D 49 BOE November Meeting Wrap-Up
By Deb Risden
The El Paso County School District 49 Board of Education held its monthly meeting Nov. 14 at The Campus-Spring Studio. All board members were present. Kayla Maldonado, internal communications manager, started the Fantastic 49 celebration. The following were honored:
Izzy Izboinikov, coordinator of special student projects for the iConnect Zone, for his oversight of programs for niche populations and commitment to ensuring students have the best options to meet their learning needs
Matt Wirt, transportation student management liaison, for ensuring driver trainees have all the tools they need, including mental health support
Jamie Zaves, Sand Creek Zone’s behavioral analyst, for dedicating her time and skills to create safe, functional and caring classrooms.
Cari Muresan, Falcon Zone community liaison, for exceeding expectations in engaging the community by leading recognition efforts, organizing events and publicizing stories
Superintendent’s update
Peter Hilts, superintendent, said the BOE will be holding meetings at each of the zones this year starting with the iConnect Zone. Hilts attended the Patriot High School annual Thanksgiving feast and said the culinary program is in its 18th year. Work has begun on the annual Voice of the Workforce program, starting with visits to all D 49 schools. Hilts said the district recently hosted the first annual State of the District meeting; the purpose was to promote partnerships among D 49, citizens, business, political and faith leaders.
Student Board of Representatives’ update
Ava Cross, Pikes Peak Early College student, said the SBOR will discuss findings from their recent outreach to elementary and middle school students at their next meeting with the intent of putting those results into action.
Nikkos Clift, PPEC student, said there was a robotics competition for middle and high school students, and Veteran’s Day festivities included a breakfast to host military on the campus. Clift said PPEC recently hosted an Individual Career and Academics Plan day where students were provided information about career opportunities.
Board update
Lori Thompson, president, said iConnect Zone’s Spring Studio has a 100% graduate rate; and, with concurrent enrollment, many students have graduated with associate’s degrees along with their high school diplomas. Thompson attended the State of the District meeting and the PHS Thanksgiving meal. “Chef Eric and the students outdid themselves. It was like a five-star meal,” Thompson said. She also attended Engage 49, a health and wellness event hosted by Sand Creek High School. The El Paso County Health Public Department attended along with representatives from D 49 nursing staff, an addiction recovery group for teens and other mental health resources. Thompson said students at SCHS have a SWAT team that educates students of all ages about vaping.
Jamilynn D’Avola, vice president, toured the new VRHS career and technical education wing.
Marie LaVere-Wright, secretary, attended the Falcon Education Foundation board meeting. She said $18,000 in mini-grants have been given to teachers this year.
Mike Heil, treasurer, attended the State of the District event and the PHS Thanksgiving feast. He said the meal was delicious and noted the students volunteer their time and talent to host the Thanksgiving meal.
Action items
The BOE unanimously approved the following:
- An asset manager job description
- New and/or adjusted student fees
Passed by a majority vote
- A policy regarding student nonlegal name changes to comply with HB24-1039
From the D 49 BOE meeting agenda on Colorado Law 24-1039:
The act requires school personnel to address a student by the student’s chosen name and to use the student’s chosen name in school and during extracurricular activities. The act deems it discriminatory to knowingly or intentionally use a name other than the student’s chosen name or knowingly or intentionally avoiding or refusing to use a student’s chosen name, unless done at the request of the student. The act allows a student who is subject to discrimination as a result of a failure or refusal to address the student by the student’s chosen name to file a report with the school or a federal civil rights complaint. The act requires a school to implement a written policy outlining how the school will honor a student’s request to use a chosen name.
Discussion items
Ken Witt, executive director of Education reEnvisioned Board of Cooperative Educational Services, provided an annual update. Witt said the organization is different from normal BOCES in Colorado. “We create a broad path for school choice.” He said the organization has two brick-and-mortar schools, six multi-district online schools, 45 home school enrichment programs and 1,399 full and part-time students. He said they have experienced about 50% growth in overall enrollment in the past year and are anticipating 20-30% growth next year in home school enrichment programs. They offer multiple programs across the state, such as core, equine, forestry and cybersecurity.
Kathleen Granaas, director of academic performance and data services, presented a job description for a new position to support assessment and data. Granaas said the position is needed to support various assessments across all grade levels for 25,000 students. She said the position is responsible for increasing the validity of assessments, supporting regulatory compliance and increasing support for data analysis and data literacy. She said the position is paid out of Title funds and will not impact the district’s general fund. The BOE moved the job description forward for a vote at the next meeting.
Bruce Brown, facility project manager, provided an operations performance update. He said the Capital Improvement Fund 49 money diverted from the cancellation of the Elevation Middle School build has been spent on several projects. The funds paid for $167 million in deferred maintenance projects. One project replaced fluorescent lights with LEDs at three high schools. At Falcon High School, the change has resulted in reduced electricity usage of 18% at an estimated cost saving of $24,530 per year, not including maintenance labor hours. Eight roofing projects have also been completed with more scheduled for 2025. Safety measures were put in place in vestibules in several elementary and middle schools.
Melissa Burkhardt-Shields, coordinator of professional learning, provided a professional learning update. Burkhard-Shields said the district has implemented several strategies to increase professional learning participation. Burkhardt-Shields said a master teacher online training library has been developed that includes 300 available licensing opportunities. She said 785 courses were completed last year by special education paraprofessionals in D 49. Burkhardt-Shields said the district was awarded a three-year accountability grant through the Colorado Department of Education. An oversight committee has been formed and school leaders have participated in Professional Learning Community trainings. Nina Saroyan, assistant principal for Stetson Elementary School provided a report of how the PLC community is operating successfully at Stetson by using a systematic, data-driven approach to collaborations. Saroyan said, “The expectations for all staff are explicit and the vision is clear. We are doing this work to help all students grow and achieve at the highest levels.”
Ryan Bailey, Patriot High School principal, presented a proposal for adding sixth through eighth grade to its current ninth through 12th grade campus. Bailey said a task force formed last year to evaluate transitioning of students from eighth grade to high school found there is a need to focus on developmental stages of students. The recommendation utilizes three separate buildings.
- Sixth and seventh grades will focus on transition out of elementary school with structure and support.
- Eight and ninth grades will focus on student autonomy, independence, leadership, career and technical training opportunities and preparation for high school.
- Tenth to 12th grades will focus on post-secondary preparedness, job shadows, internships and student-driven projects.
Bailey said staffing will need to increase by adding four middle school teachers, one teacher each for electives and special education, one special education paraprofessional and one attendance secretary. The BOE moved it forward for a vote at the next meeting.
David Nancarrow, director of communications, reported that the department continues to work with all schools and departments to tell the story about D 49 and its successes through various media such as social, podcasts, website and the Discover D 49 magazine.
The next regular meeting of the BOE is Dec. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at POWER Zone’s Vista Ridge High School in Colorado Springs.
