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OCN > 2509 > Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, Aug.18 – Board discusses facilities planning, Career and Innovation Center, budget

Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, Aug.18 – Board discusses facilities planning, Career and Innovation Center, budget

By Harriet Halbig

The Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education discussed progress on the Career and Innovation Center, facilities planning, and the supplemental budget at its Aug. 18 meeting.

Career and Innovation Center

New Director of Innovative Programs Amy Sienkowski spoke of progress in readying the Career and Innovation Center (CIC) for occupancy during the fall semester.

Sienkowski reminded the board that the goal of the CIC is to offer pathway-aligned programs and work-based learning.

Course offerings were developed based on conversations with similar centers in other districts, local businesses, and potential supporters in the industry. It was decided early in the process to offer courses in such areas as welding, engineering, homebuilding, and health science. Later in the process, it was decided to house the Transitions Program in the CIC building.

Sienkowski pointed out that development of the course offerings and demolition and reconstruction of parts of the physical building were achieved in much shorter time than originally anticipated. Inspections have been completed.

The final step is to acquire a certificate of occupancy, and students began to attend classes on Aug. 25. An open house for district staff was scheduled for Aug. 22 and a ribbon-cutting shortly thereafter.

There are 136 students registered for classes at the center. Director of Planning, Facilities, and Grounds Melissa Andrews said that attention has been paid to making parking lots and all facilities ADA-compliant so that students arriving by bus will be able to navigate the entrances.

She showed a brief slideshow of progress on the interior of the building.

It is hoped that coursework will be followed by total immersion in the form of internships or externships

Chief Business Officer Brett Ridgway briefly explained that the CIC is located in an Enterprise Zone. This program, administered by the Office of Economic Development and International Trade, enables individuals or businesses who donate funds or stock to receive a tax credit of 25% for monetary contributions and 12.5% for stock.

The Town of Monument brought this program to Ridgway’s attention He said that the district qualifies for participation because it is developing the local work force.

Former Director of Innovative Programs Jessica McAllister spoke briefly about her experience in planning the center.

Priority 4: Operations and Facility planning

Priority 4 of the district’s strategic plan addresses facilities planning.

Andrews explained the process for evaluating the condition of district facilities and prioritizing projects to improve them.

During the 2024-25 school year, members of the Facilities Department and school staff members conducted walk-throughs of building interiors. In 2025, walk-throughs of the exterior were conducted.

A spreadsheet was created to prioritize the urgency of improvements by school for jobs such as painting walls and stripes on playing fields and replacing roofs and heating and cooling equipment

An additional goal is to document maintenance requirements such as striping and waxing floors, which happen on a predictable basis.

To ensure transparency, Andrews said that the spreadsheet will soon be available on the district website.

To view the spreadsheet, please go to the district website, lewispalmer.org, board of education, boarddocs by the meeting date.

Current projects include making final arrangements for the district’s downtown property. The Monument Planning Commission has approved the district’s proposed use of the property. Yet to come is approval by the Town Council. Surveying has been completed. Once the Town Council has voted on Sept. 15, the sale of a parcel to Tri-Lakes Cares may be completed.

The department will also evaluate operational performance within the district in such areas as transportation, nutrition, grounds, and facilities.

Budget report

Ridgway reported on minor changes in the budget covering the fiscal year ending June 30. He said that generally, the district succeeded in spending 98%-100% of its budget during the 2024-25 year.

Some unexpected revenue came from an insurance settlement due to a truck accident.

He said that thousands of individual accounts are involved in the budget process, and he is attempting to separate them all to examine the district’s finances in detail.

To view Ridgway’s presentation, please see boarddocs.

The board voted to approve the supplemental budget.

Staff recognition

The board presented Elevate 38 Staff recognition to two departments in the district.

The Transportation Department was recognized for its contributions to the success of the town’s Fourth of July festivities.

Transportation Manager Julie Abeyta introduced members of her team who drove buses to ferry people from Lewis-Palmer High School to the parade site, decorated a bus to drive in the parade and cleaned the bus afterward. She especially thanked Van Kimmey for driving the shuttle bus. Members of the team were awarded plaques for their contributions.

Above: At its Aug. 18 meeting, the Lewis-Palmer School District 38 Board of Education recognized the district’s transportation team for its continued support of the Town of Monument’s Fourth of July celebration. For the 15th year, the team operated a shuttle from Lewis-Palmer High School to downtown Monument, helping paradegoers access the festivities. In addition, the team decorated a D38 school bus, which driver Van Kimmey proudly drove in the parade with students and staff aboard. Operations Manager Julie Abeyta introduced the team and highlighted each member’s role. Kimmey praised the department’s strong communication, training, and team culture at the bus barn. Back row, from left: Assistant Supervisor Mike Shad, Julie Abeyta, Route Drivers Sumitra Black and Marty Taylor, and Special Needs Driver Gary Tamblyn. Front row: Superintendent Amber Whetstine, Dispatcher Kirsty Castellano, Route Driver Tommy Fern, Kimmey, and Board President Tiffiney Upchurch. Photo courtesy of D38.

The district Communications team was recognized for a number of achievements.

Director of Communications Amy Matisek was recognized for being accredited in public relations for her drive, professionalism, and principles. This accreditation involved an online course and a lengthy exam.

Matisek recognized Social Media Specialist and Photographer Stephanie

Gonzalez, who received awards for her work on the state and national levels and was named Rookie of the Year at the state level by the School Public Relations Association.

Communications Specialist Tyler Dumas, who operates the board meeting livestream, was also recognized.

Above: School District 38 Superintendent Amber Whetstine recognized Communications Director Amy Matisek for earning her Accreditation in Public Relations (APR), a professional certification that requires a panel presentation and a four-hour, 158-question exam administered in Washington, D.C. Matisek called the APR a significant career milestone. She also highlighted Stephanie Gonzalez, part-time social media specialist and photographer, who received the Rookie of the Year award from the Colorado Public Relations Association. Matisek and former Communications Director Mark Belcher submitted a letter of recommendation on Gonzalez’s behalf. Communication Specialist Tyler Dumas, formerly with a local news program, was recognized for his work facilitating the livestreaming of D38 meetings. Pictured from left: board President Tiffiney Upchurch, Matisek, Dumas, Gonzalez, and Whetstine. Photo courtesy of D38.

New administration members

In her Superintendent Spotlight, Superintendent Amber Whetstine introduced new Director of Innovative Programs Amy Sienkowski and new Human Resources Director Michaela Vanderheiden.

Action items

The board voted to approve changes in some policies involving school enrollment and other issues. Notable among these was the policy that members of the board will not receive compensation for their time.

The board approved a resolution to contact the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder to confirm participation in the Nov. 4 election. Vicki Wood was designated as the district’s representative.

The subject of student fee revisions was pulled for discussion from the Consent Agenda.

Ridgway said that there is a fee schedule for all in-district students to participate in sports and some classes. Part of the per pupil revenue for all students contributes to these fees. In the case of sports where out-of-district students participate, it was decided that the annual fee per pupil will be $150. Sports include swimming and ice hockey.

The board approved the consent agenda.

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The Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education meets at 6 p.m. on the third Monday of the month at the district’s Learning Center, 146 Jefferson St. in Monument. The next meeting is Sept.15. For information, contact vwood@lewispalmer.org.

Harriet Halbig may be reached at harriethalbig@ocn.me.

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