- Declaration of vacancy on the board
- Financial discussion
- District school calendar discussed
- New principal selected for Bear Creek Elementary
By Harriet Halbig
The Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education accepted the resignation of board President Chris Taylor and discussed the process for seeking and appointing a replacement at its Feb. 21 meeting. There also was a detailed discussion of the current state of the district budget, plans for the 2023-24 school year, and potential changes in the school calendar.
Declaration of vacancy on the board
The board passed a resolution accepting the resignation of Taylor of D38 District 1 effective Feb 21.
Following state statute, the board must select and appoint a replacement within 60 days of the vacancy. Superintendent KC Somers said the 60 days would be up on April 22, a Saturday. He recommended that the board finalize its selection of a replacement on April 17 at its regular meeting.
Board Secretary Tiffiney Upchurch commented that the community should be involved in the process.
Somers responded that the process would be finalized at the March 7 board work session. He recommended that there will be an application process during March and public interviews in early April. Public notice of the vacancy will be sent out via Our Community News and the Tribune.
Somers recommended that the interviews be conducted following the April work session, in which case all members of the board would be present and the public would be welcome to attend.
Once the appointment is made, the new board will elect officers.
In their board member comments, all members thanked Taylor for his leadership and effort in his years on the board.
Financial discussion
Chief Business Officer Brett Ridgway explained to the board how the one-time compensation action was reflected in the use of the general fund.
He explained that February is the low point in the revenue cycle for the district because property taxes are not received until March. Consequently, the district is a bit behind on revenue and expenses.
Board Treasurer Ron Schwarz commented that if the district received all its annual revenue at the beginning of the school year, this would not be an issue.
In planning for the 2023-24 school year, the budget is reflected in documentation from the use of charts to detailed background information so that a variety of viewers could understand the situation, Ridgway said.
Taylor reflected that it is important to use this process to show how important the shortfall in compensation is. He said the deadline for deciding whether to request a mill levy override (MLO) on the November ballot is in August. This information could be used to inform the community in detail on how district resources are allocated.
Ridgway said that 92% of school revenue comes from the School Finance Act based on student count and per pupil funding. The level of funding in the upcoming school year is not yet known.
Referring to a 13-year history of the district, Ridgway predicted that the student count will remain relatively stable. He said that a large portion of Monument Academy (MA) eighth-graders go on to Lewis-Palmer or Palmer Ridge High School, but MA expects to retain more of these students next year.
Somers commented that MA hopes to introduce athletics and other programs in an attempt to retain these students. Projections of population are based on letters of intent received from MA students.
Schwarz commented that secondary students cost more to support than elementary students, yet they receive the same per pupil funding. This should be considered in budget planning, he said.
Ridgway said that he is projecting a 5% increase in per pupil funding, but it may be as much as 8%.
Upchurch commented that Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds must be used by September 2024. Thirteen staff members are currently funded through ESSER funds. Ridgway commented that he will discuss with principals whether these positions will then need to be funded by the district or whether alternative solutions are available.
Upchurch asked when the board would approve new pay schedules.
Somers responded that an extensive cost/benefit analysis must first take place, but he hopes to have something to discuss at the March 7 work session.
District school calendar discussed
Assistant Superintendent Amber Whetstine reported that following discussions with the Staff Collaboration Committee and the Parent and Community Advisory Committee, a tentative calendar for the 2023-24 school year has been prepared.
Changes to the calendar include the addition of two full-day professional development days to replace five late-start days, closure of district buildings during winter break, a day added before the opening of the second semester so that teachers can prepare, and continuing to have May 17 as the last day of classes but reserving May 20 and 21 in case of excessive snow days.
Upchurch commented that because May 20 and 21 are a Monday and Tuesday, many families may already be on vacation. She suggested that the 20th and 21st should be included in the school year, then classes could be dismissed on the 17th if those days are not needed.
Whetstine said that planning for the 2024-25 school year has begun, but since four-day weeks may be adopted it is difficult to finalize plans. She said that assessment days must be taken into account during the planning process.
New principal selected for Bear Creek Elementary
Somers introduced Donnell Potter as the new principal for Bear Creek Elementary School following the retirement of Peggy Parsley.
Somers said there were many applicants for the position and six were interviewed.
Potter has a long history in education as a teacher and principal in the Fountain district and District 11.
Potter said that his wife is a teacher in District 11 and all four of his children attended Bear Creek. He said he is grateful to be able to spend time with Parsley before her departure and that he hopes the board and members of the school community will feel free to contact him regarding the school.
To view the presentations from this meeting, please see the district website, Lewis-Palmer.org, Board of Education, meetings, boarddocs. See the superintendent update for recognition of athletic and academic achievement by district students and teams.
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The Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education meets from 6 to 10 p.m. on the third Monday of each month at the district’s learning center, 146 Jefferson St. in Monument. For further information contact vwood@lewispalmer.org.
Harriet Halbig can be reached at harriethalbig@ocn.me.
Other D38 Board of Education articles
- Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, May 19 – Whetstine named superintendent; board receives annual committee reports (6/7/2025)
- Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, April 22 – Board announces finalists for superintendent, approves construction and location of Home School Enrichment Academy (5/3/2025)
- Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, March 17 – Board posts superintendent position internally, receives updates on Home School Enrichment Academy and Transitions Services (4/5/2025)
- Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, Feb. 18 – Board recognizes achievements, hears about Arts Education and Career and Innovation Center (3/1/2025)
- Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, Jan. 21 – Superintendent resigns; Grace Best School to be demolished (2/1/2025)
- Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, Dec. 16 – Board learns about Information Technology Department; Career and Innovation Center update; annual mill levy certification (1/4/2025)
- Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, Nov. 18 – Board reviews revision of district boundaries, approves lease/purchase agreement for Career and Innovation Center (12/5/2024)
- Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, Oct. 21 – Board approves Unified Improvement Plans, selects contractor for Career and Innovation Center (11/2/2024)
- Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, Sept.16 – District performance framework, bullying policy revision (10/5/2024)
- Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, Aug. 19 – Recognitions, revised Monument Academy contract, Human Resources report (9/7/2024)
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