Lewis-Palmer D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, Sept. 9 – Committee discusses plans for relationship with Board of Education in upcoming school year

By Harriet Halbig

The Parent and Community Advisory Committee (PCAC) of Lewis-Palmer District 38 discussed plans for the 2025-26 school year at its Sept. 9 meeting.

Renee Butler and Kirsten Zook will serve as co-chairs for a second year.

Continuing last year’s committee goals, Zook announced that the committee will emphasize its responsibilities as an advisory committee to the Board of Education. Last year’s meetings emphasized providing information to members, while this year will emphasize group discussion. This will involve increased interchange between the board and Pcac throughout the year with respect to the district’s strategic plan and activities such as the election of two new members of the board.

In support of this goal, Zook announced that there will be a member of the board at each PCAC meeting and encouraged committee members to attend board meetings in person or view the livestream to be up to date on board discussions and priorities.

Board President Tiffiney Upchurch explained resources available to members on the district website. These include the livestream of meetings and boarddocs, which provides PowerPoint presentations from board meetings.

At this meeting, members were provided with a list of board goals based on the district strategic plan. Some examples are:

• Provide safe and healthy schools: Create a cellphone policy, balance learning and technology with mental health needs, and complete at least one physical security or safety innovation by September 2026
• Maintain academic excellence by ranking in the top 10% of districts in Colorado, and elevate student experience with the Career and Innovation Center by planning for Phase 2 Pathways
• Value our people by increasing the retention rate of the most effective teachers, improving teacher compensation, and positioning D38 as a destination district for employees
• Operations and Facilities Planning to include developing a master plan for the district’s downtown property and for a permanent home for the district’s ages 18-21 Transitions program.
• Demonstrate fiscal stewardship by continuing activity by the Financial Transparency Committee and creating a multi-year forecast (by April 2026), improving the efficiency of purchasing and implementation, and refining the process for the Adopt D38 program and the role of the D38 Foundation (by December).
• Improve relationships and communications by improving the website experience to make it accessible for all (by May 2026), elevate advocacy efforts with the Legislature (by February 2026), and leverage board engagement with the schools and community by using a board evaluation process.

An administration member with expertise in each priority was available to answer questions and assist with the discussion. The committee was divided into six tables, each of which would address a goal.

After reporting on the individual discussions, members moved to a second goal for discussion followed by a voting process to determine which goals would receive priority attention during the school year.

An example of discussion on priority 4 (facilities planning) was concern from a committee member that the Transitions program is unproductive. Chief Business Officer Brett Ridgway said that the Transitions program is currently housed in the Career and Innovation Center building but will have a permanent home in the downtown district campus north of the administration building. He also said that the structure to house the Homeschool Enrichment Academy will be in place in early 2026.

Results of the voting will be reported at an upcoming meeting.

Superintendent Amber Whetstine introduced a new organizational chart for the district to include Amy Sienkowski as the new director of Innovative Programs and Michaela Vanderheiden as Human Resources director. Former Human Resources Director Alicia Welch is now executive director for Education Services.

A candidate forum for the Board of Education election was held on Sept. 29, sponsored by the Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce and moderated by Matt Meister.

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The Parent and Community Advisory meets six times per year. Locations vary. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, Oct. 14 at Palmer Ridge High School, 19225 Monument Hill Road at 6 p.m. A school tour will be offered at 5:30. For further 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

• Parent and Community Advisory Committee, Jan. 13 – Continued discussion of board Priority 2, Academic Excellence, report from Monument Academy (2/4/2026)
• Lewis-Palmer D 38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, Nov. 18 – Accreditation discussion; post-election report (12/4/2025)
• D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, Oct. 14 – Board goals feedback; work toward maintaining academic excellence (10/30/2025)
• D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, May 13 – Budget priorities, 2025-26 committee goals discussed (6/7/2025)
• D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, April 8 – Discussion of Priority 2 academic excellence, superintendent search (5/3/2025)
• D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, Feb. 11 – Selection of new superintendent, treatment of Grace Best Elementary School, budget process discussed (3/1/2025)
• D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, Nov. 12 – Reports on school year calendar, safety and security, and social and emotional wellness (12/5/2024)
• D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, Oct. 8 – Grace Best Elementary School, Career-Innovation Center plans discussed (11/2/2024)
• D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, Sept. 10 – Committee discusses strategic plan, assessment results, bylaws change (10/5/2024)
• D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, April 9 – Reports on human resources, fiscal stewardship, superintendent search, and possible new charter school (5/4/2024)