By Harriet Halbig
The Lewis-Palmer D 38 board of education held a special meeting and work session on Jan. 6 to approve an agreement with Eastern Colorado Bank for assistance with capital funding.
Capital funding discussion
Chief Business Officer Brett Ridgway presented a proposal from Eastern Colorado Bank to facilitate financing of the Home School Enrichment Academy pod project and maintain financial flexibility (protecting cash reserves) while doing so.
Eastern Colorado Bank has selected Holman Capital as its facilitator because the bank has no in-house counsel.
Ridgway said that he has worked with the bank in the past when he worked in a different school district.
The district has had initial approval from the state for construction of the pod and can now approach the Regional Building Department for a permit to begin work on the foundation.
Ridgway explained that at its December meeting, the board discussed the possible need for capital financing assistance for such near-term projects as the demolition of Grace Best Education Center and moving the Transitions program into the enterprise building.
The board approved a motion to authorize Ridgway to arrange the financing and sign on behalf of the district.
Work session discussions
The board received a rough draft of the district’s Annual Report to the Community, presented by Director of Communications Amy Matisek.
Matisek said her office examined award-winning reports from many school districts, took care to include effective photographs, and added a section on awards and other recognitions of the district.
The annual report is an eight-page document that is mailed to all ZIP codes included in the district, with additional copies to be mailed to the Larkspur ZIP code.
Matisek said the goal is to have the report mailed by the end of January. She said the Chamber of Commerce will also have copies, and she will provide some to members of the board.
Ridgway briefly reported on the results of the district’s 2025 audit, which was submitted to the state in late December. He explained that an audit is a very scripted document and, therefore, more difficult to understand than the monthly financial statements created by his office for board meetings.
Superintendent Amber Whetstine led a discussion regarding board members attending district meetings as liaisons and asked that each member also select a priority from the district’s strategic plan to sponsor.
The board adjourned into executive session to discuss the superintendent’s mid-year review and safety and security protocols.
Harriet Halbig may be reached at harriethalbig@ocn.me.
Other D38 Board of Education articles
- Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, Jan. 26 – Reports on Home School Enrichment Academy structure, Transition program location (2/4/2026)
- Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, Dec. 2 and 15 – Officers elected; recognitions; approval of annual mill levy (1/1/2026)
- Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, Nov. 17 – Reports on CIC and Safety and Security (12/4/2025)
- Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, Oct. 20 – Monument Academy annual report, Home School Enrichment Academy, and Transitions program update (10/30/2025)
- Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, Sept. 15 – State assessment results; school accreditation; Career and Innovation Center update (10/2/2025)
- Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, Aug.18 – Board discusses facilities planning, Career and Innovation Center, budget (9/4/2025)
- Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, June 16 – Board finalizes plans for HSEA structure, approves 2025-26 budget (7/3/2025)
- Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, May 19 – Whetstine named superintendent; board receives annual committee reports (6/7/2025)
- Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, April 22 – Board announces finalists for superintendent, approves construction and location of Home School Enrichment Academy (5/3/2025)
- Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, March 17 – Board posts superintendent position internally, receives updates on Home School Enrichment Academy and Transitions Services (4/5/2025)
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