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District 11 approves two URA TIF agreements, authorizes two new charter contracts and several district plans
Summary
The board unanimously approved tax‑increment financing agreements with two Urban Renewal Authority projects, authorized two five‑year charter contracts and approved unified school and district improvement plans to submit to the state.
At its Oct. 1 meeting the Colorado Springs School District 11 board unanimously approved two urban renewal tax‑increment financing (TIF) agreements and authorized contracts for two new charter schools, alongside approvals of several school improvement plans and the district improvement plan for submission to the Colorado Department of Education.
The board voted to approve Resolution 2026‑05 for the Moreno and Cascade Urban Renewal Authority TIF agreement and Resolution 2026‑04 for the Odyssey at North Weber TIF agreement. Jeriah Walker, executive director of the Colorado Springs Urban Renewal Authority, told trustees the district still receives school development fees from projects and gave the example of one development (the "Blue Truck" project) that would bring just over $44,000 in school development fees. District finance staff said those fees go to Fund 43 (capital improvements) and that state backfill protects most school district revenue during the TIF period.
Both TIF resolutions passed by unanimous roll call.
The board also approved two district‑authorized charter contracts: East Hills Academy (contract C2027‑0001) and Spruce Community School (contract C2027‑0002). The contracts begin on July 1, 2026, with five‑year terms ending June 30, 2031, subject to the usual performance reviews and contract checkpoints. Trustees asked about transparency (timelines, bylaws) and audit access; district staff said the district will receive audits and that post‑approval checkpoints will confirm meeting timelines, location and enrollment milestones.
Separately, the board approved Unified School Improvement Plans for a group of schools (Adams, Wilson, Carver, Mann, Galileo, Swigert, Mitchell) and approved the Unified District Improvement Plan (UDIEP) for submission to the Colorado Department of Education. The district accountability committee (DAC) chair said reviewers focused on improving systems for data‑driven instruction, multi‑tiered systems of support and attendance strategies.
Roll call votes recorded unanimous ayes on the major action items; no abstentions or dissents were reported on those motions.
Votes at a glance
- Moreno & Cascade URA TIF agreement — approved (unanimous roll call) - Odyssey at North Weber URA TIF agreement — approved (unanimous roll call) - East Hills Academy charter contract (C2027‑0001) — approved (unanimous roll call) - Spruce Community School charter contract (C2027‑0002) — approved (unanimous roll call) - Unified School Improvement Plans (multiple schools) — approved (roll call affirmative) - Unified District Improvement Plan (UDIEP) — approved for submission to CDE
The board directed staff to follow routine contract checkpoints and to ensure copies of charter audits are provided to the district as part of standard oversight.
