With the tried-and-true education adage “It takes a village to raise a child” in mind, the largest and fastest-growing school district in the Pikes Peak region brought together local leaders Friday to strengthen ties and prepare for Colorado Springs’ future.

School District 49 welcomed elected representatives, business leaders and nonprofits to the COS City Hub for its State of the District to showcase the work being done and explore the district’s potential moving forward.

D-49 Superintendent Peter Hilts admitted that it was unique for a local school district to host an event — now conducted for a second year — often associated with a president or governor, but added that he felt it was important to unify the community in a way that invests in the future.

“We are intentional about inviting leaders from our business sector, from our city government, from our faith communities, from our providers, the people that help make schools great, help create the policies environments that allow schools to thrive,” he told the crowd.

“We are intentionally trying to bring together people that represent all these different sectors.”

Following the recent passing of Jane Goodall, Hilts recalled his personal experiences with the iconic primatologist as a larger-than-life personality who spoke at a D-49 graduation and worked with a group of high school seniors.

He also noted what got her to that point.

He pointed to her beginnings as an “inexperienced, undereducated, physically frail youngster” when her mentor Louis Leakey recognized her potential.

“And his recognition forged an endearing partnership. You wouldn’t know about David Greybeard or Frodo or Fagan or Flo or all the other family from Gombe National Reserve if it weren’t for his vision,” Hilts he told the crowd.

“So I invite you to share that vision. I invite you to see the possibility that Dr. Leakey saw in Dr. Goodall when she was just a twentysomething, nervous research assistant.”

The afternoon featured a panel discussion featuring Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade, COSILoveYou Executive Director Stu Davis, City Councilmember Roland Rainey and CommonSpirit St. Francis Hospital President Gina Temple before attendees split off into two breakout sessions.

One focused on the ongoing collaborations the school district has done with community partners while the other broke down its long-range facility plans and funding strategies as developments continue within its boundaries.

During the panel, Rainey explained local government’s role in contributing to areas like school safety for school districts. This year, the city announced 12 new school zones to increase student safety, with ongoing discussions for further additions. He added that this work often comes from observing his children’s schools in the morning and hearing directly from the community.

Earlier this year, he was contacted by a high school student who was concerned about the amount of feminine hygiene products available at her school. Following a meeting, he connected the student with leadership in her district to develop a plan.

He said she would later go on to develop a regional conference, including multiple school boards, to continue these discussions and explore solutions.

“That’s a great example of someone who has a creative vision wanting to do something for the betterment of their students,” he said.

Attendees agreed on the importance of collaboration and public investment on their part, but it was also noted that their efforts should be to inspire students to continue this work.

Asked what he is looking for in these students going forward, Davis stressed a commitment to contributing to their community.

“It feels like such a breath of fresh air when a young person who is coming out of high school or college steps into a position to say, ‘I can do something and I want to offer it to my community. It’s not just about me. It’s about what I can contribute,’” he said.