Board hears update on new Colorado Springs School of Technology; directors and public press funding, governance and equity questions

The Colorado Springs School District 11 Board of Education received an update on the Colorado Springs School of Technology (CSST), a district innovation school planned to open with a ninth‑grade cohort, and discussed facility, funding and governance issues.

District administrators said the state Board of Education unanimously approved the CSST innovation application and associated waivers last April. Dr. Brandon Comfort (District administration) told the board: "CSST is a District 11 school. It is not a private school, it is not a charter school, it is a district 11 school. It is a school of innovation." Nathan Gorsch, CSST’s executive director, described CSST as a STEM‑focused program with industry and higher‑education partnerships and a mission to blend "innovation meets character."

Program and facility: CSST is targeting an initial enrollment of about 100 ninth graders (the application allows flexibility for mixing ninth and tenth graders). The district and CSST leaders said they are negotiating to use space in the back of the UCCS National Cybersecurity Center and estimated an initial tenant‑improvement cost of about $2.5 million to build classrooms, flexible workspace and labs. The presenters said UCCS has expressed interest in a long‑term, rent‑free lease (district presenters described discussions about a potential 30‑year rent‑free term), with the district covering renovation costs and utilities. The planned space would co‑locate K‑12 students near higher‑education and industry partners to enable dual enrollment, adjunct instruction and internship pathways.

Funding and oversight questions: Several board members and public commenters pressed for clarity on funding sources and oversight. Director Nelson asked whether the CSST capital request would come from mill levy override (MLO) capital contingency funds or other capital reserves; district staff said the project could be funded from a combination of sources (MLO capital PIP, general fund capital contingency or other capital resources) and that any use of MLO contingency would follow normal oversight and review processes. Director Nelson and others requested that any MLO recommendation go to the MLO oversight committee.

Governance and accountability: Board members sought clarity on CSST’s governance model. Presenters said the innovation statute allows an alternative governance model and that CSST will operate as a district school with an "alternative governance" nonprofit board overseeing innovation aspects, an arrangement approved by the state. The district noted the school must meet performance and enrollment measures in an Educational Service Agreement and will undergo renewal reviews (presenters said innovation plans are reviewed every three years). The board asked for clearer public documentation of CSST’s governance board membership, meeting schedule, agendas and minutes.

Equity, access and operations: Directors asked how CSST students will access athletics and other activities (state law allows students at schools without programs to participate at their district school of attendance) and how transportation will be provided. Presenters said transportation options would be developed (potentially a mix of district busing depending on economies of scale and parent transport) and that the district will provide special‑education supports because CSST is a district school. Staff said some details—such as adjunct offerings, dual‑enrollment partnerships and teacher certification pathways—are in development and will depend on the staff the school hires.

Public concern and conflict‑of‑interest questions: Multiple public commenters objected to moving capital resources to CSST while Jenkins Middle School faces immediate repair needs; one student speaker said, "$2,500,000 for a school to house 100 students freshmen is nothing less than disrespectful for the hundreds of D11 students" (Devin Summers, D11 student). Others asked whether Superintendent Goll’s service on CSST’s nonprofit board created a conflict of interest; Goll told the board counsel had reviewed the matter and he would recuse himself from any vote if the board asked him to do so. He said his role on the CSST board is meant to support a tripartite K‑12/higher ed/industry partnership and that the state board had given the CSST application unanimous approval.

Next steps: CSST leaders said recruitment is underway (about 88 families had expressed interest at the time of the meeting) and that additional information nights and website updates will follow. The board postponed a budget transfer tied to CSST renovations at UCCS (action item D3) and tabled any vote on capital spending until the board receives more detailed cost, lease and oversight information.