Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, Dec. 16 – Board learns about Information Technology Department; Career and Innovation Center update; annual mill levy certification

Board recognitions
Information Technology presentation
Career and Innovation Center update
Financial planning and analysis
Director district boundaries
Mill levy certification
Calendar approved

By Harriet Halbig

The Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education recognized student and staff achievements, heard a report on the Information Technology Department and updates on the Career and Innovation Center, and certified its annual mill levy at its Dec. 16 meeting.

Board recognitions

The board recognized 12 students for being chosen for the All State Choir. Six of the students were from middle school and six from high school. Vocal music instructors Madeline Smith (Lewis-Palmer High School and Palmer Ridge High School) and Lee Meyer (Lewis-Palmer Middle School) introduced the students who then gave a brief performance.

High school students are Benton Miles and Annie Erminger from Palmer Ridge and Mayah Piotrowski, Leah Reyes, Jonathan Lilley, and Maren Stickrath from Lewis-Palmer High School.

From the middle school are Anna Hunt (seventh grade), Sophia Montero (seventh grade), Piper Heidrich (eighth grade), Eden Bernard (eighth grade), Grant Hammershock (eighth grade), and Tye Walsh (eighth grade).

The instructors explained the audition process and the fact that the music festival for the high school students will be on Feb. 8-10 in Denver at the Embassy Suites and Buell Theatre, and the middle school event will be at the Colorado Convention Center on Feb. 8.

Each student received a plaque from the board to celebrate their achievement.

**Above:** At its Dec. 16 board meeting, the D38 board recognized district secondary students selected to participate in All-State Choir events. Vocal music instructor Madeline Smith led the students in a performance of Jingle Bells. Students from Palmer Ridge included Benton Miles and Annie Erminger. Lewis-Palmer High School students included Mayah Piotrowski, Leah Reyes, Jonathan Lilley, and Maren Stickrath. Lewis-Palmer Middle School students included Anna Hunt (seventh grade), Sophia Montero (seventh grade), Piper Heidrich (eighth grade), Eden Bernard (eighth grade), Grant Hammershock (eighth grade), and Tye Walsh (eighth grade). The Colorado All-State Choir at the high school level will perform at a festival on Feb. 8-10 at the Embassy Suites and the Buell Theatre in Denver. The middle school choir will perform at a festival at the Colorado Convention Center on Feb. 7. All-State Choir members are flanked on the left by Superintendent Dr. Stacie Datteri and on the right by Board President Tiffiney Upchurch. Smith is third from the left. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

The board also recognized the staff of the district’s Information Technology Department for its work to provide upgraded technology services district wide. Director of Technology Chris Mack introduced members of his team: Leslie Boyce (database specialist), Steve Heiser (network administrator) and Josh Hill (lead tech).

Mack said the turnover rate for technology departments is often high and swift and that he is pleased that members of his team have all stayed for an extended period of time. The team was awarded a certificate to acknowledge its achievements.

**Above:** At its Dec. 16 board meeting, the D38 board recognized members of its IT staff. Communication Director Amy Matisek celebrated the team’s commitment to elevating technology across the district. Ridgway said he appreciated the skill and stability of the IT team thanks to the leadership of Director of Technology Chris Mack. Mack introduced three of the 13 team members who could attend: Leslie Boyce, database specialist; Steve Heiser, network administrator; and Josh Hill, lead technician. Mack said he and the team before the board have over 50 years in the district. The team installed new landline phones in all buildings at the beginning of the school year, ensuring updated and uninterrupted telephone service. From left, in the back, are board members Ron Schwarz and Todd Brown, Mack, Ridgway, board member Kris Norris, and Superintendent Dr. Stacie Datteri. From left in the front are board member Dr. Patti Shank, Heiser, Boyce, Hill, and board President Tiffiney Upchurch. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

Information Technology presentation

Mack explained the components of his department and the fact that the department consists of 13 employees including five desktop support technicians to serve eight schools, six people in Big Red, the director, and a part-time administrative assistant.

Mack said high school and middle school students generally use Chromebooks while staff devices are Windows PCs and laptops. In total there are about 6,500 computers in the district. All run on the same server and networking software.

Security software includes Crowdstrike (funded by a grant) and Mimecast with regular updates from Microsoft and exterior scanning from two vendors.

Mack then described security protocols including the use of multi-factor authentication and internal audits of user accounts. Technology Services personnel accounts have no special permissions.

The department is provided with security alerts from several vendors and is an active member of the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center.

Board President Tiffiney Upchurch asked how identifiable student data is protected by the department. Mack said that the department protects information in its software but once it is in the cloud it is vulnerable. The district would be notified by Canvas were there a breech.

Board Treasurer Ron Schwarz asked what additional assets the department should purchase. Mack responded that there are modules of Crowdstrike and Mimecast which the district is not utilizing.

Chief Business Officer Brett Ridgway told the board it should feel free to communicate with Mack, as the district invests $2 million per year on technology. Technology involves the effectiveness of the delivery of education, he said.

Career and Innovation Center update

Assistant Superintendent Amber Whetstine introduced Director of Innovative Programs Jessica McAllister, who presented an update on developments at the Career and Innovation Center.

McAllister showed slides of a timeline for the development of the courses and architectural renderings of meeting spaces and corridors in the new center.

McAllister then explained that January will see visits to targeted populations in classrooms and study halls to familiarize students with the potential of the center followed by an interest survey to determine the potential number of applicants.

The application process will also be created at the beginning of the year followed by registration in February and March.

McAllister showed a slide of pages from the sponsorship packet and explained the stages of seeking sponsorship from introduction through implementation, which would include allowing funds to purchase equipment, highlighting progress through reports, media, and public events, and providing recognition for sponsors through such things as branding spaces and mounting plaques.

Upchurch asked the middle school representatives in attendance if they had questions, and they said they didn’t understand the subject. McAllister explained that some of the pathways which would lead to the center begin in middle school including the Gateway to Technology program and classes in biotechnology, journalism, and skilled trades.

To view McAllister’s presentation, please see boarddocs under the Board of Education tab on the district website, lewispalmer.org.

Financial planning and analysis

Ridgway reported that he had received the report on the district’s annual audit that same day. He said it looks good and only needs some final details to be added. He said that he hopes to finalize it within the week.

Regarding the student count, Ridgway reported that Bear Creek Elementary has gained 18 students since the student count on Oct. 1. Asked whether this increase would result in increased per pupil revenue for the district, he said that is not the case. He said there are discussions with the governor to make Oct. 1 not the only day for a count.

Upchurch asked whether ending the use of student count averaging would adversely affect the district. He said that it would not impact D38 as strongly as it would urban districts whose enrollment is declining rapidly. He said at most it would impact D38 by $500,000 out of a $50 million budget. He does not think averaging will go away.

Upchurch said she has been asked whether the increase in property values will result in an increase in per pupil funding for the district.

Ridgway responded that the increase in property tax receipts only affects the share of education funding provided by the district as opposed to the state. He also said that property values are determined every two years resulting in D38 not altering the mill levy significantly this year. On average the values increase 7% to 15%, but last year they increased by over 30%.

Ridgway also commented that the increase in interest income for the district has been significant over the last few years. When asked whether some of this income could be used for a one-time compensation bonus for the district’s staff, he said that may be possible.

Director district boundaries

State statute requires that director districts have equal populations. The board approved an alteration to the map.

Mill levy certification

Ridgway reported that the mill levy involves income from property taxes, the School Finance Act, a local mill levy override which yields $4 million annually, and a bond levy for 12 months to service debt. He recommended a mill levy of 37.5 mills like last year.

Board approved the mill levy of 37.5 mills.

Calendar approved

The board approved the school calendar for the 2025-26 school year.

The board went into executive session to continue the superintendent’s performance evaluation. The board voted to invite Superintendent Dr. Stacie Datteri to join them for the second half of the session.

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The Lewis-Palmer D 38 Board of Education generally meets at 6 p.m. on the third Monday of the month in the district’s learning center, 146 Jefferson St., Monument. The next meeting will be held on Jan. 21 due to school closure on Jan. 20 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. For information, contact vwood@lewispalmer.org

Harriet Halbig may be reached at harriethalbig@ocn.me