By Harriet Halbig
The Lewis-Palmer D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee (PCAC) revisited discussions of its bylaws and results of a recent survey of staff by the Human Resources Department.
Bylaws discussion
Co-chair Renee Butler reminded the committee of a suggestion received regarding the makeup of the committee.
An individual had expressed concern that the committee comprised the same individuals for many years, largely because members wished to participate while their children were in school.
Butler received a suggestion that there be term limits for membership and that the leadership roles should circulate between schools to ensure that all would be heard. A possible objection to this idea is that the committee may not get the best leadership.
Members of the committee discussed this issue in 10-minute sessions designed for small groups of about eight.
One member said that she was unaware of what the PCAC was for and what its responsibilities were. Butler responded that the committee holds an orientation session at its August meeting.
Another member suggested that there should be a subcommittee devoted to encouraging feedback from the schools and the public, which could then be addressed by the committee.
Another member said that they heard that the Board of Education provided the committee with information to be distributed to the schools.
Board President Ron Schwarz said the board values the committee as a source of rapid and accurate feedback.
In the second session, a member suggested that the membership and public individuals should be listed separately, and the public should be encouraged to attend. In a related matter, a member said it would be useful if the committee notified the public of the subjects to be discussed at the next meeting and its location.
It was also suggested that there be a family engagement subcommittee to ensure that information is available.
Butler said the committee must vote at its May meeting to finalize the bylaws.
As a point of reference, Butler distributed a document from the Colorado Department of Education listing the responsibilities of the District Accountability Advisory Committee (now called PCAC).
This list demonstrates that the D38 committee has a much larger membership than required and more subcommittees, said Co-chair Renee Butler.
A primary state requirement is that there be at least three parents of students enrolled in the district, at least one teacher employed by the district, at least one administrator employed by the district, and at least one person involved in business in the community within district boundaries.
In D38, all schools are represented by a parent and a staff member. There are also community members in attendance and at least two students at each meeting.
Priority 3: valuing our people
Human Resources Director Michaela Vanderheiden reminded the committee of her presentation at the February meeting (to view the presentation, go to the district website lewispalmer.org, family resources, community, district committee, and choose meeting content for the Feb. 10 meeting).
There wasn’t sufficient time to discuss the issue at the February meeting, and therefore it was postponed to the April meeting.
Three questions from a recent staff survey scored the lowest in response.
The first of these is, “I feel that district-level resources are allocated to maximize effectiveness across the organization.”
Comments from committee members included how the district communicates about what each school is requesting, and whether teachers of all subjects have the opportunity to meet district-wide to discuss needs and requests. Members said this would help all to understand how resources are allocated.
Superintendent Amber Whetstine stressed the value of staff meetings as an opportunity to offer feedback.
The second of these is, “I feel that the district culture supports open and honest communication.”
Some comments mentioned that teachers need support and need to realize there is someone they can talk with to express frustration.
Another comment is that if we are referring to culture by school, perhaps having staff teach each other’s classes occasionally will increase their understanding.
The third subject is, “I see progress being made to create a culture of success for employees across the district for those we serve.”
The primary response to this issue was a discussion of possible non-monetary rewards to be given to acknowledge achievement.
One member said a possible reward would be to get discounts from local businesses. Another said that she had been getting free coupons for pizza and other items for years and that this response is getting old. Another member suggested the use of honor coins, designed especially for this purpose.
A final suggestion was to have a member of the board or administration teach the class of a high-achieving teacher to acknowledge their value.
Vanderheiden said that next year’s survey will come from a new source.
Subcommittee reports
A member of the Financial Transparency Committee gave a detailed report of the committee’s discussions on such subjects as considering joining the Colorado Benefits Trust to decrease health care costs, how to respond to the decline in revenue due to declining enrollment, and what the possible effect of the Monument Athletic Complex would be.
The Special Education Committee report noted that the annual Aliorum Dei program would be held the following week. This program acknowledges individuals (district staff or others) who play a part in the life of students with disabilities.
School presentation
Prairie Winds Elementary School Principal Kimberly Runyan gave a presentation about her school’s history and activities. To view the presentation, please see the website as described above.
Board President Schwarz gave gifts to co-chairs Renee Butler and Kristen Zook for their years of service.
Butler reminded the members that two new co-chairs will be needed for next year.
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The Parent and Community Advisory Committee meets six times a year. Locations vary. The May 12 meeting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the district’s Career and Innovation Center, 1200 Synthes Ave. in Monument. For a tour of the facility, arrive one-half hour early. For additional information, please contact tmckee@lewispalmer.org,
Harriet Halbig may be reached at harriethalbig@ocn.me‑.
Other Lewis-Palmer D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee articles
- D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, Feb. 10 – Update on Priority 3, Valuing Our People; introduction to Lewis-Palmer High School; discussion about report to board (3/4/2026)
- Parent and Community Advisory Committee, Jan. 13 – Continued discussion of board Priority 2, Academic Excellence, report from Monument Academy (2/4/2026)
- Lewis-Palmer D 38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, Nov. 18 – Accreditation discussion; post-election report (12/4/2025)
- D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, Oct. 14 – Board goals feedback; work toward maintaining academic excellence (10/30/2025)
- Lewis-Palmer D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, Sept. 9 – Committee discusses plans for relationship with Board of Education in upcoming school year (10/2/2025)
- D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, May 13 – Budget priorities, 2025-26 committee goals discussed (6/7/2025)
- D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, April 8 – Discussion of Priority 2 academic excellence, superintendent search (5/3/2025)
- D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, Feb. 11 – Selection of new superintendent, treatment of Grace Best Elementary School, budget process discussed (3/1/2025)
- D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, Nov. 12 – Reports on school year calendar, safety and security, and social and emotional wellness (12/5/2024)
- D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, Oct. 8 – Grace Best Elementary School, Career-Innovation Center plans discussed (11/2/2024)
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