COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — A state report from the Colorado Department of Higher Education shows that following the COVID-19 pandemic, fewer Colorado high school students are making the decision to go to college. Pikes Peak Community College says the report echoes what they’ve seen firsthand. “In 2019, we were up 6% on enrollment,” said
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CALHAN, Colo. (KRDO) — In response to an ongoing teacher shortage, the state just approved the Calhan School District to launch a teacher apprenticeship program this year. Through the program, the school district hopes to equip those with prior teaching experience and a passion for teaching to obtain a certificate and fill open positions. The
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PUEBLO, Colo.(KRDO)– According to the Colorado Divison of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM), Pueblo School District 70 and Widefield School District 3 received the school access for emergency response (SAFER) grant. According to the DHSEM, The SAFER grant, enacted by SB18-158, provides funding for interoperable communication hardware, software, and equipment maintenance. The grant also works to create
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EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — (UPDATE/FRIDAY) The newly-formed regional council tasked with spending money from the nationwide opioid settlement with pharmaceutical companies, met for the first time Thursday. The meeting was held at the county’s Citizen Service Center on Garden of the Gods Road, in Colorado Springs. Longinos Gonzalez, one of two county commissioners
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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — Over summer break, Colorado Springs District 11 is providing free meals to any family in need. The district usually holds the same program over the school year. During the academic year, they typically provide meals to around 4,000 people per day. Last year, the turnout was low, providing roughly 1,000
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PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) — Thanks to a proposed ballot initiative, Colorado teachers could receive a pay increase. Supporters say Initiative 63 would funnel more funding into education without raising taxes. According to the Great Schools Thriving Communities Collation (GSTSC), Initiative 63 would put almost $1 billion into Colorado’s K-12 schools. The GSTSC proposes the state
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WOODLAND PARK, Colo. (KRDO) — A Woodland Park School District (WPSD) parent is calling on a judge to hold the local Board of Education in contempt of court. She’s accusing the district of continuing to violate Colorado Open Meeting Laws despite a court order telling the board to adhere to state law. Erin O’Connell, the
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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — Nearly an entire Colorado Springs school board has resigned. 13 Investigates has learned that four out of the five school board members at Banning Lewis Academy resigned between June 10 and 13. According to school board President Heather Zambrano, the resignations are linked to alleged repeated bullying, harassment, and intimidation from
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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — Colorado-Springs-based Sachs Foundation, an organization providing college scholarships to black students in Colorado, is partnering with Teach For America. The goal is to deliver funds and support to Black educators while also addressing the Black teacher shortage in Colorado. Data shows that 150 of Colorado’s 178 school districts have no
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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — Colorado Springs School District 11 Board of Education, members of the district community, and more responded to a Washington Post article detailing what led up to three conservative board members being elected, the former superintendent leaving, and the dissolving of the district’s equity department. Thursday, the district provided KRDO with
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U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (KRDO) — A current assistant coach at the U.S. Air Force Academy alleges her contract wasn’t renewed because she’s “refusing the COVID vaccine.” Dana Lyon is the assistant coach for the Air Force track and field team. Lyon tells 13 Investigates she joined the coaching staff in October 2017 after four
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PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) — A Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment report obtained by 13 Investigates found Pueblo School District 60 violated a state statute to gain access to vaccination information on employees. The report states that D60, “did not get written authorization from staff prior to querying CIIS for their immunization records.” In
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PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) — Beginning Monday, young Pueblo readers can enjoy free books in the park for the summer. According to the Pueblo City-County Library District, the program has been running since 2004 when the late city Councilman Ray Aguilera suggested bringing library services to children who might not otherwise have the opportunity to visit
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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., (KRDO) — According to data, high school graduation rates are improving in the Hispanic community despite the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has presented in the past two years. Hispanic students now make up more than a third of students in Colorado schools. From 2010 to 2020, Latino high school graduation rates rose by 75-percent, according to Chalkbeat
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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — Friday, Colorado Springs School District 11 announced Michael Gaal as the next Superintendent of Schools. Pending contract negotiations, D11 says Gaal will begin July 1, 2022. During a special board meeting Friday, the Colorado Springs School District 11 Board of Education unanimously selected Gaal. Gaal was one of three finalists
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The final School Buzz segment of the season highlights two remarkable graduates from two separate southern Colorado high schools. First up is Schon Moore, this year’s valedictorian at Rye High School. Schon is class VP, FFA VP and part of the National Honor Society. He is involved with the facilities maintenance rotation at Parkview Medical
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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — “Young Bookworms” is a new bookstore on the north side of Colorado Springs that sells exclusively self-published books for kids. The idea was created by Joni McCoy after she herself started writing and self-publishing books. Joni was inspired by her mother, an avid reader herself. “My mom was the biggest
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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — Last week at an evangelical Christian event in Colorado Springs, an Academy School District 20 Board Director described his time on the school board as a “spiritual battle.” On May 20, a number of political leaders throughout El Paso County and the state of Colorado attended the event titled “Hold
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A D11 middle-schooler is being recognized for stepping up during an emergency. Ignatius Barajas, a 7th-grader at North Middle School is being called a hero. While in Ms. Bricker’s social studies class earlier this year, a fellow student started having a seizure. Ignatius didn’t get scared or freeze up. He jumped into help immediately, alerting
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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — Colorado Springs School District 11 continues its search for a new Superintendent. Tuesday, the Board of Directors held 90-minute interviews at the Tesla Professional Development Building auditorium with each of their final three candidates for the position. The finalists include Peter Hilts, Dr. Tammy Clementi, and Michael Gaal. Parents can
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