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Articles from Vol. 25 No. 4 - April 5, 2025

Palmer Lake Board of Trustees, Feb. 27, March 13 and 27 – Buc-ee’s rescinds annexation request; three board members face potential recall

By James Howald and Jackie Burhans

This article covers the second board meeting for February, which was held after the February issue of OCN went to press, and the two board meetings held in March.

Issues raised by the proposed Buc-ee’s travel center were a central focus of the Palmer Lake Board of Trustees (PLBOT) in February and March.

In response to the contentious discussion of the Buc-ee’s travel center in social media, the board looked at revising its policies governing use of social media by board members.

The PLBOT also held workshops on the future direction of the Palmer Lake Police Department, the use of the Elephant Rock property, and the possible transition to a single-hauler trash service for the town. The discussions at the workshop led to actions and further discussions at the board meetings.

Buc-ee’s annexation discussion rages on

A lawsuit against the town brought by a Colorado Springs watchdog group named Integrity Matters and Buc-ee’s annexation petition were discussed by the board at the executive session following its board meeting on Feb. 27. Executive sessions are used to discuss negotiating positions and legal advice that are not made public, so details of these discussions are not known.

At the March 13 board meeting, Scott Krob, the town’s attorney, announced that the annexation request for the Buc-ee’s travel center had been withdrawn. He said the resolution passed by the board that declared the land eligible for annexation was null. Krob did not provide details about why the annexation request was withdrawn. There have been reports in other news outlets that the annexation petition will be resubmitted.

At the same board meeting, Mayor Glant Havenar asked the board to approve Resolution 25-2025, authorizing a contract with GovPro Consulting LLC, owned by Judy Egbert, to provide the town with election assistance. The memo from GovPro Consulting included in the board packet specifies that Egbert will advise the town regarding the potential recall elections of Trustees Shana Ball, Kevin Dreher, and Dennis Stern.

The scope of services includes reviewing all documents submitted by citizens, establishing a calendar for the recalls, providing a ballot security plan, overseeing the printing of ballots and envelopes, and training election judges. GovPro Consulting will charge $80 an hour. If any of the three recall elections take place, the town will pay a lump sum of $8,000 per election; if the recall elections do not take place, the hourly rate will be charged for the work done.

Town Administrator Dawn Collins estimated the cost to the town would be $20,000 per election, including consulting costs.

Havenar said the recalls were “an abhorrent waste of taxpayers’ money.”

Ball, Dreher, and Stern are the targets of recall petitions because some believe that procedural mistakes were made in the annexation eligibility hearing and those trustees might favor proceeding with the Buc-ee’s travel center.

The Integrity Matters litigation was discussed in the executive session that preceded the March 27 board meeting.

At that meeting, Krob said the traffic study commissioned as part of the Buc-ee’s annexation request had been posted. The fiscal impact study and the water study were in draft form and would be available in about a week, Krob said.

At the same meeting, in her administrative report, Collins said the petitions to recall Ball, Dreher, and Stern had been approved as to their legal form. The petitioners will have 60 days from the date of approval to collect at least 275 names of registered voters that live in Palmer Lake. If the names are verified, a recall election date will be set. Collins said the recall election would need to be scheduled within 90 days following the verification of the signatures; she asked to have the entire 90 days to plan and organize the election.

Later in the March 27 meeting, the board voted unanimously in favor of Resolution 28-2025, which rescinds an earlier resolution that declared the property proposed for the travel center eligible for annexation.

In the public comments portion of March 27 meeting, resident Roger Moseley made three criticisms of the board’s handling of the annexation request: the board had been too secretive, the normal contracting process was bypassed for the three studies done to determine the potential impacts of the travel center, and studies had not been released to the public in what he considered a timely manner.

Social media policy debated

At the March 13 meeting, in a broader discussion of trustee expectations, Havenar asked if the board felt a need to add something to its policies governing the use of social media. Krob pointed out that if the use of social media was paid for by the town, then it constituted a public forum and could not be restricted, but personal pages or accounts did not represent the board. Krob recommended that the board have a policy it could stick to in the heat of controversy.

Havenar said all the board members had “taken a beating on social media,” and had been subjected to “lies and filth.” She said she had the right to protect herself and did not want to see a strong policy. The board directed Krob to draft a policy for review at its next meeting.

At the March 27 meeting, the board discussed the policy that Krob had written, which distinguishes between content created on behalf of the town and content created by town employees and officials for personal purposes. The policy states: “Employees must recognize that most uses of personal social media are still part of the public domain regardless of privacy settings and are easily replicated and published.”

The policy goes on to state that employees must not use their town email account, logins or passwords with a personal social media profile, and, when posting personal content, must make clear that they are speaking as private citizens not as representatives of the town. The policy specifies: “Personal activity is the personal responsibility of the employee or official, including the consequences that flow from such activity.”

Trustee Atis Jurka said that when Havenar sends a message to the community speaking as “we the board,” the board should have input to that message.

Dreher emphasized his first amendment right to say whatever he wanted. He took exception to the notion he could not respond to derogatory remarks. Havenar agreed and mentioned she had been mentioned on social media by a board member’s wife.

Trustee Shana Ball said board members have a right to defend themselves during campaigns.

The board took no action on Krob’s updated policy.

Police Department workshop

At a workshop on Feb. 27, Police Chief Glen Smith told the board that, in preparation for his new job in Palmer Lake, he had read a study of the town’s Police Department prepared by retired Police Chief Paul Schultz.

Smith said his first goal is to address standards, policies, and procedures and work toward state accreditation. Accreditation “is the roadmap to bring the entire standard of the Police Department higher,” he said, adding that he was reviewing and budgeting for software tools that assist in gaining accreditation. Next, Smith said, he would assess training on crisis intervention, officer safety, and de-escalation, among other topics. Smith said he wanted to raise the visibility of the department in El Paso County by getting his officers involved in things outside the town. An audit of evidence was underway, Smith said, with an eye to discarding old, unneeded evidence. He said he was also working on a schedule for replacing vehicles. Finally, Smith said he was working on recruitment and retention.

Smith said there were two full-time openings for police officers and a part-time opening for someone to handle administration and evidence.

Following Smith’s presentation at the workshop, the board voted to authorize Havenar to sign a professional service agreement with Architetto Design Studio and Architivity Ltd. to complete a feasibility study to determine the best location for a public safety building used by the police and fire departments. Collins said the state Department of Local Affairs had given the town a $12,500 matching grant for the study.

At the March13 board meeting, the board set a maximum amount of $38,000 for a new vehicle to be used by Smith. Collins said that, although this was not budgeted, there was money in the General Fund that could be used for this purpose. The vehicle will not have the computer and other equipment that patrol vehicles have installed.

At the March 27 board meeting, the board passed Resolution 32-2025, which authorizes the mayor to sign an order for a 2025 Chevy Colorado costing $34,763 for Smith’s use.

Elephant Rock workshop

On March 6, at a workshop on future uses of the Elephant Rock property, John Tool of the Parks and Trails Commission described for the board how the property could be used as a “passive park.” Tool’s presentation was a recap of remarks that Parks and Trails Commission Chair Reid Wiecks gave the board at its February meeting. Wiecks’ vision of a park with five zones can be found in the February issue of OCN here: https://wp.ocn.me/v25n2plbot/.

Havenar asked how much of an increase in traffic on Highway 105 would trigger a requirement by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) that the town improve the highway. She saw lack of clarity on this issue as an impasse preventing a decision about the future of the property. She also suggested using a portion of the property as a community center.

Trustee Amy Hutson suggested hiring a professional site planner. Trustee Tim Caves suggested selling a portion of the property to Richard and Lindsey Willan for use as a soccer field, selling the remaining buildings on an acre of land to the highest bidder, and reserving a portion for use as a building housing the police and fire departments. Jurka suggested using one of the existing buildings on the property as housing for police officers and firefighters.

Collins pointed out that if the town redeveloped the property, it would need to comply with all current regulations including traffic, drainage, and stormwater management. She also cautioned the board against taking a piecemeal approach to decisions about the property.

At its March 13 meeting, the board returned to the topic of direction for the Elephant Rock property. Havenar asked the board for thoughts on how to handle the remaining buildings and what the Parks and Trails Commission should focus on over the summer.

Collins said she had discussed with CDOT what improvements to Highway 105 the town would have to make to accommodate traffic to the site. CDOT’s first requirement was a traffic study paid for by the town, Collins said. CDOT would require improvements such as turn lanes and deceleration lanes as the amount of traffic to the site increased. In response to a question from Havenar regarding who would own the improved road, Collins said the town would be required to fund the design and any road improvements but the construction would be done by others. Highway 105 would remain a state highway, not owned by the town.

The board members agreed that the Parks and Trails commission should continue with small projects such as signs and benches at the property.

Cave emphasized that a Planned Development document for the property, which addresses issues such as zoning changes and defines uses of the whole property, needs to be prepared. Cave and Hutson volunteered to create the plan.

Single trash hauler workshop

On March13, following up on a suggestion from Stern, the board held a workshop to discuss the selection of a single trash hauler that would serve the entire town. Stern thought a single hauler might mean savings for all residents and fewer trucks on the town’s roads.

Three trash hauling companies—Apex Waste Solutions (doing business as Infinite Disposal), Republic Services, and Waste Connections—made presentations to the board. Their presentations can be found on the town’s website here: https://www.townofpalmerlake.com/bc-bot/meeting/board-trustees-workshop-26.

Later at the March 13 meeting, the board returned to the topic of a single trash hauler. Dreher said he liked the idea but was cautious about imposing a single company on residents. Stern pointed out residents could choose to haul their own trash. Collins agreed with this but added that the companies had assumed all households would participate when they set their prices. Krob said residents could not be required to use the hauler chosen by the board.

The board asked Collins to post information about the vendors on the town’s webpage and put together a one-page summary of each vendor. The trustees agreed to put the topic on the agenda for the first board meeting in April.

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The next regular board meetings are scheduled for April 10 and 24. 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 Board of Trustees articles

Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, March 17 – Board posts superintendent position internally, receives updates on Home School Enrichment Academy and Transitions Services

By Harriet Halbig

The Lewis-Palmer D 38 Board of Education determined the method for selecting a new superintendent and discussed rehousing the Home School Enrichment Academy and the Transitions Services program at its March 17 meeting.

In her board comments, board Secretary Dr. Patti Shank said she had attended a number of district meetings and meetings of groups such as the Parent and Community Advisory Committee and the Staff Collaboration Committee and received emails from stakeholders in favor of posting the position of superintendent internally, thereby limiting the pool of candidates to those currently employed by the district.

Shank said that she was gratified that most of the responses to the question were so largely in favor of one approach. Board President Tiffiney Upchurch also commented that she found this to be the case, as many of those who contacted her felt that by using this method the district would be considering only those who know the community well.

Board approves internal superintendent search process.

Treasurer Ron Schwarz cast the only dissenting vote, saying that he felt that although there are qualified candidates in the district, limiting the pool of candidates doesn’t reflect due diligence and transparency.

Following the vote, Upchurch said that she had also received input requesting that the process of selection should begin soon. At present, Assistant Superintendent Amber Whetstine has been designated interim superintendent until June 30.

Upchurch said the board will discuss the wording of the posting and the timeline for selection at its April work session. At that time, opportunities for community participation will also be discussed.

Home School Enrichment Academy and Transitions Services update

Chief Business Officer Brett Ridgway and Director of Planning, Facilities, and Grounds Melissa Andrews reported on the search for space to relocate the Home School Enrichment Academy and the Transitions Services program, both of which are currently housed in Grace Best Elementary School, which is slated for demolition.

The Transitions Services program could be temporarily housed in the new Career and Innovation Center building. The space designated for medical services on the upper level of that building is deemed sufficient. This would save the district from renting or leasing space elsewhere while determining a permanent solution. One option being considered is the construction of a new facility in the form of a steel or pod structure.

The Home School Enrichment Academy requires considerably more space. Options include the rent or purchase of an existing facility which could be remodeled. The district is seeking architectural and contractor perspectives on the project. One facility being considered is not looking promising.

A second option is a new build such as a steel or pod structure. Considering potential locations is part of the process.

The district has consulted with the fire marshal about the possibility of remaining in a portion of Grace Best until next year when a permanent location is found. If this solution is chosen, the fire marshal will cordon off areas which may not be used safely during this time. The fire marshal is concerned about water leaks in the building.

Operations and Facility Planning update, Priority 4 in Strategic Plan

Ridgway and Andrews reported on their goals for 2027 with regard to facilities.

Their primary focus was on the Capital Assessment Process, which offers a list of projects in priority order. The annual budget for capital projects has been $3 million for the past two years, an amount determined to help the district to catch up on maintenance of facilities.

Ridgway said that, due to uncertainty about funding next year in the School Finance Act, the budget for capital projects will be $2.5 million.

To determine needs, there is a walkthrough at each facility annually. Principals, building managers, and others are asked to help determine replacement cycles for facilities in an attempt to avoid emergency replacement of facilities such as boilers and roofs.

A second goal is to develop a document identifying needs by school and determining building capacity. Space utilization will be compared with needs projected for the coming five years in terms of the impact of new developments.

Career and Innovation Center update

Director of Innovative Programs Jessica McAllister presented an update on the Career and Innovation Center.

She said that it is now possible to forecast enrollment levels. There are currently 171 student requests. Eighty-six of these are for participation in manufacturing, primarily in welding. Seventy-five are in the area of engineering, including aerospace, architectural, design and electrical, and 10 are in the area of skilled trades, primarily homebuilding.

McAllister also reported on progress in seeking active partnerships from introduction to implementation. In answer to a question from Schwarz, she said that the timeline from introduction to implementation is generally 18 months. Schwarz expressed concern that it takes so long.

McAllister showed a list of grant applications and letters of support from various sources including industry, educational institutions, and others. Grant money will be used for the purchase of equipment.

Finally, McAllister welcomed all to attend the Well-Breaking Ceremony on March 31. Since the center is not new construction, there will not be a groundbreaking but instead the removal of some non-loadbearing walls.

Two students from Lewis-Palmer Middle School, Kayley Klosky and Cathy Stephenson, attended the meeting and were encouraged to participate in the discussions but were not able to vote on resolutions.

Stephenson asked about arrangements for transportation to and from the Career and Innovation Center.

McAllister responded that students would be at the center either all morning or all afternoon. Buses would take them in the morning and return them to school during the lunch period and take the afternoon students to the center after lunch.

Review of J policies

Director of Student Services Rick Frampton presented J policies regarding students in such areas as truancy, continuing enrollment, student absence, and equal education opportunities.

Frampton said there are a large number of policies in this category and requested the board consider a new process of reviewing them.

Currently, policies receive a first reading when no vote is taken. After a second reading, the board votes to approve the policies as presented.

Frampton said that many of these policies have not been altered in many years and requested that these be approved as part of the board’s consent agenda. In the case of significant alteration, he suggested that more than two readings may be required.

Whetstine commented that the current process for consideration is a policy in itself which would need to be changed.

Financial planning and analysis

Ridgway and Andrews returned to the discussion of capital improvement recommendations, displaying the list of 40 projects completed in the current year. If a project did not use the allotted budget, the leftover amount would be applied to the next project on the list.

Capital is defined as any acquisition of land, improvements, construction of structures or additions to existing structures. Acquisition of school vehicles and lease agreements are included, and a project must have a total cost of at least $5,000.

Ridgway explained the various funds which are the source of capital investment and explained the two committees involved in deciding which projects to fund. These are the Capital Site Audit Team, which includes individuals from each facility, and the Capital Prioritization Committee, which includes individuals from the administration.

To view this update in detail, please see boarddocs under the Board of Education tab on the district website, lewispalmer.org. The list of funded projects is included in this PowerPoint.

Ridgway also spoke of district enrollment trends and the proposed change in state rules involving the averaging of student counts. Currently the district can average the student count over the past five years. This may change to four or even three in the near future. D38 is seeing a slight decline in enrollment from year to year, but each individual full-time student equals over $7,000 in revenue for the district. He said that some districts are suffering a much faster decline.

When asked about funding special education, Ridgway said that the district receives $2.3 million for this purpose and invests an additional $6.3 million.

Estimated per pupil funding for the 2025-26 schoolyear is $7,628 per pupil.

Above: At D38’s March 17 board meeting, Director of Communications Amy Matisek honored Chess Tournament organizers Steve and Cindy Waldmann with a certificate of appreciation. The tournament, now in its 18th year, took place on March 8 at Bear Creek Elementary School. Steve Waldmann highlighted its status as Colorado’s second- or third-largest chess tournament, thanking his wife, district staff, and volunteers, including principals, custodians, teachers, and Key Club members. The event featured 108 students, awarding trophies to the top three in each grade level from kindergarten through high school.The following students attended the meeting: Maverick Mandril, St. Peters Elementary, kindergarten – first place; Charlie Epps, Palmer Lake Elementary School, kindergarten – third place; Simon Ostrowski, Monument Academy, second grade – second place; Luke Heiberger, Prairie Winds Elementary, third grade – first place; Preston Petty, Palmer Lake Elementary, sixth grade – third place; and Robbie Collier, Lewis-Palmer High School – first place. Waldmann noted that this was Collier’s third time winning the tournament. From left, Epps, Mandril, Ostrowski, and Heiberger are in front. From left, in the back are Interim Superintendent Amber Whetstine, Petty, Waldmann, Collier, and board President Tiffiney Upchurch. Photo by Jackie Burhans. See also the photo on page < 1 >.
Above: At its March 17 board meeting, the D38 board honored Laurie Caves of CarePortal for her extensive service to the Tri-Lakes and Lewis-Palmer communities, including her past role as D38 Colorado Preschool Program coordinator and her current contributions through CarePortal. Director of Communications Amy Matisek highlighted CarePortal’s role in fostering shared responsibility for supporting those in need, allowing community members to respond to posted needs. Executive Director of Student Services Rick Frampton praised the compassion of those he works with, recalling his collaboration with Caves on the preschool project. He shared that he had signed up on CarePortal to explore ways he could volunteer and urged others to join at www.careportal.org. From left in front are board member Dr. Patti Shank, board President Tiffiney Upchurch, Caves, and Interim Superintendent Amber Whetstine. From left in the back are board members Todd Brown, Ron Schwarz, Kris Norris, and Frampton. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

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The Lewis-Palmer D 38 Board of Education usually meets at 6 p.m. on the third Monday of the month in its learning center, 146 Jefferson St. in Monument. Due to a change of date approved last November, the April meeting will be on Tuesday, April 22. For information, please contact vwood@lewispalmer.org.

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

Other Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education articles

Monument Town Council, March 5 – Residents discuss Monument 2040 Plan

By Laura Lucero

On the evening of March 5, the Monument Town Council (MTC) invited the community to join in a discussion of the Monument 2040 Comprehensive Plan. A comprehensive plan is required for communities with a population over 2,000. According to the town’s webpage, “The comprehensive plan will serve as a long-term blueprint, guiding the community’s growth over the next 10-15 years and addressing critical areas such as housing, economic development, stormwater management, parks, and a special focus on the downtown area.”

According to the Town Council-Planning Commission Workshop held on Sept. 25, 2024, the Comprehensive Plan:

  • Is developed through public participation and input.
  • Establishes and guides community vision.
  • Reports and expands upon community goals and objectives.
  • Provides the basis for land use and community development decisions.
  • Provides the basis for capital improvement planning.
  • Provides the basis for grant applications and funding.
  • Aligns the annual budget process with long-term community goals.
  • Establishes community-developed expectation for public/private investment.

The MTC hired and is collaborating with the planning and design firm The Lakota Group to organize various public engagement events for residents, business owners, students, and community leaders to share their thoughts. Before the Bear Creek Community Conversation, they had hosted 17 focus group sessions at the Town Hall and at the local YMCA.

The conversation at Bear Creek Elementary was introduced by Dan Ungerleider, director of planning for the Town of Monument, who then asked Hannah Bader from The Lakota Group to describe the evening’s format. The gathering of about 60 residents was invited to split into six groups for roundtable discussions covering the following topics:

  • Housing and Neighborhood
  • Economic Vitality
  • Parks & Open Space
  • The Downtown
  • Sustainability
  • Safety, Wellness, & Connectivity

Each table was hosted by a facilitator with a whiteboard to capture the input. Conversations were triggered by cards on the table with specific questions; e.g., “What are the biggest environmental concerns facing Monument today?”, “What types of retail stores, services, or businesses do you feel are currently missing in Monument?”, “How often do you visit downtown Monument, and what typically brings you there?”

Over the next hour, participants were encouraged to rotate through the topics in which they were most interested. Following the roundtables, the facilitators presented a debrief of the captured input from each table.

Above: Monument community members gather around a detailed map of downtown during a public workshop on March 5 to help shape the Monument 2040 Comprehensive Plan. The entire community was invited, and about 60 people showed up to share their thoughts. Residents discussed where downtown’s true boundaries lie, along with key elements the plan will address—such as transportation flow, land use, historic preservation, economic development, housing, and park access. The workshop, held in the Bear Creek Elementary School gym, invited thoughtful input on the town’s future. Photo by Chris Jeub.

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The Town of Monument explains the launch and progress so far at https://www.townofmonument.org/395/Comprehensive-Plan—Monument-2040.

To view specific project information and the presentation from the Community Conversation, please visit https://www.monument2040.com/. Residents are encouraged to provide input via the online survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FNF8FPC.

Laura Lucero can be contacted at lauralucero@ocn.me

Other Monument Town Council articles

Monument Academy School Board, Feb. 26 and March 13 – Board returns focus to gender ideology, hears concerns about discipline enforcement

By Jackie Burhans

The Monument Academy (MA) School Board held a special meeting on Feb. 26 to make another resolution on gender and hear from its consultant on its educational program. At its regular meeting on March 15, the board heard a parent’s concern about discipline and approved updated policies.

Board directs review to ferret out gender ideology

Board President Ryan Graham moved to adopt a resolution recognizing only two sexes and rejecting gender ideology. The resolution reiterates that the board supports natural law, moral truth, and protecting the innocence and safety of every student at MA. It also believes that there is a clear distinction between “sex” and “gender expression” or “gender identity.”

The resolution notes that the president of the United States, on Jan. 20, signed an executive order “defending women from gender ideology extremism and restoring biological truth to the federal government” and “Federal funds shall not be used to promote gender ideology” which puts at risk federal funding to this school should policy or practice fail to recognize and honor biological sex. Another executive order, signed on Jan. 29, titled “Ending radical indoctrination in K-12 schooling” declared the intent to eliminate federal funding for K-12 curriculum, instruction, programs, or activities in schools that even indirectly support the advancement of gender ideology or social transition of students.

Therefore, the resolution authorizes and directs the executive director (ED) to update any relevant administrative policy, procedures, facility agreements, and usage guidelines to be consistent with the knowledge that there are only two sexes and consistent with the right to privacy and security in restrooms and locker rooms and consistent with the right to fair competition in sports. It further directs that the ED ensure restrooms and locker rooms separate males and females and that males are not competing as females in sporting events and to decline to participate in sporting events when males may be competing as females for competing teams.

Graham then explained that this resolution rendered the JRT-MA Parental Rights policy null and void. The board unanimously approved the removal of this policy.

Parent Kristy Davis, who serves as vice president of the MA West PTO and serves on other MA committees and is the chapter chair for Moms for Liberty of El Paso County, expressed gratitude to MA for its continued dedication to upholding its mission statement and valuing parental rights.

Educational program update

Lis Richard of Helping Schools Thrive (HST) provided a training presentation on education principles, patterns, programs, and protection. MA hired HST in April 2024 to provide an operational audit, which resulted in a special meeting in October of the same year to share the results and to recommend that MA return to its charter foundations. See the November 2024 issue of OCN at https://wp.ocn.me/v24n11d38ma/.

Richard spoke of the seven tenets of education that MA should follow: Traditional, Classical, Character in Action, Caretakers of the language, American and Patriotic, Caretakers of the Mind, and School for the Arts. She said these are principles MA should stand on; if it didn’t, she had covered that in her audit. Richard noted that it broke her heart that MA’s secondary campus did not have a library, saying it was necessary to support a classical education with literature. She said she knew it was on MA’s radar.

She stated that the goal is to produce virtuous citizens with the ability and tools to think for themselves rather than robots who know rote memory facts. Richard said these principles are what MA should discuss rather than the lack of a gym or other things. She asserted, “There has been such a revival of classical education recently, and even Moms for Liberty and groups who stand for the past ideas of our country and embedding that into our young people—that is what all these groups are so passionate about because we have lost so much of the past.”

Richard spoke about the educational patterns that follow the principles. Referred to as trivium and assigned to grade levels since MA must conform to the public education system, she lists them as:

• Grammar—elementary school—the facts a student needs to be successful, including parts of speech, pronouns, nouns, spelling rules, and math facts.

• Logic—middle school—connecting knowledge to the world around them and engaging in narrative.

• Rhetoric—high school —thinking analytically and critically about the world, internalizing and synthesizing to determine where they might fit.

She said that MA wanted to develop an appreciation for truth, beauty, and goodness through field trips, community involvement, and literature and ideas that have stood the test of time. Libraries should not worry about the most popular contemporary author, as they may not align with MA’s principles, she said.

Richard noted that annual state assessments would monitor and measure objective standards, though MA would not teach to the standards or tests. She then described the education programs for preschool through eighth grade with its core knowledge sequence and ninth through 12th grade as a liberal arts program with vibrant leadership emphasis. She spoke of the benefits of vertical alignment.

Finally, she discussed education protection as being the responsibility of the School Board and executive director who needed to emphasize teaching how to learn rather than what to learn, ensuring teachers are held accountable for good instructional practices, keeping the target on core virtue implementation, supporting the library needs of each campus, protecting policies supporting education at MA, providing funding, and enabling annual staff training.

Discipline concerns

Justin Kaminsky, the spouse of an MA substitute teacher and the father of three MA students, said he was proud of the community and MA and what it stands for. He said that children come to MA for the fundamental purpose of transitioning them from their happy homes to the expanses of the real world. He noted that MA buildings are training centers for challenged thinking, broadening experiences, and the realization of accountability they will be held to.

In light of recent events that allege serious physical harm to students, Kaminsky stated that the majority of parents supported and encouraged discipline. There are consequences when discipline is not maintained. He urged those in charge of disciplinary hearings, including the executive director, to enforce parental expectations and honor MA’s handbook rules, which say that qualifying for expulsion includes behavior on- or off-property detrimental to the welfare or safety of students or school personnel. Likewise, he noted that the handbook says that the commission of one of these offenses, if committed by an adult, would qualify as assault under Colorado Statutes and should be direct grounds for expulsion.

Kaminsky stated that parents do not want MA to continue using resources for undue charity toward people threatening the growth and transition he alluded to earlier. He said if MA continues to hold young women and men accountable as children, they will stay children and that one day they will all hopefully be accountable men and women.

Additional policies passed

The following policies, reviewed at the Feb. 26 meeting, were brought back for a second reading on March 13 and were unanimously approved by the board:

• IJ-MA Selection of Instructional Materials and Textbook Policy and Procedures.

• IJ-MA-E Selection of Instructional Materials and Textbook Policy and Procedures.

Executive Director Collin Vinchattle said the previous rubric was too broad and he had sought feedback from the community on improving the tiers.

• GBK-MA-E Staff Grievance and Conflict Resolution. This is a form to be filled out by the employee presenting the grievance.

• KE-MA Student/Family Conflict Resolution. This was formerly policy 1518B.

• KE-MA-E Student/Family Conflict Resolution. This is a form to be filled out by the complainant.

MA’s board policies can be found at http://bit.ly/ma-boarddocs.

Highlights

Board meeting highlights include:

  • Board member Craig Carle spotlighted MA’s registrar, Lena Gross, and assistant registrar, Amanda Bennett, for their hard work registering families for the upcoming school year. Bennett created streamlined processes, he said, supporting families with questions and making MA a welcoming place.
  • Finance Director Laura Polen highlighted January financials, showing positive income across all three schools and detailed reports for each campus and fund. She expressed optimism about receiving Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) funds. Interim Chief Financial Officer Glenn Gustafson shared that while he sought Rep. Jeff Crank’s assistance, progress with the IRS might remain slow.
  • Gustafson described the state budget as gloomy, citing voter-approved reallocation of $300 million to law enforcement without new taxes, forcing cuts in other areas. Proposed reductions include reducing enrollment averaging for schools with declining numbers, and cutting optional state grants, fifth-year programs, and homeschool enrichment funding. He plans to present a draft budget in April when there’s more clarity.
  • Board member Matt Ross shared recommendations from the West Campus School Advisory and Accountability Committee parent survey. Parents raised concerns about fifth-grade academic rigor, requested greater club involvement, and questioned the effectiveness of the Capturing Kids’ Hearts program. They urged the board to implement urgent text notifications and expressed strong interest in enhancing lunch options.
  • Vinchattle announced updates to the staff handbook, incorporating MA’s operational audit recommendations and details on its educational philosophy. Revisions include policy numbers, personal appearance guidelines, and field trip language. Awaiting legal review, he requested the board delay approval until the April meeting.
  • The board unanimously approved changes to the 2024-25 calendar, extending half-day Fridays in April to full days to compensate for snow days and a plumbing issue. If more days are needed, eLearning days will be considered. It also approved updates to the 2024-25 and 2025-26 calendars, finalizing the last day for staff.
  • The board unanimously approved hiring a leadership teacher and revising the secondary school administrative assistant job description. Vinchattle acknowledged he had overlooked these changes, which aim to enhance principal support.
  • The board unanimously approved an hourly payment proposal for HST to train the board and staff and evaluate MA’s progress on its audit recommendations.
  • Graham reported that the board’s legal counsel was still drafting a letter of intent to D38 for the potential purchase of the Grace Best Education Center. He noted community questions and assured that, if D38 accepted the letter, MA would have time to conduct due diligence with its inspectors.
Above: At its March 13 Monument Academy School Board meeting, board member Craig Carle spotlighted MA’s registrar, Lena Gross, and assistant registrar, Amanda Bennett (not shown), for their hard work registering families for the upcoming school year. They created streamlined processes, supported families with questions, and made MA a welcoming place, Carle said. From left in the photo are board President Ryan Graham, Vice President Lindsay Clinton, Gross, Carle, and board member Jilinda Dygert. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

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The MA School Board meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month. The next regular board meeting will be on Thursday, April 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the East Campus. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/ma-boe;; for the agenda and packet, see https://bit.ly/ma-boarddocs.

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

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Monument Town Council, March 3 and 17- Monument Town Council tackles planning, water issues, and community events

By Chris Jeub

The Monument Town Council met twice in March to engage in planning, business development, and water infrastructure, and to continue its search for a permanent town manager. Here’s a combined recap of the key decisions made in both meetings.

Comprehensive Plan seeks community input

A presentation from the Lakota Group, a community planning and urban design firm based in Chicago, outlined the vision for the upcoming Monument 2040 Comprehensive Plan. Andy Cross, the presenter, emphasized the plan’s commitment to being “community-led and community-driven,” highlighting the importance of incorporating resident feedback to shape the town’s future development. The plan outlines a three-phase process: building a foundation of planning knowledge, testing ideas, and developing a framework of strategies to achieve a unified vision, all while being guided by the community.

The Lakota Group emphasized a central goal to allow people to express opinions and influence Monument’s future by:

  • Strategic Roadmap: The Comprehensive Plan serves as a roadmap, outlining Monument’s long-term vision and growth strategy for the community.
  • Guidance for Development: The plan informs the decisions the town has to make on land use and zoning.
  • Community Vision: The Comprehensive Plan ensures the citizens of Monument will be able to use their opinions, values, and goals when designing for planning.
  • Policy and Direction: The Comprehensive Plan creates policies for what kind of developments need to be in the community.
  • Evolving: To ensure the relevance of future projects, it’s crucial that it can evolve to the community’s changing needs.

For more information on the Monument 2040 project, see page < 1 >.

Dairy Queen drive-thru coming to Monument Marketplace

Ordinance No. 05-2025 concerned a final planned unit development for a new retail building at Jackson Creek North Retail within the Monument Marketplace. The building will house a Subway restaurant as well as the highly anticipated Dairy Queen. Dan Ungerleider presented the proposal, detailing site plans, landscaping, and architectural elements. Council members voiced concerns regarding landscaping standards and building color scheme. Ultimately, the council unanimously approved the ordinance, clearing the way for Dairy Queen to open its doors tentatively in October.

Regional water partnership explores reuse possibilities

Resolution No. 15-2025 called for authorizing a project participation agreement with the Pikes Peak Regional Water Authority. The agreement involves a study exploring the potential for indirect potable reuse of water resources across the region. Director of Public Works Tom Tharnish explained that the study aims to gather data and insights beneficial to all participating members, who are largely located in El Paso County, with the exception of Palmer Lake.

Community recognizes officer’s dedication

During the public comment portion of the March 3 meeting, Executive Director of Tri-Lakes Cares Haley Chapin shared a letter written by a staff member commending Officer Kelly Fisher for her outstanding dedication to the Monument community. The letter highlighted Fisher’s commitment to public safety, crisis intervention, and fostering positive relationships with local businesses.

Annual Report highlights 2024 achievements

The March 17 meeting commenced with the presentation of the 2024 Annual Report. Council members commended staff on the well-organized and comprehensive report, which highlights key projects and accomplishments from the past year. In summary, the report highlighted several key accomplishments:

  • Website redesign: Implemented a comprehensive website redesign, improving accessibility and reflecting the town’s natural surroundings.
  • Staff development: Town staff engaged in diverse professional development opportunities, increasing expertise and contributing valuable insights.
  • Records management: The establishment of a records manager position, as well as the acquisition of a new electronic records system to modernize and streamline procedures.
  • Community events: The continuation of several beloved annual community events such as Concerts in the Park, a Memorial Day Ceremony, The Fourth of July Parade and Street Fair, and the annual Tree Lighting event.
  • New businesses: Monument continued to grow, welcoming My House Cafe, KVRR Hospitality Group, the Colorado Pinball Pub, Whataburger, and 7-Eleven in to the town.
  • Staff recognition: Recognized Police Department members’ various contributions.
  • Finance department improvements: Implemented a self-collected local sales tax and managed the town finances with constant staff throughout the year.
  • Public Works facility improvements: Water infrastructure upgrades and energy savings projects such as solar being added to Town Hall and LED lighting in all buildings.
  • Planning Department review: Reorganized and re-established the department’s development review program and streamlined it.

The full report is available on the town’s website for public review at https://www.townofmonument.org/documentcenter/view/4770.

Well water infrastructure upgrades planned

Resolution No. 18-2025 concerned an amendment to an engineering contract for the design and engineering services needed to address high iron content in Wells 11, 12, and 13. Tharnish presented the issue, explaining that the wells, despite initial testing, exhibited elevated iron levels after being put into service, resulting in resident complaints about taste and discoloration.

The resolution proposed contracting with 4-H Associates, the same firm that designed the initial well systems, to develop an iron removal system for the wells. While the project is just for engineering, the estimated cost is about $500,000 for the infrastructure build. Council members discussed the scope of the design work, potential costs, and the long-term impact on the town’s water infrastructure. Council unanimously approved the resolution, directing staff to contract for all three systems.

Taste of Tri-Lakes returns

Haley Chapin of Tri-Lakes Cares returned to make public comments during the March 17 meeting to promote the Taste of Tri-Lakes event scheduled for May 14 at Spruce Mountain Ranch. She highlighted the event’s unique format, similar to the TV show Chopped, where local chefs create dishes using secret ingredients from the food pantry.

Town manager search update

At the March 17 meeting, the Town Council discussed the next steps in the ongoing search for a permanent town manager. With applications in hand, the next step is to schedule executive meetings with candidates. Town Attorney Bob Cole highlighted the process that the town has to take. After the interviews, there is a 14-day waiting period. An announcement is expected in April.

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The Monument Town 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 7 and 21. For more information, call 719-884-8014 or visit www.townofmonument.org. To view upcoming agendas, complete board packets, or download audio recordings of past meetings, visit http://monumenttownco.minutesondemand.com and click on “Town Council.”

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

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