District 11 approves Orton Academy co‑occupancy at Trailblazer Elementary after public comment

The District 11 Board of Education voted 6–1 on May 13 to approve resolution 2026‑47, authorizing contract modification 1 to Orton Academy charter contract C2026‑0069 and permitting Orton Academy to co‑occupy Trailblazer Elementary School from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029.

Board President called the special meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and the board adopted the agenda before opening the meeting for public comment. Three members of the public addressed the board on the proposed co‑occupancy: Carrie McIntyre, an Orton parent, praised Orton Academy’s support for her neurodivergent child; Amanda Huber, guardian of two Trailblazer students, described collaborative planning between the schools and offered cautious support; and Sarah Debusk said she was “strongly opposed” and criticized the district’s communication timeline, saying many learned of the plan from Orton’s social media.

"Comments handicapped, disabled, special education, special needs, dysfunctional, bad, broken. This is completely and utterly wrong," Carrie McIntyre said, describing Orton’s impact on her child’s reading and confidence. Sarah Debusk told the board she was concerned about a lack of transparency and the district’s timing for notifying the Trailblazer community.

Superintendent Goll and Chief Otmer outlined operational safeguards to keep the two programs separate within the single building. They described staggered bell schedules and passing periods, separate staffed entrances (Orton to use a southeast door staffed by Orton personnel), painted signage and stair assignments to maintain separation, scheduled use of shared spaces (gym, music, library, lunch and recess) so schools would not occupy them simultaneously, additional roving security visits, and joint monthly walkthroughs by the principals to resolve issues as they arise. The district said it will redesign traffic flow and add signage by July 2026 to address afternoon pick‑up congestion.

Board members pressed staff on capacity and safety. The district said Trailblazer’s functional operating capacity in modern teaching spaces is about 550 but projected combined occupancy for the shared year would be roughly 330–350 students. Chief Otmer said scheduling and supervised passing periods were designed so students would ‘‘not encounter each other probably at all,’’ and noted plans to deploy extra staff and security if initial arrangements produce problems.

Director Malpakam summarized commitments made during community engagement: facility upgrades (a relocated art room near the gym, a new upper‑level teacher lounge and additional storage), preservation of current academic programs, expanded pre‑K (from one classroom to three, with a full‑day option), and subsidized after‑school care for Trailblazer in the upcoming budget if approved. He also said the district would compensate staff for extra time required to move classrooms where needed.

Director Johnson said she would vote no, calling the process rushed and expressing concern about uncertainty for families and staff. On the roll call, Directors Baca Bartlett, Carey, Haefely, Jorgensen, Malpakam and Ruhl voted yes; Director Johnson voted no. The president announced the ayes have it and the resolution passed.

The board also discussed related operational follow‑ups: additional traffic and safety studies in the fall, a reported staff advisory group that informed space allocation, and commitments to return to the board with implementation updates. The co‑occupancy resolution takes effect with the dates noted in the contract modification.

The board then moved on to nonaction budget items to be discussed and returned for potential action at the June 3 meeting.