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Board advances multiple course proposals for Vista Ridge and Sand Creek high schools

El Paso County Colorado School District 49 Board of Education · December 5, 2025

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Summary

Administrators introduced new course proposals including dance, music composition and advanced guitar at Vista Ridge; Sand Creek proposed expanded 'partners' classes for inclusive education, a medical assistant capstone and several electives. Board gave consensus to move the proposals forward for formal approval at a future meeting.

Tom Payne, principal of Vista Ridge High School, presented four proposed courses to strengthen the performing-arts pathway: intermediate and advanced dance (as a dance/PE pathway), music composition and songwriting, and an advanced guitar course. The board clarified which courses would qualify for fine‑arts vs. PE credits, and members and student board representatives expressed strong support. The board indicated consensus to move the courses forward for formal approval at the next meeting.

Amy Sanchez Martinez, principal at Sand Creek High School, presented several proposals under multiple umbrellas: 'Partners' classes to expand adaptive programming (partners in art, partners in STEM, partners in music) so students with special education (IEP/504) services can participate alongside trained general‑education partners; a health‑science capstone (medical assistant pathway) that bundles CNA, EKG, phlebotomy and front‑office skills and aims to position students for certification; jewelry 2 elective; a project‑management course under business; and a media‑literacy English elective focused on AI literacy, viral messaging and critical consumption of media.

Board members and students asked about course credit types, training for general‑education partners, certification hours and community partnerships for clinical experiences. Administration said some certification elements require hours beyond high‑school timelines and may be completed after graduation when state rules require the student to be 18. Directors voiced support and gave consensus to advance the proposals to full approval at a subsequent meeting.