Was something broken that needed fixing? This is the question I’ve asked myself recently, as the rumblings of turmoil within Manitou Springs School District 14 have gotten increasingly louder. I am the mother of two students who choice into MSSD14. I am a strong believer in public education and am the product of two public […]
I just watched the Manitou Volunteer Fire Department get after a wild fire near Cave of the Winds hill. It seems like they got it taken care of in short order. Makes you want to vote for the best darn fire machines around, or whatever it is the firefighters think we need to have. We are living […]
A couple of weeks ago, I found myself saying to the incoming Ute Pass Elementary principal, Jackie Powell, “You are going to have a blast in this job. This is an amazing place to work.” For 11 years, I have had the great honor and pleasure of serving UPES and the Manitou Springs school district. […]
Dear Manitou community: On Sunday, May 15, we will host the 2022 Graduate Parade, with the kind support of Manitou Springs School District 14 and the city of Manitou Springs. Started in 2020 as a way for families who could not attend graduation to celebrate their graduates, this is now the newest Manitou Springs tradition! […]
Last week, I wrote the first part of a two-part editorial. Here is the second part: One of my favorite responses from a reader/community member was from a woman who asked what she can do to advocate for the salaries/compensation of our staff. I love this focus. Additionally, Timothy Barrette’s editorial headlined “Financial Strains Forcing […]
As a result of recent concerns shared by members of the Manitou Springs School District 14 community, a group called Stand Up for Manitou has been formed. This group has garnered the attention of 40-plus families as it works to protect what we consider to be the heart of Manitou Springs School District 14: the […]
To the editor: I recently sent this to Dr. Elizabeth Domangue and would like to share my thoughts publicly: Thank you for sharing your thoughts in the Weekly Update for D14 families and the Bulletin. As both a district parent (MSES and MSMS) and a 15-year educator in a neighboring district, I agree with your […]
To the editor: A wise person said that a story known is only through the story told. I also once read “Stories bring us together. They are shared knowledge, shared legend, and shared history; often, they shape our shared future.” Concerned people have asked many questions about staff leaving the district. Although just a few […]
What a productive and exciting year 2022 has been! It is with pleasure that I would like to announce that for the first time in the city’s recent history, we are nearly at full staffing with only four positions left open. With the current job markets in the region and nation at large, this is […]
I had the most wonderful experience on Sunday, April 24. I was able to attend the Manitou Springs High School performance of “Fiddler on the Roof.” There are more performances this weekend. There have been some recent questions and comments regarding the number of staffers who have decided to leave Manitou Springs School District at the […]
I recently bought my first house with my mother-in-law’s assistance. It’s not that I am irresponsible; I have a master’s in history and I am on a trajectory to receive a Ph.D. In fact, the only way my wife and I could scrape up enough money to afford the payment was due to the pause […]
To the editor: Conjecture: an opinion or conclusion formed based on incomplete information. Similar: guess, speculation, suspicion. Recently there have been multiple social media posts as well as opinions in the Pikes Peak Bulletin commenting on the state of affairs in Manitou Springs School District 14. The speculative nature of these comments from a few […]
I am responding to Brenda Holmes Stanciu’s guest editorial published April 14, 2022. I have two children in Manitou Springs School District 14 schools. When my family “choiced in” to the district in 2014, we were excited to be joining a community where relationships came first. This kept us in the district even as we […]
I am a community member, parent and employee of District 14 and have taught at Manitou Elementary for 18 years. Our two sons graduated from Manitou, as well. I was on the committee to support the passing of the 4C bond issue. I love this place! I feel I am a quality teacher. I’m staying. […]
To the editor: I am writing to express my deep disappointment in Manitou Springs School District leadership’s decisions in recent months. One, the news of the resignation of MSHS principal Mr. Hull — a dedicated and experienced educator who I know cares deeply about the school, the teachers and the students. The impacts of these […]
“I move that we postpone this item until our meeting on May 17th, 2022. During the postponement, staff is directed to have architectural drawings prepared by a licensed architect which reflect the proposals depicted in the neighborhood model. “The architect is also directed to present plausible floor plans, elevation views and conceptual cost analysis, on […]
Raising the next generation is a shared responsibility owned by all. When families, communities and schools work together, students have the opportunity to flourish and the entire community benefits. For schools and districts across the United States, civic and family engagement is critical to the success of our educational system. There is growing concern among […]
To the editor: Although I did not attend the last City Council meeting I was shocked and saddened to read the results. The Preserve and Renew our Carnegie Library Task Force, made up entirely of volunteers, has work tirelessly for more than a year to get our library restored and upgraded. In my opinion, they […]
To the editor: I was so sorry to see that Jack Elder passed. He was such an amazingly kind person with an incredibly deep soul. He often stepped in to pick up the slack with the Manitou Springs Arts Council long after he was officially off the board. So many aspects of the Manitou community […]
To the editor: What a blow to lose Jack Elder! I appreciated reading all the letters submitted. … Jack touched so many lives. Jack was an amazing guy! I remember him coming to meetings of the Manitou Art Project to see what the news was, and visiting us during installations or even pedestal repair work. […]
