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Lewis Palmer School District 38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee Articles

D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, May 13 – Budget priorities, 2025-26 committee goals discussed

By Harriet Halbig

The Lewis-Palmer D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee (PCAC) held a special meeting on May 13 to discuss budget matters. The meeting was needed because information on the School Finance Act for the 2025-26 school year, which was unavailable at the time of the April meeting, had been received.

Chief Business Officer Brett Ridgway reported on the most recent information from state sources. Revenue from the School Finance Act represents the primary source of school funding through per pupil revenue (PPR).

Ridgway said it is anticipated that PPR revenue would increase by 2.7% for the upcoming year. It was previously estimated to increase by 2.5%. Enrollment is expected to remain flat.

The cost of health insurance is expected to rise by 13.5%. Half of this increase will be absorbed by the district and the other half by employees. Ridgway explained that the cost of health care is affected by the level of use. He said the district continues to consider the option of funding through a statewide consortium. In the coming year, there will be three plans to choose from.

The district is decreasing its annual investment in capital by $500,000 to make possible an average pay increase of 3%. Consideration of capital investment will include a section addressing technology equipment once lifecycle replacement is determined.

Funding for the Career and Innovation Center and location changes for the Home School Enrichment Academy and Transitions Services program is supported by funds freed by SB24-017 and short-term financing.

Ridgway said that the district will continue to emphasize efficiency in spending by using 98% to 100% of budgeted funds.

He said there is currently a 60% shift to student-based funding to recognize the variety of enrollment in each location and the operations based at each location. For example, the nutrition services department is located at Lewis-Palmer High School and there are not preschools at each location.

The Financial Transparency Committee seeks to determine what people want at the various schools by asking the Building Advisory Committees (BACs) to examine spending in non-capital items, non-pay related priorities, addition or deletion of regular and extracurricular programs, and staffing levels, supplies, equipment, and other resources.

To view the PowerPoint on contributions from individual BACs, please see the district website, lewispalmer.org, community resources, district committees, meeting content.

The committee divided into groups to consider how to achieve more input from the schools and community to use in budget planning. The first suggestion was to have the BACs determine their priorities.

The second was to do a staff survey similar to one from a few years ago to determine priorities.

A third was to duplicate the process used by PCAC to consider the superintendent selection process and have an intense meeting to concentrate on one subject and report its results to the Board of Education.

It was also decided that the committee needs to provide the community with information to explain why staffing levels vary from school to school.

A representative from Prairie Winds Elementary said they surveyed community members to learn their preferences and priorities.

The schools should then report back to PCAC and share experiences and best practices. One goal is to increase the public’s understanding of the budget process. Ridgway suggested addressing this at back-to-school nights.

A member of the Staff Collaboration Committee suggested using that committee’s practice of creating a list of priorities and checking them off as they are achieved.

Future PCAC priorities

Committee Co-Chair Renee Butler said the special meeting regarding the superintendent search was a good opportunity to focus on a single issue, and the board responded favorably to receiving the input from the group. She recommended holding such meetings in the coming year. She suggested that the board may be asked what subjects they request feedback on.

Butler also said that it would be good to have a representative from PCAC at each board meeting. This representative could then report back to PCAC regarding priorities of the board.

Board liaison Dr. Patti Shank commented that the board could also request input.

Butler said that, after consulting the committee’s bylaws, it was determined that she and Co-Chair Kirsten Zook could serve an additional year in their positions. The committee voted to approve their willingness to continue.

Butler then announced that there will be two vacancies on the Board of Education in November and that several people are planning to leave the Financial Transparency Committee as their involvement in the schools is coming to an end. PCAC may be instrumental in seeking volunteers for these vacancies.

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The Lewis-Palmer D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee meets six times per year. This was the final meeting of the 2024-25 school year.

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

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D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, April 8 – Discussion of Priority 2 academic excellence, superintendent search

By Harriet Halbig

The D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee (PCAC) (formerly District Accountability Advisory Committee) discussed Priority 2 of the district’s strategic plan involving academic excellence, the continuing search for a new superintendent, and plans to relocate programs from Grace Best Elementary School at its April meeting.

The meeting was held at Lewis-Palmer Middle School and began with a presentation by Principal Courtney Harrell and student presenters.

The school, with a student population of 755, stresses academic growth, a positive culture, and effective communication between students, staff, and families to ensure that all are informed of activities.

A recent student survey confirmed that students value a variety of elective offerings such as forensic science, photography, journalism, medical detectives, and speech and debate. Drama, band, and choir are also valued, as well as a wide variety of athletic offerings.

The school rates very high in achievement in science and meets requirements for student participation in testing although a significant number of families opt out of the testing.

Board of Education update

Board liaison Dr. Patti Shank reported on the March meeting of the board.

Among the subjects discussed were the future location of the Home School Enrichment Academy (HSEA) and the Transitions program. The HSEA occupies a large space in Grace Best and would require either the lease of an alternate structure or the construction of a new structure.

When the cost of purchasing an existing building, building a conventional stick-built structure, and building a metal structure were compared to the possibility of creating a prefabricated structure, the prefabricated option was by far the most affordable.

This structure would include 10 classrooms and a multi-purpose room and have an estimated lifespan of 40 to 50 years.

One committee member commented that the stick-built structure would last longer.

Shank also reported that the fire marshal offered the opportunity for the HSEA to occupy a portion of Grace Best for several months until the new structure was available. He would cordon off areas which are dangerous due to water leakage and other damage.

The Transitions program will be housed in the new Career and Innovation Center building along with the robotics program.

Regarding the search for a new superintendent, the board announced that two finalists will move forward in the selection process: Palmer Ridge High School Principal Adam Frank and Interim Superintendent Amber Whetstine. Both the PCAC and the Staff Collaboration committees gave input to the board, indicating that listing the position internally was a preferable alternative to having the previous search organization do an additional search.

Part of the motivation behind this recommendation was that there were relatively few finalists in the previous search and several of them were district employees. Also, it was felt that a new superintendent should lead the district in the way it had been led rather than imposing a new system.

The board voted 4 to 1 to post the position internally. When asked, Human Resources Director Alicia Welch said she did not intend to apply and therefore creating the job description and other activities would not be a conflict of interest.

Shank also reported on the timing of the search and that there would be greater community involvement this time and possibly some interviews would be in public.

One committee member expressed concern that current interim Superintendent Amber Whetstine is also the director of curriculum. Whetstine commented that the position of director of curriculum would be posted soon.

Priority 2: academic excellence

Director of Assessment Dr. Michael Brom reported on the district’s performance on state standardized assessments in the last school year.

Regarding English Language Arts, Brom said that the goal by 2027 would be to have students at all grade levels reach the 85th percentile, with a special emphasis on third-graders. The test indicating performance in this area is the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) test.

Showing performance results for the past three years, the elementary and high school scores achieved this goal with the middle school reaching the 83rd percentile.

The goal for growth is to reach the 50th percentile each year, which would indicate maintaining grade level proficiency. Looking at a chart indicating performance among elementary schools, four schools exceeded the benchmark, two were at 50th percentile and the middle school was at the 38th percentile.

Brom also reported on achievement in math with the goal of reaching 85th percentile and at least median growth at all grade levels.

Action steps to achieve this would include improving math instruction through examination of programming, resources, assessments, and scheduling, sharing best practices among instructors, offering alternative courses, and ensuring equitable math placement as students transition from elementary to middle school and middle school to high school.

State assessment results (including PSAT an SAT scores in addition to Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) showed elementary students at 84%, middle school at 81%, and high school at 85%. Only the high school results indicated an increase from the previous year.

In terms of growth, only Palmer Lake Elementary and Ray Kilmer Elementary exceeded the 50% rate.

To improve the matriculation rate in the district, action steps included establishing a facility and program infrastructure to include new courses and industry partnerships, aligning programs with student interests, developing academic pathways (training teachers, identifying partners), and engaging stakeholders in the community.

Currently, 25% of District 38 graduates are already enrolled in concurrent enrollment or other programs for college credit before graduation, 70.9% are enrolled in a two-year, four-year, or Career Technology course and 3.8% are entering the military.

To view the PowerPoint of this presentation, go to lewispalmer.org, family resources, district committees, meeting content by date.

Subcommittees of PCAC gave brief reports of their activities.

Because of time constraints and the fact that funding for the 2025-26 schoolyear has not been determined, the committee will hold a special meeting at the district learning center on May 13 at 6 p.m. to discuss the budget.

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The next meeting of the Parent and Community Advisory Committee will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13 in the district’s learning center, 146 N. Jefferson St. For further information, contact tmckee@lewispalmer.org.

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

Other D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee articles

D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, Feb. 11 – Selection of new superintendent, treatment of Grace Best Elementary School, budget process discussed

By Harriet Halbig

The Lewis-Palmer D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee (PCAC) discussed the process for selecting a new superintendent, actions on the disposition of Grace Best Elementary School, and the budget process during its Feb. 11 meeting.

In her report to the committee, Board of Education liaison Dr. Patti Shank reported the board accepted the resignation of Superintendent Stacie Datteri at its Jan. 21 meeting. The reason stated in her letter was that working relationships had not developed as hoped. The resignation letter and separation agreement can be found in boarddocs accessible through the district’s website, lewispalmer.org, Look under the consent agenda for the Jan. 21 meeting.

Datteri served as superintendent beginning in April 2024. Members of PCAC said they were frustrated that the interview process did not select a more suitable individual, and some commented that the board should have selected one of two internal candidates for the position.

The board has designated Amber Whetstine as the interim superintendent until June 30.

Discussions in the near future will include what members of the board can and cannot discuss regarding the process and timelines for the process including consultations with building leaders, teachers, parents, and community members. The board also needs to consider whether to use the same search firm (which would be without cost), select a new one, or promote the interim superintendent to the permanent position of superintendent.

Shank said that if there were any questions about the process, individuals should contact her or other board members directly.

Grace Best Elementary School report

Shank also reported on progress involving the impact of demolishing Grace Best Elementary School. In deciding to demolish the building, the board considered several options: whether to demolish part of the building (built before 1988), to continue to support the building which would involve continuing to pay for utilities and maintenance, or to demolish the building and reuse or sell the site.

Because repair costs were prohibitive due to the age of the building and water damage and aged heating and other systems, it was decided that demolition would be the most practical option. Later in her report, Shank said that Tri-Lakes Cares has submitted a letter of intent to purchase 3 acres of district land on Beacon Lite Road just south of Bethesda Gardens.

As a consequence of the demolition, new facilities must be found for the Home School Enrichment Academy, the Transitions program, and Silver Key at the Tri-Lakes Senior Center. Because demolition is unlikely before the 2025-26 school year, efforts are underway to solve this issue. Temporary relocation is likely in the interim.

Budget presentation

Chief Business Officer Brett Ridgway explained the annual timeline for creating a district budget. Steps in this process include:

  • November—Governor presents his proposed budget.
  • February—A projected student count is prepared based on consultation with staff and principals. Building Accountability Committees are asked to list priorities for spending.
  • March—Scenarios for pay changes are examined, and priorities for capital projects are determined.
  • April—Changes in student participation fees are projected in consultation with PCAC, the Financial Transparency Committee, and other resources.
  • May—A preliminary budget is presented to the board.
  • June—Board adopts complete budget.

Regarding consideration of pay changes, Ridgway said that the increase in per pupil funding is likely to be much smaller next year. The difference between 2023-24 and 2024-25 was over 6%. The difference between 2024-25 and 2025-26 is more likely to be 3%.

Ridgway also commented that the addition of the Career and Innovation Center will require a more conservative approach to budget development.

­Gordon Reichal said PCAC and the Financial Transparency Committee (FTC) have specific roles to advise the district on the budget. PCAC Co-chair Renee Butler said not every school is represented on the FTC, but all schools are represented in PCAC. She said information discussed at meetings needs to be better communicated to staff at buildings.

Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) Board President Tiffiney Upchurch said there was a presentation on post-secondary education and the Transitions Program at the committee’s January meeting. The March meeting will feature a presentation from IN! Inclusive Higher Ed. The Aliorum Dei awards nominations to honor people who play a role in the life of special-needs individuals opened on Feb. 14.

The Graduation Requirements Task Force is discussing next steps and is working to get student feedback.

The Arts Education Task Force met virtually in January and is recommending that it be converted from a task force to a permanent committee.

The Gifted and Talented Leadership Committee is focused on discussing ways to meet state requirements, including an annual plan, budget, early access plans, and grant applications. A pilot program on creativity and leadership at Lewis-Palmer Middle School is also underway.

The Staff Collaborative Committee discussed upcoming changes in health insurance plans. The district currently offers four alternative plans. In the coming year they will offer three, with the selection based on staff input. An increase in cost is anticipated but it is not yet known how the increase will be shared between the district and staff. The anticipated increase in state funding for the district is 3%.

The Early Childhood Education Advisory Committee visited the preschool at Lewis-Palmer Elementary, reviewed recent Family Survey results, and discussed ways to elevate the Pre-K program.

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The Parent and Community Advisory Committee meets six times a year, usually on the second Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. The next meeting will be on April 8 at Lewis-Palmer Middle School, 1776 Woodmoor Drive in Monument. For further information, contact tmckee@lewispalmer.org.

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

Other D-38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee articles

D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, Nov. 12 – Reports on school year calendar, safety and security, and social and emotional wellness

By Harriet Halbig

The Lewis-Palmer D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee met on Nov. 12 at the Monument Academy East Campus. The committee heard reports on the school year calendar, safety and security, and social and emotional wellness.

Monument Academy presentation

Monument Academy (MA) senior Audrey Hoida spoke of activities available to students at the school, including participation in the Student Council and National Honor Society, various sports, drama, band, orchestra, choir, and art.

The senior capstone project required each graduating student to address what is true, good, and beautiful.

MA Principal Angela Duca explained the mission of the school and that it is based on respect, academic excellence, responsibility, character, and exemplary citizenship. The student experience includes traditional culturally and classically based curriculum including core knowledge, college prep, and classical education.

The academy was founded in 1996 and the East Campus opened in 2020. The East Campus serves grades 6 through 12 and saw its first graduating class in 2024. The east campus now serves 400 middle school students and 138 high school students. Students in elementary and middle schools wear uniforms.

Superintendent Forum

Superintendent Dr. Stacie Datteri shared drafts of the proposed district calendars for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years. District policy is to draft two years’ calendars at a time. Some proposed changes included removing Assessment Day from August and moving one of the Professional Learning Community work days from January back to February where it once was.

Board of Education report

Board Liaison Dr. Patti Shank reported on that day’s board retreat, which gave members the opportunity to discuss such topics as a safety audit, considerations of the use of Grace Best Elementary, and student capacities at district schools. The board also discussed the possibility of receiving business sponsorships for the new Career and Innovation Center.

When asked why the district is investing in a new building when existing facilities are in need of repair, Shank responded that the new center will serve to keep students in the district and that funds for needed repairs are in the district budget.

Social and emotional wellness discussion

Director of Student Services Rick Frampton reported that a recent analysis was made of the district’s offerings regarding social and emotional wellness.

The district contracted with Practical Statistics to conduct the analysis which included seeking best practices from state and national sources, conducting interviews with students and staff, and review of data from student surveys.

Frampton said improved teacher retention could help with maintaining teacher/student relationships that could support mental health. A sense of belonging is essential to support mental health, he said.

Student surveys indicated that a vast majority of students know at least one adult teacher or other staff member who sees them as an individual.

Security audit

Director of Security Dennis Coates reported that the district recently contracted with KRW to review district security practices. All buildings except for MA (MA is scheduled for a review soon) were visited and a review of video and communications systems was done. The district’s relationship with area first responders was also examined.

Principals, staff, and the superintendent were interviewed as part of the audit.

Coates said recent improvements such as the addition of security vestibules and communication systems were mentioned as positive changes. Development of emergency procedures was also mentioned. Such factors as doors and windows, environmental security design (such as ensuring that landscaping does not impede visibility of buildings), and having a security supervisor at each location were suggested.

Recommendations included adding to the security team, reviewing emergency protocols, considering uniforms for security personnel, and improving the district website. Security at Prairie Winds Elementary School was cited as a concern.

When asked about procedures during a wildfire, Coates responded that there have been exercises with local first responders to address such situations. When asked about possible hoaxes regarding threats to the schools, Coates said that the district takes all such reports seriously and investigates them.

Committee reports

The Financial Transparency Committee met in October to discuss the Grace Best and administrative campus and funding for the Career and Innovation Center.

The Special Education Advisory Committee and the Wellness Committee rescheduled their meetings due to the recent snowstorm.

The Early Childhood Advisory Committee toured the pre-K classrooms at Bear Creek Elementary to consider what improvements may be needed. Current pre-K enrollment is low, and feedback from parents indicates that they would like a full-day program. The district does not currently offer such a program but is considering a pilot program at Bear Creek and opening a new pre-K classroom at Palmer Lake Elementary.

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The Lewis-Palmer D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee meets six times per year. The committee will not meet in December. The next meeting will be at 6 p.m. on Jan. 14 at Ray Kilmer Elementary School, 4285 Walker Road, Colorado Springs. For information, please contact tmckee@lewispalmer.org.

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

Other Lewis-Palmer D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee articles

D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, Oct. 8 – Grace Best Elementary School, Career-Innovation Center plans discussed

By Harriet Halbig

The Lewis-Palmer D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee met at Lewis-Palmer Elementary School (LPES) on Oct. 8. Among the subjects discussed were activities at the school, potential treatments of the Grace Best Elementary School building, and ongoing development of the new Career and Innovation Center

LPES report

LPES Principal Davonne Johnson conducted a tour of the building before the meeting began. She explained that each school day begins with a greeting and opportunities to introduce oneself to others and mingle. She then involved the committee members in a left-right story reading where members passed balls back and forth when the words left or right were read.

The school was built in 1974 and just celebrated its 50th anniversary. It now has 409 students. Its vision is that all students matter and belong.

LPES offers several programs for those with disabilities including those for students with significant support needs and Affective Needs.

The theme for this school year is LPES is staying on track, all aboard, using the motif of a train throughout the building.

Board of Education report

Board liaison Tiffiney Upchurch reported on recent discussion of the Grace Best Elementary School building during the board’s work session on Oct. 1.

The facility was assessed in 2020 regarding the suitability of its use for students and other community members. Among current uses are the Silver Key Senior Center, Palmer Ridge Robotics, the Transitions program, and the Home School Enrichment Academy.

At the board’s Oct. 1 work session, it was told that during a recent fire walk Monument Fire Chief Andy Kovacs had been unaware that there were students in the building over the past few years. As a result, when he conducted his walk this year he created a list of issues which would need to be addressed for the building be used for students.

Among these was the storage of combustible materials such as boxes and wood and damaged or missing fire resistant ceiling tiles.

Upchurch said that the chief did not submit a documented report to the Colorado Department of Education but said that he required the district to develop a plan to address the list of problems by the time he visited next year.

The board had passed a resolution in June 2021 to demolish the portion of the building built in 1959 and the gymnasium and retain the two-story portion built in 1988. No action was taken.

To hear the discussion, please see the livestream of the Oct. 1 work session on lewispalmer.org, Board of Education, livestreams of board meetings.

Board Secretary Dr. Patti Shank reported on subjects to be addressed at the Oct. 21 board meeting.

Career and Innovation Center

Director of Innovative Programs Jessica McAllister reported on progress in developing programs and determining use of space in the new Career and Innovation building on Synthes Drive. To view her PowerPoint, please see Family Resources, Community, Committees, meeting contents, and the date Oct. 8.

Planning for the center began in 2022 with a series of meetings and surveys including community members, industry representatives, students, and families. Then the building became available and with the passage of Senate Bill 24-017, $8 million became available for one-time use by the district. This enabled the district to plan the center without using reserve funds.

In the past year, meetings have focused on curriculum, technology needs, prioritization of occupations within categories, and continued solicitation of feedback from industry partners and post-secondary institutions. Potential funding sources are being identified and plans for water, storage, and electrical needs are being examined.

Plans include a course proposal to the Board of Education in November, vertical alignment for the program of study in March, and staffing plans in April.

Courses of study will concentrate on information technology, engineering, manufacturing, and health sciences. Students in grades 9 through 12 will be involved in two double blocks of classes each day. Courses will vary from beginner to advanced levels in content.

Following her presentation, McAllister involved committee members in viewing various options for the use of color and spaces within the building.

Superintendent Forum

District Superintendent Stacie Datteri said she is using feedback from last month’s meeting to determine her priorities in her new position. She said she is determined to get things right with regard to the strategic plan. She has met with staff and departments and asked for suggestions about values for the district.

She said she views what is best for the kids as her primary consideration. She stresses that students and staff must be respectful with each other and all have an equal chance for success.

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The Parent and Community Advisory Committee meets six times per year. Locations vary. The next meeting will be at 6 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Monument Academy East Campus, 4303 Pinehurst Circle, Colorado Springs. For information, please contact tmckee@lewispalmer.org.

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

Other D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee articles

D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, Sept. 10 – Committee discusses strategic plan, assessment results, bylaws change

By Harriet Halbig

The first meeting of the Parent and Community Advisory Committee (PCAC) was held at the district learning center on Sept. 10. Presenters included the Assessment and Accountability coordinator, the district’s assistant superintendent, and new Superintendent Dr. Stacie Datteri.

Welcome and goal statement

Co-Chair Kirsten Zook welcomed committee members to the new school year and said the group would continue to stress its responsibility as an advisory committee by engaging all members to communicate on specific topics. She said she appreciates the scope of membership, which includes parents, teachers, staff, and community members, and said that training on the state’s School Finance Act and the district budget would be provided. She also thanked members from Monument Academy for their participation.

At future meetings, members would be encouraged to interact with members from other schools, and there will be reports from a variety of subcommittees each month. These groups had yet to have their first meeting of the school year.

Superintendent Forum

Superintendent Datteri introduced herself to the committee and thanked the members for their participation. She stressed that she welcomed two-way communication with district residents. She has attended a number of other committees since the beginning of the year.

Datteri said that one of the things that attracted her to the district was the fact that it had a strategic plan in place that was created recently and encouraged a three-year action format.

In this context, she wants to know whether residents feel that the district is doing the right things to apply the plan.

She enumerated the six parts of the plan:

  • Safe and healthy schools to ensure that students feel safe to learn and grow. Staff feels confident and equipped, and there is a culture to support students and staff.
  • Academic excellence to provide an exceptional education with a focus on achievement and growth through instruction, intervention, and enrichment opportunities.
  • Valuing our people by displaying care and respect for all, acknowledging and appreciating efforts of district staff.
  • Operations and facilities planning to provide clean, safe, and functional facilities with attention to infrastructure and physical assets which are well designed, and access to healthy meals and reliable transportation.
  • Fiscal stewardship to provide responsible management and oversight of resources through transparent financial practices with attention to legal and regulatory
  • requirements and taking care to identify and mitigate financial risks
  • Relationships and communication through building and maintaining beneficial relationships and creating an environment for clear and open two-way communication.

Datteri then distributed file cards to all members and assigned aspects of the strategic plan to each table for discussion for a few minutes. Each table then reported back on its discussions.

Board of Education update

Board President and liaison Tiffiney Upchurch introduced Dr. Patti Shank, the board member who will represent the board at future PCAC meetings.

The primary subject of Upchurch’s report was HB24-1001, which addresses property taxes in an effort to avoid rapid annual increases in real estate tax. The bill creates systems for use by school districts and other local government entities to levy taxes with a cap on annual increases. The cap for the 2023 tax year is 6%.

In exchange for passage of this bill, two others were withdrawn from November’s ballot.

Upchurch said this legislation will not affect the per pupil operating revenue this year, but it is impossible to predict the future impact.

Upchurch also reported on progress of the new Career and Innovation Center, which is due to open for the 2025-26 school year. It was funded by passage of SB 24-017, which made available slightly over $8 million by equalizing the distribution of tax revenue throughout the year. There have been meetings with community members, staff, and business owners regarding the types of training which would be made available, and it would make it unnecessary for students to leave the area for part of their school day to receive such training.

The center will prepare students for alternative post-secondary education in technology, healthcare, and skilled trades such as construction. The district is partnering with industry to develop the program.

Accreditation and District Unified Improvement Plan

Assessment and Accountability Coordinator Dr. Michael Brom reported on results of the Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) and ACT and SAT testing from the spring.

Brom reported that the district was accredited with distinction for the 15th year in a row. The district was rated 74.5 out of 100. It is one of 17 districts in the state which are so accredited. The district’s score has been gradually declining over the past few years.

Brom commented that some reasons for the decline may include suspension of the testing during the pandemic and the addition of science at the high school level in the testing. Another possible factor is the difference between the use of online testing and paper and pencil, and the introduction of many new teachers with relatively little experience.

Some weak spots in the results included English language arts and math on the middle school level and inadequate math growth at the middle school level and at some elementary schools. Growth measures whether a student achieves grade level proficiency from one year to the next.

Some possible solutions include the addition of interventions in math instruction at the secondary level and increased stress on reading in elementary school.

One committee member commented that some students were at a critical age to learn reading during the pandemic and interventions are appropriate to accommodate for that. Another member commented that lack of participation in the testing due to opting out deprives the schools of important data.

To view the presentation, please see the district website lewispalmer.org, family resources, parent and community advisory committee, meeting materials.

Charter school application

Assistant Superintendent Amber Whetstine reported on progress in consideration of an application for a new charter school, World Compass Academy.

The application was later withdrawn due to lack of enrollment.

Bylaws change

The committee voted to change the bylaws to allow an individual who is a chair of a Building Advisory Committee to also serve as a co-chair of PCAC.

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The Lewis-Palmer D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee meets six times a year on the second Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. The next meeting will be on Oct. 8 at Lewis-Palmer Elementary School, 1315 Lake Woodmoor Drive. A tour of the school will be offered at 5:30. For information, please contact tmckee@lewispalmer.org.

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

Other Lewis-Palmer D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee articles

D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, April 9 – Reports on human resources, fiscal stewardship, superintendent search, and possible new charter school

By Harriet Halbig

The Lewis-Palmer D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee (PCAC) discussed human resources issues, fiscal responsibility, and the superintendent search at its April 9 meeting at Palmer Ridge High School.

Palmer Ridge High School Principal Dr. Adam Frank spoke of his background as a middle school and high school teacher, coach, dean of students, athletic director, and assistant principal. He came to the area in 2021 and praised both high schools for their academic excellence and the character of the students, saying these factors made it a pleasure to be here.

He spoke of two factors that made Palmer Ridge unique. The first is that it was built to include neighborhoods of teachers with individual cubicles. Unlike many schools, these neighborhoods included teachers of various subjects together.

The second is the inclusion of Bear Time in the students’ day. During this 26-minute break, students are free to speak with their teachers. Students are grouped with the same teacher for the entire four years of their tenure at Palmer Ridge.

Frank said that, when asked, students say they value Bear Time and only wish it were longer.

Frank also mentioned great teaching and innovative grading at his school and the emphasis on giving students voice and choice in how they wished to engage at the school.

Dr. Dan Berliner, chairman of the Palmer Ridge Building Accountability Advisory Committee (BAAC) spoke briefly about the committee’s activities.

He said the committee had emphasized teacher engagement this year, specifically inviting teachers to come to meetings and explain such aspects of the school’s curriculum as outdoor learning, Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA), and other programs.

Board of Education update

Board liaison Dr. Patti Shank, reporting for the first time in this role, said there is a great deal to learn when coming onto the board, and said that the most important activity for the last few months was the search for a new superintendent.

She showed a timeline of the search and said that the board had reached a consensus at its April 6 meeting and that contract negotiations were underway.

Shank stressed that all four of the finalists for the position were qualified.

The board was impressed with the amount of input from the community regarding priorities. Over 1,000 individuals responded to the original survey and more that 200 responded following the public forum featuring the candidates.

The announcement of the successful candidate would be made at the April 15 board meeting.

Strategic Plan Priority 2: Academic excellence

Acting Superintendent Amber Whetstine spoke of a new initiative being emphasized by district administration. This involves expanding Career and Technical Education (CTE) in the district.

There is a program called D38 Enterprise, which is housed in the Palmer Lake Early Childhood Center building on the grounds of Grace Best Education Center. As an example of innovative opportunities for learning, students can spend half of their school day in this building and the other half at their regular school location.

The funding for the center was provided by a grant, and activities on site will include learning such skills as manufacturing, printing, engraving, making trophies, and other skills which can generate revenue to continue the program.

District administration is currently looking for a permanent facility for high-tech career programming.

Members of the board toured classrooms in the middle and high schools offering such classes, and surveys of students and families will be conducted to monitor interest.

Whetstine also said new curriculum is being reviewed in the areas of high school world languages and art for grades K-8.

Strategic Plan Priority 3: Valuing our people

Director of Human Resources Alicia Welch reported on the status of employment in the district.

As of the date of the meeting, she said there had been 25 new hires, including 17 teachers, two principals, one assistant principal, one psychologist, and others. All of these vacancies had been the result of attrition.

In addition to those positions, there are three new special education teachers, one early childhood specialist, and some high school deans had been elevated to assistant principals.

Among the 35 remaining vacancies, there are 10 high school teachers, one principal, the director of communications, and vacancies in the Transportation Department.

A new position is a teacher on special assignment to specialize in the use of technology in education.

Welch also reported that there have been 39 separations, of which nine were retirements and 30 were resignations. Of these, only three said that they were leaving to seek better compensation and benefits.

One committee member commented that paraprofessionals are understaffed and that there remains a shortage of substitutes.

Welch concluded by saying she is trying to improve communication between staff and administration by having an open-door policy to hear any concerns, having exit interviews, and supplying a quick response to any concerns. She said that the number of applicants for each position has grown significantly in the last year or so.

To view Welch’s presentation, please see the lewispalmer.org website, family resources, District Accountability Advisory Committee, meeting content.

Strategic Plan Priority 5: Fiscal stewardship

Chief Business Officer Brett Ridgway reported that it appears that the state will provide more funding in the School Finance Act than previously thought. This may allow him to alter the budget to provide an average 6% increase rather than the previously estimated 5.85%. Funding has not yet been finalized.

Ridgway reported that Senate Bill 24-017, which alters the timing at which school funding is provided, has passed and been signed by the governor. This legislation will enable the district to use $8 million previously held in reserve. He said this funding will be directed to enrich the CTE programs in the district.

Ridgway showed a form which had been sent to all schools asking about their spending priorities for the upcoming year. He said that very few schools had responded and that he had hoped that the Financial Transparency and Staff Collaboration committees could use this information to aid in their planning.

One PCAC member commented that very few staff and teachers had been attending Building Accountability Advisory meetings and parent members did not feel well enough informed to give their opinions.

Ridgway said that the results of this form would be reported to the board in May and encouraged all to complete and submit the information.

There was a brief discussion about lack of attendance at BAAC meetings. Part of the problem is that the time of the meetings conflicts with staff schedules. Another member commented that families moving into the area are familiar with PTAs and PTOs and are not aware that BAACs are required by state statute. It was suggested that an information sheet be prepared to distribute at back-to-school nights.

New charter school proposed

Whetstine announced there is a pending application for creation of a new charter school in the district to serve grades K-8. She said PCAC will be actively involved in evaluating the application, which could arrive as soon as late April.

In response to a question, Whetstine said this charter school is not a part of Monument Academy but an entirely new entity.

Committee reports

Ridgway said the Staff Collaboration Committee would meet the following day to discuss increases in the cost of benefits, which are estimated to be 7% of which 5% would be paid by the district and 2% by the employee. The committee will also discuss fees for the upcoming year.

Financial Transparency Committee to meet the following week

Calendar Task Force is working to change the structure of the committee and to create guidelines for creating a new calendar to include recommended start and end dates and winter and spring break guidelines.

The Wellness Committee recently completed a Healthy Heart Wellness Challenge in which schools competed on the basis of participation. Prairie Winds Elementary School won a challenge and a lunch for staff.

The Special Education Advisory Committee is reviewing nominations for the Aliorum De award. There will be three awards, and all nominees will be recognized.

The Gifted Education Leadership Team (GELT) has applied for a $15,000 Universal Screening and Qualified Personnel grant and has requested $68,001 from the Colorado Department of Education (CDE). CDE estimates that it will fulfill 80% of requested funding.

GELT plans to administer the Cognitive Aptitude Test (CogAT) to second-graders this coming year so that teachers can better plan lessons for third-graders. The committee’s annual plan is due in September and will be discussed at its May meeting.

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The Parent and Community Advisory Committee meets six times per year. This is the final meeting of the 2023-24 school year.

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

Other D38 articles

D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, Feb. 13 – Committee receives leadership hiring and superintendent search update

By Harriet Halbig

The Lewis-Palmer D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee (PCAC) met on Feb. 13 at Prairie Winds Elementary School to discuss such topics as hiring for leadership positions, a search for a new superintendent, and priority 5 of the district’s strategic plan referring to fiscal stewardship.

Prairie Winds presentation

Interim Principal Aileen Finnegan spoke about Prairie Winds Elementary School (PWES) and its programs and history. PWES opened in 2001 and has received the John Irwin School of Excellence Award recognizing test scores that exceeded expectations each year from 2011 to 2022 and the Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Award in 2022.

Finnegan spoke of active parent participation in the school and enumerated the various extracurricular activities and such traditional events as Veterans Day Assembly and a science fair and fundraisers such as a fun run and spirit night.

To view the PowerPoint of this presentation, please see the district website, lewispalmer.org, family resources, District Accountability Advisory Committee, and Meeting Resources.

Leadership update

Assistant Superintendent Amber Whetstine reported on several leadership roles that were vacated this year and the progress in hiring. The district hired Kim Briding as principal of Palmer Lake Elementary School, Danielle Holmes as Special Education director, and Rachel Sellers as principal of PWES. These positions were expected to be confirmed by the Board of Education at its Feb. 26 meeting. Interviews are also planned for the positions of director of Planning, Facilities and Grounds, and Lewis-Palmer Middle School principal.

Board liaison Tiffiney Upchurch shared a presentation by McPherson and Jacobson, the firm selected to oversee the search for a new superintendent. Current Superintendent KC Somers will leave the district at the end of March. To view the presentation, please see the district website as explained above.

A survey has been distributed to staff, parents, and community members about priorities in selecting a new superintendent. As of the meeting date, 600 responses had been received. The goal is to receive at least 2,000.

Upchurch said that the board will continue to follow the current strategic plan until such time as a new superintendent is selected.

Upchurch also reported that she traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with representatives as part of the Coalition Colorado to lobby for full funding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Current funding is at 13% of the cost of educating students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). The coalition was able to increase that amount to 40%.

Upchurch said the district is currently short by about $1.5 million-$2 million per year in funding this aspect of education.

Fiscal stewardship discussion

Chief Business Officer Brett Ridgway offered a presentation (see the website as explained above) regarding fiscal stewardship by the district.

Ridgway recently testified in Denver on SB24-017 Cash Flow Moderation. Ridgway is the author of the bill, which would allow school districts to receive their funding in a more equal amount each month. Currently, the majority of funding is received during the months when property taxes are received, and districts have to set aside money to fund payroll during the months at the end and very beginning of the calendar year. If passed, the bill will free up the $8 million the district has been withholding.

Ridgway shared slides which explained the sources of district revenue and the timeline for creating the annual district budget, beginning in November with receipt of the governor’s proposed budget and ending with passage of a complete budget for submission to the state by June 30.

When asked about the anticipated per pupil revenue for the upcoming school year, Ridgway said it is estimated to increase by 6.9%.

When asked whether the increased building activity in the district will result in a larger school population, Ridgway responded that demographics are changing. He said that birthrates are decreasing and home schooling is gaining popularity.

Whetstine said Building Advisory Committees, PCAC, and other entities are being consulted to determine their priorities for spending in the upcoming year. The group was divided into four subgroups to discuss their priorities.

In reporting back to the group, some priorities were as follows:

• Restore career and technical education (CTE) electives at middle school.

• Improve safety in parking lots and drop-off locations.

• Increase availability of CPR and other first aid training.

• Consider more staff to decrease class sizes at Bear Creek Elementary and Lewis-Palmer Elementary.

• Add cameras on buses.

• Provide air conditioning at Palmer Lake Elementary.

• Hire more counselors at the elementary level.

Committee updates

The Financial Transparency Committee will go into more depth on Ridgway’s presentation.

The Staff Collaboration Committee will discuss four health plans to choose from for the upcoming year. Benefits account for 31% of the district payroll.

The Calendar Task Force will start its work on Feb. 29. The original committee will be joined by more staff, parents, and students who were randomly selected and invited to join. The 2024-25 calendar is approved and posted on the district website.

The Wellness Committee celebrated February as Heart Month by promoting a program for heart wellness. The school with the largest participation will win a staff lunch.

The Special Education Advisory Committee said that nominations for the annual Aliorum Dei Award opened on Feb. 14. The award acknowledges those who make a difference in the lives of students with disabilities.

The Gifted Education Leadership Team was to meet on Feb. 14 to discuss how the district is meeting the requirements for gifted/talented identification.

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The Parent and Community Advisory Committee meets six times per year. Locations vary. The next meeting will be at 6 p.m. on April 9 at Palmer Ridge High School, 19255 Monument Hill Road in Monument. For further information, please contact tmckee@lewispalmer.org.

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

Note

The D38 Board of Education met too late in the month to be included in this issue. Coverage of their Feb. 26 meeting will be included in the April 6 issue of OCN.

Other District 38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee articles

D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, Jan. 9 – Discussion of Priority 1, D38 Foundation report

By Harriet Halbig

The Lewis-Palmer D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee (PCAC), formerly known as the District Accountability Advisory Committee, had a lengthy discussion of Priority 1 of the district’s strategic plan regarding the provision of safe and healthy schools, a report on grants from the D38 Foundation, and a presentation on Lewis-Palmer High School at its Jan. 9 meeting.

Priority 1: Cultivate safe, healthy, and welcoming schools

Executive Director of Student Services Rick Frampton reported on the district’s efforts to implement Priority 1.

The district executed a number of actions to ensure safety in schools. These included the construction of security vestibules at several schools, crisis response and preparedness training, and improvement of communications between the schools and first responders in the event of an emergency.

The district worked to ensure mental and social wellness among its students by offering support in partnership with parents. The goal is to make students feel welcome in the school environment and feel to be members of the school community.

In a recent student survey, 85% of elementary students and 74% of secondary students said they feel safe at school, while over 70% at each level reported feeling to be a member of the school community.

Frampton reported on discipline issues in the district where there were 135 suspensions at the elementary and secondary levels in the 2022-23 school year and 18 expulsions.

He said that suspensions and expulsions are effective when combined with efforts to bring students back into the school environment.

In response to a question from a committee member, Frampton said that a major problem is vaping on school grounds. The district is fortunate not to have experience with fentanyl exposure, he said, but all schools have a supply of Narcan on hand and staff has been trained to use it in case of overdoses. He said that fights and weapons have not been a problem.

A committee member commented that student mental health became a problem following the 9/11 attacks, and the problem has increased following the COVID pandemic. She said the district does not have enough counselors and that students need to learn to treat each other with respect. She said the advantage of being in a relatively small district is that we know each other and should be able to look for those students who don’t have a stable family life.

Frampton described the district’s seven-member security team, some of whom are district employees and two of whom are school resource officers associated with the Sheriff’s Office. He said all members of the team have extensive law enforcement experience.

Staff training was provided in such areas as crisis response, risk assessment, threat assessment, discipline, attendance, and mandatory reporting.

D38 Foundation report

Executive Director Stephanie Palzkill of the D38 Foundation reported on the first set of Inspire Grants.

The foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which was founded in 1994 and active through 2009. It then was dormant until 2022, when it was reactivated. The district had maintained the nonprofit paperwork during the inactive period.

The foundation’s Board of Trustees and officers are all volunteers from the community, with a liaison from the Board of Education and the superintendent serving as a non-voting member.

The goal of the foundation is to foster creativity and innovation in the classroom beyond district funding capabilities.

Representatives of the foundation visited all district schools including Monument Academy during the fall to encourage applications for the first set of grants for student projects.

This year the foundation had $17,000 available for grants and received $70,000 in requests.

The foundation committee funded six projects:

  • Lego Spike Robotics program at Lewis-Palmer Elementary.
  • Ceramics kiln at Monument Academy.
  • Outdoor learning lab at Palmer Ridge High School.
  • Sensory room at Prairie Winds Elementary School.
  • Sensory room at Bear Creek Elementary School.
  • Drama program at Lewis-Palmer High School.

Recipients of grants must submit midterm and final reports on the projects, acknowledge the funding source, return unused funds, submit photos or videos illustrating the project, and complete the project by the end of the school year.

For further information on the foundation, please go to d38foundation.org.

Lewis-Palmer High School presentation

Principal Bridget O’Connor and four student assistants offered a presentation on Lewis-Palmer High School. Included were examples of student projects, goals of the school, multiple pathways past graduation including advanced placement classes and concurrent and dual enrollment enabling students to earn college credit while in high school, career and technical education offering the possibility of earning an associate degree in biomedical science or engineering while in high school, and career education offering internships and training in such areas as business and marketing, computer science, construction, technology, graphic arts, newspaper, and video production.

To view the presentation, please go to lewispalmer.org, family resources, committees, and meeting content.

Ascent Church report

Jonathan Martin from Ascent Church reported on its partnership with the district to support student mental health.

The church sponsors a 5k race in September called the Run 4 Hope. This year’s race raised $25,000, which will be distributed to School Districts 20 and 38 to support anti-suicide and other mental health initiatives.

Adult training in mental health was also offered last summer.

Committee Co-chair Holly Rollins commented that there seems to be an increase in perpetual anxiety among students and advised that parents learn to listen to their students and not assume that they know the source. Be willing to chat to uncover information without judging or advising solutions.

Board of Education Liaison Tiffiney Upchurch commented that the board stresses this priority and said that the partnership between district staff and parents is critical.

Rollins said it is critical to destigmatize mental health problems.

Committee updates

The Financial Transparency Committee has met once in December. The group is discussing its priorities and learning about educational finance.

The Staff Collaboration Committee is learning about new Human Resources law.

The Wellness Committee met in the fall to make a plan for the year and will meet again in the spring to share wellness practices.

The Gifted Education Leadership Team is determining how best to communicate with parents regarding eligibility for services.

The Calendar Committee, after first creating a calendar to accommodate a four-day week, is now beginning again on the calendar for 2024-25. They want to explore creating board policy regarding the calendar, such as designating certain school holidays and the start and end dates of each year.

The Special Education Advisory Committee, which allows parents to provide input regarding practices and procedures for students with disabilities and advocates for students, sponsors an annual parent questionnaire and the Aliorum Dei award to honor those who make a difference in the lives of students with disabilities. Nomination applications are available from Feb. 14 through March 13 with the ceremony to take place on April 24.

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The Parent and Community Advisory Committee meets six times a year. Locations vary. The next meeting will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 13 at Prairie Winds Elementary School, 790 Kings Deer Point E. For information, please contact tmckee@lewispalmer.org.

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

Other Lewis-Palmer D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee (PCAC) articles

D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, Nov. 14 – Committee hears reports on staff and family surveys, Key Communicator program

By Harriet Halbig

The D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee (formerly District Accountability Advisory Committee) received reports on recent surveys of staff and families and an explanation of a new initiative to inform community members about district activities and priorities.

The meeting was held at the West Campus of Monument Academy (MA) and opened with a presentation by Principal Kurt Walker.

MA was chartered in 1996 and located in modular buildings on Woodmoor Drive until its current building was completed in 2008. It was originally called Lewis-Palmer Charter Academy, but the name was changed to avoid confusion with other schools in the district.

Upon the opening of the East Campus, in 2021, the West Campus became a school serving grades K through 5.

MA offers a classical-based education with emphasis on developing student character and educating future exemplary citizens. Its Board of Directors consists of parents and now features a program called Watchdogs, which is a group of fathers of grade-school students making their presence known during arrival and departure of students and recess.

Fall surveys of staff and families

D38 Director of Human Resources Alicia Welch presented a report on the results of surveys of staff and families conducted this fall.

The surveys were administered by an outside source. Welch stated that while results are shared in a number of different ways, all responses are anonymous.

The survey consisted of 20 questions and three open-response questions. All staff members were invited to participate. A total of 469 staff members participated out of a possible 810. The surveys were sent out via email.

Welch said that experience indicated that often fewer people participate at the first opportunity, so such surveys will be conducted annually.

Staff members were asked whether their work positively impacts those who they serve, whether they have a clear understanding of the mission and goals of the organization, and whether they have a sense of pride in where they work. Responses to these questions were largely positive.

In terms of opportunities, staff responded that resources were not always allocated to maximize effectiveness, feedback on improving performance was lacking, and support in embracing work responsibilities could be improved.

Family responses were positive in that they feel the schools are clean and well maintained, parents are treated with respect, and the children’s learning is treated as a high priority.

In terms of opportunities, families said that they wished to receive more direct communication regarding their student’s progress and that school rules were sometimes not enforced equally.

There were 540 responses from families.

The committee then broke into groups to discuss the results of the family survey. A dominating opinion was that parents didn’t receive more direct communication from teachers due to time constraints, but teachers on the committee said that if parents contact them directly they are always open to discussion.

Another criticism from the parents’ standpoint regarding enforcement of rules is that district policies are very complex and the district should develop a way in which parents can view them more directly.

The general result of the surveys was that both staff and families were at least satisfied with the district’s performance.

Key Communicators program introduced

Director of Communications Mark Belcher offered a presentation on a new program, Key Communicators, designed to strengthen the district’s brand by developing a group of brand ambassadors who would receive information on a regular basis and use it to advocate for support of the district.

Belcher explained that there are already entities which support this mission, including the Parent and Community Advisory Committee (PCAC), the D38 Foundation, and others. The Staff Collaboration Committee and Financial Transparency Committee also support the goal of informing the public.

Belcher said that, once the group of key communicators is in place, information will be sent out on a weekly basis through Microsoft Teams. Information will include such items as upcoming events, policy updates, and curriculum reviews. Dissemination of this information will provide a reliable source of facts and hopefully will discourage rumors.

When asked whether the goal is to encourage individuals to vote for mill levy overrides, Belcher said that the goal is to show individuals that the district is worth their support, that the schools are safe, and that district graduates go on to successful futures.

Still to come is development of criteria for members of the group.

Belcher said parents and staff already have access to most of the information involved. This would provide a conduit of information for those community members who are not parents of students and those not on social media

One committee member said that he does not favor the “evangelistic” approach to offering information, but instead suggested presentations to small groups such as homeowners associations. Another suggested going to local spots such as Wesley Owens Coffee and Café where older citizens are likely to gather.

Board of Education update

Board of Education liaison Tiffiney Upchurch offered a brief update following the recent election.

The board will welcome two new members, Patti Shank and Todd Brown. Upchurch and Ron Schwarz will continue to serve along with Kris Norris, who was appointed in April and elected in November.

Law requires that the oath of office be administered within 10 days of certification of the election. Upchurch estimated that the board will meet on Dec. 5 to administer the oath of office and reorganize its officers, and the regular meeting of the board will be held on Dec. 11.

Upchurch also reported that the staff has been surveyed regarding support for instituting four-day weeks. Results of the survey will determine whether the calendar committee will continue its deliberations.

If the staff does not indicate they will be more likely to stay in the district with four-day weeks, the issue will not be presented to families.

Upchurch also reported that she and Schwarz have been going to innovation centers to learn how the district can improve its competitiveness by offering programs resulting in certification in such areas as nursing and other fields.

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The Parent and Community Advisory Committee meets six times a year. Locations vary. The next meeting will be at 6 p.m. Jan. 9 at Lewis-Palmer High School, 1300 Higby Road. For information, contact tmckee@lewispalmer.org.

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

Other D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee articles

D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, Oct. 10 – Committee hears updates on Consent Task Force, D38 Education Foundation

By Harriet Halbig

The D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee (formerly District Accountability Advisory Committee) received updates from various initiatives and subcommittees at its Oct. 10 meeting at Palmer Lake Elementary School.

School presentation

Following a tour of the Palmer Lake Elementary School, Principal Peggy Griebenow gave a brief presentation on the history and demographics of the school.

Griebenow is the third principal since 1986, leading a school with a student count of 385.

Each student has an address to receive any communication within the school. Three postmasters distribute the mail.

The school’s literacy program is based on the study of science and most of the English language learners at present are Hispanic.

The school was built in three sections over time.

Board of Education President Tiffiney Upchurch presented a detailed report on the activities of the Consent Task Force formed in December 2021 and consisting of students and recent alumni, parents, community members, counselors, high school principals, district administration, and members of the Board of Education.

Results of their collaborations have been presented to students during the 2022-23 schoolyear during freshman and sophomore study halls at Lewis-Palmer High School and PE classes at Lewis-Palmer Middle School.

The task force agreed that parents should be offered the opportunity for students to opt out of attending these sessions. If they choose not to opt out, parents will have access to the materials being taught.

The task force has developed a detailed program ranging from pre-K to high school, offering age-appropriate information regarding the definition of consent to younger children, peer pressure and boundaries for middle schoolers, and legal definitions of sexual harassment and reporting capability for older students.

At each level, titles of applicable books will also be offered.

Classes will be taught by trained teachers, counselors, and school resource officers.

The task force listed district policies which have relevance to consent and delineated ways in which district policies could be presented on the website to make it easy to find them by subject. The task force encouraged the district to word the policies in easy-to-understand ways and provide any reporting documents with the appropriate policies.

Applicable policies will be read and clarified at board meetings early in 2024.

The task force also encouraged the district to offer training to teachers twice each year on the subject.

D38 Education Foundation report

Executive Director Stephanie Palzkill reported on the reactivation of the D38 Education Foundation, originally founded in 1994.

The foundation was active until 2009 and has since been dormant, although the district has been maintaining all necessary tax and other paperwork with the state to remain official as a nonprofit organization.

Palzkill showed a list of the members of the Board of Trustees of the group, which includes representatives of the Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce and the Monument Hill Kiwanis Club in addition to members with backgrounds in cybersecurity and digital strategy. Upchurch serves as a representative of the board, and Superintendent KC Somers is an ex-officio non-voting member.

All of the Board of Trustees and administrative officers serve as volunteers.

Palzkill is the executive director and Crystal Lopez serves as bookkeeper.

Palzkill explained that the foundation strives to elevate education through community connection and champion educators to strengthen district performance to remain in the top tier of schools in the state.

The foundation does not compete with other entities seeking funding for the district such as the Tri-Lakes Women’s Club and Mountain Hill Kiwanis but will seek financial support from individuals and corporations.

The foundation will administer grant funding to educators. The Inspire grant program fosters creativity among individual educators while the Advance grant program supports professional education.

With the funds remaining in the foundation budget from 2009, the Inspire grant will be awarded in early 2024. A “road show” familiarized staff with the grant, and applications are due Nov.30.

Plans will include fundraisers in 2024.

There will be a newsletter for contributors in the coming months.

For further information, please the see October Parent and Community Advisory Committee article at https://www.ocn.me/v23n10.htm#d38-pcac.

Portrait of a Graduate/Educator report

Secondary Program Coordinator Jessica McAllister presented the final graphic presentations of the Portrait of a D38 Graduate and Portrait of a D38 Educator.

This initiative, begun in summer 2022, seeks to specify the cognitive, personal, and interpersonal competencies needed for success after high school graduation. Students were asked what success would look like, and industry representatives were asked what skill sets were sought in potential employees.

The Portrait of a Graduate/Educator Committee was then asked to discuss what advice they would offer to themselves as high school students.

One response was to be made aware of the variety of careers available. It was suggested that the district have a career fair including a variety of professions in the community and to more widely promote the assistance of guidance counselors.

For more detailed information on this initiative, please see the website lewispalmer.org and the October issue under family resources, meeting content, District Accountability Advisory Committee, Sept. 18 meeting.

Board of Education update

Board liaison Upchurch reminded members of the upcoming election for board members, only one of which includes more than one candidate. Individuals may see the district website for information on the candidates. ((www.lewispalmer.org/page/november-2023-election-information).

Upchurch also reported that three of the initiatives proposed by the district for inclusion in the 2024 legislative session were approved by the Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB). These include confirmation of local control of curriculum, state buying down of the budget stabilization factor (details proportional reduction of total funding of each district beginning in 2009), which deprived funding to the schools for several years, and not bringing back the budget stabilization factor.

Committee reports

Assistant Superintendent Amber Whetstine reported that the membership of the Financial Transparency Committee will be approved by the Board of Education at its Oct. 23 meeting.

Stacey Barr, director of Nutrition Services, has application forms for those wishing to serve on the Wellness Committee. The focus of the committee is to investigate state regulations as apply to the district.

Assessment and Accountability Coordinator Dr. Michael Brom reported on the activities of the Staff Collaboration Committee, saying that hiring went well during the summer and that substitute requests were filled 85% of the time. The Calendar Committee submitted a potential school calendar for four-day weeks and asked that this information be provided to all staff at each building before asking for approval. If approved overwhelmingly and staff indicates the intention to remain with the district, the committee will move forward with board approval of the calendar.

The Special Education Advisory Committee and Gifted Education Leadership Team have not yet met.

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The Parent and Community Advisory Committee meets six times a year, usually on the second Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. Locations vary. Due to the Nov. 7 election, the November meeting will be held on Nov. 14 at the Monument Academy west campus, 1150 Village Ridge Pt. For information, please contact tmckee@lewispalmer.org.

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

Other D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee articles

D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, Sept. 12. Committee sets priorities for coming year, appoints new co-chair.

By Harriet Halbig

The D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee (formerly the District Accountability Advisory Committee) set priorities for the upcoming schoolyear at its Sept. 12 meeting.

Assistant Superintendent Amber Whetstine reported that the district was once again accredited with distinction for the previous school year. She said Lewis-Palmer High School and Palmer Ridge High School were downgraded from a performance plan to an improvement plan due to insufficient participation in the PSAT and SAT tests last spring. The state of Colorado offers parents the opportunity to request that students opt out of the testing, but the federal standard requires 95% participation. Monument Academy was also downgraded for the same reason.

Superintendent KC Somers commented that Colorado is one of 10 to 15 states with mandatory testing. He encouraged high school Building Advisory Committees (BAC) discuss the issue of participation. He said that people often think that taking the tests is not necessary if a student does not intend to go to college. About 60% of colleges require the SAT, he said.

Committee Co-chair Holly Rollins said the Palmer Ridge High School BAC discussed the issue at length and said that many requirements changed during the COVID epidemic. Each family must decide and follow the given rules. A student not taking the test may be able to enter the university of their choice but not the specific college within the university.

Strategic plan discussion.

The district’s strategic plan consists of six priorities: safe and healthy schools, academic excellence, valuing our people, operations and facilities, fiscal stewardship, and relationships and communication.

Somers said that a dashboard is being added to the district website (lewispalmer.org) which will track activity relating to each priority.

Rollins said that she wishes that the committee stress its responsibility to act in an advisory capacity to the board.

Whetstine implemented this idea by creating a large sheet of paper for each priority and having members indicate what questions they have regarding each and what they would wish to address during the coming year. Results of this exercise will be available at a future meeting.

Board of Education update.

Board liaison Tiffiney Upchurch reported that Theresa Phillips and Matthew Clawson will be leaving the board after the November election. They will be recognized at the Nov. 27 board meeting.

Beginning in October, Lewis-Palmer High School and Palmer Ridge High School will each have a representative on the board.

Regarding the November election, four seats on the board will be on the ballot. Three seats are unopposed and the fourth has two candidates.

Upchurch reminded members of the candidate forum on Sept. 28 at Palmer Ridge High School. For information on the election, please see lewispalmer.org/election.

Committee updates.

Several committees had yet to meet in the new year.

Chief Business Officer Brett Ridgway reported on the Financial Transparency Committee (formerly the Financial Advisory Committee). This committee is required by state statute and will consist of nine members: five from the Parent and Community Advisory Committee and four from other sources. Public members must have an administrative sponsor. Meetings will be held in public. Responsibilities of the committee include following the annual cycle of events related to the budget, recommending how to spend district resources, and recommending ways to maintain transparency by communicating district business to the community.

Committee membership will be announced at an upcoming board meeting.

Whetstine reported on the Calendar Committee. She said that the priority of the committee at this time is to construct a potential calendar if the district were to convert to four-day weeks. This calendar will be presented to the staff and they would be asked if they would stay with the district if it were implemented.

Whetstine also said that there is an active task force discussing the issue of consent. The task force is led by community members and will discuss issues such as boundaries. The group will present recommendations at the October meeting of the board.

The Wellness Committee continues to concentrate on meeting requirements for the School Lunch Program.

The Special Education Advisory Committee and Gifted/Talented Leadership Team have not yet met.

New co-chair appointed.

Rollins said that the leadership of the Parent and Community Advisory Committee is based on two co-chairs, each with a two-year term. Rollins’ term ends next June.

Renee Butler, a representative of Lewis-Palmer Elementary School, volunteered to serve and was confirmed by a vote of the membership.

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The Parent and Community Advisory Committee meets six times per year. Locations vary. The next meeting will be on Oct. 10 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Palmer Lake Elementary School, 115 Upper Glenway in Palmer Lake. For further information, please contact tmckee@lewispalmer.org.

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

Other D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee articles

D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, April 11 – Bear Creek Elementary, Portrait of a Graduate and Educator, wellness policy discussed

By Harriet Halbig

The Lewis-Palmer D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee (formerly District Accountability Advisory Committee) discussed a number of subjects at its final meeting of the school year on April 11.

Bear Creek Elementary presentation

Bear Creek Elementary (BCES) Principal Peggy Parsley, who will retire at the end of the school year, offered a presentation about her school with the aid of several staff members.

The population of Bear Creek is 875 students, one of the largest elementary schools in the state. The school was opened in 2001 as Creekside Middle School and later became Bear Creek when the student population of Grace Best Elementary was transferred to the site. Seventh- and eighth-graders were then transferred to Lewis-Palmer Middle School.

The school serves grades K through 6 and is a Title 1 school along with Palmer Lake Elementary. This reflects the number of students who are eligible for free/reduced lunches or are otherwise considered at risk.

The vision for BCES includes building character, educating students, and a dedication to shared leadership, Parsley said. Students and staff are encouraged to envision what they would like a sixth-grader to be like when they leave BCES to advance to middle school.

BCES offers culturally diverse and responsive instruction, depth and complexity in the curriculum, and a literary emphasis, she said.

The diversity aspect is reflected in the selection in the library, Parsley said. Use of the responsive classroom model encourages connections between students, families, and teachers.

Emphasis is placed on reading and writing at all grade levels.

Regarding extracurricular activities, BCES offers before- and after-school activities including a STEAM night (science, technology, engineering, and math), science fair, art show, chess club, K Kids (in cooperation with Monument Hill Kiwanis), and robotics.

A new program this year is All Bear Creek Reads.

At the end of the presentation, Parsley introduced her successor, Donnel Potter.

Portrait of a Graduate and Portrait of an Educator update

Secondary Program Coordinator Jess McAllister reported on progress in developing the District 38 Portrait of a Graduate and Portrait of an Educator.

This program, begun early last year, describes the cognitive and personal attributes desired to ensure success beyond high school graduation on the basis of input from students, staff, community, and parents.

To read a detailed description of the program, please refer to the Board of Education article at https://ocn.me/v23n4.htm#d38.

Wellness Committee report and wellness policy update

The district wellness team is required by the National School Lunch Program to review its policy and practices every three years.

There are several changes to the policy this year, including the addition of nutrition education to the curriculum, updating nutrition standards, offering physical education and other activity at all grade levels, and promoting overall wellness.

Grades K through 6 are participating in the National School Lunch Program. The policy requires that the district will comply with state and federal statutes regarding meals, competitive food services, Smart Snacks in Schools, and nutrition education. All students will have a lunch period of no less than 20 minutes.

The committee assessed current policy JLJ regarding physical education and activity. Adaptive physical education was not included, because it is part of the formal curriculum.

The updated policy will be presented to the Board of Education for approval in June.

Budget update

Chief Business Officer Brett Ridgway offered an update on the proposed 2023-24 district budget.

He said that the district processes about $80 million per year. There are 936 employees including 408 teachers, 371 support staff, 19 school administrators, 15 professional and technical employees, and 14 district administrators.

The district’s funds are in 19 bank accounts at seven institutions. The district is restricted by state law as to where it invests its funds.

The process by which the budget is determined is to establish a philosophy to connect projected changes in School Finance Act revenue to changes in General Fund expenditures.

Ridgway solicited opinions from the staff through the Staff Collaboration Committee (SCC), especially regarding compensation.

Ridgway said that he seeks to avoid fearful budgeting, because too conservative an approach can be harmful. The goal is for the budget to be “98% to 100.5% accurate,” he said.

The drivers of the budget include School Finance Act income, which is anticipated to increase by 8% to $9,800 per full-time equivalent; estimated student count for the coming year; restoring funding for capital maintenance to pre-pandemic levels; and taking advantage of increased interest income on district investments, Ridgway said.

The amount of revenue from the School Finance Act will not be finalized until May.

Ridgway reported that, following input from the SCC, the budget will reflect increased revenue due to efficiencies, offering Health Savings Accounts in addition to other health benefits, offering an anniversary bonus every five years, and enhancing rewards for years of experience at the time of hiring.

For additional detailed information about the budget, see https://ocn.me/v23n4.htm#d38 or go to the district website, lewispalmer.org, Family Resources, District Accountability Advisory Committee, and the meeting date, April 11, to view the PowerPoint.

Board of Education update

Board liaison Tiffiney Upchurch reported that the board will offer Engage and Elevate events again this year to encourage community members to speak with the board about their concerns.

This year the events are taking place in coffee shops throughout the district. The final event will be on May 16 at 1 p.m. at Bennie’s, located in the YMCA building on Jackson Creek Parkway.

Upchurch also reported that this year’s legislative session will end soon. She encouraged individuals to access to Colorado Association of School Boards website to track the progress of bills through the Legislature. Please go to casb.org./2023legislative-bills.

Upchurch also introduced Kris Norris, newly appointed member of the Board of Education from District 1.

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The D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee meets six times per year. Locations vary. This was the final meeting of the 2022-23 school year.

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

Other Lewis-Palmer D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee articles

Family and Community Advisory Committee, Feb. 7 – Committee learns about Lewis-Palmer Elementary School, legislative issues, and title programs

By Harriet Halbig

The School District 38 Family and Community Advisory Committee (formerly the District Accountability Advisory Committee) discussed a wide variety of subjects at its Feb. 7 meeting at Lewis-Palmer Elementary School (LPES).

School Presentation

Principal Davonne Johnson delivered an engaging presentation about LPES, introducing committee members to the aspects of school culture, which include a daily morning meeting where students greet one another, a brief sharing moment among them, and a brief game which involves all. The game demonstrated was the Left-Right Story Game, where Johnson provided several balls to committee members and read a story. If the word left was said, the ball was passed to the left. If right was mentioned, the ball was passed to the right. The results were a feeling of sharing among those involved and a positive opening to the day.

Lewis-Palmer Elementary School (LPES) has 407 students, 67 staff, and eight support staff. Its slogans are “The Road of Endless Possibilities” and “Go Eagles.”

LPES’ philosophy stresses that learning should be fun and enjoy an active partnership among teachers, students, and families to support this philosophy. The community goal is to achieve health, joy and success for its students.

Board of Education update

Board of Education liaison Tiffiney Upchurch revisited the subject of board policy BDF, which involves restructuring of committees. Committees are now divided among three categories: those which are required by state or federal statute (such as the Parent and Community Advisory Committee, the Special Education Advisory Committee, and the Financial Transparency Committee), those which are created to address a specific issue such as the Staff Collaboration Committee (SCC), an ad hoc committee to encourage communication among all workforce groups and address solutions to funding following defeat of the mill levy override, and Community Task Force Groups, which are temporary entities addressing a specific issues such as the Portrait of a D38 Graduate.

Upchurch said the board has approved this new structure.

She said that the SCC has discussed the possibility of instituting four-day school weeks, changes in the district calendar regarding professional development scheduling, and restructuring of the district pay scale. The four-day week would not be put in place before the 2024-25 school year if approved. The SCC works in collaboration with the business and finance department.

Upchurch then explained the legislative process and said there are 50 bills now being considered which involve education, including institution of universal preschool and universal free lunches, both of which would require hiring additional staff.

She has made several visits to the state capitol to lobby on behalf of the district and encouraged others to do the same.

Due to redistricting, D38 now has two members in the state House of Representatives. Upchurch has visited both and requested more funding so the district could better compensate its teachers. The onus is on the individual district to educate its community to support the schools. Only in this way can we ensure ongoing funding and influence our compensation in comparison to neighboring districts, she said.

Upchurch said D38 won’t know until May what level of funding it will receive from the state.

Title programs discussion

Melissa Gibson-Steiner, coordinator of Special Programs, and Tiffany Brown, coordinator of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education, reported on the district’s use of title funds.

Title I supports improving academic achievement of at-risk students. The funding of $193,163 is being used at Bear Creek and Palmer Lake Elementary schools to provide reading intervention, before and after school tutoring, and assessments for students in private schools.

The McKinney-Vento Title I set-aside addresses the unique barriers which those experiencing homelessness must overcome. This funding ensures that those students have immediate access to public education and the right to attend their school of origin. Efforts are made to provide stability and support for these students and their families.

Title II supports provision of high-quality educators to improve achievement and greater access to effective educators. Funding for this year is $92,643 and is being applied to literary coaching, Capturing Kids’ Hearts, teacher mentors, paraprofessional training, and stipends for professional learning facilitators.

Title III supports improvement of the education of multilingual learners. This funding of $14,018 is being applied to purchase supplemental materials, provide tutoring, assess language ability, and training and support for newcomer immigrants. It also helps to fund the annual international dinner.

Title IV supports academic enrichment and increasing capacity for programs. This funding of $15,037 is used to offer access to a well-rounded education and creation of the position of coordinator of Learning Services to facilitate curriculum mapping of K-8 science and high school biology.

Strategic plan update

Director of Communications Mark Belcher reported on developments regarding the district’s strategic plan, first created in 2020. The original plan included five sections: safe and healthy schools; world class education; value our people; fiscal stewardship and transparency; and relationships and communication.

In response to continuous input from stakeholders, staff, and others, the strategic plan now consists of six sections with a newly added section on facilities and operations. This reflects the board’s recent focus on analyzing the condition and replacement value of district resources such as buildings and buses and incorporating the information into the plan.

For detailed information on this and other presentations, please see the district website, lewispalmer.org, under Family Resources, District Accountability Advisory Committee, meeting content and the date of the meeting, Feb. 7.

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The D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee meets six times a year. Locations vary. The next meeting will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on April 11 at Bear Creek Elementary School, 1330 Creekside Drive in Monument. For further information, contact tmckee@lewispalmer.org.

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

Other D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee articles

Lewis-Palmer School District 38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, Jan. 10 – Committee restructure, Kilmer presentation, strategic plan update

By Harriet Halbig

The Lewis-Palmer School District 38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee (PCAC) discussed a restructure of the district’s committees, an update to the strategic plan, and initiatives related to financial transparency.

Committee restructure

Board of Education liaison Tiffiney Upchurch and Assistant Superintendent Amber Whetstine reported on the board’s discussions regarding the hierarchical structure of district committees.

At its September meeting, PCAC voted to include the Wellness Team and the Financial Advisory Committee subcommittees of PCAC in addition to the Special Education Advisory Committee and the Gifted Talented Leadership Team.

It was determined at the December board meeting that, since these committees as well as building advisory committees are required under state or federal law, they should be independent and hold their own meetings open to the public.

If this change is approved by the board at its January meeting, it will be necessary to change the PCAC’s bylaws.

A draft application form for PCAC membership was proposed for use in the upcoming school year to ensure that all schools are represented by parents and staff in addition to community participation. Technically the board must appoint these members, and this form would make it possible to determine that all are represented.

Committee members were concerned that, by removing the former subcommittees from PCAC, information from them to PCAC would be less forthcoming.

Whetstine responded that the committees are still welcome to report to the group.

When a member expressed concern that a formal application would discourage participation, Upchurch responded that the application was designed to meet state statutes.

The discussion was tabled until February pending board action.

Financial transparency update

In keeping with priority 4 of the district’s strategic plan supporting responsible fiscal practices, Chief Business Officer Brett Ridgway asked for questions regarding recent financial actions.

When asked about the one-time compensation bonus, he said that it was a small step to resolving the gap in compensation between D38 and neighboring districts. The Staff Collaboration Committee, consisting of representatives from schools and administration, approved the bonus.

There was discussion about the recent staff/parent/community survey. Committee members commented that they did not understand some aspects of the survey and hesitated to respond.

Whetstine said that the purpose of the survey was to determine which actions would resonate with the community in the face of the recent mill levy override defeat. The survey indicated significant support for a four-day school week, and the board tasked the administration to investigate the ramifications of implementing it.

District staff approved the use of the survey because it indicated that the district supported them and was willing to take further action to correct the gap in compensation.

Ridgway presented a midyear financial summary. Details can be found on the district website, lewispalmer.org, under Family Resources, District Accountability Advisory Committee, meeting content.

Kilmer School presentation

Brian Pohl, the new principal of Ray Kilmer Elementary, offered a slide presentation about the school.

He said the school stresses academic growth and achievement, human growth, and character development. The school uses the responsive classroom model to ensure that students develop healthy relationships among themselves and staff by communicating daily. The school’s vision is to educate the whole child.

One innovative practice at Kilmer is to devote part of each Friday to Innovation Day. In alternate weeks, students rotate to the Innovation Station where they learn computational thinking and Coyote Time which focuses on computational thinking, engineering design, and robotics.

In the Learning Zone program, students spend 30 minutes each day concentrating on a specific subject. For grades K to 3 this is usually reading. For higher grades this could be math or writing. The concentrated focus could be in or out of the classroom.

To view the slide presentation, please see the website as noted above.

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The Parent and Community Advisory Community meets six times per year. Locations vary. The next meeting is from 6 to 8 p.m. on Feb. 7 at Lewis-Palmer Elementary School, 1315 Lake Woodmoor Dr. in Monument. For further information, please contact tmckee@lewispalmerorg.

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

Other D38 Parent and Community Advisory Community articles