Letters to the Editor

ByLyn Harwell

Sep 27, 2022

Elizabeth Domangue superintendent of schools.

School District 14 making strong and positive start

Time sure does fly by quickly. We are already in the fifth full week of school, and the school year is off to a strong and positive start. It has been wonderful to see students’ smiles.

I wanted to provide the community with some updates and celebrations:

Our District Performance Framework from the Colorado Department of Education increased from 71.3 percent (in 2019) to 72.6 percent (in 2022). Ute Pass Elementary school moved from “Improvement” status to “Performance” status, with a jump from 49 percent to 69 percent. Congratulations, UPE.

All four schools are now in the “Performance” status. For growth, math went from “Approaching” at the elementary and middle schools to “Meets.”

There are many other celebrations when it comes to growth and achievement across all of our schools.

We also know that there are areas of growth that we will continue to work together to support. We will provide an annual report soon.

During a time when many districts and schools across the state and nation saw declines, we, in many areas of assessment, saw increases, which are important to acknowledge and celebrate.

This is a testament to the strong commitment of our educators and our exceptional students and families. I am so thankful for the opportunity to work alongside such amazing people who always focus on what each and every student deserves when it comes to learning, growing and thriving, while never compromising a whole-child approach.

We started the school year with every licensed position filled. This is a big deal because many of our area school districts started with vacancies. I share this because I am so thankful for each and every one of our employees — in every position.

I am so excited to share that Elanor Fugate is a National Merit Semifinalist. Not only is she academically strong, she has the highest character and integrity.

She is involved in so many aspects of the high school and she is genuinely a caring person. Her peers frequently acknowledge this attribute that she embodies with humility.

I have appreciated getting to know Elanor over the years through her involvement in lots of activities (soccer, Key Club, theater and more), and she serves on the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council. I can’t wait to see what she goes on to accomplish in life … it will be amazing.

It has been several years since MSSD has had a National Merit Semifinalist.

October is Arts Month in the Pikes Peak region. We have several events this fall that we hope you and your family will attend.

Here are some of the events: