By Deb Risden
The El Paso County School District 49 Board of Education held its monthly meeting Sept. 11. All board members were present.
Superintendent’s update
Peter Hilts, superintendent, reported that the annual launch event of the new school year, called Peak View, took place after the start of school on the Friday before Labor Day at Sand Creek High School. He said the event is a time to celebrate schools doing good things. The district has learned that all D 49 operated schools that received a School Performance Framework by the Colorado Department of Education were in the top rating of performance. GOAL Academy earned a score that puts them in a performing level, which means that the entire district will be “well in performance,” Hilts said. It is unknown whether the overall district performance numbers will be up, down or stay flat but he anticipated no dramatic moves in any direction, he said. In light of the recent shooting at Evergreen High School, Hilts gave a brief description of D 49’s security program that includes specific protocols, trained armed security, collaboration with the Colorado Springs Police Department and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, along with maintaining secure facilities by utilizing the Raptor building check-in system (technology used nationwide) and cameras. “The safety of our students, staff and guests is a daily priority,” Hilts said. It is absolutely imperative that we continue to keep it a priority.”
Student Board of Representatives’ update
Vivienne Barr, a student at Pikes Peak Early College and Spring Studio campus, said the SBOR is planning a leadership day for the SBOR student members. Three or four students are selected from each high school in the district to represent their schools at monthly board meetings. Their focus is on cross school communications and problem solving. She said the SBOR is discussing hosting a board candidate forum prior to the November election, but plans are not fully developed.
Angie Essex, a student at Banning Lewis Preparatory Academy, and Barr said the SBOR discussed the proposed policy JBAA –— Access to Sex-Segregated Facilities, and they came to a consensus that gender-neutral bathrooms should be available, but that current girls and boys bathrooms should not be changed. Barr said having a third separate option is “the safest and most responsible.” She said it was already in practice at some schools and there have been no problems at PPEC and Spring Studio.
Board update
Lori Thompson, president, attended a recent event hosted by Colorado Leaders for Academic Success. She said the sessions stressed the importance of local control and quality instruction for traditional and charter schools. She said the D 49 Parent Bill of Rights was shared with school board members attending from around the state of Colorado. Thompson attended the SBOR meeting where there were discussions about upcoming district policies and the school board election.
Jamilynn D’Avola, vice president, attended the Peak View back-to-school event at Sand Creek High School.
Marie LaVere-Wright, secretary, reminded teachers the Falcon Education Foundation applications for mini-grants are due at the end of the month.
Mike Heil, treasurer, attended the ribbon cutting for Falcon High School’s new auto shop. He said much of the needed equipment and materials were donated by business partners in the area and said students now have access to cutting-edge technology. Heil said he is anticipating receiving the preliminary audit results from Schneider Electric soon, which is expected to provide a list of projects from the deferred maintenance list that can be completed without a cost to taxpayers.
Action items
The BOE unanimously approved the following (D’Avola stepped out of the meeting for the first three items, and did not vote.):
- Job description for information technology specialist
- 2026 graduation dates and times
- Updated policies and procedures
- Official survey date of Nov. 4 for Impact Aid, the survey to count military connected students that is necessary for grants and other funding opportunities
- Resolution for Constitution Day will be Sept. 17
Passed by majority vote of 4:1
- Revisions to Policy KEA — stakeholder grievance
Discussion items
Heather Diaz, director of finance, provided information on new or adjusted student fees. The Power Zone added fees for field trips and new dance classes. The Sand Creek Zone changed cheer fees and added some activity fees. The remaining zones did not change fees. Breakdowns for fees charged in the district can be requested from administration at each school. The BOE moved the student fees changes forward for a vote at the next meeting.
Rebekah Brooks, chief financial officer, presented a summary of the student count trend report. There has been a slight change in overall projections, bringing the number above what was used for budgeting. She said for the district overall, including charter schools, they are currently projecting 1,722 more students. The numbers will be tracked through mid-October and will be reported to the BOE weekly.
Brooks presented a resolution for BOE approval for the use of beginning fund balances. She said since reported in June, the general fund increased; the preschool fund, nutrition services, Base 49 and capital reserve funds decreased. Brooks said the health insurance fund is a new addition. She said the spending and appropriations resolution has been adjusted pursuant to the adjustments made to the fund balances. She also reported that the annual audit is underway. The BOE moved the resolutions forward for a vote at the next meeting.
The BOE moved forward an update to GBD-Vacation Leave and Holidays policy, allowing for one-hour increments for vacation time, for a vote at the next meeting.
Policy JBAA-Access to Sex-Segregated Facilities was proposed and discussed by the BOE. The policy states that students must use sex-segregated facilities corresponding to their biological sex, e.g., biological females shall use girls’ bathrooms and biological boys must use boys’ bathrooms: “No student shall be permitted to access sex-segregated facilities inconsistent with their biological sex, regardless of self-identified gender, presentation or other factors.” The policy also states that a single-use facility will be made available at each school building for any student requesting privacy for any reason. The BOE moved the policy forward for further discussion and a vote at a future meeting.
The next regular meeting of the BOE is Oct. 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the Peakview Hall at the Creekside Success Center in Colorado Springs.
