WPSD Woodland Weekly

• August 19 - Back to School Open House Night
• Summit and Columbine Elementary from 4-6 pm
• Secondary Campus (WPMS & WPHS) from 5-7 pm
• August 21 & 22 - First day of school
• August 21 PK-9th graders and students new to WPHS only
• August 22 - All Students

✅ WPHS & WPMS: Stay up to date by downloading the Panther Nation app for Android and Apple.

✅ Visit our Panther Store by going to wpsdk12.org and click on Panther Store.💰Shop tops starting at $14.99.

💲 SALE!! Use code SAVE20 to save 20% 💲

✅ Help our Boosters support our athletic programs by purchasing items during home games and events.

We want to inform you about an important new policy that is currently in the process of being developed to enhance our students' learning environment and promote academic excellence.

Although the policy details are still being finalized, the Board of Education has passed a resolution allowing us to implement these restrictions starting on the first day of school.

Starting this academic year, students will be required to place their phones in a designated area chosen by their teacher during classroom time. Students will not be allowed to access their phones during class unless they are given permission by their teacher for special lessons or circumstances.

Minimizing distractions is crucial for maintaining a focused and productive learning environment. By limiting cell phone use, we aim to help our students concentrate better on their studies, engage more actively in classroom activities, and ultimately achieve higher academic success.

If you need to reach your child during the school day, please do not hesitate to contact the front office. Our staff is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all students and will be happy to send a message to your child promptly.

We will follow up with families once the policy is finalized. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping us create the best possible educational experience for our students.

Join us in welcoming Jack Bay as our new Chief Financial Officer; his first day will be on Monday, August 19, 2024.

Jack holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Colorado and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Colorado State University-Pueblo.

With extensive experience in school finance and operations, Jack’s career includes serving as the Director of Finance for Douglas County School District, the Chief Financial Officer for Trinidad School District 1, and the Chief Operations Officer of School District 49.

Most recently, Jack served as the Chief Business Officer at Chavez Huerta Preparatory Academy, where he led financial and operational initiatives for the public K-12 charter school. In this role, he managed a $14 million general fund budget, developed a $30 million capital grant for facility improvements, and oversaw key areas such as transportation, nutrition services, facilities, capital construction, and finance.

We look forward to Jack joining our team!

To view the list of current job openings and transfer opportunities, please visit our website and click on Job Postings; this page provides detailed information about each position, including job descriptions, qualifications, and application instructions.

If you have any questions or need assistance with the application process, please don't hesitate to reach out to Peggy Gonzales, HR Manager at pgonzales@wpsdk12.org.

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! As we step into a new academic year, I want to personally welcome each of you back to our schools. Whether you are a returning member of our community or new to our district, we are grateful to have you with us.

We deeply recognize the crucial role that parents and families play in the educational process. Your involvement and support are both welcome and integral to our students' success. By working together, we can ensure our students not only meet but exceed the high standards we have set for them. We are committed to upholding our community's values and providing a safe and respectful environment where our students can thrive.

As we embark on this new school year, let’s focus on what truly matters—giving our students the tools they need to succeed. With your partnership, we are confident that this year will be one of growth, achievement, and success for all.

Thank you for your continued support, and here’s to a great year ahead.

The Board of Education held its regular meeting on Wednesday, August 14, with President Mick Bates presiding.

Following public comment, the Board unanimously approved a resolution to dissolve Ute Pass BOCES and begin the process of applying for a district-run administrative unit, which makes the most sense given Manitou Springs School District’s decision to pull out of the Ute Pass BOCES. However, the District remains with the Ute Pass BOCES for the 2024-25 school year.

The board revised the 2024-2025 Board Meeting Schedule, moving the January 8, 2025, meeting to January 15, 2025, to accommodate more time for the agenda and board packets to be sent out once staff returns from winter break.

The Board also unanimously passed a resolution restricting student cell phone use beginning this school year. Upon receiving building leadership input and finalizing details, a policy is expected to be posted in the coming days.

During Board Reports, President Bates provided an update on the Intergovernmental Agreement with the WP City Council regarding the sales tax, explaining that City Council Board members have added a vote on the ballot regarding the sales tax. Bates will be at the meeting to answer questions regarding this topic.

Director Rusterholtz requested an update on merit-based staff pay and a brief explanation of District transportation costs in future meetings.

Director Barkley closed the meeting with her request for staffing updates to be included in future meetings.

This next Board of Education Regular Board meeting is September 11, 2024.