Tag: colorado springs school district 11
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City Council changes vote, approves closure of downtown street for Palmer High School renovations
It took three attempts over multiple months, but Palmer High School was given permission from the city Tuesday to build its new campus design across Boulder Street. The Colorado Springs City Council voted 6-2 at the morning council meeting to vacate the block of Boulder that currently separates the two sections of the high school…
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Judge rules in favor of Colorado Springs District 11 in union lawsuit
A judge dismissed a lawsuit filed against Colorado Springs District 11 by its teachers union, Colorado Springs Education Association (CSEA), because its claims are now moot. The suit, filed in September 2024, stems from D-11’s decision to implement a block schedule for the 2023-24 school year. The union alleged that the district made adjustments to…
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Traps and bees and teepees: Venetucci Farm adds new outdoor learning lab for D-11 second graders
A static picture of a creek just doesn’t adequately convey erosion to second graders, but Marty Trujillo knows taking kids to see a giant felled tree lying in the bed of Fountain Creek and shadowed by its receding banks will leave a lasting impression of the mighty power of water. “There’s no better way to…
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Colorado Springs District 11 charter school to move in with elementary school
In a move district officials say will better utilize existing space, Colorado Springs District 11 will welcome one of its charter schools into one of its elementary schools. Orton Academy will move into Trailblazer Elementary School, where it will operate with its own staff, students and programming in its own classrooms for the 2026-27 school…
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Palmer High School plans in jeopardy after Colorado Springs City Council does not vacate Boulder Street
Future designs for Palmer High School have been thrown into question after the Colorado Springs City Council chose not to vacate the block of Boulder Street needed for the school’s master plan. The decision to vacate a block of Boulder Street failed on a deadlocked 4-4 vote at Tuesday afternoon’s council meeting. Councilmembers Dave Donelson,…
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Plans to renovate Palmer High School, close Boulder Street moving ahead
The full redevelopment of Palmer High School is one step closer to fruition after the city Planning Commission approved all the changes needed for the expansion on Wednesday. The proposal from Colorado Springs School District 11 is a $100 million project expanding both the classroom spaces and athletic facilities at the high school by unifying…
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Charles Johnson retains District 11 school board seat after election recount
The order of finish for the last of three open seats on the Colorado Springs School District 11 Board of Education remained the same after a recount, according to figures released Thursday from the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder’s Office. An automatic recount was triggered in November after the vote totals for several candidates…
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EDITORIAL: El Paso County’s schools stay the course
A blue wave that saw conservatives nationwide lose governors’ races, ballot initiatives and even school board elections appeared to have affected Colorado, as well. It was a setback in our state for candidates running on student academic growth against the union machine. But there was a bright spot — El Paso County — where reform-minded…
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EDITORIAL: Cole, Johnson Ruehl for D-11 board
For the first time in more than 50 years, Colorado Springs’ oldest school district, District 11, will be governed without a master contract tying the D-11 school board to the local affiliate of the National Education Association. It’s a pivotal point in district history. It means the district finally can act with the independence and…
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EDITORIAL: D-11 teachers union plays hooky
On Wednesday — just two days before ballots are mailed to voters for the District 11 school board election — the Colorado Springs Education Association plans a walkout at district schools. The union’s strike is not about wages, benefits or working conditions — its usual beefs. This time, it’s about power and control. It’s a…