Parents and volunteers spotlighted; foundation requests board guidance on next steps

The Woodland Park School District RE-2 board opened its meeting with a community spotlight that recognized Coline Elementary’s K-Kids and the parent volunteer group Team Lift for regular community service and fundraising.

Presenters described the K-Kids’ collections for local food cupboards and animal supplies, volunteer work like playground cleanups and lost-and-found organization, and an upcoming visit to play bingo with residents at Forest Edge. Team Lift members explained that their Thursday concession program is fully volunteer-run, all proceeds go directly back to Coline students and staff, and that parent donations funded a mobile planetarium for the school’s May readathon.

Later in the meeting, Steve Bella, representing the Woodland Park School District Foundation, described the foundation as a dormant 501(c)(3) with $5,941 in restricted funds and $22,319 in unrestricted funds. He said recruiting and staff turnover left the foundation without active leadership and that IRS filings have lapsed while Secretary of State records remain current. Mr. Bella asked the board for guidance on whether to recruit new volunteers and leaders to keep the foundation as an endowment vehicle or to transition its funds to the district.

Board members said they value a permanent vehicle for major gifts and endowments, but noted that routing small, regular donations through the district is often more efficient. The board requested a short job description to support recruitment of new foundation leadership and suggested reviewing best practices at a future work session.