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OCN > 2411 > Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, Oct. 21 – Board approves Unified Improvement Plans, selects contractor for Career and Innovation Center

Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, Oct. 21 – Board approves Unified Improvement Plans, selects contractor for Career and Innovation Center

By Harriet Halbig

There was no livestream available of the Oct. 21 meeting of the Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education. This article is based on information in boarddocs. To refer to this source, please see the district website, lewispalmer.org. Go to the Board of Education tab, boarddocs, meetings, and select the meeting date. Click on view the agenda to see the PowerPoint presentations from the meeting.

Unified Improvement Plan discussion

Assistant Superintendent Amber Whetstine presented on the subject of the annual Unified Improvement Plans (UIP) for the district and each school. This document details information on academic achievement and growth in such categories as math, English Language Arts, and (this year for the first time) science.

Within these categories data is further broken down in demographics such as English Language Learners, those qualified for free/reduced lunch, and students in special education or the gifted/talented program. Graduation and dropout rates are included as are statistics regarding the number of students attending two- or four-year colleges or entering the military immediately after graduation.

The district must transmit these forms to the Colorado Department of Education in October, including proposed action to improve performance. All schools received performance plans rather than improvement plans this year.

Growth is measured by comparing this year’s assessment scores with the previous year. The goal is to be in the 50th percentile or higher each year so students remain at grade level.

Whetstine reported that the plans had been reviewed by principals, school teams, the Parent and Community Advisory Committee, and Building Accountability Advisory committees.

Even when assessment results are strong, district officials determine possible steps to improve them.

Performance priorities identified were inadequate growth in elementary math, and inadequate growth in math and English in middle school.

Proposed solutions were to provide professional development to literacy across content areas and especially to meet the needs of preschoolers, multilingual households, and those on Individual Education Plans or in the gifted/talented program. Programs for monitoring progress would be implemented for those performing below grade level, and instructional coaches would aid in training teachers to address the problem. The goal for literacy is to have 90% of students in grades K through 3 reading at grade level by 2027.

With regard to math, professional development would be provided for teachers at all grade levels, there would be a targeted emphasis on number sense, instructional materials will be reviewed at the elementary level, and an effort will be made to determine the influence of time spent on the subject.

The board voted to transmit the UIPs to the Colorado Department of Education.

Contractor chosen for Career and Innovation Center

Chief Business Officer Brett Ridgway reported on the selection process for a general contractor for the Career and Innovation Center now in development.

Ridgway reported that over a thousand firms were notified of the project. One hundred and two of these firms sought further information and 33 individuals attended a pre-bid walk-through of the site. Eleven contractors submitted bids by Sept. 23.

Contractors were evaluated on the basis of qualifications, teams availability and qualifications, innovation and project approach, cost of services, and project schedule.

Six reviewers, one of whom is from the architectural firm of Hollis and Miller on the project, scored each category.

Nunn Construction scored highest, including extensive experience in Career and Technical Education across many schools and districts with new construction and renovation.

The board approved the contracting of Nunn Construction as general contractor for the Career and Innovation Center.

Student recognition

Palmer Ridge High School Principal Dr. Adam Frank and science teacher Ms. Leslie Lantz recognized sophomores Casey Chau and Will Guttorman for their work on the school’s Outdoor Learning Lab.

These students, working toward their Eagle Scout award, raised funds, recruited volunteers, and completed two pathways in the Outdoor Learning Lab.

To view the project, please see boarddocs.

Above: On Oct. 21, the D38 Board of Education celebrated two Eagle Scouts who contributed to the Outdoor Learning Lab (OLL) at Palmer Ridge High School. Principal Dr. Adam Frank and science teacher Lesley Lantz described the projects performed by Will Guttormsen and Cashe Chau. Guttormsen built a pathway in the lab that took 220 hours, leveraged 26 volunteers, and raised $1,465 which was donated to the OLL. Chau’s project enhancing the OLL space in September leveraged 27 volunteers and took 182 hours. From left are board President Tiffiney Upchurch, board member Todd Brown, Frank, Guttormsen, board member Ron Schwarz, Chau, board member Kris Norris, board member Dr. Patti Shank, Lantz, and Superintendent Dr. Stacie Datteri. Photo by Jackie Burhans

Staff recognition: National Principals Month

Superintendent Dr. Stacie Datteri recognized D38 principals for National Principals Month, saying they are among the hardest working yet least recognized individuals in education. She said principals set the academic tone for their schools and provide the mobilizing force for achieving student success.

Above: At its Oct. 21 meeting, the Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education celebrated its school principals in honor of National Principal month. Superintendent Dr. Stacie Datteri called each principal in attendance to the podium to describe their contributions and give them a gift bag with items especially selected for them. From left, in the back, are board President Tiffiney Upchurch, Ray Kilmer Elementary School Principal Greg Saunders, Bridget O’Connor, Lewis-Palmer Middle School Principal Courtney Harrell, Lewis-Palmer Elementary School Principal Davonne Johnson, Monument Academy (MA) Principal Kurt Walker, and MA Board President Ryan Graham. From left, in front, are Palmer Ridge High School Principal Dr. Adam Frank, Homeschool Enrichment Academy Principal Julie Jadomski, Prairie Winds Elementary School Principal Rachel Sellers, MA High School Principal Angela Duck, Bear Creek Elementary School Principal Donnell Potter, and D38 Superintendent Dr. Stacie Datteri. Kim Briding, Palmer Lake Elementary School principal, was unable to attend. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

October count announced

In his financial planning and analysis presentation, Ridgway announced that the October count was 10 students below the count on Oct. 1, 2023. It was 35 students fewer than those counted on Aug. 14 of this year.

Ridgway reminded those in attendance that students in the Home School Enrichment Academy and preschool count as less than the full-time students.

The October count determines the amount of per-pupil operating revenue the district receives from the state.

Literacy program update

Whetstine and district Literacy Specialist Peggy Griebenow presented an overview of the district’s literacy program, including assessment tools and a Comprehensive State Literacy Development Grant. To view the report, please see boarddocs.

Career and Technical Education update

Whetstine and Director of Innovative Programs Jessica McAllister reported on the district’s Career and Technical Education program and progress on the Career and Innovation Center.

The Career and Technical Education program encompasses business, marketing and public information, health sciences, skilled trades such as construction, and digital media, engineering, and information technology.

Included in the presentation were slides showing funding sources, slides showing the use of color at the new Career and Innovation Center, and a programming update.

To view the presentation, please see boarddocs.

Monument Academy Annual Report

Representatives of Monument Academy Charter School presented the school’s annual report in accordance with the school’s contract with the district. Representatives included Executive Director Collin Vinchattle, Interim Chief Financial Officer Glenn Gustafson, and board President Ryan Graham.

To view the report, please see boarddocs.

Corrections

The Board of Education article on the Sept. 16 meeting in the October issue regarding assessment results included a statement that board Treasurer Ron Schwarz felt that Monument Academy was falling behind in its results. Schwarz did not make a statement to this subject.

He said the operating schools and Monument Academy each excelled in certain areas and wondered if the difference in pedagogy between them could make a difference in results. He asked whether the operating schools and Monument Academy shared practices.

Schwarz was told that Monument Academy representatives attended meetings to share best practices with other district schools.

In addition, we misspelled Dr. Stacie Datteri’s first name in a photo caption.

OCN regrets the errors

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The Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education meets at 6 p.m. on the third Monday of each month in the district’s learning center, 146 Jefferson St. in Monument. The next meeting will be on Nov. 18. For information, please contact vwood@lewispalmer.org.

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

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