The El Paso County Colorado School District 49 board granted the administration authority to begin exploring alternatives and timelines to consolidate Falcon Elementary with Bennett Ranch and to consider potential property actions on other district-owned sites.

Superintendent Peter Hiltz and Falcon Zone Superintendent Brian Smith explained the proposal as an early-stage, community-centered planning effort. Smith said the district intends to investigate facility remodeling, transportation impacts and program placement, and to talk with families and stakeholders before any final decisions. Hiltz added that, administratively, relocations and consolidations are within his authority but that the administration wanted the board’s endorsement to proceed publicly and with architects and planners.

“This approval tonight is essentially a grant of authority for us to move forward using our administrative judgment, to be decisive where necessary and deliberate where that's appropriate, but in full view of the public,” Hiltz said.

Board members asked about transportation and noted the administration has begun PTA and parent outreach; Smith said transportation questions were raised at PTA meetings and the administration will work with transportation staff and families to identify options. The recorded vote was unanimous: DiVala, Aye; Haile, Aye; Livia Wright, Aye; Schmidt, Aye; Thompson, Aye.

Why it matters: The initial exploration could lead to consolidation of school programs and a possible sale of district sites to fund construction of a new PreK–8 building on the district’s east side. Administration emphasized this is a planning phase and that specific recommendations, timelines and costs will be presented later if the work proceeds.

Next steps: Administration will hold community conversations, meet with architects on potential remodeling, analyze transportation impacts, and bring proposals or options back to the board for future votes.

Ending: The board’s authorization starts a planning process that may culminate in facility changes; no final decisions were made at the meeting.