Earlier this month, Colorado Springs School District 49 Superintendent Peter Hilts asked the board of education to declare a fiscal exigency in the district – citing flat revenue, declining enrollment, and increased expenses – which will allow for a reduction in programs and staff, including non-probationary, or tenured, teachers. The board voted 4-1 to issue […]
Citing flat revenue, declining enrollment, and increased expenses, Colorado Springs School District 49 Superintendent Peter Hilts asked the board of education during last night’s meeting to declare a fiscal exigency in the district, which will allow for a reduction in programs and staff, including non-probationary, or tenured, teachers. “Instead of our revenues keeping up with […]
Colorado Springs School District 11 Superintendent Michael Gaal recommended termination of McAuliffe Elementary School teacher Angelica Givler-Viers during last night’s board of education meeting. “I’m recommending to the Board of Education that Angelica Givler-Viers, a teacher at McAuliffe Elementary School, be dismissed from her employment with the district on the statutory grounds of insubordination, neglect […]
Every parent realizes, at some point, that they alone can’t protect their child. For me it was the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012. I had a military assignment not far from there and our older daughter was still just crawling around in diapers. Our younger girl was soon to be born. The news […]
Earlier this month, during a Labor Day event at Colorado Springs City Hall, educators announced plans to strike this fall over the Colorado Springs School District 11 Board of Education’s vote last year to end the only master agreement with a teachers union in El Paso County, which had been in place for over 50 […]
Ian Ferguson is a Manitou Springs native who lives out loud and mostly flies under the radar – though he seems unlikely to stay under the radar. While Ferguson spends his days teaching music at Ute Pass Elementary School, outside of the classroom he collaborates with at least seven local bands who perform across a […]
Of the many things that could have made the Manitou Springs football coaching job appealing to Matt Heinz, it was actually a TikTok video. The video showed the packed stands at George Rykovich Stadium as Manitou Springs engaged in a tough game against rival Woodland Park. It was the Panthers who ultimately won the game […]
The Manitou Springs School District is gearing up to put a new bond measure on the November ballot. The $67.8 million bond would provide critical infrastructure needs across all district facilities. “The bond package that we’re looking at is $67.8 million,” said Mary Carol Cowart, bond steering committee member and Manitou Springs Middle School teacher. […]
Public education makes a promise: that every child will learn to read, write, do math and grow into a capable citizen. At its core, that’s what equity really means – every student getting what they need to learn and succeed. But across the country, that promise is slipping. Classroom norms have changed. Teachers are dealing […]
Sweep over Lamar puts Manitou baseball in Tri-Peaks driver’s seat PHOTO AND STORY BY DANIEL MOHRMANN After splitting a doubleheader with Salida to kick off Tri-Peaks League play, the Manitou Springs baseball team knew it had to get at least one back against Lamar. But they happily took two. The Mustangs beat Lamar in their […]
When I was a school principal, I used to watch amazing feats of stamina in the school parking lot: bleary-eyed adults opening doors for little ones (while they and whatever else was in the car poured onto the asphalt). Some parents had the “please take them” look – inevitable after a tough morning getting someone’s […]
If schools had mind-control powers, kids would at least: Be ready at the bus stop instead of sprinting out with one shoe and a Pop-Tart. Remember their homework. Do the dishes without arguing that soaking counts as cleaning. Feed the dog before he starts contemplating a better life elsewhere. Take out the trash. Teachers can’t […]
As long as Tymm Hoffman has a voice, a keyboard or a pen, diversity and inclusion will remain part of his mission living in Colorado Springs. He will keep writing and posting on Facebook and showing up at every District 20 and District 49 school board meeting because, as he says, being a parent is […]
Public education is a paradox – promising creativity but enforcing conformity, valuing deep learning but underfunding it. Schools are expected to inspire independent thinkers, yet rigid policies and standardized tests push uniformity. Now, with severe budget cuts, the real challenge isn’t just preserving quality education – it’s ensuring curiosity and innovation don’t become casualties of […]
Mustangs girls soccer team aiming to take a leap forward By Daniel Mohrmann Following up a state championship game appearance with another strong season is always a tough task. But for the Manitou Springs girls soccer team, it was a challenge worth accepting. The Mustangs won 12 games with a mostly new roster following the […]
Manitou Springs School District 14 is bracing for a significant hit to the budget in the coming years. As a result of Colorado’s $1.3 billion budget deficit this year and changes to the school funding formula, D14 could be facing a $1.17 million loss of revenue. “Last legislative session, last May, they passed a new […]
Readers of the Bulletin, public schools need you – now more than ever. Strong schools don’t just educate children; they build communities. They are where families, organizations and neighbors come together with a shared purpose: ensuring every child has the chance to thrive. Public education is at its best when it serves as a true […]
Editor’s Note The views expressed in this article are not endorsed by the Pikes Peak Bulletin but represent the views of the speakers only This piece originally appeared in the Colorado Times Recorder. Colorado Board of Education Commissioner Steve Durham, Academy School District 20 Board member Aaron Salt, and Colorado Springs School District 11 Board […]
Colorado Springs School District 11’s Jenkins Middle School will close this week due to structural concerns with the building. Students and staff will be relocated to Doherty High School and Russell Middle School, and school for students at Jenkins, Doherty and Russell will resume on Jan. 23. “Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) and Colorado Springs […]
