Domangue details student-safety efforts

Dr. Elizabeth Domangue, superintendent of Manitou Springs School District 14, is thinking and talking about Title IX a lot these days.

That portion of the federal Education Amendments of 1972 applies to, among other things: “sex-based harassment, which encompasses sexual assault and other forms of sexual violence …” in schools that receive federal financial assistance.

“Just before the winter break, high school students had the opportunity to learn more about their rights under Title IX and what it means for an adult to be a mandatory reporter. We will continue to engage in these important opportunities for and with students about what they need right now and in the future,” Domangue said.

It’s especially relevant now, as district leaders and the community deal with criminal cases against two former teachers accused of assaulting students.

Timothy Hilt, who taught English at Manitou Springs High School before resigning and moving away in 2016, is accused of sexually assaulting a student starting in March 2015.

Matthew Barton, who taught and coached soccer at MSHS until 2011, is facing six counts of felony sexual assault on a child.

A reminder: In the eyes of the law, a person is considered a child — unable to consent to sex — until their 16th birthday.

Domangue expressed hope that students and their families would participate in the district’s Wednesday, Feb. 2, community forum about safety and wellness and that it would foster community dialogue. The forum took place after this Bulletin issue went to press, but more information will be available in the Feb. 10 issue.

She and other district leaders are working with the Mental Health Team and other staffers to find ways to support students, and they, along with the District 14 school board, are reviewing policies regarding the staff code of conduct and professional boundaries with students.

“We are starting an external assessment of employees’, students’ and parents’ current understanding and knowledge of Title IX, mandatory reporting, Safe2Tell, and other resources to support students feeling safe to learn, engage and thrive 100 percent of the time,” Domangue said.

The superintendent knows that efforts to give students the tools to feel safe in schools should start in early childhood, but is mindful about what’s age-appropriate to share with younger students.

“The partnership with parents and staff on these matters is essential. This aligns with the significant opportunities that have been available with Partners for Healthy Choices for over a decade,” she said.

Domangue has had “significant conversations” with District 14 parents and is grateful that they’re willing to ask questions and share their concerns.

Although she believes that the district’s schools are safe environments, she’s committed to ensuring District 14’s actions to protect students are aligned with the best practices that districts across the nation follow.

She couldn’t answer every Bulletin question, citing the ongoing investigations. But she did talk about her emotions upon hearing of the accusations.

“It is hard to describe the thoughts and feelings you experience when you learn about these types of allegations of crimes against a child. Our first responsibility as educators is the safety and security of children,” she said.

“The thought of a crime against a child is awful, and crimes against children are absolutely unacceptable.”

As the Manitou Springs Police Department continues its investigations, Domangue knows that she’ll continue to face questions from concerned families. So far, the accusations date back to events alleged to have happened in 2009.

“Until that work is complete, we will continue working with the authorities, providing any information we can to help them complete their thorough investigation to bring this matter to closure,” she said.

Domangue’s predecessor, Ed Longfield, retired in 2019 after leading the district for 10 years. Efforts to contact him were unsuccessful.

RESOURCES

The public is encouraged to call the MSPD at 685-5407 with information about these cases and any others. Safe2Tell (safe2tell.org) takes reports, which can be anonymous, on its hotline, 1-877-542-7233.