Board directs staff to prioritize compensation and deliver employee handbook draft before spring break

During a work session discussion about the district’s employee handbook and compensation strategy, the Colorado Springs School District 11 board asked administration to prioritize staff compensation for any new state funding and set an aggressive timeline for staff to deliver both compensation models and a draft unified employee handbook.

Why it matters: With state school‑finance uncertainty in the upcoming legislative session, the board emphasized protecting and increasing staff pay where possible while still preserving central‑office capacity. The board also sought clear procedures for staff input, complaint handling and handbook revision so employees can see protections and pathways for concerns during the document transition.

Board direction on compensation Board members reaffirmed prior guidance that "all new money from the state will go toward staff compensation," and asked Superintendent Dr. Comfort to return compensation models once the March revenue forecast is clearer. Dr. Comfort told the board he expects to bring preliminary models by spring break and recommended discussing specifics in executive session when warranted.

Handbook development, staff input and operational ownership The board and staff agreed the district will move from separate ESP/exec‑pro handbooks toward a single, unified employee handbook. The employee engagement group (EEG) — which includes representatives from employee groups — will be the primary vehicle to develop the draft. Board members asked that the handbook include: - A clear mechanism for collecting staff input and operational suggestions; - Procedures for fielding complaints and grievances and reference to state whistleblower protections where applicable; - A stated revision mechanism so employees know how and when handbook changes will be considered in future years.

President Malpakkam and other board members emphasized that the handbook is primarily an operational document owned by administration, with the board maintaining policy oversight; the board asked staff to research practices in other districts and return with a proposed operational process for handbook revision.

Quotes and timeline Superintendent Dr. Comfort told the board: "I can bring you guys some models that I think will be close by the time we get to spring break." Staff committed to deliver a complete handbook draft and a proposal for revision mechanisms by spring break so the board and employee groups can review and provide final direction.

Actions assigned The board asked administration to: - Prioritize all new state funding for staff compensation and, if needed, seek efficiency savings to augment compensation; staff to present models by spring break. - Deliver a complete draft unified employee handbook before spring break developed through the EEG and including mechanisms for staff input, grievance handling and revision procedures. - Provide clear language about the operational ownership of the handbook and protections that ensure changes will not be made arbitrarily midyear.

Ending Staff said they would bring a draft and a recommended revision and engagement process before spring break and that the EEG will continue focused meetings to produce the document. The board asked staff to return with a plan that balances administrative flexibility, transparency and employee protections.