By Lindsey Harrison
The El Paso County School District 49 Board of Education held its monthly meeting May 7 at Sand Creek High School. All board members were present.
Superintendent’s update
Peter Hilts, superintendent, said he participated in a project with GOAL High School to complete an economic impact study with Tatiana Bailey, Ph.D., executive director of the nonprofit Data-Driven Economic Strategies. The study examined how education impacts overall economic conditions and determined that the 1,700 members of GOAL High School’s Class of 2026 will contribute $274 million to the state of Colorado. This estimate is based on the anticipated contributions graduates will make to the economy and the state services they will not need to access, he said.
Hilts also reported that 89 students from Falcon High School, 77 students from Vista Ridge High School and 117 students from Sand Creek High School earned concurrent enrollment credits. In doing so, they and their families will save a total of $447,038, $354,400 and $674,340, respectively, in higher education costs.
Student Board of Representatives’ update
Addison Cowan and Nikkos Clift provided updates. Clift said the Student Board of Representatives met that morning and continued discussions regarding the district’s cell phone policy.
Board update
Marie LaVere-Wright, president, said the Falcon Education Foundation held its annual gala and raised $16,000. She said the foundation is considering taking over the annual D 49 4.9K event since the district is no longer permitted to operate it. LaVere-Wright also reported that she attended the first charter school summit, where all but one of the district’s charter schools were represented, and heard many positive comments.
Lori Thompson, secretary, said May 7 marked the National Day of Prayer, prompting her to research the origins of the national motto, “In God We Trust.” She said the motto was adopted in 1956 and has survived nearly 70 years, despite several legal challenges. Thompson also attended a class where Richard Bell, Ph.D., a history professor at the University of Maryland, discussed the global impact of the American Revolution and its effect on power structures around the world.
Holly Withers, vice president, said she attended various events across the district, including the Vista Ridge High School 3.75 GPA Awards Night, the Sand Creek High School Empty Bowls event and the adaptive track and field day at Falcon High School.
Mike Heil, treasurer, said he participated in an event at Sand Creek High School during which students connected him to an EKG machine as part of their coursework. He also attended the Empty Bowls event and a performance by the Sand Creek High School choral and instrumental music programs.
Jack Ryan, director, thanked everyone for welcoming him to the BOE and said he attended the second annual Falcon Fest and the art show at Bennett Ranch Elementary School.
Action items
The BOE unanimously approved the following:
- Renewal of charter school meal contracts for the 2026-2027 school year with the district’s Nutrition Services Department
- Policy and procedure revisions regarding workers’ compensation, employee benefits, notification of parents regarding alleged criminal conduct by a school employee, and staff leave and absences
- Addition of the Seal of the Gifted Innovation Pathway to the transcripts of students who have completed the pathway
* Student fee schedule for the 2026-2027 school year
Discussion items
Sean Norman, director of applied and advanced learning, presented information about a proposed applied and advanced learning advisor position to manage the rapid growth of work-based learning pathways. He said the position would help ensure students district wide are placed in the appropriate pathways, such as Career and Technical Education and Concurrent Enrollment. Norman said the new position would have no budgetary impact. The BOE unanimously agreed to move the item forward for action at a future meeting.
Molly Padilla, Vista Ridge High School social studies teacher and department chair, presented information regarding a proposed yearlong ninth-grade course called “Human Geography.” She explained the course content, including instruction on the use of geographic tools. Padilla said the course would have no budgetary impact. The BOE unanimously agreed to move the proposal forward for action at a future meeting.
Rebekah Brooks, chief financial officer, presented information about the proposed 2026-2027 district budget along with Heather Diaz, director of finance, and Spencer McCabe, budget manager. Brooks said the proposed budget is based on the Colorado Department of Education’s adopted budget. The anticipated decline in student enrollment next year would result in a loss of about $400,000 based on the district’s current per pupil funding rate, although the state’s proposed budget includes a per pupil funding increase, she said. After discussion, the BOE agreed to vote on the budget at its June 11 meeting.
Lou Fletcher, Ph.D., executive director of joint operations, and Will Benish, program manager at Schneider Electric, presented final information from a nine-month investment grade audit designed to identify and prioritize facility needs across the district that could generate cost savings. After discussion, the BOE unanimously agreed to move the item forward for a vote at the June 11 meeting.
Dave Watson, director of safety and security, presented a safety and security update along with Dave Pratt, senior safety and security specialist, and Travis Cormaney, safety and security specialist. He highlighted departmental changes, including the addition of another patrol officer to serve schools without a dedicated armed officer. Watson also reported on ongoing officer training and safety improvements, such as flashing 20-mph signs in high-traffic areas.
Brett Bateman, vice chair of the District Accountability Advisory Committee, presented information about the committee’s responsibilities under state statute and suggested discussion topics to help the BOE provide guidance to the DAAC.
CharLynn Stegman, health and wellness specialist, provided an update on the district’s School Health Improvement Plan and highlighted activities completed by district schools, including vaping prevention education and fun runs.
Hilts presented a memorandum of understanding among District 49, Colorado Springs School District 11 and James Irwin Charter Elementary School that would allow students at the James Irwin Elementary School on Howard Avenue in Colorado Springs, operated by District 11, to temporarily share a facility with the District 49-operated James Irwin Charter Elementary School on Canada Drive in Colorado Springs. Hilts said the arrangement essentially involves two separate school districts operating two separate schools within the same building. The yearlong relocation will allow for necessary facility improvements, including asbestos abatement, at the Howard Avenue campus.
The next regular meeting of the BOE is June 11 at 6:30 p.m. at Sand Creek High School.
