Education Reenvisioned BOCES describes statewide growth in homeschool enrichment, micro‑schools and new brick‑and‑mortar programs

Ken Witt, executive director of Education Reenvisioned BOCES, briefed the District 49 board on Oct. 9 about the BOCES’ portfolio of programs and its recent growth across Colorado.

Witt said the BOCES supports a range of public-school models, including brick‑and‑mortar schools (some transferred to local districts), a portfolio of statewide online schools, homeschool-enrichment programs (54 programs statewide, representing more than half of homeschooled students who participate in enrichment under the state’s definitions), micro‑schools and a recently authorized brick‑and‑mortar school in Pueblo, Riverstone Academy, which Witt described as Colorado’s first public Christian school authorized under applicable law.

Witt said the BOCES tries to act as a “sandbox” to test innovative program models that districts can study or adopt and noted that the BOCES supplies some shared services (for example, Schoology seats) to member districts. Director Veil asked about Orton Academy (a school that transitioned to District 11), and Witt said the BOCES sometimes transfers schools to districts when appropriate.

Witt addressed legal context briefly and cited the Supreme Court’s Espinoza (Espinosa) precedent as a reason the BOCES cannot “care whether schools are religiously affiliated” when public funds are used; he said the BOCES’ role is to expand choice for families. Board members asked clarifying questions about micro‑schools, Schoology seats and the BOCES’ statewide footprint.

The presentation was informational; the board did not take action. Board members thanked the BOCES for the work and for the partnership with District 49.