OCN

Volunteers reporting on community issues in Monument, Palmer Lake, and the surrounding Tri-Lakes area

OCN > 2512 > Monument Academy School Board, Nov. 13 – Board hears audit, marketing updates

Monument Academy School Board, Nov. 13 – Board hears audit, marketing updates

By Jackie Burhans

The Monument Academy (MA) School Board met on Nov. 13 to hear about its financial audit and a marketing update, spotlight its Parent Teacher Organizations (PTO), and revise policies.

Financial audit

Finance Director Laura Polen introduced Jessie Seibert, an audit manager with Hoelting & Co., who reviewed MA’s 2024-25 fiscal year audit. Seibert said that the firm has given MA an unmodified or clean opinion again this year. She noted that the work had begun in August with Polen and interim Chief Financial Officer Glenn Gustafson providing the necessary items, which ensured a smooth process. The audit has two formats: government-wide and fund statements, which include capital assets and long-term debt, as well as statements reflecting the day-to-day operations of the school.

Seibert noted that the report compares the net position year on year, highlighting an increase in cash investments of $2.1 million and an increase in capital assets. She also noted a $32 million loan balance and $937,000 paid in debt services. The school’s share of $14.9 million unfunded Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) liability had decreased by $1.3 million, she said. Overall, there was a $3.1 million increase in MA’s net position.

A prior period adjustment of $481,250 for unreported capital assets net of depreciation (the value of a company’s long-term tangible assets after subtracting accumulated depreciation) and $550,000 unreported debt was made related to the new building. MA also implemented GASB 101 as required and restated its absence liability based on what was earned by employees. These changes affected the government-wide statements rather than the budget or day-to-day finances.

Looking at the General Fund balance, Seifert said that the percentage of fund balance to expenditures went from 22% to 39%, resulting in an increase in days of cash on hand from 80 to 140. She noted that charter schools generally maintained 90 to 120 days cash on hand. Revenue increased by 14% due to donations and increased state per pupil revenue, and expenses increased by 12% leading to $2.9 million increase in the fund balance, which was larger than the budgeted increase.

Seibert ended by saying that Hoelting had found no internal control deficiencies again this year.

Update on marketing

Executive Director Collin Vinchattle updated the board on marketing projects by Inkyma Marketing, the firm they contracted with in September 2025. He noted that Inkyma was close to refreshing the website with a new home page, pages for each campus, and a revamped enrollment page. There will also be a rewards and recognition section for teachers and students. There are also Google ads, Facebook, and Instagram accounts ready to launch, he said.

Vinchattle said that videographers would be on campus in December for parent testimonials and a day at MA. Inkyma is looking to place ads with QR codes leading to a landing page at ACTV Digital Marketing Network (see http://home.activ.digital) locations such as doctors’ offices. MA will also send automated emails to follow up on school tours and is in discussions on creating student-led TikTok and YouTube shorts.

The launch of the new marketing efforts is slated for late November to early December.

PTOs spotlighted

Board President Ryan Graham spotlighted the East and West Campus Parent-Teacher Organizations (PTOs), whose commitment and energy have had a significant impact on school culture. The PTOs create memorable experiences and build stronger connections among families, staff, and students, he said. He recognized Andrea Howard, Kristy Davis, Sarah Dorman, Jessica Paulucci, Melody Pautzke, Susanne Hoffman, Mary Varma, and Katie Campbell.

Caption: At the Nov. 13 meeting of the MA board, board President Ryan Graham recognized the West and East Campus Parent Teacher Organizations (PTOs) for creating memorable experiences and building stronger connections among families, staff, and students. He recognized West Campus PTO President Andrea Howard, Kristy Davis, Sarah Dorman, Jessica Paulucci, Melody Pautzke, Susanne Hoffman, Mary Varma, and Katie Campbell. From left are Graham, board member Jilinda Dygert, PTO representatives Davis, Howard, and Pautzke, Vice President Lindsay Clinton, and board member Matt Ross. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

West Campus PTO President Howard thanked the board for inviting them, saying the mission of the PTO is to support teachers, enrich student experience, and strengthen the school community. She noted that the Lynx on the Run event had achieved 190% of its goal. She thanked the volunteers, event chairs, generous donors, and the supportive and encouraging administration, saying that PTO officers are grateful to be part of the team.

Pautzke said that East Campus PTO officers were unable to attend and noted that the West Campus PTO has been very collaborative. She said it was fun to do homecoming together with West Campus and she was excited for the monthly teacher meals and the upcoming Christmas party. Pautzke said she was grateful to the board and parents.

Policy updates

The board heard a first reading of policy IJ Selection of Instructional Materials Policy and Procedures, which will be brought back in December for approval. Board member Jilinda Dygert explained that the changes clarified the curriculum committee’s intent to communicate changes or additions to primary curriculum. The policy includes the newly created educational philosophy to be used to evaluate curriculum. Curriculum is approved on a six-year cycle, and any updates must be reviewed, she said. Director of Academics Tina Leone provided input to help simplify the rubric used to score the curriculum, which should be added as an exhibit to this policy, Dygert said.

The board unanimously approved the following policy updates, which were reviewed by MA’s legal counsel:

  • 1514A MA Board Code of Conduct was renamed to BC-MA with an updated reference to Colorado Revised Statute, more specific language on offenses of misconduct, a new area specifying consequences for failure to disclose misconduct, and additional points of contact.
  • 1514B MA Board of Directors New Members Election Process was renamed BDE-MA and modified to make the voting process more specific on which votes count and what to do if there is a violation. Record retention was extended to three to seven years, and the point of contact was updated to the executive director.
  • 1522 Donating to Monument Academy was changed to DDF-MA with updated language honoring donors’ wishes so long as they are legal and fit with MA’s direction, or giving the option to withdraw the donation or direct it elsewhere. The policy language was updated as to tax receipts, specifying that donors are responsible for tax information on their end.
  • 1525 State Assessment Refusal Policy was changed to ISA-MA, updating the timeline to submit the opt-out form and adding language to counsel parents about a new state law that penalizes MA if a parent opts out after testing has started.
  • 1525 State Assessments Administrative was changed to CSA-MA, updating the timeline to publish the assessment calendar and communicate to parents. It was also updated to reflect the title of executive director.

The board unanimously voted to rescind policy 1524 Longevity Bonus Pay, noting that the amounts don’t make a huge difference, and the administration is looking for other avenues to support teachers and bring in a better approach to retention. Graham noted that the policy hadn’t been used in years and affirmed that this decision simply cleaned up the policies and would not have a negative impact on staff.

Note: Board policies can be found at https://tinyurl.com/ma-policies.

Highlights

Board meeting highlights include:

  • Executive Director. Vinchattle reported on the well-attended Trunk and Treat event put on by the PTO and lauded the boys’ cross-country team for its state championship. He also noted the veterans’ breakfast and assemblies at both campuses. Upcoming events included “Get the Scoop” with ice cream and tours for families new to MA and “Let’s Taco ‘bout High School” with dinner and presentations to seventh- and eighth-graders on internships, leadership opportunities, clubs, athletics, and academic programming for college credits such as Advanced Placement (AP) classes.
  • Finance Director Polen reviewed the September financials by school and fund, which showed a loss of $236,246 for the high school but a net income of $98,400 across all schools. She said that MA had a rating call with S&P on Nov. 3 that went well and was awaiting results. The audit went well and had few clarifying journal entries. There have been several design and pricing meetings on the new track and field, and she is working with principals on the mid-year budget, Polen said.
  • Curriculum. Vice President Lindsay Clinton reported that Curriculum East reviewed campus field trips. The big project, she said, was a communication plan in five phases over a year to guide teachers toward a full implementation of core knowledge. This relates to policy IJ-MA which was given a first reading.
  • Student Accountability and Advisory Committee (SAAC) West. Clinton said the committee received a presentation on marketing and communications from Kendra Kuhlman and reviewed questions for the mid-year survey to be sent out on Dec. 5 with a deadline of Jan. 5. She noted there would be rewards for classes with more than 50% participation, such as a free dress day. Clinton also noted that MA hosted the Nov. 18 meeting of D38’s Parent and Community Advisory Committee (PCAC) at the west campus.
  • SAAC East. Dygert reported that the committee heard about the hiring process from Director of People Operations Krista Pelley. The committee reviewed a handout on how to make survey questions statistically relevant in anticipation of the upcoming mid-year survey. It also heard from Samantha Caputo on Gifted and Talented (GT) programs and funding, including a comparison with D38’s programs.

**********

The MA School Board meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month. The next regular board meeting will be on Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m. at the East Campus. The agenda and packet are available at tinyurl.com/ma-boarddocs.

Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me.

Other Monument Academy articles

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *