Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, Aug. 21 – Four-day week, capital improvements, tutoring center discussed

Calendar Task Force report
Capital improvement report
Ranger Tutoring Center report
Hiring update
Election contract
Superintendent update

By Harriet Halbig

At its Aug. 21 meeting, the Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education received a report from the district’s Calendar Task Force that included feasibility of a four-day school week, a report on capital improvements achieved during the summer, and an introduction to the revitalized tutoring center at Lewis-Palmer High School.

Calendar Task Force report

Assistant Superintendent Amber Whetstine provided a report of the Calendar Task Force. The task force consists of board representative Tiffiney Upchurch, an administrative liaison, parents, members of the Parent and Community Advisory Committee, members of the Staff Collaboration Committee, teachers, and staff.

The task force met during the summer to determine its priorities, degree of interest in a four-day week schedule and its impact on start time, length of days, and length of the school year.

Members discussed the impact of such a schedule with other districts which have adopted it.

Preliminary conclusions are that Monday would be the day off for students, school days and the school year would be longer, and results of these discussions would be presented to the Staff Collaboration Committee at its September meeting.

Following that meeting there will be a survey of staff to determine their acceptance of the concept.

Board Vice President Theresa Phillips asked about the impact on the quality of education in the new schedule.

Whetstine responded that this is one of the aspects members will ask other districts about.

Board Treasurer Ron Schwarz asked when families will be consulted.

Whetstine responded that if it is determined that the change in schedule would not increase retention of staff, families would not be consulted.

Board President Upchurch asked whether waivers would be required to alter the number of instruction hours if necessary.

Whetstine said that is yet to be determined.

Most of the districts which have adopted a four-day week are relatively rural in character.

Capital improvement report

Executive Director of Operations and Development Chris Coulter reported on capital improvements achieved during the summer months.

The primary project is the construction of a new corridor in Lewis-Palmer Elementary School to bring the building up to code for fire safety. The original proposed project was halted by the Regional Building Department and was increased in scope as a result.

The project involved removal of existing walls, doors, and ceilings in the corridor to expedite exits from classrooms to exterior doors. Additional panels to access the ventilation system were also brought to fire-rated levels. Wiring within the walls was replaced, a new intercom system was installed, and all lights and flooring were also replaced.

The unexpected scope of the project resulted in a cost overrun of $130,000 which was covered by contingency funds. The board voted to approve the overrun.

In preparing a five-year plan for capital improvements, Coulter explained that it was necessary to identify critical repairs and life safety issues, document deferred maintenance issues, and consider projects underway.

Some considerations include renovations to update classrooms for use in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) instruction, career and technical education, visual and performing arts, and special education programs.

Coulter also spoke of continuing programs under the contract with Schneider Electric to improve energy efficiency in the district. He said that replacing light bulbs and fixtures has made a difference in the number of kilowatt hours used, but until the systems are automated to shut down when buildings are not in use the maximum benefit will not be realized.

Kilowatt usage in July was 36% lower than the previous year.

To view detailed descriptions of all projects, please refer to boarddocs in the Board of Education section of the lewispamer.org website.

Ranger Tutoring Center report

Lewis-Palmer High School Gifted/Talented facilitator Laura Stamp presented a description of the revitalized tutoring center at the school, assisted by four student tutors.

Stamp explained that the tutoring center is administered as an elective class which counts for half a credit. The goal of the center is to normalize the idea that it is OK to ask for help, not only with academic issues but also with emotional problems.

All tutors are students at the school who undergo seven periods of training in the area of social/emotional wellness. It is found that some of the individuals who seek tutoring do so because of difficulty advocating for themselves or making friends in a new environment. Tutors are not expected to be experts in any given subject but advise clients in areas of their own interest.

The tutors become mentors to their clients and commented that the clients value the fact that this has enabled them to make friends in other classes. This results in more of a family or community feeling at the school.

Stamp said that there were 18 tutors last semester and 95 clients. Over 400 sessions occurred during the semester.

Several of the current tutors were previous clients and saw the value of the program.

Stamp said that she gave a presentation at a recent meeting of the Colorado Association of School Executives in Colorado Springs and has been invited to appear before the state organization.

Superintendent KC Somers commented that this additional support shows students that it’s OK to be behind. Tutoring is designed not only to solve a particular academic problem but to create relationships.

Upchurch asked how the board and community can help to support the program.

Stamp responded that the program has received grants from Monument Hill Kiwanis and the Tri-Lakes Women’s Club.

She invited any interested parties to contact her at lstamp@lewispalmer.org.

Hiring update

Director of Human Resources Alicia Welch said the district has hired 102 new individuals of whom 53 are teachers and 49 are classified.

Classified employees include paraprofessionals, food and nutrition employees, bus drivers, school office staff, pre-K instructional support, and custodians.

Base pay for all was increased due to increased state funding.

Welch said that in addition to the increased base pay, there were bonuses for new hires and increased compensation for substitutes and those in special education and specialized services.

She said that a few of the new hires were previous employees of the district and returned due to the increased compensation. Another attraction was the fact that the district is giving credit for an increased number of years of experience.

Welch said that she intends to conduct exit interviews at the end of the school year and to administer surveys to determine staff satisfaction.

Election contract

The board approved an intergovernmental agreement to participate in the November election. A 50% deposit of $17,007 was required by Aug. 29. Vicki Wood was designated as the district’s representative.

Superintendent update

Somers announced the arrival of three new principals in the new school year. They are Donnell Potter at Bear Creek Elementary, Greg Saunders at Kilmer Elementary, and Brittanie Coveney at Prairie Winds Elementary.

He also announced a Board of Education Candidate Forum to be held at Palmer Ridge High School at 6 p.m. on Sept. 28. The event is sponsored by the Tri-Lakes Chamber.

**********

The Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education meets at 6 p.m. on the third Monday of the month in the district’s learning center, 146 N. Jefferson St., Monument. The next meeting will be on Sept. 18.

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