Special Board Meeting - May 13, 2026

The Colorado Springs School District 11 held a special board meeting on May 13, 2026, primarily focused on approving a co-location agreement between Orton Academy Charter School and Trailblazer Elementary School. The board discussed the contract modification (C2026-0069) authorizing Orton Academy to share the Trailblazer campus from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Key topics included addressing community concerns about communication transparency, safety and security measures for different age groups within the shared building, traffic flow improvements, and financial stewardship related to underutilized school capacity. The board also reviewed budget-related non-action items, including amendments to program implementation plans that reallocate $500,000 from technology device replenishment to professional development and dyslexia support, and adjustments to staffing funding to stabilize teacher retention. The meeting included a discussion of the district's budget strategy, mill levy override plans, and the importance of efficient use of taxpayer resources. The board approved beginning communication with staff regarding compensation plans pending final approval. Overall, the meeting emphasized prudent financial management, community engagement, and operational planning for the co-location and budget amendments.