[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6385476,"mediaKeyId","2119974-69c2db515e64630dea2869134f0ec79e","parentId",2119974,"title","D11 launches employee engagement group to write district handbook as teachers, parents press board on union contract","audioSeconds",342,"startMs",4669000,"endMs",5011000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2119974-69c2db515e64630dea2869134f0ec79e&start=4669&end=5011","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2119974-69c2db515e64630dea2869134f0ec79e/thumbnail_4669000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6385476/Colorado/D11-launches-employee-engagement-group-to-write-district-handbook-as-teachers-parents-press-board-on-union-contract","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6385476-e81fe4fe4a036da5dd1a69e922be2e7c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141821&Signature=BwYVd7Yj2WgKki~l2vK8Xa1h-YWDMXX1HbUqOwCSWumLyQtkippM4TN~qZDli1MY7fA7Rsy9kdyMjd9K1nxMyPbN6HETZwdiviX3wSED8Jppvld-VewubaUXZL-qh7TIKTHHUnVXziqB0kxKlBC69ER6xPrK66J3nas6XyvhUzO2JavsQYXz3F0~IYLvQOR4eaah0yDPvFOfCfNFQ7lqjoErUyKT2ZkYbsThciRco5kcTjrncuoMT-uWp6XXr6dw3cdOCHlQJR7Skf9DfFuVkMHq-0rCu~vvXEuPSxo9PJYw8MzFQn01JK7hp0XVbR-yhqMN6g9mJ839UlX8zFLTDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Colorado Springs School District 11","date","2025-01-08T00:00:00Z","article","Colorado Springs School District 11 on Wednesday announced a district-wide employee engagement group that will draft a single employee handbook and meet monthly beginning Jan. 28, district leaders told the board.

The effort, presented by Dr. Comfort (staff), Chief Hopper (staff) and Executive Director Harris (staff), is intended to merge several existing handbooks and create a standing employee engagement group with representatives from executive professionals, teachers and educational support professionals. The district said CSEA (the local union) will be invited to participate and that applications to serve on the group would open Monday and run for two weeks.

District leaders said the first engagement group meeting will be a two-hour session on Tuesday, Jan. 28, and that members will meet monthly thereafter. They described the initial topics as districtwide expectations and procedures, compensation and benefits, leaves and employee classifications, and said the board will set further guardrails next week at a work session.

Why it matters: The handbook project and the board's plan for public listening sessions come after a December board vote that ended the district's existing master agreement with CSEA. That vote triggered sustained public comment at Wednesday's meeting, where dozens of teachers, parents and union supporters urged the board to restore the agreement or continue bargaining.

Speakers at the meeting and in public comment framed the handbook as one piece of a larger set of concerns about staff morale and district-labor relations. Ally Cline, introduced herself as a D11 parent and PTA president, said: \"Please put our teachers first.\" Teacher Jessica Ploppenburg told the board: \"I'm not respected in this district and my trust in it is gone.\" Samantha Trueblood, a former D11 student, said local campaign spending raised concern among parents and community members.

District staff emphasized the process will include employee representation and community listening sessions. President Malpakkam (board president) described a plan for four evening listening sessions, one in each quadrant of the city, staffed by two board members per event and run as informal \"listening\" conversations rather than formal board meetings. Dates were described as tentative and to be coordinated with board schedules.

What the board directed: Administrators will bring a vision and timeline back to the board at next week's work session. The district also plans to report employee engagement group progress to the District Accountability Committee.

Context and limitations: The board announced the change in policy approach in open session; an executive session earlier in the meeting (described on the record as held under Colorado statutes for legal advice, employee performance and student discipline) preceded the public discussion. District leaders said the handbook will not replace bargaining rights; specifics about how meet-and-confer or contractual issues would be handled were not decided at Wednesday's meeting.

What's next: The district will post the application for employee engagement group membership, hold the first meeting on Jan. 28 and schedule the four community listening sessions over the next two months. The board plans a work session next week to provide further direction.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education Regular Meeting 1-8-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Colorado Springs School District 11 announced a new employee engagement group on Jan. 8 to draft a single district employee handbook, and set a Jan. 28 kickoff and a series of community listening sessions, district leaders said.","taxTitle","Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the cou, School Districts , Colorado","taxId",12901,"location","Colorado","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6385451,"Votes at a glance: Jan. 8, 2025 District 11 board meeting — agenda adopted, executive session authorized, consent items approved",73,674000,747000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2119974-69c2db515e64630dea2869134f0ec79e&start=674&end=747","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2119974-69c2db515e64630dea2869134f0ec79e/thumbnail_674000.jpg","/articles/6385451/Colorado/Votes-at-a-glance-Jan-8-2025-District-11-board-meeting-agenda-adopted-executive-session-authorized-consent-items-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6385451-ca20230dc06100421fc1a54704114500/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141821&Signature=k3SXwVgZgVIWwCD7Zqa~MQ9911jO-fl~F3CCH~dmSJCW4zSxy4yY-h07DzbFMSTPqspSsxYiuNSWsMDqlPlYinESmfEObQZB9wfeZSVedA0DhM2CifVj~tRQVtkbw2IWF3Xb8DJJOZvqXaf-QHtd2NsXmG6U~~2shpBvyXqNNf-FPCu8Os3CXsajh1-IrMlt9LGaZL4vO2M9sMXPwB630W2T1cARXKp2cXY0BjqKIEF1zpI3Wh8dgxtVlmU2vuHTON4dUUXQfeZFiQug0g8ZsjM4JvtMz8kqUbNpTKTUf5Lqzp2F70RKo5fkM~TUmVIgTXJ-l1kCwhxRcvZzTKGjew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Jan. 8, 2025 meeting the Board of Education recorded three formal roll-call outcomes on items on the public docket:

Agenda adoption
- Motion: \"I move that the Board of Education adopt the agenda as presented.\" (mover recorded as Director Bankers; second: recorded)
- Vote: Ayes carried (roll call recorded as unanimous; board announced \"The ayes have it.\")
- Outcome: Agenda adopted as presented

Executive session (authorized)
- Motion: \"I move that the board of education convenes into executive session to discuss legal advice per CRS 24-6-402(4)(b); particular matter employee performance evaluation and discipline processes and student expulsion process as well as personnel per CRS 24-6-402(4)(f), particular matter employment status of Jerry Wilson, Holmes bridal school teacher, and superintendent mid year evaluation.\" (mover recorded as Director Art; second recorded)
- Vote: Ayes carried (roll call recorded as unanimous; board announced \"The ayes have it. The board will move into executive session and reconvene at approximately 5:30 PM.\")
- Outcome: Executive session authorized and held (contents discussed in executive session are not part of the public minutes)

Consent items
- Motion: \"I move that the Board of Education adopt all consent items as designated in the agenda.\" (mover recorded)
- Items included: Approval of Dec. 4, 2024 regular meeting minutes; Dec. 11, 2024 special meeting minutes; designation of official posting location; personnel recommendations for Jan. 8, 2025; approval of districtwide closure due to inclement weather (F2-F6)
- Vote: Roll call unanimous in favor; Chair announced consent items adopted as presented
- Outcome: Consent agenda adopted

Notes on vote reporting: The public roll-call recordings in the meeting transcript list aye votes by board members and conclude each motion with \"The ayes have it.\" Where individual votes were not transcribed in full with every name visually resolved in the audio, the meeting record shows unanimous board action for these items.","The Board of Education adopted the meeting agenda, voted to convene into executive session under Colorado statutes for legal and personnel matters, and approved all consent items including minutes and personnel recommendations by roll call.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6385457,"District honors ThesCon winners and expands Unified Theater; Board accepts city proclamation for School Board Appreciation Month",905,1755000,2660000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2119974-69c2db515e64630dea2869134f0ec79e&start=1755&end=2660","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2119974-69c2db515e64630dea2869134f0ec79e/thumbnail_1755000.jpg","/articles/6385457/Colorado/District-honors-ThesCon-winners-and-expands-Unified-Theater-Board-accepts-city-proclamation-for-School-Board-Appreciation-Month","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6385457-e8877c5dcf7f003d3301cfcbf489227e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141821&Signature=BmV-4xz1M8zTOaHgKqTGnEu4trGIbZCfqP0hJT5-8mkQ8UkbnUogisrmXPndUvCA~FrZvtBg69NFNx8DS5kueC4r~W~u8R2GAB4eMYVRLe-g0Kc87HSPMEmOumsfMTxihMUxkjkpWBm9mHYdk2IKigYZrm8OQqvmDpnIvTkXRrRd~P0P72CNwGHPGr41crd1R0nHxNSVN8LW2h7kuiItgv7LCEgD3MAn4Jy8GMbosi3uLZBOBeW0C7V3CIrUhfEc3udH2juYjZ9TOLFM5mSqqMRBEE6qLT~-hEdJjeY8CB1bln~naqWaXd4djHrQcqh2GzSGDO8dH3v72O8ARiqsMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board members recognized multiple student groups and district arts programs during the Jan. 8 meeting, honoring ThesCon participants and Unified Theater ensembles and accepting a city proclamation declaring January 2025 as School Board Appreciation Month.

Lynette Kriverson, president pro tem of the Colorado Springs City Council, read a proclamation from the city praising the board's service and formally proclaiming Jan. 8, 2025 as Colorado Springs School District 11 School Board Appreciation Month.

District 11's ThesCon delegation drew attention: the district sent about 75 high school and 45 middle school students to the Colorado State ThesCon event in Denver, and staff reported $169,500 in scholarship offers for Mitchell High School students from college contacts secured at the convention. Student Jacob Meiler, a lighting-design specialist who has received superior honors and a critics' choice award, described the value of the experience and the district's goal of supporting qualifying students to attend national-level events. Meiler and several ThesCon students asked the board for assistance with fundraising support to attend nationals.

The board also spotlighted a districtwide expansion of Unified Theater and Unified Athletics programs. Ryan Reed, who leads Unified Theater programming, described a model in which students select stories, adapt scripts to students' abilities, rehearse and perform for school communities; parents and teachers at the meeting said the programs boosted student confidence and peer inclusion. Board members encouraged continued support and highlighted a growing roster of paraeducators and staff who assist productions behind the scenes.

Why it matters: The recognitions underscore district investment in arts and inclusive programs that district leaders and families said build college and career pathways, social-emotional skills and student agency.

What's next: Students seeking national-level ThesCon travel support asked the board and superintendent to consider fundraising help or district support for qualified students.","Students from Coronado, Doherty and Mitchell high schools and Unified Theater performers were recognized for ThesCon achievements and district arts programming. The city read a proclamation declaring January 2025 School Board Appreciation Month for District 11.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6385462,"D11 presents targeted mid-year budget modifications focused on literacy, dyslexia services and academics",842,7465000,8307000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2119974-69c2db515e64630dea2869134f0ec79e&start=7465&end=8307","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2119974-69c2db515e64630dea2869134f0ec79e/thumbnail_7465000.jpg","/articles/6385462/Colorado/D11-presents-targeted-mid-year-budget-modifications-focused-on-literacy-dyslexia-services-and-academics","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6385462-aca6289d760876a55b60aa25e194c41e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141821&Signature=kPGPRjIqT1wXpAkeAlEUPU0Fg0eA~Qq10jeAmixXnFgOjJMft2H2fsCD8hokniEAQAGfN2qLflDzmPidJW7KTBMIz3dXyvJ-e7BQ9GgBoaMnxDX6g28WmQ58UTcBd~Je8kVaL3mL3cRVjkVuzdfYDqbirCO-DCSXoOcewEXSHJ-tTWeAN3dbNgxSZBGlaw86vsnbYQruPuFs7Bj3YE3CA-YEeoxD1Yi2-GOONtz6kIDqafFtrTUmOqNFTp12rImee2iC~34RbagCqk2yvg1j58kMLe65ydCcro9SL2Nt9YrTdrz1NMMaZ7W4nLbYe97qJfeYVGxVGtO04-ME5S-yFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District 11 administrators presented a mid-year budget modification package on Jan. 8 that they said totals roughly $5.5 million and is tightly focused on academic supports, literacy curriculum updates and dyslexia/tutoring programs.

Superintendent Gahl and Dr. Comfort (staff) told the board the package is smaller than past mid-year requests and that most items are nonrecurring investments to boost student supports midyear. The district's finance team said the certified pupil count came in lower than budgeted and the assessed valuation estimate used for the adopted budget was revised, but administrators still proposed the targeted changes.

Highlighted components discussed by staff and the budget subcommittee included funding for:
- Literacy curriculum review and pilot work (district-wide curriculum refresh planning)
- Continued dyslexia supports and reading interventions, including tutoring (district cited an ask of about $450,000 for targeted reading interventions and Lexia-related supports)
- A limited recurring compensation increment tied to a negotiated item from last year (described as the 14/25-year step increment negotiated after the budget adoption)
- Targeted school and program investments rather than broad recurring new positions

Budget subcommittee chair Carl Schuler told the board the subcommittee supported the focused approach but urged the district to begin phasing recurring needs into annual budgets rather than relying on mid-year relief repeatedly.

Why it matters: The mid-year packet addresses literacy and intervention needs the district identified in school improvement plans and aims to keep funds directed toward the classroom as much as possible. Administrators said grants and one-time federal ESSER funds are winding down and the district must be disciplined in projecting recurring costs.

What's next: The mid-year modification will appear as an action item at a subsequent board meeting for formal approval; district staff said they will post detailed grant adjustments and baseline budget changes for board review prior to action.","Superintendent and finance staff presented a mid-year budget modification request that shifts roughly $5.5 million toward academic supports, literacy curriculum work, dyslexia and tutoring, and a limited recurring compensation item negotiated last year. District leaders said the request is smaller and more focused than prior mid-year packages.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6385466,"Board reviews East Lake and Community Prep charter renewal presentations; both described as serving high-risk students",1779,8762000,10541000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2119974-69c2db515e64630dea2869134f0ec79e&start=8762&end=10541","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2119974-69c2db515e64630dea2869134f0ec79e/thumbnail_8762000.jpg","/articles/6385466/Colorado/Board-reviews-East-Lake-and-Community-Prep-charter-renewal-presentations-both-described-as-serving-high-risk-students","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6385466-e5728aa177de43a9f1e5be4f05e7fd7a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141821&Signature=KXpCflKlkPBbnNaqXNc5YriV0Ej1FB8SyzJ0dtDr5PPqZLIvEt67zrGhgZNO59jm~1GEsDfCjPNnTHcFc~NLrdE11hvfUeLyO0Rb95~W7i397yEUA~2ov0vtXuI55hjs4oChtsGX2LTSbI3xttdZqjQKBbou51sU~1uxn81hZUPllxu7svM8ddVnkMU~rA2LXGVTZ77NggdfymkkdWI7oeSJuKpJVpZcWctBQDYOYxpEHC9xggaOQq~xYmuxV3FYUTRltr9jay9LCHY6Et2sftYebCXOdC68kdBC58HJlZF~Vjq7tDT5KafAVdQZGBTPGjYcww3FmqpBiexY3vZFeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff presented nonaction charter renewal materials for East Lake High School and Community Prep School on Jan. 8, and principals from each school described programs they said are tailored to older or credit-deficient students.

East Lake principal Miss Berry told the board East Lake serves students ages 14 to 21 across El Paso County, operates an AM program for students under 18 and a PM program for students 18 and older, and offers three graduation tracks (college, military, vocational) aimed at accelerating credit-deficient students toward diplomas or postsecondary pathways. Berry said East Lake's model includes social-emotional learning, soft-skills instruction and individualized plans; she asked for a multi-year renewal and described the school's 20-year history in the community.

During public comment, multiple current and former East Lake students, families and board members spoke in favor of renewal and described the school as a place where students who struggled in larger comprehensive high schools can earn diplomas and re-engage in learning. The board's charter liaison and district site visitors reported a multi-hour site visit and provided an executive summary of that review.

Community Prep principal Mr. Silanky (presenter) described Community Prep as the district's first charter (founded 1995), with a mission of reengaging students who have left traditional programs. He said the school averages roughly 160 enrolled students (funded count ~139 this year), serves many students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch and emphasizes internships, outdoor education and hands-on career pathways. Silanky said Community Prep is moving to a \"big picture learning\" model that centers student interests, internships and project-based competency demonstrations as part of a multiyear plan to raise graduation rates.

District staff noted both schools are fiscally solvent at current enrollment levels and that both would return as action items on a future agenda for board voting after technical review and public comment periods. Board members asked about enrollment, program metrics, family engagement and governance documents; both principals said they will provide additional documentation (board minutes, signature pages, and governance updates) prior to formal action.

Why it matters: Both schools serve students classified as at-risk or credit-deficient; the board must weigh program need, student outcomes and fiscal viability when deciding renewals.","District 11 staff and the two charter principals presented renewal applications and site-visit summaries for East Lake High School and Community Prep School. Both schools emphasized individualized instruction for older or credit-deficient students and outlined strategies to raise graduation and engagement rates.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

D11 launches employee engagement group to write district handbook as teachers, parents press board on union contract

Votes at a glance: Jan. 8, 2025 District 11 board meeting — agenda adopted, executive session authorized, consent items approved

District honors ThesCon winners and expands Unified Theater; Board accepts city proclamation for School Board Appreciation Month

D11 presents targeted mid-year budget modifications focused on literacy, dyslexia services and academics

Board reviews East Lake and Community Prep charter renewal presentations; both described as serving high-risk students