Manitou Springs School District 14 staff gathered Monday, Aug. 15, to celebrate the beginning of the school year. They caught up with friends over breakfast, heard welcome speeches, laughed together and cheered.
D14 Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Domangue hosted the “racing into a new year” event at the Manitou Springs High School track.
“This is the first time in two years that we had not had to plan for significant pandemic protocols, which I think makes us all very, very happy,” Domangue said.
She reminded the crowd that the D14 Board of Education has one vacancy, expected to be filled in September.
Domangue discussed the leadership team’s summer activities, which led to a commitment to deeper understanding.
“Our district’s core values of relationships, deep learning and opportunity are at the core of our actions and decision-making,” the superintendent said.
She also said that every open District 14 job has been filled, other than a dance/yoga position at the high school and a few paraprofessional positions.
Domangue called the district principals to the podium to announce their new staff members (see directory links below). They are: Maria Masone, Manitou Springs Elementary; Jackie Powell, Ute Pass Elementary; Dustin Cady, Manitou Springs Middle School; and Anna Conrad, interim principal at Manitou Springs High School.
Other major changes: Janie Anderson, director of security, announced the district has hired a new security company, Baker & King Security Service of Colorado Springs; and Domangue announced Sarah McAfee as the new director of human resources.
Domangue then introduced Natalie Johnson, school board president, who spoke briefly on the board’s behalf.
“Thank you for choosing us and for being here today. This year, the city of Manitou Springs is celebrating its 150th anniversary. It is also the 100th anniversary of Manitou Springs Elementary School,” she said.
“I am proud to be a part of this community and the school district.”
Domangue brought up Ansel Raymond, who is starting sixth grade at Ute Pass Elementary and spoke about his experiences after joining MSES as a second-grader.
“My teachers challenged me to go beyond what I thought I could do. I learned important life skills, like how to research and present my ideas,” Ansel said.
“Everyone is supported and appreciated for who they are. I will never forget the wonderful teachers and staff at MSES.”
Cory Urban, a 2009 MSHS graduate and sixth-grade math teacher, then spoke about why she wanted to return to the district.
“I came back to teach mostly because I needed to feed my soul and I knew that Manitou and this community would be the place to do that,” she said.
Sierra Dunlap, an incoming MSHS junior, said that she’s been part of the district since preschool and has always felt a strong sense of unity within the schools.
“Being able to collaborate with other students and Manitou community members is something that I think is very unique to Manitou. And it’s helped me develop skills and communication and teamwork,” Sierra said.
“These teachers, community members, coaches and staff have taught me the importance of strong relationships and collaboration.”
Mitch Routon, a 1998 MSHS graduate, talked about the graduates who’ve gone on to fame as musicians and actors. But his accomplishments as an advocate for people with disabilities are much more important than that.
“It wasn’t just my family that guided me through, it was the entire town of Manitou Springs,” he said.
Mayor John Graham then thanked the district’s administrators, faculty and staff for their work and welcomed them on behalf of the community.
“Let’s continue our partnership. We’ve had a long history of community spirit. You saw how many of the folks here have been deeply involved as students or parents. Let’s build on that community spirit,” Graham said.
“It has been kind of rough past couple of years with COVID. This is a year without masks. This is a year of opportunity.”
Gary Miller, D14 superintendent from 1973 to 1997 and a 1962 graduate, then stepped to the podium. He described his experiences growing up one block from Manitou Elementary, being one of the students shuffled from building to building because of overcrowding and the mentors who helped him be a better student and find his career.
When he was promoted to Manitou Elementary principal, Miller said, the staffers were probably old enough to be his grandmas.
“I was 27 years old, and they probably were 60 as an average, but they put their arms around me and helped me run the school, told me what I was doing right. And then when I was going wrong.”
He envisioned the next young student who would follow his path with help from D14 teachers and end up as a retired superintendent, in 70 years, telling students and staff how important they are.
“This school district is not brick-and-mortar structures. It’s not a curriculum. It’s not a set of programs and systems,” Miller said.
“It’s you. You are the school district, and your predecessors impacted me in many ways that I can’t even begin to explain. I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
After Miller’s rousing speech, Quinn Scott, an incoming eighth-grader at the middle school, performed on the violin. He did a fine job for the cheering crowd.
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
Friday, Sept. 30: Homecoming Parade
Saturday, Oct. 1: Alumni and Friends of MSSD Celebration of 150 Years
Plus events with dates to be determined.
STAFF DIRECTORIES
Available at: mse.mssd14.org/staff, upe.mssd14.org/staff, msm.mssd14.org/staff and msh.mssd14.org/staff.