- State assessment results
- Career and Innovation Center update
- Financial planning and analysis
- Announcement of candidates
- Board goals approved
- High School student representatives
By Harriet Halbig
The Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education discussed a number of topics related to the new school year and district activities at its Sept. 15 meeting.
State assessment results
Dr. Michael Brom, director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, presented the results of last spring’s state assessments. These assessments included the Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) in English Language Arts, Math, and Science, and the PSAT tests for grades 9 and 10 and the SAT test for grade 11. Brom’s report supports district priority 2, academic excellence.
Brom explained that the state Board of Education accredits school districts and in turn school districts accredit schools in their jurisdiction in September. The board voted to accredit all district schools in a subsequent vote.
Brom explained that districts are ranked on the basis of academic excellence, academic growth, and post-secondary readiness regarding matriculation rates, dropout rates, and graduation rates.
The district ranked in the top 12% of districts (22 of 184) for the 2024-25 school year. The board had stated a goal of the 85th percentile in each area of study for academic achievement and 50% for growth. Growth can only be measured for students who participated in the assessment for two consecutive years. The district also has a goal of 85% participation in assessments.
The science assessment is given only in grades 5, 8, and 11.
Brom offered a detailed presentation including scores for individual schools and Monument Academy. He pointed out that middle school results for Monument Academy include grades 6 through 8 while other D38 middle school results include grades 7 and 8 only.
In answer to a question, Brom said that the matriculation rate includes those enrolled in two- or four-year programs or the military. In D38, however, a number of students are enrolled in programs that offer college credit while in high school, and the Career and Innovation Center (CIC) will also offer programs that result in professional certification. These categories are not represented in the state statistics.
Board President Tiffiney Upchurch asked how smaller groups such as those in special education appear in the statistics. Brom responded that a group category only appears separately if there are more than 16 students for achievement or 20 students for growth. The district is aware that students in smaller groups require more intense attention and monitors them carefully.
Superintendent Amber Whetstine said that all students appear in the high-level data.
Board Treasurer Ron Schwarz requested information on how the district compares to similar districts nationwide.
To view detailed results by school, please see boarddocs under the Board of Education tab at lewispalmer.org
Career and Innovation Center update
Director of Innovative Programs Amy Sienkowski reported that students began classes at the new location on Aug. 25, and an open house for staff was held on Sept. 15.
There are 170 students enrolled at the center for the first and second semesters of the 2025-26 school year. Courses include Advanced Manufacturing (primarily welding), aerospace and electronic engineering, architectural and civil engineering, and a capstone project in homebuilding.
The Bearbotics robotic team and the Transitions program are also housed in the CIC building.
Sienkowski also said that Lewis-Palmer High School and Palmer Ridge High School currently offer classes in health science in advance of this subject being offered at the CIC. Other future offerings include Artificial Intelligence and the design and construction of unmanned aircraft.
Representatives from Nunn Construction and Hollis + Miller Architects were recognized for their contributions to the construction and redesign of the building, and district staff from many departments were recognized for their work in the final weekend before opening the center to students. A plaque naming all of those involved will be permanently displayed in the center. For further details on the recognitions, please see boarddocs.
Financial planning and analysis
Chief Business Officer Brett Ridgway reported that September is a light month for his department due to the district calendar. The fiscal year begins July 1 and the student count is done around Oct. 1. The district is preparing for the annual audit.
A new feature of the financial planning process is a poster to be displayed at each school for that location’s capital improvement priorities. Ridgway said that the principals appreciate having the graphic representation of priorities.
When asked the number of employees in the district, Ridgway said 751 individuals are considered “regular” employees, those who receive a regular paycheck. This would include office staff, teachers, transportation, food services, and administration. In another category are stipended employees, such as coaches.
Turnover figures include those who remained in the district but changed jobs.
Announcement of candidates
Upchurch announced that two board seats are up for election in November. Tim Bennett is running for District 1, and Jackie Burhans and Ginger Schaaf are running for District 3. There will be a candidate forum on Sept. 29, and all are welcome to attend and submit questions. The forum will be livestreamed on the lewispamer.org website.
Board goals approved
The board voted to approve a list of goals for the coming year. These are arranged by strategic plan category and completion date. Please see boarddocs for the list.
Upchurch suggested including the cost of each goal in the document.
Note: The Parent and Community Advisory Committee discussed these goals in detail at its Sept. 9 meeting. Please see the article about that committee on page < 6 >.
High School student representatives
Lewis-Palmer High School seniors Caroline Anderson and Aiden Pepper attended the meeting. They showed a presentation about school activities, including homecoming and the annual Harvest of Love drive. The school fight song has been rewritten to be more inclusive.
The original song referred to football, and the new version refers to trying your best, so it can be used in all gatherings, including those about academic excellence in addition to sports.
Student representatives are welcome to participate in discussions and ask questions but are not authorized to vote as they are not elected members of the board
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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 learning center, 146 N. Jefferson St. in Monument. For information, contact vwood@lewispalmer.org.
Harriet Halbig may be reached at harriethalbig@ocn.me.
Other Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education articles
- Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education special meeting and work session, Jan. 6 – Board approves financing, receives audit report and draft of Annual Report to the Community (2/4/2026)
- Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, Jan. 26 – Reports on Home School Enrichment Academy structure, Transition program location (2/4/2026)
- Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, Dec. 2 and 15 – Officers elected; recognitions; approval of annual mill levy (1/1/2026)
- Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, Nov. 17 – Reports on CIC and Safety and Security (12/4/2025)
- Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, Oct. 20 – Monument Academy annual report, Home School Enrichment Academy, and Transitions program update (10/30/2025)
- Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, Aug.18 – Board discusses facilities planning, Career and Innovation Center, budget (9/4/2025)
- Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, June 16 – Board finalizes plans for HSEA structure, approves 2025-26 budget (7/3/2025)
- 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)
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