[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6339994,"mediaKeyId","2260150-553aa7e7d3ff3926804a384554ba6596","parentId",2260150,"title","Board adopts 2025-26 calendar after debate over elementary PLCs and teacher plan time","audioSeconds",7751,"startMs",2970000,"endMs",10721000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2260150-553aa7e7d3ff3926804a384554ba6596&start=2970&end=10721","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2260150-553aa7e7d3ff3926804a384554ba6596/thumbnail_2970000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6339994/Colorado/Board-adopts-2025-26-calendar-after-debate-over-elementary-PLCs-and-teacher-plan-time","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6339994-dcbe40925a2c20b5e788c5e23cc41256/orig.mp4?Expires=1775403205&Signature=h1ITveAoWz-NCLmNMXMGtWI3-q6aC6-fR7YnU13n3jQLUfvFBLv8vb~aohrhgdfp10BARle2NklukABw-CyfYXgEDuGWTasNGLNCebhJYhX~jcZN-MUbSXhHjWdkNhdPh9Ra1UOnBRfLIJ-zam-hqhbv82ih6W516cDVtwbIgjBJqAsNeHB40yx4oWAiSEMe9-LPmQFq6z6uKO7~pgLp15mUaTk6A-ojb1oeLS0Ggt-EMxFuD8XrE7rt2sMEiGxkRcna3oAseX96QvMZ5zesajDqpaQxe60oZrb0Vk2vMEkDurA9jil7hyPYZH9rqLf8L~SK9b6DqjzOIZcb4-FuKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Colorado Springs School District 11","date","2025-02-05T00:00:00Z","article","The Board of Education approved the district'wide calendar for the 2025-26 school year on Wednesday after public commenters and several teachers urged the board to preserve elementary professional learning community (PLC) time without eroding teachers'daily plan periods.

The calendar was developed by the district calendar committee and endorsed by Joint Council before coming to the board. Director Ott moved adoption; the board approved the calendar by roll call.

Why it mattered: Several teachers, calendar-committee members and CSEA representatives told the board that the district's changes this year (embedding PLC time rather than scheduling separate PLC days) have caused PLC work to be placed in teachers'individual plan time, reducing uninterrupted planning for lesson preparation and grading.

Voices from the public
- Carmen Moyer, CSEA treasurer and second-grade teacher at Keller Elementary, told the board: \"On paper elementary teachers get 110 minutes of planned time... in actuality on average we get about 85 minutes a day, which is just barely over that 80 minutes.\" She urged the board not to cut plan time.
- Monica Peeler, a second-grade teacher and dyslexia therapist, said: \"Plan time for educators is sacred. It involves long term and short term planning, grading, creating content, designing lessons...\" and asked the board to return calendars to the calendar committee if the issue was not addressed.
- Jackson Hoskinson (teacher at McAuliffe), explained how PLCs function: \"PLCs are designed around the four guiding questions: What do we want students to know and be able to do? How will we know if they've learned it? What do we do when they haven't learned it? And how do we extend learning for those who have already proved proficiency?\" He argued true PLC work requires longer collaborative sessions than many buildings currently schedule.

Administration response and guidance
The district said the committee proposed an embedded PLC model with a double plan period during the week in many buildings. Chief-level staff said principals are using a mix of double plan periods, early release with subs, and schedule adjustments to ensure PLCs occur without eliminating teachers'individual plan time. The district encouraged staff to raise site-specific issues through building administration and Joint Council so central staff can work with principals to remedy scheduling problems.

Board discussion and next steps
Board members noted the calendar committee included teacher representatives and that survey results showed broad support for some elements (for example, a fall break). Several members urged teachers to document specific instances where PLCs are displacing plan time so principals and the district can intervene.

Votes at the meeting
- Motion: \"The Board of Education approves the proposed calendar for 2025-26 as submitted by the administration.\" (mover: Director Ott). Approved by roll call.

Ending: The board adopted the 2025-26 calendar but asked district staff to continue addressing teacher concerns about PLC scheduling at the school level. The calendar committee and Joint Council will be available for future revisions, and the district said it will consider adjustments (including conference timing and preschool alignment) in subsequent calendar cycles.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board Of Education Regular Meeting 2-5-2025","oneSentenceSummary","District 11 adopted its 2025-26 school calendar Wednesday after teachers and union representatives warned the schedule's embedded PLC model risks taking away elementary plan time.","taxTitle","Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the cou, School Districts , Colorado","taxId",12901,"location","Colorado","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6339998,"Board approves $2.5 million to start Colorado Springs School of Technology at UCCS; some directors question co-location",762,5647000,6409000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2260150-553aa7e7d3ff3926804a384554ba6596&start=5647&end=6409","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2260150-553aa7e7d3ff3926804a384554ba6596/thumbnail_5647000.jpg","/articles/6339998/Colorado/Board-approves-25-million-to-start-Colorado-Springs-School-of-Technology-at-UCCS-some-directors-question-co-location","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6339998-3cbf07002ce2f21b353ffd74bfab33ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1775403205&Signature=ifA2MAypKbRrgjlDTPWhKQAleGfbKc7T7Xr955vD4wH6tjnEwpI2rug6bOBQq6j4APXnG0pYuh2Pb8XfAGuQMc23iSTTn5tpGF4hFzuP~k0JyxFRGml1h4aY-09TQm3t0MdGkOO171FGF-pfFqJ~71hV0ipt8EBV0-XRVBytyhrucdnPqmMfz-uyeORcZr8FyenTyUq-IYwNysLJlc6cFLX0bgcJiLWBi5sMyCV2VngVk4FnGZH4rbJJyadC-RF1g7P44w-SGrnHvO1qZQqLfXDiGDq8jxBDfLgowytwraSgyFWryf48M7ya~BuWW89W0Knvr0r4Izu1mCr101n3eQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Education approved a $2.5 million contingency transfer on Wednesday to fund initial renovations at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs for the Colorado Springs School of Technology (CSST), an Innovation Zone high school set to open in 2026.

Director Carey moved the contingency transfer and the board approved the motion after discussion. Superintendent Michael Gall said there was no additional information beyond earlier briefings, and Director Bankes described UCCS's recent cybersecurity designations and the university's capacity to support a specialized STEM program.

Nut graf: Supporters said the CSST at UCCS offers a unique immersive STEM pathway and access to university and industry resources; a dissenting board member said an in-district program at an existing high school would serve far more students for the same investment.

Key facts
- Motion: \"The Board of Education approves the contingency transfer of 2,500,000.0 to begin renovations at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, for the new Colorado Springs School of Technology, CSST, Innovation High School scheduled to open in 2026.\" (mover: Director Carey). The motion was seconded and approved by roll call.
- Board discussion noted the CSST is a portfolio school, not a charter, and will include partnerships with UCCS and Pikes Peak State College.
- District staff and board members said the contract with UCCS is a long-term (30-year) arrangement and the planned school would serve roughly 400'500 students in a specialized STEM track.

Support and dissent
Director Bankes highlighted UCCS's designation by the National Security Agency as a National Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Research and described opportunities for students to engage with university labs and regional industry partners. Director Nelson said the arrangement is a strong value compared with building a new facility.

Director Knott (transcribed) expressed reservations, saying an embedded program inside an existing district high school could reach many more students for the same dollars and criticized a lack of clarity about outside sponsors' financial contributions.

Outcome and next steps
The board approved the $2.5 million transfer by roll call. District leaders said the $2.5 million would not affect Jenkins funding and that any further renovation/construction funding would return to the board after design and cost estimates were developed. The district will continue planning with UCCS and report back to the board on implementation and enrollment details.

Provenance: Motion and approval recorded Feb. 5; discussion between Jan. and Feb. meetings provided background on the planned partnership with UCCS.","District 11 approved a $2.5 million contingency transfer to begin renovations at UCCS for the Colorado Springs School of Technology, an Innovation Zone high school planned to open in 2026.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6340002,"Board approves $750,000 design contingency to begin Jenkins Middle School repairs",1990,3930000,5920000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2260150-553aa7e7d3ff3926804a384554ba6596&start=3930&end=5920","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2260150-553aa7e7d3ff3926804a384554ba6596/thumbnail_3930000.jpg","/articles/6340002/Colorado/Board-approves-750000-design-contingency-to-begin-Jenkins-Middle-School-repairs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6340002-72313bfee6dc01d1551f343c3fa27c48/orig.mp4?Expires=1775403205&Signature=hi6d0n~Eb3KGRQVH3lzuQDlaeuhojoo0eW0KJC6GcYmTzYrMEn2Un9rdtlpINn0qRi5teMhQvbVOX93YkX5S3-32kkkuiwfEvZvHhidEDB9UWO6LMpMDlK9HTg1Rk6zlwDcvteiCdjLDbNzyXEmUaEQ5yR5kWE6NPRlK76wUn13la8kKz~EP-FqHfWtsrxVmqu3ee1NmSEUeMV2QkOVUCiQm0Gy~9s1sgmQcB0W8O3tEB-tsUMrucw6YVlwEta0ICwKGZpDgs7OqpEwxzTgdhWRPCWf0gin9mtd0eJ6ZbyVF2c29bYHROFiB7KtIAbDcu6kiC6o9Mbvd8M32Yz28cA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Colorado Springs School District 11 Board of Education on Wednesday approved a $750,000 contingency transfer to fund phase 1 design work for Jenkins Middle School after the district's initial structural review found problems requiring urgent attention.

The motion, made by Director Bankes and seconded on the floor, passed unanimously by roll call. \"We are moving quickly,\" Superintendent Michael Gall told the board, describing the transfer as an allocation to avoid schedule delays once engineers and designers are selected.

Nut graf: The board said it will continue engineering and geotechnical work and return to the board with design options and cost estimates; district leaders said they want to complete necessary repairs with urgency so Jenkins's students can return to their campus in a timely manner.

What the board approved
- Motion: \"That the Board of Education approves the capital reserve contingency transfer for $750,000 to initiate phase 1 of the Jenkins Middle School design project as indicated.\" (moved by Director Bankes). The board approved the transfer by roll call.
- Superintendent and staff comments said the money will fund the design phase; a separate request for additional funding will return when cost estimates are available.

Key details and timeline
- The district released Jensen Hughes' initial structural report; the district is still waiting for a geotechnical report that staff said is critical to final design.
- The district opened an RFP on Jan. 30 and walked potential contractors through the building; staff said they might award a contract \"as early as Friday\" depending on responses.
- District leaders told the board they aim to communicate any major impacts on next school year by spring so families have time to plan.

Board and community context
Board members repeatedly described the Jenkins project as urgent and thanked staff and the community for supporting temporary relocations of students to other campuses while the work proceeds. The board emphasized that the contingency transfer is only for design; staff said further funding requests would return once design options and cost estimates are known.

Provenance: The Jenkins structural issues and the design transfer were discussed publicly in the board meeting and the board approved the contingency transfer on Feb. 5.","District 11 approved a $750,000 capital reserve transfer to begin design work for repairs to Jenkins Middle School after an initial structural report. The board directed staff to return with cost estimates once design options are complete.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6340008,"Hundreds of public commenters urge board to revise proposed name-change policy; students and advocates warn of harm",3946,4669000,8615000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2260150-553aa7e7d3ff3926804a384554ba6596&start=4669&end=8615","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2260150-553aa7e7d3ff3926804a384554ba6596/thumbnail_4669000.jpg","/articles/6340008/Colorado/Hundreds-of-public-commenters-urge-board-to-revise-proposed-name-change-policy-students-and-advocates-warn-of-harm","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6340008-cf692b2ff8328f9d1e7f2ff035c40bad/orig.mp4?Expires=1775403205&Signature=Aiu-sUhZBW5qr0jIG5hg7Mvvy8YIvGEkDf0nTJfHvlXwke3R8U2H~uZyc3TaTdKCosFVo-7OBegetjYcSNht-85Z2dV7pVl-mX69DT~fNF3fmjEc7pdrtTNEwi8A0HuuqwiGuBH31gAe2ozAtaH572OHoSwjyHVWmmjJFcX5HSLHO3vTC7YA-Rd5yCpCEZiO9von49H0pLnayCoPlYUjQ9leqPX9eI0DhxFBv6mwQm9qL9oG8vNlmUBWjwX8EacpyqFr0-26xS1QYLK4G6~tCDEadibWQOhLcjWaVjpX7UO~F-0kGBeRvTKO2MmRlktmbJAk3KYpfevetn4gr4Io3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Colorado Springs School District 11 board members heard more than an hour of public comment on Wednesday about a proposed policy on students'chosen names. Speakers included current and former students, nonprofit youth-service leaders and teachers who urged the board to remove a parental-consent requirement or to revise the policy so it would not \"out\" students to unsupportive families.

The board heard from Michelangelo Crewson, who identified himself as a junior at Paloma High School and as a transgender man. \"I do truly believe that transgender people deserve the same rights and safeties as everyone else,\" Crewson told the board, describing the cost to students when schools disclose identity information before a student is ready.

The comments came amid debate over a draft District 11 policy labeled ACA that would formalize how the district handles a student's request to be known by a name different from their legal name. The measure is a response to Colorado House Bill 24-1039; the board has been discussing different text and operational guidance since late 2024.

Why it matters: Speakers and area youth providers said the proposed draft — as written in earlier versions — could force transgender students to choose between family trust and safety at school. Inside Out Youth Services staff, faith leaders and student speakers told the board that requiring parental consent can increase risks of mental-health crises, family rejection and homelessness.

What speakers said
- Angie Hackett Larson, co-executive director of Inside Out Youth Services, said the board'level policy \"will hurt students\" as written and urged the board to consult youth-service experts and clinicians before finalizing language.
- Reverend Josh Rumpel urged district staff and teachers to continue using a student's chosen name regardless of the policy, saying, \"You are loved, not in spite of your identity, but simply because you exist.\" He described research showing that supportive adults reduce suicide risk.

Supporters of parental notification and parental-rights provisions also addressed the board, arguing that parents should not be kept uninformed about a child's identity or records. The board did not take a vote on ACA on Wednesday.

Board direction and next steps
Board members discussed two alternate approaches: keep a longer policy that included operational detail, or adopt a shorter, high-level policy that establishes the district's obligation and leaves operational steps to administration. Several members signaled support for a shorter, higher-level policy but asked that the draft explicitly reference the family-privacy protections already governed by federal law.

By the end of the meeting the board directed staff to:
- Incorporate a brief reference to student-record protections (FERPA) and disclosure to third parties into a shorter ACA draft; and
- Send that revised draft to district legal counsel for review and return the item as an action item at the board's March meeting.

What the district said
Superintendent Michael Gall and district counsel have previously told board members that the district must implement a written policy to comply with HB 24-1039 and that operational details (for example, how staff inform students about parental notification) are typically handled by administrative procedure rather than policy.

Context and public response
Many speakers said they had personal experience of harm when family members learned about a student's gender identity, and several recounted suicide attempts, homelessness, or family violence after being \"outed.\" Inside Out and other advocates cited research and local service caseloads they say link forced outing to worse mental-health outcomes.

The board's next step will be a legal review of the shorter ACA draft and a planned March action item. The discussion Wednesday made clear that the board remains divided on the balance between parental notification and student privacy, and that community members expect a prompt, transparent update when legal counsel's review is complete.

Ending note: Numerous speakers asked teachers and staff to continue using students' chosen names in day-to-day interactions, and several board members publicly encouraged staff to prioritize student safety while the policy is finalized.","Dozens of speakers — students, teachers and youth-service advocates — told the District 11 board that requiring parental consent for a student'chosen name would put transgender and gender-nonconforming students at risk. The board directed staff to run a shorter draft by legal counsel and return a revised policy in March.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board adopts 2025-26 calendar after debate over elementary PLCs and teacher plan time

Board approves $2.5 million to start Colorado Springs School of Technology at UCCS; some directors question co-location

Board approves $750,000 design contingency to begin Jenkins Middle School repairs

Hundreds of public commenters urge board to revise proposed name-change policy; students and advocates warn of harm