OCN

Volunteers reporting on community issues in Monument, Palmer Lake, and the surrounding Tri-Lakes area

OCN > 2406

Articles from Vol. 24 No. 6 - June 1, 2024

Palmer Lake Board of Trustees, May 9 – It’s official: no fireworks in Palmer Lake

By James Howald and Jackie Burhans

The Palmer Lake Board of Trustees (PLBOT) met twice in May; on May 9 and on May 30. Since the May 30 meeting was held after this issue of OCN went to press, that meeting will be covered in next month’s issue.

At the May 9 meeting, the board considered a special event permit request from Shane Neal, representing Awake the Lake (ATL). The board heard an update on the progress made by the Advisory Committee for the Elephant Rock Vision Plan. Five special event permits were approved.

The meeting was followed by an executive session to receive legal advice on an offer to purchase town land, and a vote was taken following the executive session.

Discussion of Fourth of July event becomes contentious

Neal asked the board to approve a special event permit for the Festival on the Fourth event. He explained ATL had canceled its previous plans for the event, which would have included a fireworks display, because it could not find a volunteer to manage the event. The event he proposed at the board meeting was a scaled-down version, to be held in a controlled area adjacent to the Centennial Park Gazebo on the west side of the lake, that would include alcohol sales, vendors, and music, but no fireworks. Ambulance support, EMT resources, and private security personnel would be provided. Tickets to the event would cost $20, but food and alcohol would be sold separately, he said. Neal said he expected up to 5,000 people would attend.

After explaining the event requested in the permit application, Neal went on to say ATL considered fireworks central to the event and it proposed holding the event with fireworks. Neal listed three options: the smaller, more controlled event without fireworks he had submitted a permit application for, a larger event with fireworks, or no event at all. He said when ATL canceled the previously planned event there was a lot of push back from the community, all of it in favor of holding an event with fireworks. Meetings were held to see if the event could be revived, and Neal volunteered to plan the event.

Town Administrator Dawn Collins said that she was concerned about the lack of adequate planning, that she wanted to support the ATL event, but the cancelation meant that law enforcement staff from surrounding organizations had re-assigned their staff when the cancellation was announced, and those officers were no longer available to support The Festival on the Fourth.

Jeff Hulsmann, representing ATL, said that events like The Festival on the Fourth were important to the town and the scaled-back version of the event, without fireworks, would fail and would fill the town with angry disappointed attendees

Trustee Shana Ball said she did not have enough information to decide at the meeting.

Interim Police Chief Adam Lundy said he could support the smaller version of the event but adequate police support for the version with fireworks was not available. He said the event historically has never been safe. Collins said 18 members of the Fire Department would be available to support the event.

Neal asked the board to authorize him to move forward with planning for an event with fireworks and said the board could cancel the event later if its requirements were not met. Resident Susan Miner spoke in favor of this approach. A permit for an event with fireworks was not the issue before the board.

Lundy pointed out again that law enforcement staff from surrounding agencies were re-assigned when they were told the event was canceled and were no longer available.

Mayor Glant Havenar said, “Everyone wants the event going forward,” and hoped Neal would remain as the event planner.

At that point, Neal asked the board to vote yes or no on an event with fireworks. There was no motion for a vote and Neal withdrew his application for a smaller event. The board moved on to the next agenda item but that was not the end of the discussion. Later in the meeting, Hulsmann asked the board to vote yes or no on an event with fireworks. He said he did not want to take the blame for the failure of the event to proceed. The board did not vote at that point.

During the public comment section, Neal again asked the board to vote yes or no on an event without fireworks. Town Attorney Scott Krob said the board could vote but was not obligated to do so. The board voted: Trustees Jessica Farr, Dennis Stern and Havenar voted in favor of the smaller event, without fireworks, for which the special event permit was requested. Trustees Ball, Nick Ehrhardt and Samantha Padgett voted no. Trustee Kevin Dreher was not present to vote. The vote failed, since a majority was required for it to pass.

Elephant Rock vision plan update

Miner told the board that the Advisory Committee for the Elephant Rock Vision Plan had met twice. At the first meeting, they added Cathy Wilcox and Larry Bobo as committee members. The second meeting was held at Richard and Lindsay Willans’ location at the Elephant Rock property so that the committee could familiarize themselves with the Willans’ plans.

Miner said the committee was drafting a vision statement specific to the Elephant Rock property. All ideas submitted by community members have been collected and categorized. The committee had heard from The Arts Council of Palmer Lake, from the Parks and Trails Commission, and from the Palmer Lake Economic Development Group. A site team made up of Bill Fisher, John Tool, Jennifer Rausch and Larry Bobo had been formed and was ready to get started. Cathy Wilcox was working on listing possible types of financial support, and Miner was working on a critical path schedule with benchmarks, she said

Bill Fisher wrote an email listing positive attributes that uses of the Elephant Rock property should have, including:

  • Benefit to the public
  • Provision of park space to the community
  • Preservation of the rural corridor
  • Non-competitive with local businesses
  • Generates revenue for the town
  • Preserves historical attributes
  • Supports recreation

Miner cautioned the board about accepting further ideas from the community that were not submitted first to the committee.

Special events

The board approved these special events:

  • Shakespeare in the Park, hosted by the Palmer Lake Arts Council. The play will be Two Gentlemen of Verona. There will be two performances at the Town Hall on Saturday, June 22, at 1 and 6 p.m.
  • Wishing Star Farms children’s reading program, hosted by the Pikes Peak Library District. Children will interact with farm animals. On Thursday, June 27, at the Village Green at 9:30 a.m.
  • Summer Adventure Concert, hosted by the Pikes Peak Library District. A children’s musician will perform on Friday, July 12, at the Village Green in the afternoon.
  • Concert series hosted by the Pikes Peak Library District. There will be performances on Friday, Aug. 23, Friday, Aug. 30 and Friday, Sept. 6 at 6 p.m. at the Village Green. The musical selections will vary.
  • Palmer Lake Elementary School (PLES) Fun Run, hosted by the PLES Parent Teachers Organization. The 42nd annual four-mile run on the Santa Fe trail, to be held on Thursday, July 4, with a start time of 7 a.m. at the Pavilion at Palmer Lake Regional Recreation Center. Parking will be on the west side of the lake.

Executive session

The meeting on May 9 ended with an executive session for the board to receive legal advice on the sale of town property. After the executive session, the board voted in favor of Resolution 28-2024, which authorizes the mayor to sign purchase and sales agreements. The text of the resolution had not been published on the town’s website when this article went to press.

************

The next regular board meetings are scheduled for June 13 and 27. All meetings will be held at the Town Hall. See the town’s website at www.townofpalmerlake.com to confirm times and dates of board meetings and workshops. Meetings are typically held on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at the Town Hall. Information: 719-481-2953.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

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

Other Palmer Lake articles

Monument Planning Commission, May 8 – Amusement park, more residential development recommended for approval

By Janet Sellers

The May 8 agenda of the Monument Planning Commission included a resolution for a final plat known as Willow Springs Ranch filing No. 2 and an ordinance for a planned unit development (PUD) known as Conexus Lost Island 2. Reports for communication and announcements with the commission and planning staff were also on the agenda. Public comments time was not on the posted agenda.

The commissioners’ main discussions were about the two development projects, Willow Springs Ranch final plat and Conexus Lost Island 2 PUD. Discussions highlighted the location, zoning, and surrounding land use of Willow Springs Ranch near Baptist Road and Forest Lakes Drive and the nearby roundabout, indicating the need for accommodating expected increases in traffic. Later, Ben Thurston presented the resolution for Conexus Lost Island 2 amusement park. The commissioners expressed concerns and supported the proposals, with some emphasizing the need to evaluate traffic studies and major evacuation routes, as well as respecting the small-town atmosphere of Monument.

Also at the meeting, speakers discussed various aspects of traffic management and infrastructure in Monument’s growing community, including the need for a traffic study to address evacuation routes and potential issues with roundabouts. The commissioners reviewed a proposed development plan for Willow Springs Ranch while other commissioners discussed a comprehensive review of mixed-use projects, especially of recent amusement park projects nearby in areas of Colorado Springs. The commissioners discussed proposals for a mixed-use development in a former industrial area and questioned the lack of design guidelines for a mixed-use development in a PUD. The discussion included respecting the need for the Town of Monument to preserve its small-town character feel throughout current growth possibilities.

Concerns arose regarding needed comprehensive traffic studies to be completed and understood before any building would begin, due to the expected increase in the traffic for locals coming and going as well as the traffic and its implied concerns regarding visitors to both the new home areas of the Willow Springs Ranch final plat and the new Conexus Lost Island 2 amusement sites, and for evacuation issues for all traffic, including local and interstate traffic of large trucks that must use the local streets in the case of severe weather complications.

The commissioners made a motion, unanimously approved, to recommend approval of Willow Springs Ranch if the proposed final plat conforms with the review and approval criteria as outlined in the town of Monument’s land development Code Section 8 2.0 2.260 with the condition that at the time of completion, the design of the future District 38 school at that area of Forest Lakes Drive will require conversion to a right in, right out travel ability if such intersection or access improvements are required. Also, the applicant, for the location entering the Willow Springs Metropolitan District, will be responsible for the design and construction of the road conversion. The proposed plat design preserves and conserves natural areas in vegetation. Group discussions for Willow Springs Ranch also included questions about the current validity of a previous traffic study and the potential need for new studies due to subsequent developments, zoning, and open space dedication.

Recreation development and environmental impact

The commission also heard an application sought for approval by the developer of the Conexus property along Beacon Lite Road for an amusement park, Lost Island 2, and development, including office, manufacturing, and commercial space.

The presenter said the proposed development provides for indoor and outdoor recreation activities not already in town. The commissioners said the developer bears the cost of needed public improvements and needed water conservation efforts to be put in place. Regarding land use and development in a residential area, clarification is needed for Santa Fe Trail alignment and prairie dog preservation. The commissioners questioned the PUD changes before the final plat vote and issues regarding the Connexus 14-acre property and zoning PUD issues for an outdoor recreation facility.

Zoning hearing for new development with miniature golf courses

The amusement park presenter detailed the site plan for the project, including shared access drives and parking, while the commissioners directed the applicant to provide safe and reasonable road improvements and that lighting for miniature golf courses and the architecture and design conform to open space and provide ample open space for circulation and recreation. The proposed amusement park could affect changes to the Santa Fe Trail and intersections, the neighboring properties, and privacy features.

Discussions ensued regarding clarity on the impact of new development on the small town of Monument, and the compatibility of a proposed recreation center with the natural surroundings of the area. The discussions examined traffic safety and the highway completion before businesses open, and related concerns about coordination of development and access for the existing community, overall traffic safety on Beacon Lite Road, and reviewed roundabout design factors. This discussion included concerns about the four-way stop at Old Denver Road and Second Street for temporary and long-term improvements.

A motion was made to recommend the Conexus/Lost Island 2 project for development, and it passed 6-0.

**********

The Monument Planning Commission meets next at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 12, at the Monument Town Hall Board Room, 645 Beacon Lite Rd., Monument, and usually meets the second Wednesday of each month. To see the options for remote public participation in each meeting, visit https://townofmonument.org/263/Planning-Commission-Board-of-Adjustment. Info: 719-884-8028. https://townofmonument.org.

Janet Sellers can be reached at JanetSellers@ocn.me.

Lost Island amusement park vicinity map and site plan. Maps courtesy of the Town of Monument.
Willow Springs Ranch site plan. Map courtesy of the Town of Monument.

Other Monument articles

Monument Town Council, May 6 and 20 – Disappointment expressed over alleged attorney misconduct and moratorium developments

By Chris Jeub

Two Monument Town Council meetings and a press conference held by Mayor Mitch LaKind brought pressing issues to light. LaKind addressed the public regarding ongoing attorney misconduct allegations, providing an update ahead of the investigation’s conclusion. The council meetings were marked by frustrations over an extended moratorium on new land development applications, with both council members and the public voicing concerns. The council also made several proclamations to honor community contributions, discussed updates on local development projects, and announced an extended route for the Fourth of July parade, promising an enhanced celebration for all attendees.

Press conference on attorney misconduct allegations

LaKind held a press conference on May 15 to address developments in an ongoing investigation by the Colorado Office of Attorney Regulation (OARC). The investigation stems from a complaint filed by the Town of Monument against attorney Grant Vander Jagt of the law firm Starzynski Vander Jagt in January 2023.

LaKind outlined that over the past 17 months, the OARC, part of the Colorado Supreme Court responsible for regulating the legal profession, has been investigating allegations against attorneys from Starzynski Vander Jagt. LaKind provided context for the investigation, explaining that in December 2022, some outgoing Board of Trustees members engaged Starzynski Vander Jagt to re-evaluate a campaign finance violation complaint. LaKind explained the initial complaint had been properly cured according to the Fair Campaign Practices Act and the municipal code. However, LaKind claimed the subsequent investigation by Starzynski Vander Jagt exceeded its authorized scope.

In April 2023, incoming Town Council members endorsed a different report based on a separate investigation. They are now exploring ways to retrieve the town’s client file and contest billings for services rendered by Starzynski Vander Jagt. The town has refrained from public comment to maintain the impartiality of the OARC investigation.

Addressing inquiries about an August 2023 IEC complaint lodged against him by departing council members, LaKind described it as “retaliatory.” He claimed that the IEC complaint was “filled with unsubstantiated and inaccurate assertions.” In contrast, LaKind claimed the OARC complaint was supported by substantive evidence.

When asked why LaKind was holding the press conference before the completion of the investigation, LaKind said that the delay in the investigation resulted from Grant Vander Jagt changing attorneys. LaKind defended the town’s decision to file the complaint, action that has cost the town over $100,000, highlighting the attorney’s alleged breaches and the necessity of protecting the town’s interests.

Moratorium update exposes frustrations

Town Manager Mike Foreman presented an update on the temporary suspension of new applications under the Land Development Code, which sparked noticeable frustration among both the council members and the public. The moratorium is set up to run through July 15 to allow time for filling staff positions and handling the backlog of applications.

LaKind questioned the progress, specifically inquiring about the posting for the Planner II position and why multiple positions couldn’t be posted simultaneously. He emphasized that the moratorium has been in place since February and saw no justification for further delays in posting these critical positions. Councilmember Jim Romanello also questioned the progress, warning Foreman that any request to extend the moratorium beyond July 15 would not be supported by him. Public sentiment mirrored the council’s frustration, with developer Tom Blunk expressing disappointment. Blunk highlighted the significant financial impacts of the continued moratorium, stressing that developers have been patiently waiting and urging the council to allow some submissions. He underscored the urgency by stating, “Time kills all deals.”

Foreman acknowledged the backlog, noting that numerous applications are pending and a surge in submissions is expected once the moratorium lifts. But LaKind requested a list of pending projects, pointing out that out of the 30 projects pending at the start of the moratorium, only 10 having been completed. Foreman said developers’ lack of response, not the staff’s actions, contributed to the delays. He also stressed the importance of hiring the right personnel. Foreman stated he would follow the council’s direction.

May proclamations

Several important proclamations were made to honor and recognize various groups and their contributions to the community. LaKind declared the week as Small Business Week, emphasizing the vital role that small businesses play in fostering local economic growth and community development. Foreman proclaimed May as National Cities, Towns, and Villages Month, highlighting the importance of municipalities in providing essential services and maintaining a high quality of life for residents. Foreman also proclaimed Professional Municipal Clerks Week, celebrating the dedication and professionalism of municipal clerks who ensure the smooth functioning of local government operations. Police Chief Patrick Regan declared National Police Week, paying tribute to the bravery and service of law enforcement officers who protect and serve the community, ensuring safety and security for all residents.

Monument Lake Beachfront

Lauren Richardson from Baseline Engineering presented a proposal for the final plat of Monument Lake Beachfront Filing No. 1. The purpose of the plat was to combine several lots and allow for parking permits. Despite a 7-0 recommendation from the Planning Commission and staff confirming the proposal met all review criteria, a question arose from Mayor Pro Tem Steve King regarding the status of Lake Mountain Lane being listed as a private road. This issue remained unresolved during the May 6 meeting. LaKind emphasized that the goal was to combine multiple lots, though the ownership of the road was still unclear. Town staff clarified that while the northern road is private, the town owns the access road. The final plat drawing mistakenly showed the road as private, prompting Romanello to move to defer the decision to the May 20 meeting, which passed unanimously.

Falcon Commerce Center

In another hearing, Richardson presented a final plat for Falcon Commerce Center Filing No. 3, located south of Baptist Road and west of I-25, covering 2.65 acres. The applicant, Kiowa Engineering Corp., received conditional approval pending reviews from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Staff approved the final plat, and an NES presentation highlighted that the final plat for Filing 2 was approved in October 2022, with plans to extend Terrazzo Drive to improve the south side of Jackson Creek. Concerns were raised by King about the project’s drainage potentially affecting the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA). NES acknowledged some confusion but assured that downstream impacts would be reported, noting the need for a detention pond on the south side, though not immediately for this project. The motion to approve this resolution passed unanimously.

Fourth of July parade extension

President and CEO of the Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce Terri Hayes announced an update regarding the Fourth of July parade. This year, the parade route has been extended significantly. Instead of its usual starting point near St. Peter Catholic Church, the parade will now commence at Santa Fe and Old Denver Road. This extension adds a considerable length to the route (about three blocks), promising a more extensive and engaging experience for both participants and spectators.

**********

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, June 3 and June 17. Call 719-884-8014 or see https://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.

Other Monument articles

Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, May 20 – Board approves purchase of property for use in Career and Technical Education programs

By Harriet Halbig

The Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education discussed and approved a contract to purchase a structure at 1200 Synthes Avenue in Monument and the adjoining unimproved lot to create a facility for Career and Technical Education (CTE) programming. This concept has been under discussion for over a year.

Currently a small structure near Grace Best Education Center is being used for this purpose.

As proposed, the existing concrete warehouse structure will be reconfigured for this new use. Because there is sufficient electrical capability and compressors are present, the primary design changes will be largely architectural. It was also determined that a second interior level could be added later if needed. The adjoining lot could be used for parking or future expansion.

The purchase includes the requirement of professional inspection of the property and the hiring of architectural and contracting consultants.

At its special meeting on May 24, the board discussed ways to include the community in making decisions about the property. There will be a meeting on June 20 to encourage community members to participate in a task force regarding the project. At that time a survey will be created to be circulated to the community.

In discussing the source of funding for the project, Chief Business Officer Brett Ridgway reported that as a result of the passage of Senate Bill 24-017, the district has acquired the one-time use of $8.3 million in additional revenue. In addition, there is more than $2 million in a fund deriving from cash in lieu of land from developers.

It was estimated that if the district were to build a new structure it would delay implementation by three to four years.

Because the $8.3 million is a one-time revenue, it could not be used for salary increases as it would not be sustainable. This decision also makes it unnecessary to approach the community for a mill levy override or bond funding for the project. It is therefore hoped that the facility could be in use as soon as the 2025-26 school year.

The district heard a presentation by Tatiana Bailey, executive director of the nonprofit Data-Driven Economic Strategies, regarding the present and future workforce. Bailey listed the most-needed skills in the workforce and which of these were well adapted to high schools, such as various computer software. This information could help inform planning for the new facility.

Programming in the building would include carpentry, technical skills, and business management. Students would be able to create and manage small businesses independently to do such things as manufacture T-shirts, trophies, and other items. Other programs will be offered that would result in certification in various areas.

Many other districts in the state offer comparable programs.

Generally, students would spend half of their day at this site and the remainder at Lewis-Palmer or Palmer Ridge High School.

Non-academic fees for 2024-25 approved

Ridgway explained a list of non-academic fees for the upcoming schoolyear. These include fees for athletic, art, and music programs as well as transportation.

Ridgway explained that in creating the budget, all students contribute a certain amount to such fees as food service or transportation whether or not they use the service. Those who use the transportation service will be charged $265 per year or $50 for a punch-card entitling the holder to 20 rides.

To view the entire list of fees, please see the district website lewispalmer.org, go to boarddocs under the Board of Education tab and select the meeting date of May 20.

Approval of preliminary 2024-25 budget

Ridgway explained that the board is required to approve a budget for the upcoming school year by June 30.

He said he is working toward a budgeting process based on the individual student. This year, he is heading toward budgeting on a school-by-school basis. This spring, he circulated a form to all schools asking their funding priorities. The effort was not entirely successful as members of building advisory committees felt that principals should determine priorities. It is hoped that next year the concept will be more acceptable.

One point made by Ridgway in explaining the general source of revenue is that, although individuals are paying more in property taxes this year, the additional funds will not go to local schools. Instead it will reduce the amount the state contributes to funding.

He continues to estimate that the increase in funding will be about 6% for the coming year.

To view the details of the budget, please refer to boarddocs as explained above.

Staff and student recognitions

The board heard a presentation from the Bearbotics robotics team about how it is configured. The program is growing, and a student representative said that the team could use more space for its practices and manufacturing of robots. He said that of the 11 graduating seniors, 10 have chosen to major in engineering, demonstrating the value of the program,

Above: At the May 20 D38 Board of Education meeting, student representatives and coaches from the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) and FIRST Robotics Challenge (FRC) team displayed their robot and spoke about program activities. The team, which works out of the Grace Best Education Facility, explained the program and its space constraints and thanked the board for its support. Bearbotics is an experiential learning program for STEM-focused students. Students build complex robots using the latest design and fabrication tools and compete with them. The FTC program helps students develop core robotics skills quickly for students in grades 9-10. FRC offers maximum challenge and skill building, especially for engineering and related fields. For more information on Bearbotics, see https://bearbotics4068. monumentalimpact.org/. For more information on the FIRST Robotics organization, see: https://www.firstinspires.org/. From left: Board President Tiffiney Upchurch, retiring coach Mike Hinkle, Alex Epstein, Aaron Weeks, Vaughn Slivka, Mikayla Middleton, head coach Matt Middleton, Daniel Bloomfield, and assistant coach Eric VanDenHoek. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

Sixth-grade science teacher Val DeLello of Bear Creek Elementary School reported on the participation of nine of her students in the recent Pikes Peak Regional Science and Engineering Fair. DeLello received an award in Teaching Excellence in Elementary Education. This is a state award from the Colorado Association of Science Teachers.

Above: Bear Creek Elementary School Principal Donnell Potter introduced sixth-grade science teacher Val DeLello for special recognition. DeLello was recently honored as the recipient of the 2023-24 AVS Teaching Award for Excellence in Elementary Science Education. This state award, sponsored by the Colorado Association of Science Teachers organization, is awarded annually to a community-nominated teacher who demonstrates exemplary science teaching talents and accomplishments. DeLello, STEM committee chair, organizes the STEM night and the school science fair. She noted nine sixth-grade students participated in the spring Pikes Peak Regional Science and Engineering Fair at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS). She expressed her amazement at the students’ dedication and hard work and thanked the parents who supported them. Three of the students were able to attend the meeting. From left are board President Tiffiney Upchurch, Ben Bloomfield, Aiden Light, Justin Beasley, Potter, and DeLello. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

Acting Superintendent Amber Whetstine recognized Lewis-Palmer High School tutors Larry Bryant, Dave Cantwell, Ton Koehler, and Tony Saglembeni for their many hours of service.

Above: Acting Superintendent Amber Whetstine called on Lewis-Palmer High School (LPHS) Dean of Students Stacy Roshek, and math teacher Molly Ketchell to facilitate special recognition of several community members who have served as math tutors at LPHS during the 2023-24 school year. Roshek said that a study hall teacher had reached out to Monument Math Tutors to see if they could collaborate. They engaged and began providing math tutoring for Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II. The community members—Larry Bryant, Dave Cantwell, Mary Koehler, Tom Koehler, and Tony Saglembeni—dedicated over 400 hours to LPHS students. They achieved measurable results, improving scores by 8% to 50%, improving student engagement, and stretching the capacity of high achievers. From left are board President Tiffiney Upchurch, Acting Superintendent Amber Whetstine, Koehler, Ketchell, Cantwell, Bryant, Saglembeni, and Roshek. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

D38 Secondary Program Coordinator Jessica McAllister was one of five national recipients of the You Science Innovative Educator Award. She was recognized for her entrepreneurial leadership and forward-thinking approach to integrate Career and Technical Education (CTE) with academic programs. McAllister led in the renovation of an existing building featuring carpentry classes and rallied community support to create space for student-run businesses.

Above: Acting Superintendent Amber Whetstine introduced Jessica McAllister, D38 Secondary Programs coordinator, for special recognition and congratulations for winning the YouScience Innovative Educator Award. This award celebrates educators implementing innovative approaches to empower the next generation of professionals through academic and career exploration. In its press release, YouScience noted McAllister’s 23 years working in education and her spearheading innovative practices to support students in finding their passions and preparing for future careers. Under her leadership, encompassing three district-operated secondary schools, the district has embraced innovative programs to elevate career and college readiness, work-based learning opportunities, and community partnerships. From left are board President Upchurch, McAllister, and Whetstine. Photo by Jackie Burhans.
Above: Outgoing chairperson Holly Rollins presented the annual D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee (PCAC) update to the Board of Education. Rollins said that the PCAC encourages community engagement, gives input into the board’s strategic plan priorities, shares information, and seeks feedback on district offerings. PCAC focused primarily on its advisory functions this past year, with each meeting focusing on a strategic priority at a different school across the district. PCAC had representation from the school board, administration, parents, staff, and community members. Rollins announced Renee Butler as the new PCAC chair for the 2024-25 school year, with Kirsten Zook as co-chair. Zook presented a year-end report on behalf of the Financial Transparency Committee (FTC), a subcommittee of the PCAC. Zook said the FTC’s goal was to solicit input on the budget from individual schools, to better understand revenue sources, analyze areas of strategic importance, and foster buy-in and understanding of budgets with staff, parents, and the community. Acting Superintendent Amber Whetstine and board President Tiffiney Upchurch presented flowers to Rollins, thanking her for her two-year tenure as PCAC chair. From left: Whetstine, Rollins, Upchurch. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

Parent and Community Advisory Committee annual report

Outgoing co-chair Holly Rollins reported on the activities of the Parent and Community Advisory Committee (PCAC) in the past year.

Rollins said that she strove to emphasize the advisory capacity of the group by having interactive meetings which encouraged maximum participation by members.

Goals of the committee are to maximize community engagement, provide input on implementation of the board’s strategic plan, and seek feedback about schools and programs.

The group has several subcommittees including the Financial Transparency Committee, the Staff Collaboration Committee, the Special Education Advisory Committee, the Gifted Education Leadership Team, the Wellness Committee and the Calendar task force. Each of these reports at each PCAC meeting.

Primary activities of the committee in the past year included monitoring school performance, developing the Portrait of a Graduate and Portrait of an Educator, developing the Consent Task Force, participating in the formation of the D38 Foundation, analyzing results of a survey, and monitoring CTE initiatives.

In the coming year, the committee will further encourage parent involvement in committee activities, continue to include Monument Academy in meetings, and participate in reviewing the application for a new charter school in the district, the World Compass Academy Charter.

Human Resources update

Director of Human Resources Alicia Welch reported on activities in her department, including new hires, vacancies, and internal transfers.

Welch said that hiring is going much better than it did the past year with a turnover of about 8%. She said she endeavors to provide good customer service to all employees by responding promptly to any concerns and added the use of the exit interview to determine the reasons why employees leave the district and how conditions can be improved.

For details, please see boarddocs for the May 20 meeting in the lewispalmer.org website under Board of Education.

**********

The Lewis-Palmer D 38 Board of Education meets at 6 p.m. on the third Monday of each month in its learning center at 146 Jefferson St., Monument. The next meeting will be on June 17.

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

Other D38 articles

Monument Academy School Board, May 9, 14 – Board approves alternative health insurance benefits

By Jackie Burhans

Monument Academy (MA) held its regular meeting on May 9, followed by a special meeting via Zoom on May 14. The board heard about plans to change to an alternative plan for health benefits, announced its new board members, reported on fundraising efforts, and provided an update on personnel changes.

Health insurance benefits changing

Acting Chief Financial Officer Glenn Gustafson reported that MA faced high claims and an increase in healthcare costs of 10% to 15% with its current vendor, Cigna. MA started looking for different options, surveyed staff, and decided to pursue an alternative to the traditional insurance model. Noting that UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, and Kaiser Permanente make billions of dollars and are seeing steep increases in their stock values, he brought his expertise from managing the $30 million insurance plan at D11. Krista Pelley, director of People Operations, did a lot of work pulling in logistics, he said.

Pelley said that Cigna employer and employee premiums, deductibles, co-pays, and maximum out-of-pocket costs have increased dramatically. With MA’s contribution of $770 per employee, employees might pay nothing for the employee alone to over $18,000 for the employee plus their family. With the proposed plan and a reduction in MA’s contribution to $700, employees would pay nothing for the employee alone to up to $6,000 per year for the employee plus their family. This would leave more money in employees’ pockets, she said. MA would also save about $30,000 annually.

An evaluation team consisting of Pelley, incoming Executive Director Colin Vinchattle, Gustafson, Operations Manager Jake Dicus and Secondary Campus Registrar Laura Polen formed to explore a non-traditional plan alternative. The new plan leverages a Littleton-based company called Peak Benefits (www.getpeakbenefits.com), a consultant for healthcare plans that claims to disrupt the health insurance industry, to pull together cost-saving alternatives. MA employees and dependents will have access to Pinnacle Network (www.pinnacleapc.com), which offers subscription-based primary care that claims to provide a higher level of quality medical care than traditional insurance plans.

Medical and prescription benefits will move from Cigna to Redirect Health (www.redirecthealth.com), which requires the use of a member app to coordinate care virtually or in person, navigates the healthcare system, and provides follow-up. MA will also offer a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) where the employer provides the plan funding and employees can request reimbursement for actual medical expenses incurred up to that amount. Employees who use all their HRA before year-end must cover subsequent health bills out-of-pocket or using a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA).

Pelley said she wanted to start by speaking to staff, getting emails out to them, and giving them opportunities to ask questions. Pelley made use of technology to solicit feedback and questions. One question raised a concern about a conflict of interest since the CEO of Pinnacle, Dr. John Dygert, is the husband of an incoming board member. Pelley contacted MA’s legal counsel, who noted that the incoming board member’s term doesn’t start until July but that after that, she should recuse herself from voting on anything to do with insurance or providers.

Gustafson said that change is hard, especially when discussing healthcare, and acknowledged that people have primary care physicians (PCPs), specialists, and prescriptions that are near and dear to their hearts and health. MA took this leap, he said, knowing it would be difficult. Team members from the health benefit companies and MA fielded questions. Redirect will work with PCPs who do not accept this coverage to try to sign them up. Dialysis is covered, but organ transplants are not; if the employee is rejected for that, it is considered a loss of coverage, and the employee would be able to get a plan in the individual market and have their premiums reimbursed via the HRA. Gustafson said the two biggest changes are the savings for employees, equivalent to a 10% raise, and needing to plan procedures with Redirect ahead of time.

Staff members who attended the board meeting noted that they didn’t receive much information, didn’t have time to research, and felt a lack of clarity. A staff member said that staff do not understand this type of program, having never heard of it and were feeling panicked that this might be approved at the board meeting. Pelley said MA was going to hold four meetings of 20-30 employees so that they could have a discussion so employees could understand what was going on. Another staff member echoed concerns of feeling rushed, pushing back on negative statements about UCHealth, which had supported her financially.

Asked if staff would be able to provide input before a vote, board President Ryan Graham said the board was being asked to take action tonight. Gustafson noted that staff would leave soon and must complete open enrollment by June 30. Pelley said the board could wait until Monday or Tuesday. Graham asked the board to consider a special meeting on Tuesday, allowing employees at both campuses to meet to discuss the proposal. Pelley said the first session with employees would be held the following day, and a recording would be available.

The board unanimously approved a special Zoom meeting on May 14. Vinchattle reported good attendance at the employee meetings at both campuses and a mostly positive response from attendees. The board unanimously approved moving their health benefits from Cigna to Peak Benefits and authorizing the executive director to sign the necessary documents.

Board election results

At its regular meeting, board member Matt Ross announced the results of its board elections, which saw the re-election of Vice President Lindsay Clinton and the selection of Jelinda Dygert. Their three-year terms will start on July 1.

Fundraising update

Dicus began by thanking the sponsors of MA’s gala, which raised over $134,000 for MA. He also thanked staff and board members for their help with the event and its silent auction. The gala is the biggest fundraiser. MA will always have its Lynx fund, but it was not as successful as last year. Other fundraisers include facility rentals and the school store. The community donated over $50,000 to teachers in gift cards they can use to buy supplies and science kits.

Dicus said MA raised $215,000 overall, including upcoming facility rentals, exceeding its $200,000 goal.

Personnel and organization chart changes

Pelley reviewed personnel changes, noting that 14 staff members are not returning. Three of those are retiring, and one was cut due to budgetary constraints. She said reasons for leaving included “personal” and “leaving the profession,” noting a 90% retention rate. MA has filled the middle school English and Latin positions and extended an offer for a custodian position at its East Campus. MA has a newly proposed job description for athletic director/dean, having decided to use existing staff for middle school mental health, saving $50,000 for a middle school counselor. Pelley said math and tech applicants are needed, and there were three applicants for registrar assistant. The hiring committee for the secondary principal comprises four parents and six staff members.

Regarding employees changing positions, Pelley said in elementary, one teaching assistant was moving to a teacher position, a third-grade teacher was moving to physical education, a full-time kindergarten teacher was moving to part-time, and a tech teacher would move to the position of tech assistant support. She also noted that Laura Polen would move from Registrar to Finance, and Vinchattle was moving from middle school principal to executive director. Pelley confirmed that she had spoken to legal counsel to verify the rules about posting positions internally or externally as required.

Pelley noted that the proposed organizational chart had been discussed and showed proposed reporting structure changes and position removals or additions. She explained the meaning of the colors and said the board needed to review the job descriptions for the athletic director and dean assistant. The board unanimously approved the organizational chart along with the job descriptions.

Highlights

Board meeting highlights include:

  • Carle was excited to spotlight Scott Kohlhase, the first valedictorian from Monument Academy East Campus High School. Kohlhase could not attend because he was participating in a Senior Sunset event, so Vinchattle accepted his certificate.
  • The board awarded Haynes the HVAC contract for the West Campus to replace two of its units which are nearing their end of life. The board unanimously approved a contract for $160,323 with Haynes and agreed to draw down the Preschool Fund balance by $82,000 to help pay for it. Gustafson suggested meeting with the board about a five- to 10-year capital plan.
  • The board unanimously approved the FY24-25 proposed budget, along with resolutions for the appropriation of funds, use of beginning fund balances, and inter-fund borrowing.
  • The board unanimously approved policies DJ Purchasing and Contracting and DK Payroll Procedures. The purchasing policy creates a hierarchy of who can sign contracts. The payroll procedures policy is a recommended best practice and provides controls for position changes, additions, and deletions, which must go to the board for approval. MA board policies can be found at http://bit.y/ma-policies.
  • The board agreed to hold its annual retreat on July 12 at 9 a.m., the venue of which will be determined.
  • Ross reported that the West Campus School Accountability and Advisory Committee (SAAC) only received 37 responses to its end-of-year survey compared to 140 in the past. The West Campus SAAC wrote a letter raising questions about the organization’s nature and purpose and the possible benefits of combining with the East Campus SAAC.

**********

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, June 13, 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 D38 articles