- Career and Innovation Center update
- Safety and Security update
- Board recognitions
- Financial planning and analysis
By Harriet Halbig
On Nov. 17, the Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education received reports on progress at the Career and Innovation Center (CIC) and Priority 1 of the district’s strategic plan dealing with safe and healthy schools.
Career and Innovation Center update
Director of Innovative Programs Amy Sienkowski reported on developments at the Career and Innovation Center (CIC).
The CIC is now participating in a county-wide group called Innovate Pikes Peak, which involves a number of schools in the area. CIC will offer access to its engineering and advanced manufacturing programs to students from participating schools.
A new course in robotics and engineering is being developed as part of the engineering pathway. It may be offered next year, depending on student interest. The course will cover the history and use of robots and automation in industry.
Health science pathways are being developed at district high schools in preparation for being offered at the CIC campus.
At Lewis-Palmer High School, 122 students are enrolled in one or more biomedical courses. These include Principles of Biomedical Science 1 and 2, Biomedical Innovation 1 and 2, Medical Interventions 1 and 2, and Human Body Systems 1 and 2.
At Palmer Ridge High School, 104 students are enrolled in one or more pathway classes including Introduction to Health Science 1 and 2 and Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2.
Students in engineering and advanced manufacturing are completing electronics designs and taking part in design reviews with industry professionals. These individual projects are supported by Eagle Circuit, a Texas company that is providing blank circuit boards and donating production time. Eagle is also supporting programs at Drexel University and the University of Texas at Dallas.
This is the first program of its kind in the state.
Students in aerospace engineering visited Challenger Learning Center, where they launched rockets and tested custom-designed gliders. They will next learn about propulsion systems. The center advocates for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) careers. It offers simulations of space flight and promotes teamwork.
Director of Planning, Facilities and Grounds Melissa Andrews reported on progress in development of the CIC building.
The electrical design of the building is based on new welding equipment funded through a grant. The grant was delayed, resulting in a delay of the purchase of the equipment. Andrews reported that, although there is adequate electricity in the building, some changes will be made regarding the location of breakers.
In the interim, a generator is being provided for the use of the robotics team.
To be completed are observations related to the commissioning of the facility. A commissioning agent is hired test all large systems such as HVAC to make sure everything is in working order to close out the building permit. Nunn Construction will provide updates to the electrical system under architect/engineer instruction and will create the ownership and maintenance manual for the building.
Following final testing, it is hoped that the building can be commissioned in early December.
An additional development at the CIC campus is a coffee and snack bar operated by Transitions program students called Training Grounds.
Board President Tiffney Upchurch asked whether it would be possible to offer additional extracurricular activities at CIC, such as JROTC.
Sienkowski responded that such activities, as well as DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) are being considered, but now the emphasis is on programs currently being offered and those planned, such as in the health sciences. IT and cybersecurity will be new courses in the near future. Skills USA Careers in Construction is another group that is being researched.
Sienkowski also said that CIC is investigating the benefits of being located in an Enterprise Zone, which offers tax advantages to those individuals and businesses who donate to the center.
Board Treasurer Ron Schwarz asked that future reports include information on the continuum of programs development. Board Secretary Dr. Patti Shank also requested including information about grants which have been received and are being sought.
Palmer Ridge senior representative Gavin Schmidt said that he had participated in robotics and is interested in the aerospace program. Palmer Ridge representative Roxy Palmer agreed that CIC provides an enormous opportunity for district students.
Safety and Security update
Executive Director of Student Services Rick Frampton and Director of Safety and Security Dennis Coates reported on developments in strategic priority 1: Safe, Healthy and Welcoming Schools.
Frampton said that the Cell Phone Task Force held its first meeting in October to evaluate the effects of cell phone use by students and staff. A second meeting was scheduled for late November, and it is hoped that a policy on the subject will be presented to the board in March.
Training in connection with Youth Mental Health First Aid was completed. This national program, advocated by Ascent Church in Monument, offers training in recognizing signs of mental distress that may lead to suicide. There are teen and adult training programs available. 185 individuals are currently certified in the area. Ascent Church was recognized by the board earlier in the meeting for its contributions in this area and fundraising from its Hope 5k runs, which have raised over $220,000.
Social worker Amber Newberry offered training to teachers on teaching about personal boundaries. This teaching was initially for middle and high school students, with a program for sixth-graders under development.
Threat and risk assessment training was also completed.
The Safe2Tell and Gaggle programs, which offer anonymous reporting of concerns, continue to be available. Frampton said that the majority of Gaggle reports this year have been school security concerns. Many of students’ entries on Gaggle were part of research for a health class on suicide prevention, Frampton said.
A curriculum about vape prevention is being developed. The program is designed to stress the fact that vaping and smoking are unhealthy. Instead of automatically suspending students, the option of education is offered. The goal is for administrators to be able to determine the consequences on an individual basis.
Asked whether vape detectors may be added in the district, Frampton responded that it is impractical at this time because there are no resources that could respond quickly to individuals. It is possible that testing may be done in the new year.
Superintendent Amber Whetstine said that she has spoken with representatives of districts who have detectors. Incidence in D38 is rare.
Frampton also addressed the results of student surveys over the past three years regarding whether they feel safe at school and whether they feel like part of a community. Results are improving over time.
Coates explained that School Resource Officers are uniformed members of the Sheriff’s Office. The district has a large team of individuals who are retired law enforcement and military personnel. Campus security supervisors are generally stationed at the front desk to screen individuals entering buildings.
Blueprints for architectural changes to improve security at Prairie Winds Elementary have been received.
Upgrades in cameras and audio enhancement have been in progress for three years. Most have been funded by grants. Coates reported that due to these upgrades, he or other security personnel can put a school on lockdown remotely. Coates said that teachers each have a button on their lapel that allows them to report an emergency.
A new card access system allows Coates to cut off or restrict access to individuals much faster. Some buildings already have the system, and it is hoped to be district-wide soon.
Whetstine offered to have an executive session so that the board may be informed in detail about security precautions.
The board discussed a number of changes in district policy. Most were minor. To view these policies, please see boarddocs under the board of education tab in lewispalmer.org.
Board recognitions
The board recognized Palmer Ridge High School sophomore Samuel Yount on completing his Eagle Scout project of creating a community garden and upgrading the outdoor learning area at Prairie Winds Elementary School. He raised over $3,000 for materials for his project.
The board recognized The Ascent Church and Youth Mental Health First Aid for their contributions to the well-being of youth in the area. Lead Pastor Brian Petak, Student Director Jake Hotzfield and Pastor of Discipleship and Missions Joel Gheen were present. The church recently donated $2,500 to the district from this year’s Run4Hope.
Mental Health First Aid Colorado also contributed $4,500 to fund materials for the training of staff in Mental Health First Aid.
The board recognized departing board members Vice President Kris Norris, who has served since 2023, and President Tiffiney Upchurch, who has served since 2017. Both were thanked for their efforts on behalf of the district.
Upchurch received a book with photos from her tenure and comments from district constituents.
Financial planning and analysis
Chief Business Officer Brett Ridgway gave a brief report on financial matters.
Ridgway’s report included the October count of students, which totaled 6,197.9 full-time students, down from the forecast 6,324. Ridgway acknowledged that there is a nationwide decline in birth rates. Due to the high cost of housing in the area, most incoming families have children in secondary school.
Ridgway reported that the district is monitoring the number of students who come in from other districts, those who stay in the district but change schools, and those who leave the district for other nearby districts.
Whetstine commented that district administrators ask incoming students why they chose to be in District 38, and why some chose online or college courses.
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The Lewis-Palmer D 38 Board of Education meets at 6 p.m. on the third Monday of the month in the Bauman Learning Center, 146 Jefferson St. The next meeting will be on Dec. 15. For information, contact vwood@lewispalmer.org.
Harriet Halbig may be reached at harriethalbig@ocn.me.
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