D 49 Board of Education meeting wrap-up
By Deb Risden
The El Paso County School District 49 Board of Education held its monthly meeting Dec. 4. All board members were present.
Kayla Maldonado, internal communications manager, opened the Fantastic 49 celebration. The following were recognized:
Josh Wixom, robotics coach and teacher at Springs Studio for Academic Excellence, was honored for building and supporting the robotics program to ensure students and coaches have the resources needed to be successful.
The Falcon Education Foundation recognized 29 projects awarded grant funding totaling just over $20,000. Grants supported multiple subject areas, including the arts, math, science, reading, American history, nature and technology. Unique projects included a hydroponic garden, freeze-dried foods for nutrition education, kid-safe power tools for cutting cardboard, and a costume sewing shop for theater students.
Superintendent’s update
Superintendent Peter Hilts said a new calendar policy allows for five traditional snow days and five online learning days. Two traditional snow days have already been used.
Hilts said the district refinanced just over $40 million in Certificates of Participation issued under a 2015 mill levy override. He also said a settlement was finalized last week with the Colorado High School Activities Association related to a lawsuit supporting Policy JBA, Fairness and Privacy in Sports.
The settlement allows Colorado school districts to maintain biological sex-based sports policies without adverse action from CHSAA against students or coaches. “If there came a day when our coaches, administrators or athletes determine they would rather forfeit a game than compete with someone they felt was unfair or unsafe, they cannot challenge us,” Hilts said.
Student Board of Representatives update
Vivienne Barr and Maxx Vega represented the Student Board of Representatives and reported the scheduled December meeting was canceled due to weather.
Vega said the SBOR will work on a student resolution related to the district’s cellphone policy. A committee has been formed and will survey students, with the goal of collecting input from multiple sources.
Board update
Secretary Lori Thompson attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Patriot Applied Learning campus. She said the campus has expanded career and technical education offerings to include home building, solar projects and agriculture. Attendees were able to use virtual heavy equipment simulators and view the new culinary program space and equipment.
Treasurer Mike Heil attended the Veterans Day celebration at Bennett Ranch Elementary School, which he said was student-led by fourth- and fifth-grade students. He also attended a long-range facilities planning committee meeting, where Schneider Electric has begun outreach to buildings included in an investment-grade audit.
Heil attended the Superintendents Cultural Leadership Advisory Council meeting, where members discussed upcoming student recommendations regarding revisions to the district’s cellphone policy. He said the committee includes parents, educators and community members. Heil also attended the District Accountability Advisory Committee meeting, where the budget subcommittee held preliminary discussions on district budgeting.
The board presented Jamilynn D’Avola with a plaque and thank you gifts in recognition of her service on the board.
Action items
The board unanimously approved the following:
- Falcon High School’s proposal for three new courses: JROTC archery, JROTC flight simulator course, and tenor-bass select choir.
- Policy and procedure edits for clarification regarding service animals and first aid and emergency medical care.
Approved by a 4-1 vote:
- Revisions to Policy JICDE, Bullying and Restorative Interventions.
- A Purple Star resolution supporting military connected students and families.
Failed by a 3-2 vote:
- Revisions to Policy JICDA, Code of Conduct.
Discussion items
Tom Payne, principal of Vista Ridge High School, presented four proposed course additions: intermediate dance, advanced dance, music composition and songwriting, and advanced guitar. Payne said the proposed dance courses complete existing pathways. All four are elective courses; the dance classes could satisfy physical education credit requirements, while the others earn fine arts credit. Payne said the music composition and advanced guitar courses could be added in about two years.
All four courses were advanced for a future board vote.
Amy Sanchez, principal of Sand Creek High School, presented proposals for five new courses: Partners Series expansion, medical assistant, jewelry design II, project management in organizations and contemporary media literacy.
The Partners Series allows students with individualized education plans and significant support needs to partner with general education students in nonacademic elective courses. Sanchez said the program’s success in physical education has led to a proposed expansion into art, music and STEM courses.
Sanchez said the medical assistant course is part of the health sciences pathway. Completion of the course and required internships would make students eligible to take National Healthcare Association exams for clinical medical assistant and certified medical administrative assistant credentials.
Jewelry design II is an elective that provides additional opportunities for students to create wearable art using math, science and engineering skills.
Project management in organizations focuses on strategic thinking, problem-solving, leadership and analytical skills applicable across multiple industries.
Contemporary media literacy is an English elective that teaches students to evaluate fact-based information across media platforms, including artificial intelligence, film, print news, novels, advertising and music, while building foundational communication, reading and writing skills.
All proposed courses were advanced for a future board vote.
Budget discussion
Hilts presented a written financial strategy addressing flat revenue and increasing expenses. He said that although the state’s per-pupil funding rate increased, state funding for mill levy equalization declined. Enrollment has leveled off, while expenses have risen due to competitive compensation decisions, inflation and health insurance costs.
To maintain a balanced budget, the district has transferred funds from reserves, a practice Hilts said cannot continue without depleting the fund balance. Hilts presented a proposed cost-control strategies that include the following:
- Implementing a reduction in programs to eliminate non-mission-critical activities
- Implementing a decrease of staffing to align with program reductions
- Consolidating non-instructional positions
- Providing step-and-lane salary increases without raising the salary schedule
- Consolidating programs and administration into fewer facilities
- Refinancing Certificates of Participation to capture savings from lower interest rates, which has already been completed
Revenue-enhancement options include the following:
- Increasing choice enrollment
- Raising fees for district-controlled programs such as preschool tuition, BASE 49, transportation and co-curricular activities
- Selling surplus land or properties no longer needed after consolidation
- Pursuing voter approval for a mill levy increase
Hilts requested the board declare a fiscal exigency at the Jan. 8 meeting to protect the rights of affected employees and allow time for preparation ahead of the next budget cycle.
The board reached consensus to move forward with a vote in January.
Other business
The board reviewed a draft agenda for the annual planning summit scheduled for Feb. 7. Members were asked to submit additional agenda items to the board’s executive assistant.
Committee assignments were updated to fill vacancies left by D’Avola. Heil will represent the board on the District Accountability Advisory Committee. Schmidt will attend Colorado Association of School Boards meetings. Committee assignments will be reviewed at the annual planning summit.
LaVere-Wright requested the board schedule a discussion in early January regarding Hilts’ annual evaluation.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Jan. 8 at 6:30 p.m. in Peakview Hall at the Creekside Success Center in Colorado Springs.
Liberty Tree Academy “mathletes” double down
By Deb Risden
Liberty Tree Academy’s math club added a middle school team to their one-year-old elementary school team of fourth through sixth graders. Both teams have already qualified a majority of team members to get to the next level of state competition. On Dec. 13, the math club (elementary and middle school students) participated in the first online competition of the season, and placed third. The elementary club’s coach, Mary Tafoya said, “We have lots of work to do to prepare for the Colorado state competition in the spring.” The next online competition will be at the end of January.
[Photos submitted]LTA Math Club Middle School.jpeg
These are the Liberty Tree Academy’s middle school math club members: from left to right, Harneet Hunjan, Quinn Marshall, Claire Pacini, Rishik Rane and Michael Siegrist. Not pictured: Nikki Siegel, coach
These are the Liberty Tree Academy’s elementary school team members: from left to right, back row: Ryker Chavez, Ryan Farris, Cora Pacini, Cara Ballard, Kayla Joseph and David Akande. Front row: Elizabeth Garlington, Joel Stewart, Kennedy King, Hargun Hunjan, Precious Akande and Theo Jacobson. Not pictured: Mary Tafoya, coach
