considerable time fixing the transfer. After discussing the potential change with the district staff, everyone agreed the switch would be beneficial. He requested the board review and approve Resolution 2023-06, a resolution of the TMD Board of Directors to change the retirement fund managers from Lincoln Financial to Corebridge Financial.

The board unanimously approved the resolution.

Public Works and Parks and Open Space update

Public Works and Parks and Open Space Superintendent Matt Rayno said the following:

  • Agate Creek Park and the adjacent trails are complete (see photo with caption).
  • Old Creek Park has been completed, with the addition of a shade structure pavilion area and picnic table. Some of the other parks will receive shade structures in the future.
  • The district plans to repair in house the crack seal projects with a focus on Sanctuary Rim Road. Instead of a three- or four-day contract, the district will rent the machine for a month for the same cost of about $20,000.
  • Some grading and berms will be used to divert excess water draining from St. Lawrence Way and the Plant B tract out toward Gleneagle Drive.
  • Removable lockable bollards will be installed on some trails to prevent an ongoing issue with residents encroaching into the trail system. The use of heavy equipment to access yards for construction and landscaping had the potential to cause damage. Residents are required to contact the district for property access via easements.
  • The district had planned to install a permanent enclosed Porta-Potty station at the Little Train Park in Promontory Pointe, but contract servicing would cost about $500 per month for two units (about $5,000 a season). The district purchased two units for about $1,200, and the Vactor truck will service the units when it arrives in the district. The units will be positioned where needed for events.
Above: Agate Creek Park facing west with the sun setting over Mount Herman on Aug. 22. The project to completely overhaul and enhance the park and the adjoining trail system began after the tie in of the 16-inch main pipeline for the Northern Delivery System project destroyed the trail during the installation process. The project was completed by the district staff in early August. Photo by Natalie Barszcz.

Director Sexton said the Little Train Park in Promontory Pointe looked good for the 80 residents that attended the movie night, and many good comments were received.

Director Jason Gross thanked Rayno and the crews for stepping up and not just doing the minimum when working on the landscaping throughout the district.

Sanctuary Pointe Park completion close

Steve Schlosser, Classic Homes project manager for the west side of Monument Junction and a resident of Sanctuary Pointe, proposed the board consider Rocky Mountain Turf Solutions install 150,000 square feet of UV protected AstroTurf for the planned soccer/lacrosse multi-use field in Sanctuary Pointe. The park would also receive sidewalks, a shade structure, natural stone stadium seating on the northeast side with trees planted to look like they are part of the forest to provide additional shade for spectators, he said.

Rayno said AstroTurf is less maintenance for the district than natural grass.

Director Amanda Carlton said artificial grass had been linked to cancer due to the PFAS, or per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances—so-called “forever chemicals.”

Cummins said Palmer Lake had also debated using AstroTurf because of the plastic pellets contained under the plastic blades.

Schlosser said a new mesh system is designed to hold the pellets in place, unlike the old design.

Rayno said signs for the correct use of the AstroTurf sporting field will be installed at the park.

McGrady said the Sanctuary Pointe Homeowners Association paid about $3,000 per home for the park development, and Classic Homes has contributed and pledged to complete the park. No other sporting field exists in the district, and artificial turf would be beneficial, he said. TMD would split the cost and pay $1 million toward the project. There is room to park on either side of Sanctuary Rim Road, and about 60 parking spaces are available at the park.

Schlosser said the district would be responsible for booking the facility, and program revenues from clubs and events using the facility would return to the district for the maintenance of the park. The turf product has the least number of injuries within the artificial turf industry, and he estimated a mid- to late September completion, followed by a ribbon-cutting event, he said.

McGrady requested the board review and consider approval of a funding agreement between Collin Elite 1 LLC and TMD concerning the sharing of costs for developing a neighborhood park in the Sanctuary Pointe development in Monument, with authorization for the district manager to sign the agreement.

The board approved the resolution 4-1, with Carlton dissenting.

Schlosser said he would contact the company and request product safety information.

Conexus property exclusion

McGrady said a swale, typically a cattle grazing pasture, exists in the district between the I-25 southbound ramp, the Santa Fe Trail, and south of Second Street. The land is adjacent to the Conexus-owned property and will create a maintenance issue if it remains in the district.

Melville opened a public hearing for resolution 2023-07 and, hearing no comments, promptly closed the hearing.

McGrady requested the board review and approve Resolution 2023-07, a resolution of the TMD Board of Directors, accepting a Petition for the Exclusion of Real Property from TMD known as Tracts D and E of Conexus Filing Number 2.

Director Sexton asked why the district would consider excluding the land and requested the board discuss the exclusion further in executive session.

The board unanimously approved tabling the resolution for further discussion in executive session.

Note: Gross left the meeting at 8:02 p.m., before the executive session.

Executive session

The board moved into an executive session at 8:39 p.m., pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes 24-6-402(4) (a), (b), (e), to discuss acquisitions and negotiations and receive legal advice regarding water and property acquisitions, change cases, the Higby Road design, and resolution 2023-07, a petition for exclusion of real property.

After the meeting, Sheffield confirmed that the board returned to the regular meeting at 9:19 p.m. and voted on resolution 2023-07 pertaining to the exclusion of property from the district (Conexus property). The motion passed 3-1, with Carlton dissenting.

The board adjourned at 9:23 p.m.

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Meetings are usually held on the third Thursday every month at the district office at 16055 Old Forest Point, Suite 302. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Sept. 21 at 5:30 p.m. For meeting agendas, minutes, and updates, visit https://triviewmetro.com.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Triview Metropolitan District articles

Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, Aug. 21 – Four-day week, capital improvements, tutoring center discussed

By Harriet Halbig

At its Aug. 21 meeting, the Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education received a report from the district’s Calendar Task Force that included feasibility of a four-day school week, a report on capital improvements achieved during the summer, and an introduction to the revitalized tutoring center at Lewis-Palmer High School.

Calendar Task Force report

Assistant Superintendent Amber Whetstine provided a report of the Calendar Task Force. The task force consists of board representative Tiffiney Upchurch, an administrative liaison, parents, members of the Parent and Community Advisory Committee, members of the Staff Collaboration Committee, teachers, and staff.

The task force met during the summer to determine its priorities, degree of interest in a four-day week schedule and its impact on start time, length of days, and length of the school year.

Members discussed the impact of such a schedule with other districts which have adopted it.

Preliminary conclusions are that Monday would be the day off for students, school days and the school year would be longer, and results of these discussions would be presented to the Staff Collaboration Committee at its September meeting.

Following that meeting there will be a survey of staff to determine their acceptance of the concept.

Board Vice President Theresa Phillips asked about the impact on the quality of education in the new schedule.

Whetstine responded that this is one of the aspects members will ask other districts about.

Board Treasurer Ron Schwarz asked when families will be consulted.

Whetstine responded that if it is determined that the change in schedule would not increase retention of staff, families would not be consulted.

Board President Upchurch asked whether waivers would be required to alter the number of instruction hours if necessary.

Whetstine said that is yet to be determined.

Most of the districts which have adopted a four-day week are relatively rural in character.

Capital improvement report

Executive Director of Operations and Development Chris Coulter reported on capital improvements achieved during the summer months.

The primary project is the construction of a new corridor in Lewis-Palmer Elementary School to bring the building up to code for fire safety. The original proposed project was halted by the Regional Building Department and was increased in scope as a result.

The project involved removal of existing walls, doors, and ceilings in the corridor to expedite exits from classrooms to exterior doors. Additional panels to access the ventilation system were also brought to fire-rated levels. Wiring within the walls was replaced, a new intercom system was installed, and all lights and flooring were also replaced.

The unexpected scope of the project resulted in a cost overrun of $130,000 which was covered by contingency funds. The board voted to approve the overrun.

In preparing a five-year plan for capital improvements, Coulter explained that it was necessary to identify critical repairs and life safety issues, document deferred maintenance issues, and consider projects underway.

Some considerations include renovations to update classrooms for use in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) instruction, career and technical education, visual and performing arts, and special education programs.

Coulter also spoke of continuing programs under the contract with Schneider Electric to improve energy efficiency in the district. He said that replacing light bulbs and fixtures has made a difference in the number of kilowatt hours used, but until the systems are automated to shut down when buildings are not in use the maximum benefit will not be realized.

Kilowatt usage in July was 36% lower than the previous year.

To view detailed descriptions of all projects, please refer to boarddocs in the Board of Education section of the lewispamer.org website.

Ranger Tutoring Center report

Lewis-Palmer High School Gifted/Talented facilitator Laura Stamp presented a description of the revitalized tutoring center at the school, assisted by four student tutors.

Stamp explained that the tutoring center is administered as an elective class which counts for half a credit. The goal of the center is to normalize the idea that it is OK to ask for help, not only with academic issues but also with emotional problems.

All tutors are students at the school who undergo seven periods of training in the area of social/emotional wellness. It is found that some of the individuals who seek tutoring do so because of difficulty advocating for themselves or making friends in a new environment. Tutors are not expected to be experts in any given subject but advise clients in areas of their own interest.

The tutors become mentors to their clients and commented that the clients value the fact that this has enabled them to make friends in other classes. This results in more of a family or community feeling at the school.

Stamp said that there were 18 tutors last semester and 95 clients. Over 400 sessions occurred during the semester.

Several of the current tutors were previous clients and saw the value of the program.

Stamp said that she gave a presentation at a recent meeting of the Colorado Association of School Executives in Colorado Springs and has been invited to appear before the state organization.

Superintendent KC Somers commented that this additional support shows students that it’s OK to be behind. Tutoring is designed not only to solve a particular academic problem but to create relationships.

Upchurch asked how the board and community can help to support the program.

Stamp responded that the program has received grants from Monument Hill Kiwanis and the Tri-Lakes Women’s Club.

She invited any interested parties to contact her at lstamp@lewispalmer.org.

Hiring update

Director of Human Resources Alicia Welch said the district has hired 102 new individuals of whom 53 are teachers and 49 are classified.

Classified employees include paraprofessionals, food and nutrition employees, bus drivers, school office staff, pre-K instructional support, and custodians.

Base pay for all was increased due to increased state funding.

Welch said that in addition to the increased base pay, there were bonuses for new hires and increased compensation for substitutes and those in special education and specialized services.

She said that a few of the new hires were previous employees of the district and returned due to the increased compensation. Another attraction was the fact that the district is giving credit for an increased number of years of experience.

Welch said that she intends to conduct exit interviews at the end of the school year and to administer surveys to determine staff satisfaction.

Election contract

The board approved an intergovernmental agreement to participate in the November election. A 50% deposit of $17,007 was required by Aug. 29. Vicki Wood was designated as the district’s representative.

Superintendent update

Somers announced the arrival of three new principals in the new school year. They are Donnell Potter at Bear Creek Elementary, Greg Saunders at Kilmer Elementary, and Brittanie Coveney at Prairie Winds Elementary.

He also announced a Board of Education Candidate Forum to be held at Palmer Ridge High School at 6 p.m. on Sept. 28. The event is sponsored by the Tri-Lakes Chamber.

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The Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education meets at 6 p.m. on the third Monday of the month in the district’s learning center, 146 N. Jefferson St., Monument. The next meeting will be on Sept. 18.

Harriet Halbig may be reached at harriethalbig@ocn.me.

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Forest Lakes Metropolitan District, Pinon Pines 1, 2, and 3, Aug. 7 and 14 – 2022 audits approved; contract services cost increases; water reuse project possible

By Natalie Barszcz

The Forest Lakes Metropolitan District (FLMD) Pinon Pines Metropolitan District (PPMD) 2 and 3 boards met on Aug. 7 to approve the 2022 audits and a second amendment to the agreement for the contract for services with Triview Metropolitan District (TMD). The boards also received updates on the Northern Monument Creek Interceptor Project (NMCI) and the Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) Indirect Potable Reuse Project, and held an executive session related to intergovernmental agreements. The PPMD 1 all-resident board held a “special meeting” on Aug. 14 to reappoint President Mike Hitchcock to the board, approve the 2022 audit, and accept the board financial reports.

Note: Both meetings were held via teleconference. The boards had not met since December 2022.

Treasurer Douglas Stimple, chief executive officer of Classic Homes, was excused.

2022 audits

District Manager Ann Nichols said the board directors had previously received the full packet containing the 2022 audits for FLMD and PPMD 2 and 3 and, after receiving no comments, CPA Tom Sistare of Hoelting & Co. Inc. had filed the audits with the state to meet the July 31 deadline. The audits were “usual” and the financial controls were good except for PPMD 3, which had been audit exempt until 2023. In early 2022 it was discovered that some of the Public Improvement Fee (PIF) revenue belonged in 2021 and that her original estimate for PIF in 2022 was much higher than $240,000. The PIF revenue in 2022 was $455,000, significantly higher than in previous years. The PIF is estimated to be considerably more when the “Quik Trip” opens in the Falcon Commerce Center, said Nichols.

The board approved the 2022 audits as presented for all three boards, 4-0.

Contract for services with TMD

Nichols said a conversation with TMD Manager James McGrady revealed that the initial estimate for the contract for service agreement with TMD initially approved for $6,000 per month was not enough because the agreement was made before the 2023 budget, and a second amendment increasing the monthly cost to $6,700, back dated to July 2023, was needed. The TMD staff is doing a good job in the district, and about $4,000 is certainly justified for the remainder of the year, said Nichols. See www.ocn.me/v22n8.htm#flmd and www.ocn.me/v22n8.htm#tmd.

Secretary James Boulton, vice president/project manager of Classic Homes, asked if TMD would be replacing dead trees and providing trail maintenance and snow removal service.

Nichols said those services would be provided at an hourly rate for time spent, plus materials when needed. An amendment will be made to the contract services amendment, she said.

The board approved the contract for services increase, 4-0.

NMCI

Nichols said it was anticipated that CSU would request bids on the design for the NMCI in early 2023, but issues arose with the design that went through an old landfill on the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) property. The USAFA is now in agreement with a design that will route the pipeline around the airfield, and it is close to signing the National Environment Policy Act assessment and approval of the re-routed design. The design phase is way behind, but the request for proposals was scheduled to be sent out by the end of August. By the end of the year or as late as spring a cost estimate of the design will be known, then FLMD can decide on the most efficient route to proceed.

FLMD and TMD are committed to seeing the design phase through but will not proceed with the construction of the NMCI pipeline until all costs are known. As a factor in the decision process, the districts are also seeking the scope and cost of upgrading the Upper Monument Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility to meet the state requirements, said Nichols.

Wastewater return flows possible

Nichols said the Northern Delivery System (NDS) pipeline project TMD is developing will connect into CSU to convey, treat, and deliver water to customers in northern El Paso County. CSU continues to explore recapturing return flows with the Indirect Potable Reuse Project (formerly the reuse project under the Pikes Peak Regional Water Authority) for districts participating in the NMCI pipeline project. Wastewater would be delivered via the NMCI and treated at the J.D. Phillips Water Resource Recovery Facility on Mark Dabling Boulevard, and reuse flows would then be recaptured down Monument Creek at some point. CSU has identified six alternative arrangements to collect reuse water for treatment in Monument and Fountain Creeks before sending water to the Southern Delivery System. The projects are linked, and the costs may be presented to the board in the next couple of months, said Nichols. See www.ocn.me/v23n1.htm#flmd and the TMD article on page < 1 >.

Executive session

The PPMD 2 and 3 boards and Tom Blunk and William Muller of CP Real Estate Capital, representing Forest Lakes LLC and Forest Lakes Residential Development, moved into an executive session at 4:17 p.m., pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes 24-6-402(4) (b) and (e) to receive specific legal advice from district counsel Russell Dykstra of Spencer Fane LLP and instruct negotiators in matters related to intergovernmental agreements.

Nichols confirmed to OCN that after the boards returned to the regular meeting, no action was taken, and the meeting promptly adjourned at 4:38 p.m.

PPMD 1

Nichols said that due to a miscommunication, Hitchcock had missed the deadline to file a self-nomination form for another four-year term on the PPMD 1 Board of Directors, and he would need to be appointed to the board.

President Mike Slavick and A J Slavick approved the appointment, and Hitchcock confirmed he had been read the oath of office by a notary. The board members approved Hitchcock be reinstated as board president. Mike Slavick returned to the vice president position, and A J Slavick is the board secretary. Former Director Chris Paulene did not re-apply for a board position in the May 2023 election, said Nichols.

Note: Two board director vacancies remain on the PPMD 1 board. Any eligible elector residing in PPMD 1 can apply for consideration for a board position.

PPMD 1 2022 audit

Nichols requested the board accept the 2022 audit that was received in July from Hoelting & Company Inc. The board was provided with the management and internal control letters, and the financial statements. The audit was filed with the state by July 31, said Nichols.

The board unanimously accepted the 2022 audit as previously presented.

PPMD 1 financial statements

Nichols said the board had received the June financial statement for approval.

The board unanimously accepted the financial statements as presented for June.

The meeting adjourned at 4:20 p.m.

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Meetings are usually held quarterly or when necessary, on the first Monday of the month at 4 p.m., via Teleconference. Meeting notices are posted at least 24 hours in advance at https://forestlakesmetrodistrict.com. For general questions, contact District Manager Ann Nichols at 719-327-5810, anicholsduffy@aol.com.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Forest Lakes Metropolitan District articles