The Manitou Springs District 14 board of education met Monday, Jan. 24, to discuss policy and listen to updates about the school district.
The meeting took place in the SILC building at Manitou Springs High School and streamed live via Zoom. It followed a four-hour board retreat, during which members set goals for the year ahead and discussed policy.
The pre-meeting work session began with a quick budget update from district Chief Financial Officer Suzi Thompson. She began by asking the board if they would require a revised budget due to small changes in funding and expenditures.
In the past, the district has required Thompson to revise the annual budget after any changes, which, according to Thompson, is an uncommon practice unless the revisions are due to large, unexpected expenditures.
She noted that the current budget changes were negligible and did not warrant a revised budget unless the board decided to require it. The board agreed with the recommendation not to revise at this time.
During the budget presentation, Thompson praised the district’s nutrition services staff for their work. The nutrition program has been bringing in revenue and Thompson noted that many older students are choosing to stay on campus for lunch.
The nutrition program’s financial success has been bolstered by government funding that provides free lunch to students during the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, Thompson explained that a portion of the $150,000 nutrition services budget that would normally transfer from the district general fund to the program possibly could be allocated to the district’s other pressing needs, instead.
However, Thompson said that the district would need to be careful when making such a decision because food costs have risen during the pandemic and the nutrition staff frequently must adapt to shortages impacting suppliers.
The board then tackled revisions to Policy GBEB, which provides guidance for staff conduct and responsibilities. The revision is timely and likely a response to the recent arrests of two former Manitou Springs High School teachers.
Former teacher and soccer coach Matthew Barton is accused of sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust for acts allegedly committed in 2009-2010. Barton left the district in 2011.
Timothy Hilt, a former English teacher who resigned in 2016, is also facing charges of sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust, during the 2015-2016 year.
The GBEB revisions are still in draft form and attorneys are reviewing them. Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Domangue noted the last revision occurred in 2011, the year that Barton left the district.
The board discussed how stringent to make the new guidelines. All members expressed concern that making them too stringent might damage the beneficial relationships between students and staff.
However, all board members agreed that the latest draft document provided more clarity for staff on how to engage with students than the 2011 iteration. Domangue said that administrative staff would continue to work on the new draft.
The board did not directly address the allegations against Hilt or Barton, or the ongoing investigations.
Domangue also presented a superintendent’s report on Executive Limitation 1.5, which states: “The Superintendent shall not fail to inform and support the Board in its work.” Domangue provided evidence of her consistent communication with the board, including participation in monthly meetings.
The regular meeting featured a presentation from Andrew Fenity, Ute Pass Board of Cooperative Educational Service assistant director. According to the Colorado BOCES Association, “BOCES exist to supply educational services to two or more school districts that alone cannot afford the service, or find it advantageous and cost-effective to cooperate with other districts.”
Ute Pass BOCES serves Manitou Springs, Woodland Park and Cripple Creek-Victor schools. Its mission states: “Special educators in the Ute Pass BOCES will act as skill-building advocates in order to provide fair and appropriate access to resources and opportunities for students so they can become functionally independent according to their potential.”
The special education services BOCES provides are extensive, with 19 full- and part-time service providers. Additionally, the special education staff has 10 special education teachers, three special service providers and 21 paraprofessionals.
The program also has four part- and full-time teachers who provide behavioral therapy, support for students with autism, education for transition to independence, physical therapy, speech and language assistance, and support for visually impaired students.
“We aspire to accomplish strengthened, specially designed instruction, as well as academic and functional skills through a robust professional learning community,” Fenity said.
BOCES is also responsible for accountability for state and federal funds, reporting and adherence to licensing requirements for special education providers.
During the evening, the board also announced it would return to a two-meeting structure, with work sessions and regular meetings kept separate.
The next work session will start at 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 10. The next regular meeting will take place Monday, Feb. 28, with the time to be decided during the work session.