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Articles from Vol. 24 No. 4 - April 6, 2024

Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, Feb. 26, March 5, 18 & 20 – New hires in leadership positions; superintendent search and farewell

By Harriet Halbig

The February meeting of the Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education was held late in the month, making it impossible to include in the March issue of OCN.

At that meeting, Commander Antonio Cruz of Disabled American Veterans Chapter 26 presented a plaque to the district thanking them for a $1,500 donation resulting from a Jeans for Veterans Day in November where staff could wear jeans to work if they made a donation.

Above: The March 18 D38 Board of Education meeting marked the last board meeting for outgoing Superintendent KC Somers, whose last day with the district was March 31. Somers, who started in July 2019, had a tenure of nearly five years. Leadership team members from administration, principals, and board members spoke about Somers’ impact and support. Executive Director of Exceptional Student Services Rick Frampton highlighted Somers’ leadership during the pandemic, and board member Ron Schwarz listed some of Somers’ signature accomplishments. Somers gave a nod to everyone in the audience and all in the community and district. He emphasized the importance of relationships, noting the South African term “sawubona” which translates to “we see you” and saying it had been a privilege and an honor to serve. From left, board President Tiffiney Upchurch, board members Ron Schwarz and Todd Brown, Somers, and board members Patti Shank and Kris Norris. Photo by Jackie Burhans.
Above: Julie Race is a Strategies for Teaching based on Autism Research (STAR) teacher at Prai- rie Winds Elementary School. Race is this year’s winner of the Fox21 Remarkable Woman of South- ern Colorado for 2024. Seven individuals nominated Race for this prestigious honor, recognizing her profound impact on children’s lives. Race thanked her principal and the district, saying she loves the families and appreciates the paraprofessionals who help. From left are board President Tiffiney Up- church, Superintendent KC Somers, Race, and Exceptional Student Services Executive Director Rick Frampton. Photo by Jackie Burhans.
Above: At the March 18 D38 Board of Education meeting, the board celebrated Music in Our Schools Month. Members recognized that musical arts are vital to the well-being of students at every level, providing a positive impact on academic, person- al, and professional growth. They also noted that Lewis-Palmer School District 38 music instructors work diligently to ensure a comprehensive program from kindergarten through graduation. Lee Meyer (Lewis-Palmer Middle School vocal music teacher) and Nathan Nors (Prairie Winds Elementary School general music teacher) also spoke briefly about D38 music programming. From left are Meyer, Nors, board President Tiffiney Upchurch, Monument Academy Strings Teacher Christin Patterson, and Superintendent KC Somers. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

New hires

The board approved the hiring of four individuals in leadership positions:

  • Kim Briding as Palmer Lake Elementary School principal.
  • Rachel Sellers as Prairie Winds Elementary School principal.
  • Melissa Andrews as director of Planning, Facilities, and Grounds.
  • Danielle Holmes as director of Special Education.

Position of acting superintendent approved

Current superintendent K.C. Somers was scheduled to leave the area on March 31. Assistant Superintendent Amber Whetstine was approved to fill the position of acting superintendent until June 30.

New curriculum approved

The board approved the following new curriculum following public review

  • National Geographic World Cultures and Geography Eastern Hemisphere for grade 7.
  • National Geographic U.S. History American Stories beginnings to 1877 for grade 8.
  • Houghton Mifflin Science Dimensions Biology for grades 9-12.

Whetstine explained that the district reviews curriculum on a six-year cycle.

Stakeholder survey

Board President Tiffiney Upchurch reported that a stakeholder survey resulted in over 1,000 responses as part of the superintendent search. Stakeholders include members of the community, employees, parents, and students.

The superintendent search was a major subject of conversation at the March 5 work session and the March 18 regular meeting of the board.

To view details of the process, please go to the district website, lewispalmer.org, and superintendent search 2024. There you can view several videos of presentations by Dr. Walt Cooper of McPherson-Jacobson, the firm conducting the search.

In brief, there was first a survey sent to stakeholders in the district asking about individual priorities to take into account while selecting a new superintendent. These would include community involvement, conservatism and traditional values, academic excellence, safety of students, financial responsibility, and quality and dedication of teachers. To view the ratings in detail, please see boarddocs.

The top three critical issues expressed by the stakeholders were staff recruitment and retention, teacher quality, and financial management.

At the March 18 regular meeting, Cooper reported that a committee of stakeholders had been formed to compile a list of questions for candidates based on the findings from the survey. He also asked each board member to submit three or four questions.

In explaining the terms of McPherson-Jacobson’s contract, Cooper said that its participation includes not only the search for a new superintendent but assistance during the transition process and a two-year guarantee. If the selected candidate does not remain for two years, a new search will be conducted without charge. Additional assistance in the transition would be provided by the Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB) and the Colorado Association of School Executives (CASE). These two associations had previously administered searches in the state.

Board Treasurer Ron Schwarz commented that the selection process is subjective. It is critical to find a candidate with the right fit for the community.

Cooper agreed that it is important to consider a good fit and not just the presence of the appropriate skill set. He offered a rubric to help the board organize its thoughts while considering candidates. He added that each candidate would be provided with a question that they would answer in the form of a three-minute video. These videos would become part of the file for each candidate.

He stressed that many candidates will probably research the district and its priorities. As part of the announcement of the vacancy, there was an explanation of the district’s strategic plan and its role in organizing the district’s activities. The video question would be something that could not be researched, such as why a candidate views himself or herself as the best fit for the position.

Cooper recommended that there will be two days of interviews. The first, on the evening of April 4, would consist of a public forum at which each candidate would be asked a few questions and attendees could respond in person or online as the event would be livestreamed. This interview would be held in a round-robin format. Candidates will not get the questions ahead of time. The second, on April 5, would be interviews in executive session. On April 6 the board would meet to decide on a finalist and begin contract negotiations. The finalist would be confirmed at the board’s regular meeting on Apri1 15.

Board goals and assignments

As part of the work session, the board went into a detailed discussion of what actions they would like to take based on the district’s strategic plan.

Two board members were assigned to address each category.

To view the proposed actions and assignments, please see boarddocs.

Financial planning

Another ongoing discussion involves preliminary planning for the 2024-25 district budget.

Chief Business Officer Brett Ridgway reported that his development of the budget pivots on the assumption of a 6% increase in funding from the state School Finance Act. Funding has not yet been finalized but is expected sometime in April.

Regarding compensation, Ridgway has developed a budget which would offer an average salary increase of 5.85% with a larger percentage going to lower-paid individuals and a smaller percentage going to higher-paid individuals. This budget includes only the traditional schools, with an appropriate amount set aside for the use of Monument Academy. This also does not include funding from such sources as the Transportation Fund and the Nutritional Services Fund.

Ridgway also proposed setting aside $3 million for capital maintenance funding in the coming year. He said that a new inventory of facilities will soon be underway. A 10% contingency fund is built into this line item in case of unexpected expenses, such as with the Lewis-Palmer Elementary School corridor project, he said.

When asked whether BEST (Building Excellent Schools Today) grant money would be available for any of the proposed projects, Ridgway responded that funding for that program is decreasing.

The next step is to discuss the proposed budget with the Staff Collaboration Committee and the Financial Transparency Committee.

Ridgway also announced that the state Senate bill which he has written, Senate Bill 24-017, has passed unanimously in the Senate and the House Education Committee. This bill will change the timing of payments from the state. At present the district must hold $15 million in cash during January and February to cover district expenses until property tax payments begin in March. It would shift the timing away from March-June to earlier in the year. This would free up $8 million to benefit the students during January and February.

Schwarz commented that bipartisan support at this level is very unusual and the bill may become law before the end of the month. The board will announce when it becomes law.

Chess Tournament

Steve Waldman spoke of the 17th annual Chess Tournament held Feb. 4 at Bear Creek Elementary School. This year there were a record number of participants, 127 students from grades K through 12. This is the first- or second-largest tournament in the state.

Waldman thanked Bear Creek Principal Donnell Potter, school custodians, Key Club and National Honor Society students, reading teacher Cindy Waldman, and others for their help in setting up and refereeing the tournament.

The tournament was divided into three groups: grades K-6, grades 7-8, and grades 9-12. The first three places received trophies. Several winners were present at the meeting. To see a list of participants, please see boarddocs under the Board of Education tab at the district website, lewispalmer.org. Select the date of the meeting.

Student representatives

The board now welcomes two student representatives at each of its meetings. These students are welcome to participate in discussions and present information about their schools. They do not receive a vote as they were not elected to the board.

The students at the March 18 meeting were Maren and Aaron from Lewis-Palmer High School. To view their presentation, please see boarddocs.

New Middle School principal

The board approved the hiring of Courtney Harrell as principal of Lewis-Palmer Middle School.

Above: Assistant Superintendent Amber Whetstine introduced Courtney Harrell to the school board for its consideration and approval. Harrell has over 18 years of experience in education from science teacher to assistant principal championing support for students and creating a welcoming environment for staff and families. Harrell said she was eager to lead LPMS with wisdom and strength. Whetstine said Harrell was so excited to start that she showed up on the 18th to unofficially meet the staff. Harrell spoke briefly, saying it was an honor to meet everyone. The board unanimously approved the appointment of Harrell. From left are board President Tiffiney Upchurch, Harrell, and Whetstine. Photo by Jackie Burhans.  

Superintendent farewell

The board and several individuals expressed their gratitude for Somers’ contributions to the district during his tenure.

His ability to guide the district through the pandemic while maintaining school performance was recognized. He went to Washington, D.C., to explain how the district was able to maintain student participation hours and was interviewed by The Washington Post. He implemented a campaign to improve literacy at a time when many districts were declining. He demonstrated an ability to listen deeply to those he encountered, notably during his listening tour at the beginning of his tenure.

Several members of the administration, teachers, and community members thanked him for his leadership and contributions to the district.

Somers responded that he felt the key to his success had been through relationships within the district and the community. He said it had been an honor to serve and that he will not be a stranger. To view the farewell, please see the livestream of the meeting on lewispalmer.org.

Finalists selected

At its special meeting on March 20, the board announced the selection of four finalists for superintendent. They are:

  • Dr. Stacie Datteri, assistant superintendent of Academic Achievement and School Leadership. District 6, Greeley.
  • Michael Freeman, community superintendent of schools, Jefferson County.
  • Alicia Welch, director of Human Resources, District 38.
  • Amber Whetstine, assistant superintendent and acting superintendent, District 38.

To view the resumes of the candidates, please see the website under superintendent search 2024.

Correction

In last month’s article about a meeting of the Parent and Community Advisory Committee, we said that Board President Tiffiney Upchurch traveled to Washington, D.C, as part of a coalition from the Colorado Association of School Boards Federal Relations Network. The purpose of the visit was to lobby for promised funding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), created in 1975.

At its inception, Congress pledged to fund education for individuals with Individualized Education Plans at the rate of 40%. This funding was never achieved. At present, the funding is at a rate of 13%. The district funds the remainder.

The article stated that the delegation achieved the full funding. This was not the case. Although some bipartisan support was achieved, there was also a degree of disinterest.

OCN regrets the error.

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The Lewis-Palmer District 38 Board of Education meets at 6 p.m. on the third Monday of each month in the district Learning Center, 146 Jefferson St., Monument. The next regular meeting is on April 15.

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

Photo caption: The March 18 D38 Board of Education meeting marked the last board meeting for outgoing Superintendent KC Somers, whose last day with the district was March 31. Somers, who started in July 2019, had a tenure of nearly five years. Leadership team members from administration, principals, and board members spoke about Somers’ impact and support. Executive Director of Exceptional Student Services Rick Frampton highlighted Somers’ leadership during the pandemic, and board member Ron Schwarz listed some of Somers’ signature accomplishments. Somers gave a nod to everyone in the audience and all in the community and district. He emphasized the importance of relationships, noting the South African term “sawubona” which translates to “we see you” and saying it had been a privilege and an honor to serve. From left, board President Tiffiney Upchurch, board members Ron Schwarz and Todd Brown, Somers, and board members Patti Shank and Kris Norris. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

Photo caption: Julie Race is a Strategies for Teaching based on Autism Research (STAR) teacher at Prairie Winds Elementary School. Race is this year’s winner of the Fox21 Remarkable Woman of Southern Colorado for 2024. Seven individuals nominated Race for this prestigious honor, recognizing her profound impact on children’s lives. Race thanked her principal and the district, saying she loves the families and appreciates the paraprofessionals who help. From left are board President Tiffiney Upchurch, Superintendent KC Somers, Race, and Exceptional Student Services Executive Director Rick Frampton. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

Photo caption: At the March 18 D38 Board of Education meeting, the board celebrated Music in Our Schools Month. Members recognized that musical arts are vital to the well-being of students at every level, providing a positive impact on academic, personal, and professional growth. They also noted that Lewis-Palmer School District 38 music instructors work diligently to ensure a comprehensive program from kindergarten through graduation. Lee Meyer (Lewis-Palmer Middle School vocal music teacher) and Nathan Nors (Prairie Winds Elementary School general music teacher) also spoke briefly about D38 music programming. From left are Meyer, Nors, board President Tiffiney Upchurch, Monument Academy Strings Teacher Christin Patterson, and Superintendent KC Somers. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

Photo caption: Assistant Superintendent Amber Whetstine introduced Courtney Harrell to the school board for its consideration and approval. Harrell has over 18 years of experience in education from science teacher to assistant principal championing support for students and creating a welcoming environment for staff and families. Harrell said she was eager to lead LPMS with wisdom and strength. Whetstine said Harrell was so excited to start that she showed up on the 18th to unofficially meet the staff. Harrell spoke briefly, saying it was an honor to meet everyone.The board unanimously approved the appointment of Harrell. From left are board President Tiffiney Upchurch, Harrell, and Whetstine. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

Other D38 Board of Education articles

El Paso County Planning Commission, March 7 and 21 – Highway 83 access plan approved

By Helen Walklett

At the March 7 El Paso County Planning Commission meeting, the commissioners voted unanimously to approve the Highway 83 Access Control Plan (ACP) and incorporate it into the county’s master plan. The commissioners also heard three land development requests for the Tri-Lakes area during March.

Highway 83 access plan

The ACP covers the stretch of Highway 83 from its junction with Powers Boulevard to County Line Road, a length of almost 10 miles. It is a long-range plan for 2045 and beyond aimed at improving safety and mobility. The county’s Department of Public Works, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the City of Colorado Springs worked together to develop the plan. CDOT led the work because it owns and maintains the corridor.

The Planning Commission previously received a presentation of the proposed plan at its Dec. 7 meeting. See www.ocn.me/v24n1.htm#wpcpc.

Arthur Gonzalez of CDOT told the commissioners that the only change since the December presentation had been the inclusion of an access based on an agreement between CDOT and an individual which had been omitted from the initial proposed plan. There are around 70 individual access points along this part of Highway 83 and most allow full movement, meaning there are no turn restrictions.

Future traffic volumes along this portion of the highway are expected to increase in the range of 17% to 86% by 2045. Without changes, this increase is expected to result in increased delays, congestion, pollution, and crashes. The plan is also intended to be a tool to help the county, the city, and CDOT make access decisions during development and redevelopment, and will streamline the access permitting process.

It was again stressed that the plan itself does not identify specific projects. Changes would only come if a problem with traffic flow or safety came to light, properties were developed or redeveloped along the corridor, or state or federal funding for a roadway project comes forward (none has been identified at present).

The plan was developed with public input, and Gonzalez said it addresses concerns raised by stakeholders. These include speeding, noise and number of large trucks, traffic volume overall, lack of turn lanes, safety around the newly constructed Stagecoach Road intersection, sight distance through curves, and a need for more traffic signals.

Speaking specifically to the new Stagecoach Road intersection, Jason Nelson of CDOT said he attended a meeting with some 200 residents facilitated by the HOA on the west side of the highway. The developer of Flying Horse North had made improvements on the east side, but it was clear that further improvements to the junction are needed. He said a task force with a consultant on board has been established and CDOT is looking for a location for a public open house. He said, “We have no funding to construct anything but at least we are back engaging and seeing what we can do.”

Following the commission’s approval, the intergovernmental agreement among the three partners will now go to the El Paso Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) for signing.

Proposed Black Forest subdivision

Also at the March 7 meeting, the commissioners heard a request by the Jon Didleaux and Phyllis Didleau Revocable Trust for approval of a 32.168-acre minor subdivision to create four single-family lots and two tracts. The property is zoned RR-5 (residential rural) and is located at 8250 Forest Heights Circle east of Herring Road and north of Shoup Road. The proposed subdivision would be known as Forest Heights Estates.

In conformity with the zoning, all four proposed lots will be a minimum of 5 acres. Two are proposed to be larger at 7.6 acres and 12.10 acres and these would be located on the property’s south side near neighboring larger properties. The two smaller lots would be located adjacent to smaller lots to the property’s north and west.

Access to the lots is proposed to be via the existing private gravel road, Forest Heights Circle, which extends east from Herring Road and serves six existing family homes. The applicant’s letter of intent states that improvements would be made to this to enhance its accessibility.

The request was scheduled to be heard as a consent item but was elevated to a full hearing due to public interest. Four citizens spoke in opposition focusing on trail access, dedication of land for trail easements, the requested waivers pertaining to allowing a private rather than public road and not establishing an HOA, and the maintenance agreement for the private road. The commissioners stated that they felt the concerns were either not directly relevant to the review criteria or were not legally enforceable.

Speaking during the public comment section, Larry Fariss, a neighbor and previous long-term chair of the Black Forest Trails Association, described the property as a linchpin for the area’s trail system.

Chair Thomas Bailey commented, “There’s nothing that compels a property owner to grant an easement.” Dave Gorman, with M.V.E. Inc. and representing the applicant, said the family was not comfortable with having a public trail on their mother’s property.

The vote to recommend for approval was unanimous and the application was then heard at the BOCC land use meeting on March 28. See BOCC article on page 4.

Gleneagle minor subdivision

The commissioners voted unanimously on March 7 to recommend for approval a request by Aaron Atwood for a 5.04-acre minor subdivision to be known as Pair-A-Dise to create two single-family lots. The property is zoned RR-2.5 and is located on Struthers Loop, south of the junction of West Baptist Road and Leather Chaps Road. The site is currently vacant. The proposed lots would each slightly exceed 2.5 acres.

The application was heard as a consent item, meaning there was no discussion. It was then considered at the BOCC land use meeting on March 28. See BOCC article on page 4.

Vessey Road rezone

At their March 21 meeting, the commissioners voted to recommend for approval an application by Pawel Posorski for a rezoning of 6.02 acres from RR-5 (rural residential) to RR-2.5 (rural residential). The property is located at 6225 Vessey Road, a half-mile east of the intersection of Vessey Road and Neva Lane. A final plat application has also been submitted to create two lots from the parcel. This is under review and has not yet been scheduled for a public hearing.

The application was heard as a consent item. Commissioner Christopher Whitney asked why the county’s report to the commission stated that the property was surrounded by “smaller lots, some 2.5 acres in size” when one of the included maps showed RR-5 zoning around it. Ashlyn Mathy, planner II, Planning and Community Development Department, explained that some lots were created before zoning was put in place and therefore do not meet the lot size set by the zoning. She added that there is RR-2.5 zoning east and west of the property. Bailey said, “I think this is an issue we see often, especially in this area. A lot of legal non-conforming lots. Perfectly legitimate but the zoning is different.” Whitney said, “I can’t say I’m happy, but I understand the answer.”

The vote to recommend the application for approval was 8-1. Whitney was the nay vote. He said, “The zoning should mean something, otherwise why put a number on it? Just call it large-lot residential and whatever it is, it is.” Offering an alternative view, Bailey asked, “I wonder though if the decision to zone this area RR-5 back when it was done, despite the fact that there were several 2.5-acre lots in that area, whether that was the right decision or not?”

It is now scheduled to be heard at the BOCC land use meeting on April 11.

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The El Paso County Planning Commission normally meets the first and (as required) the third Thursday of each month at the Regional Development Center, 2880 International Circle, Colo. Springs. Meetings are live-streamed on the El Paso County News and Information Channel at https://www.elpasoco.com/news-information-channel. Information is available at 719-520-6300 and https://planningdevelopment.elpasoco.com/planning-community-development/2024-hearings-schedule/.

Helen Walklett can be reached at helenwalklett@ocn.me.

Other El Paso County Planning Commission articles

El Paso County Board of County Commissioners, March 28 – Minor subdivisions in Black Forest and Gleneagle approved

By Helen Walklett

In March, the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) considered minor subdivision requests for properties in Black Forest and Gleneagle.

Forest Heights Estates

At their March 28 land use meeting, the commissioners heard a request by the Jon Didleaux and Phyllis Didleau Revocable Trust for approval of a 32.168-acre minor subdivision to create four single-family lots and two tracts. The property is zoned RR-5 (residential rural) and is located at 8250 Forest Heights Circle east of Herring Road and north of Shoup Road. The subdivision will be known as Forest Heights Estates.

The application came to the BOCC with a unanimous recommendation for approval from the March 7 El Paso County Planning Commission meeting. At that meeting, four citizens spoke in opposition, focusing on trail access, dedication of land for trail easements, the requested waivers (pertaining to allowing a private rather than public road and not establishing an HOA), and the maintenance agreement for the private road. The commissioners at that meeting felt the concerns were either not directly relevant to the review criteria or were not legally enforceable.

In conformity with the zoning, all four proposed lots will be a minimum of 5 acres. Two are proposed to be larger at 7.6 acres and 12.10 acres and these will be located on the property’s south side near neighboring larger properties. The two smaller lots will be located adjacent to smaller lots to the property’s north and west. Access to the lots is proposed via the existing private gravel road, Forest Heights Circle, which extends east from Herring Road and serves six existing family homes. The applicant will be responsible for improving the road and the cul-de-sac at its end. The maintenance of the road will be undertaken by the residents under a formal agreement, although the commissioners heard that not all the neighbors have signed this.

At the BOCC meeting, Ryan Howser, planner III, Planning and Community Development, said that since the Planning Commission hearing the applicant has proposed to work with the community to provide the requested trail easements. This would include a northern easement for a trail along the northern edge of lot 1, which would enable a connection to Meadow Glen Lane. The gesture was described by Commissioner Carrie Geitner as “quite generous.”

Judy von Ahlefeldt, an adjacent neighbor, spoke in opposition during the public comment section of the hearing to suggest an alternative to the planned cul-de-sac. This would see it built in a different location which she said would provide better protection for the wetlands. She described it as a practical, economic, conservation solution and said, “I am offering to purchase the end of Forest Heights Circle and have two shared private driveways. I will pay for survey costs. I will pay for maintaining this end of the road.”

In rebuttal Dave Gorman, with M.V.E. Inc. and representing the applicant, said the proposed roadway was designed to closely meet county standards and the cul-de-sac is required in the standards and was intended to promote safety. Applicant Jon Didleaux said, “Judy suggested that we move that cul-de-sac but that takes up two areas. It cuts into both 5-acre parcels that we’re trying to subdivide, and we were trying to avoid that just to make it a regular 5-acre parcel for the future owner without having to put a cul-de-sac in each person’s lot.”

Seeking clarification, Commissioner Stan VanderWerf said, “There were some statements made by Ms. von Ahlefeldt today offering an alternate proposal and offering to help fund that alternate proposal. Has there been a formal offer from her to your clients about that and, if so, has that been rejected by your clients?” The answer from Gorman was no. VanderWerf then continued, “Under the conditions that this might go forward and be voted on and approved, I just was interested in knowing, I would presume those discussions could continue should an offer be made and the applicant consider it?” Staff advised that this would be the case and it would be a matter for Ms. von Ahlefeldt and the applicant to work out between themselves.

The vote to approve was unanimous.

Gleneagle minor subdivision

Also at the March 28 land use meeting, the commissioners voted unanimously to approve a request by Aaron Atwood for a 5.04-acre minor subdivision to be known as Pair-A-Dise to create two single-family lots. The property is zoned RR-2.5 and is located on Struthers Loop, south of the junction of West Baptist Road and Leather Chaps Road. The site is currently vacant. The proposed lots will each slightly exceed 2.5 acres. The application was heard as a consent item, meaning there was no discussion.

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The El Paso County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) usually meets every Tuesday at 9 am at Centennial Hall, 200 S. Cascade Ave., Suite 150, Colo. Springs. Agendas and meetings can be viewed at www.agendasuite.org/iip/elpaso. Information is available at 719-520-643. BOCC land use meetings are normally held the second and fourth Thursdays of the month (as needed) at 1 pm in Centennial Hall.

Helen Walklett can be reached at helenwalklett@ocn.me

Other El Paso County Board of County Commissioners articles

Monument Academy School Board, March 10, 14, and 21 – Board selects executive director candidates

By Jackie Burhans

Monument Academy (MA) held two special meetings and one regular board meeting by Zoom in March. Both special meetings consisted primarily of executive sessions, the second of which yielded finalists for MA’s open executive director position. The board also updated policies and heard administrative and committee reports.

Executive director finalists named

The MA board held a special meeting on Thursday, March 21 to go into executive session to interview and discuss candidates not yet named as finalists for the position of executive director. Before entering the executive session, it added another item “to discuss personnel matters re: an employee grievance and legal advice related to the grievance process.”

The board returned after two hours and unanimously advanced the finalists for the executive director position: Joshua Yancy, Colin Vinchattle, and David Stanfield. Vinchattle is currently MA’s middle school principal.

A special meeting will be held on April 4 at 6:30 p.m. in the East Campus Gym to hear from the finalists.

No action was announced regarding the grievance issue.

Policies updated

The MA board unanimously approved an update to its policy IKE-MA Promotion, Retention and Acceleration of Student. Interim Executive Director Kim McClelland said this came to her attention from a registrar and she noticed some red flags in the processes which required a replacement policy. She spoke of the need to use the school’s Multi-Tiered Support System (MTSS) to ensure proper interventions and support. She noted that in the past, parents had wanted to hold students back so they could do a sport again. The policy addresses how to handle cases for students who have an educational support plan such as an IEP, 504 or ALP. It also requires that elementary students be administered the Light’s Retention Scale before any final retention decision.

The board also unanimously approved the updated policy 1525 State Assessments Refusal Policy. The changes include updating the form and deadline information and by adding the requirement for counseling should a parent/guardian choose to excuse their student from testing once it has begun.

Highlights

Board meeting highlights included:

  • MA held a special board meeting on Sunday, March 10 to go into executive session for legal advice on specific legal matters related to personnel contracts, investigations, and processes and for negotiations and advice to negotiators regarding employment contracts and agreements; and for personnel matters related to the high school and central administration. The board reconvened after an hour and half, taking no action.
  • The board went into executive session after its regular meeting on March 14 for negotiations and advice to negotiators regarding executive director interviews and contract discussions and to discuss specialized details of security arrangements or investigations. They returned after more than two hours, taking no further action.
  • McClelland spoke with D38 interim Superintendent Amber Whetstine about adding language to its charter contract to confirm that MA can offer homeschool enrichment. The board unanimously approved the language proposed by its legal counsel.
  • The board unanimously approved funding of $99 for election software for the upcoming board election and asked the Governance Committee to amend the policy so that the authorization would be automatic for future elections.
  • Financial consultant Glenn Gustafson reported that he was very optimistic that financial plans are coming together and that MA is poised to finish the year on target for its budget. His number one priority for the FY24-25 budget is to restore East Campus to financial viability.
  • Gustafson said the School Finance Act was still in limbo but task force recommendations would result in a reduction in D38 funding, though that might get delayed until FY25-26. Board President Ryan Graham pointed out that could impact MA to the tune of $700,000 and suggested the community reach out to representatives.
  • Graham said that when school starts in August, both circulation roads should be available.
  • Board member Emily Belisle said the Curriculum Committee proposes pausing the implementation of the new math curriculum to discuss changes in the curriculum adoption policy. Board member Karen Hoida said the Governance Committee supports this proposal.

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The MA School Board meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month. The board will hold a special meeting on Thursday, April 4 with the executive director finalists. The next regular board meeting will be on Thursday, April 11, at 6:30 p.m. at the East Campus. See more information at see https://bit.ly/ma-boe.

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

Monument Academy School Board, March 10, 14, and 21 – Board selects executive director candidates

By Jackie Burhans

Monument Academy (MA) held two special meetings and one regular board meeting by Zoom in March. Both special meetings consisted primarily of executive sessions, the second of which yielded finalists for MA’s open executive director position. The board also updated policies and heard administrative and committee reports.

Executive director finalists named

The MA board held a special meeting on Thursday, March 21 to go into executive session to interview and discuss candidates not yet named as finalists for the position of executive director. Before entering the executive session, it added another item “to discuss personnel matters re: an employee grievance and legal advice related to the grievance process.”

The board returned after two hours and unanimously advanced the finalists for the executive director position: Joshua Yancy, Colin Vinchattle, and David Stanfield. Vinchattle is currently MA’s middle school principal.

A special meeting will be held on April 4 at 6:30 p.m. in the East Campus Gym to hear from the finalists.

No action was announced regarding the grievance issue.

Policies updated

The MA board unanimously approved an update to its policy IKE-MA Promotion, Retention and Acceleration of Student. Interim Executive Director Kim McClelland said this came to her attention from a registrar and she noticed some red flags in the processes which required a replacement policy. She spoke of the need to use the school’s Multi-Tiered Support System (MTSS) to ensure proper interventions and support. She noted that in the past, parents had wanted to hold students back so they could do a sport again. The policy addresses how to handle cases for students who have an educational support plan such as an IEP, 504 or ALP. It also requires that elementary students be administered the Light’s Retention Scale before any final retention decision.

The board also unanimously approved the updated policy 1525 State Assessments Refusal Policy. The changes include updating the form and deadline information and by adding the requirement for counseling should a parent/guardian choose to excuse their student from testing once it has begun.

Highlights

Board meeting highlights included:

  • MA held a special board meeting on Sunday, March 10 to go into executive session for legal advice on specific legal matters related to personnel contracts, investigations, and processes and for negotiations and advice to negotiators regarding employment contracts and agreements; and for personnel matters related to the high school and central administration. The board reconvened after an hour and half, taking no action.
  • The board went into executive session after its regular meeting on March 14 for negotiations and advice to negotiators regarding executive director interviews and contract discussions and to discuss specialized details of security arrangements or investigations. They returned after more than two hours, taking no further action.
  • McClelland spoke with D38 interim Superintendent Amber Whetstine about adding language to its charter contract to confirm that MA can offer homeschool enrichment. The board unanimously approved the language proposed by its legal counsel.
  • The board unanimously approved funding of $99 for election software for the upcoming board election and asked the Governance Committee to amend the policy so that the authorization would be automatic for future elections.
  • Financial consultant Glenn Gustafson reported that he was very optimistic that financial plans are coming together and that MA is poised to finish the year on target for its budget. His number one priority for the FY24-25 budget is to restore East Campus to financial viability.
  • Gustafson said the School Finance Act was still in limbo but task force recommendations would result in a reduction in D38 funding, though that might get delayed until FY25-26. Board President Ryan Graham pointed out that could impact MA to the tune of $700,000 and suggested the community reach out to representatives.
  • Graham said that when school starts in August, both circulation roads should be available.
  • Board member Emily Belisle said the Curriculum Committee proposes pausing the implementation of the new math curriculum to discuss changes in the curriculum adoption policy. Board member Karen Hoida said the Governance Committee supports this proposal.

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The MA School Board meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month. The board will hold a special meeting on Thursday, April 4 with the executive director finalists. The next regular board meeting will be on Thursday, April 11, at 6:30 p.m. at the East Campus. See more information at see https://bit.ly/ma-boe.

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

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Monument Town Council, March 4 and 18 – Council reviews redistricting, infrastructure, and parks

By Chris Jeub

The Monument Town Council covered various topics in March, including discussions on Monument redistricting, infrastructure development along Jackson Creek Parkway, and Higby Road’s classification. The council approved a daytime park at Falcon Commerce Center and addressed water delivery costs and the ongoing debate between the Loop Renewable Water Project and the Northern Delivery System (NDS). Updates were provided on the building moratorium and an inquiry into raising traffic impact fees.

Monument redistricting

Discussions revolved around the presentation of findings and options regarding residential district boundaries by the council’s District Advisory Commission. Points included the existence of two residential districts and the necessity to enact changes 180 days before the upcoming election, as outlined in Ordinance No. 25-2023. Emphasizing principles such as one-person-one-vote, racial equality, compactness, contiguity, and preservation of communities of interest, the commission examined census data revealing a population imbalance between District 1 and District 2 in Monument, prompting a proposed redistricting plan.

With District 1 currently housing 4,648 people (56%) and District 2 accommodating 5,891 people (44%), projections indicate a significant population increase to 14,100 by November 2024. The suggested redistricting adjustments aim to balance population distribution, with District 1 proposed at 7,236 and District 2 at 7,131, representing a remarkably close 0.7% difference. Town Attorney Bob Cole noted the rarity of achieving such proximity in redistricting projects.

Jackson Creek Parkway

Jeremiah Reichert from Public Works led a discussion on the construction timelines for Highway 105 and Jackson Creek Parkway. He explained the complex mix of stakeholders including Classic Homes, the Town of Monument, El Paso County, and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). Reichert emphasized the necessity of infrastructure improvement along the corridor, highlighting the shared burden among the involved parties. Concerns were raised about future maintenance, particularly regarding the widening of Highway 105 encroaching into CDOT’s right-of-way, prompting worries about the town’s capacity to manage such responsibilities. Mayor Mitch LaKind pondered the potential scenario of CDOT shifting maintenance costs to the town. Classic Homes contributed to the discussion by addressing the complexity of the project, including the presence of utilities in the area, and projected an additional eight months for the completion of the development.

Higby Road

Reichert also presented a Higby Road report. It was concluded from an engineering study that Higby qualifies as a major collector street, necessitating additional buildouts. However, discussions ensued regarding the width of Higby, with LaKind expressing concerns about its capacity given the numerous proposed developments in the area. Reichert clarified that the report focused on engineering aspects rather than development specifics, emphasizing comparisons with other thoroughfares like Baptist Road and Highway 105. Councilmember Steve King expressed concerns about potential hazards near the high school and the ongoing debate about right-of-way concessions. Despite differing opinions on challenging county decisions and the costs involved, it was acknowledged that Higby’s classification as a major collector street had been confirmed. Plans were outlined to further refine decisions regarding Higby Road’s future by the end of 2024.

Daytime park approved

Ordinance No. 06-2024, concerning the approval of a final Planned Unit Development for Falcon Commerce Center Phase 2 Park, passed unanimously. Situated near South Baptist Road and I-25, staff confirmed that all criteria were met, with previous zoning and sketch plan approvals in 2022. The park, spanning 1.911 acres and intended for daytime use, aims to connect with the current Santa Fe Trail. Concerns were raised by Councilmember Kenneth Kimple regarding potential issues with traffic, lighting, and transient individuals utilizing the park for overnight stays. King, however, expressed support for the project, highlighting the value of allocating land for park use rather than industrial purposes, earning his endorsement with “two thumbs up.”

Monument water

Earlier in the year, the council requested Public Utilities Director Thomas Tharnish to present on the cost of water delivery to Monument customers, a request made following council concerns between the Loop and the NDS. Key figures were discussed, including the cost of water delivery at $10.49 per 1,000 gallons and the prevalence of three-fourths-inch-size meters supplying 90% of residential water services. Tharnish emphasized that there are additional costs to consider beyond the base delivery cost.

LaKind raised concerns about divergent cost figures between the Loop and NDS, prompting discussions about the longstanding debate between the two entities. Councilmembers expressed interest in resolving this issue and potentially aligning with one of the entities, with Councilmember Marco Fiorito highlighting the historical connection between NDS and the town. Councilmember Jim Romanello, however, urged the entire council to invite representatives from both the Loop and NDS for fair representation, a suggestion met with general agreement from all present.

After public comment, the discussion on water continued, with Kimple advocating for a timely decision due to upcoming decisions later. LaKind sought an update soon, with Town Manager Mike Foreman suggesting a meeting in the second half of May with representatives from the Loop, NDS, and Triview present. King expressed skepticism about the data provided by the Loop, while Councilmember Kronick emphasized the importance of making the right decision rather than feeling pressured.

Moratorium update

During public comment, concerns were raised regarding the building moratorium, with neighboring resident David Brewer expressing his desire for assistance from the Town Council in pursuing his American Dream of subdividing his 1,200-square-foot field. Brewer questioned the duration of the moratorium, as his request should necessitate only a short amount of the town’s time. Foreman provided an update on the moratorium, stating that the town currently has under 20 active cases and has identified a candidate for the planning director position, with background checks underway. Foreman anticipated providing a further update in mid-April regarding when the moratorium might be lifted.

Traffic impact fees

Councilmember King highlighted the disparity between Monument’s traffic impact fees, set at $700 per dwelling unit, and those of other communities, which can reach several thousand dollars. King emphasized the principle that development should bear its own costs, particularly considering the current state of road infrastructure lagging the needs of Monument’s residents. Foreman noted that the staff is assessing these fees and preparing a report to present to the council. LaKind expressed a desire to address this issue before the moratorium is lifted, indicating a sense of urgency in resolving the matter.

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The Monument Council usually meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of each month at Monument Town Hall, 645 Beacon Lite Road. The next meetings are scheduled for Monday, April 1 and April 15. Call 719-884-8014 or see www.townofmonument.org for information. To see upcoming agendas and complete board packets or to download audio recordings of past meetings, see http://monumenttownco.minutesondemand.com and click on Town Council.

Chris Jeub can be reached at chrisjeub@ocn.me.

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