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District 11 moves Jenkins students to Russell and Doherty; hires geotechnical firm to probe cause
Summary
Colorado Springs School District 11 relocated Jenkins Middle School students to Russell and Doherty after an urgent building issue; the district contracted CTL Thompson as a geotechnical subcontractor to Jensen Hughes to investigate soil and site causes.
Superintendent (name not specified) told the board that Colorado Springs School District 11 temporarily relocated Jenkins Middle School students: sixth graders were moved to Russell and seventh- and eighth-graders to Doherty to allow continued instruction while the district investigates a structural concern.
The superintendent said staff and community partners helped with an expedited move, noting crews, volunteers and contracted movers assisted with packing and transfer of classroom materials. The district scheduled parent information and orientation events at Russell and Doherty and said both receiving schools had been given extra funds to support the temporary move.
Why it matters: the board and district framed the action as urgent and short-term, aimed at preserving uninterrupted instruction while the district determines the cause of the problem and next steps for Jenkins families and staff.
District staff said the board’s existing Jensen Hughes contract would be used to manage investigation work and that CTL Thompson has been added as a subcontractor to provide a geotechnical soils survey. The superintendent emphasized the district needs a soils team to determine whether the issue stems from original construction, the building’s proximity to a creek or other site conditions before moving to options or remedies.
The superintendent described a planned public update: community meetings and a timeline for the board and public. An orientation for Jenkins families was scheduled the evening following the work session and district leaders said instruction would continue the next school day at the receiving campuses. Staff were directed to prepare a timeline of planned investigative and operational steps for the board’s next work session and for posting on the district website.
Board comments thanked staff and volunteers for the move, asked that the district proactively advertise tours and enrollment information so the school’s choice window is not harmed, and urged expedited procurement where required to accelerate safe return of students if the building can be remediated. Board members and the superintendent said they will report investigation results to the community once CTL Thompson’s soils work and the Jensen Hughes team complete their report.
