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Honoring the Past, Looking to the Future

The Lewis-Palmer School District Board of Education announced the establishment of the Lewis-Palmer School District Hall of Fame at its August meeting in 2013. The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to publicly recognize those who have made significant contributions to the success of the District and its students. Superintendent John Borman said, “This is long overdue. We are who we are because of people who did a lot of work to establish criteria for our schools, which turned into the foundation of this amazing district. We don’t want that history to be lost.”

Borman gathered input from a group of esteemed retirees familiar with the history of the District to determine the first round of award winners. That group included former superintendents, principals, athletic directors, and teachers. He explained, “The selection criteria for this first class were relatively broad, on purpose. It was most important that it is a group that shaped the foundational values for Lewis-Palmer School District, and these people did incredible work. Our new teachers, students, staff members, and families owe it to themselves to know where we came from, in terms of the ideals, the standards, the values that have resulted in a district of excellence.”

Future inductees will be chosen in coming years. It is anticipated the awards will expand to include distinguished alumni, volunteers, and others. The stories of the recipients help show the connection between the history of the district and its high achievements today. Our new Hall of Fame tradition honors those who deserve recognition, and illustrates the value of individual participation in the success of local schools.

Inaugural Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony September 24, 2013

Lewis-Palmer School District Hall of Fame Award

Lewis-Palmer High School, 1965

Kilmer Elementary School dedication invitation, 1988

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Table of ContentsAbout the Hall of Fame Award 2This Year’s Recipients

Grace Best 4Don Breese 6Ray E. Kilmer 8Norma Lavelett 10Frank Royal 12

Articles Continued 14 Nomination Process 15

Timeline: Some of the Major Milestones in our History

Late 1880’s Palmer Lake School District #33 established for grades 1-8

1874 founding of Monument School District #5, known as “The Lewis

School District”

1917 class offerings expand to 9th through 12th grades

1920 The Lewis School opens in Monument serving high school grades

1935 Palmer Lake Elementary building constructed

1948 School Districts #33 and #5 combine to become “Lewis-Palmer

Consolidated School District No. 38”

1957 Lewis-Palmer High School building built at 66 Jefferson St. in

Monument, later to become Grace Best Elementary

1973 Lewis-Palmer Elementary School opens

1980 new building for Lewis-Palmer High School opens on Higby Road

1988 Ray E. Kilmer Elementary opens at 4285 Walker Road

1994 Lewis-Palmer Middle School opens at 1776 Woodmoor Drive

1996 Lewis-Palmer Charter Academy opens, later to be renamed

Monument Academy Charter School

2001 Prairie Winds Elementary and Creekside Middle School open

2008 Palmer Ridge High School opens

2010 Reconfiguration closes Creekside Middle School, relocates Grace

Best Elementary School to establish Bear Creek Elementary School

2012 Lewis-Palmer Homeschool Academy opens at Grace Best Education

Center building

GRAC

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Grace Conrad Best By Dr. Genevieve H. Garcia

A teacher, a writer, an artist, and an historian, Mrs. Grace Best will be remembered as a pioneer in the Lewis-Palmer School District.

Grace Conrad Best was born in 1907 on a farm near Sedalia and attended schools in Douglas County. In 1930, Grace married Stuart Best and they moved to the Best Family Ranch in Spring Valley. After her three girls—Doris, Janet, and Charlotte—were born, she returned to teaching.

Grace graduated with a two-year teaching certificate from Colorado State Teachers College in Greeley and then earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Western State in Gunnison in 1961. Teaching in the Glen Grove School, Littleton Public Schools, Spring Valley School, and the Larkspur School, Grace taught 10 years before the family moved on to Palmer Lake.

A friend from the Spring Valley community, Bruce Younger (Norma Younger Lavelett’s father), was on the school board for Lewis-Palmer District 38 and told her there was an opening at Palmer Lake Elementary School. The family relocated to Palmer Lake where Grace began her 24-year teaching career at Palmer Lake Elementary School and the rest is history!

After teaching for 34 years, Grace retired from Lewis-Palmer, but not from community service. She was an active member of the Little Log Church in Palmer Lake and taught Sunday school with her friend, Virgil Watkins. Grace was a founding member of the Palmer Lake Little Art Group and was also enthusiastically involved in the Palmer Lake Historical Society. Mrs. Best

Grace Best, Teacher, 1948 to 1972

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was instrumental in procuring funds for the Lucretia Vaile Library building and was the director of the Palmer Lake Museum for years.

Very active as a reading tutor at Palmer Lake Elementary, Grace authored eight children’s novels about Jeremiah Mouse and his adventures in Palmer Lake, on Elephant Rock, and the surrounding area. Along with her friend, Tricia Cedarleaf from the Art Group, they wrote and illustrated the books, as well as made miniature figures of Jeremiah and his friends that are now cherished by children and grownups alike!

On January 8, 1995, Grace Best passed away, leaving her three daughters, eight grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren, as well as hundreds of friends and thousands of past students who all remember her fondly today.

In honor of the dedication of Mrs. Best and in recognition of her contributions to the Tri-Lakes area and the Lewis-Palmer School District, the Board of Education named Grace Best Elementary School after her. The school, located on Jefferson Street in Monument, was a tribute to the accomplishments and love of learning fostered by Grace Best. The building is still utilized by students in several educational programs, including the Transitions Program, the Homeschool Enrichment Academy, and the Palmer Ridge Robotics Club. It is also the Science Education Distribution Center for the District.

It is the pleasure of the Board of Education of Lewis-Palmer School District 38 to include Mrs. Grace Conrad Best in the inaugural class Hall of Fame as a pioneer in the Spirit of Excellence.

Grace Best with her first grade class in 1949

Grace Best in 1948, the year she came to work for Palmer Lake

Elementary

Grace Best handcrafting some miniature mice, characters from her many children’s books, like “Mouse on

Monument Lake”

DON

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Don Breese By Vic GarciaWhen Don Breese signed his first contract at Lewis-Palmer in 1962 to teach Physical Education, American History, and Drafting, and to coach the boys’ basketball team, he could not have imagined that he would become an educational legend, not only in Monument, but also in the entire state of Colorado!

Born in Noblesville, Indiana, a Hoosier through and through, Don was recruited to play basketball for Western New Mexico University where he obtained a B.S. degree in 1958.

Moving from Bethune, CO, just as the rural ranching community of the Lewis-Palmer School District had re-earned its lost state accreditation, Don was involved in the turn-around process of rebuilding the District. Only a month after teaching at Lewis-Palmer High School, he was asked to be the secondary principal, as well. Don tells everyone that they chose him to be the leader of the school because he was the tallest and the ugliest person on the staff. At 6’5”, many a junior high and high school student remembers that Don had them shaking in their cowboy boots!

Being the principal, teaching six classes, coaching three sports, driving the bus, and hiring a new staff for the fledgling high school, Don made his mark early on the development of Lewis-Palmer High School. There was not a student who graduated from Lewis-Palmer who did not know Mr. Breese and Breese knew them all, too!

In 1969, Mr. Breese received his M.A. degree and Administrative License from Western State College in Gunnison. With his good friend Mike Cassidy as Assistant Principal, L-P students were successful. Because of

Don Breese, served in the district 1962 to 1990

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Don’s and Mike’s guidance, many students graduated from L-P who would have otherwise fallen through the proverbial cracks!

In the early 1970’s, with the development of the Woodmoor Corporation and the new homes being built, Lewis-Palmer faced new challenges and Don Breese was there to meet them head on. As if Don were not busy enough, in 1972 the superintendent resigned, the elementary principal was fired, and Don was running the whole show.

Along with a new Board of Education headed by Col. Frank Royal, Dr. Ray E. Kilmer was hired as the superintendent, John J. Knipping was hired as the middle school principal, and in 1973, Don could

get back to what he loved, working with his secondary students and teachers.

Don was active in the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA), serving as the chairman and then on its Board of Control for years. During this time, and with the coming of Title IX, he was instrumental in bringing competitive statewide sports for women to Colorado.

Always competitive in nature, Don’s friends remember town-team basketball games, riding dirt bikes, and driving to Salida, Buena Vista, or Leadville just to watch a ball game, as well as the close knit family relationships of teachers and coaches in the building. Helping each other move, finish basements, and paint homes, the LPHS staff was family!

Don’s philosophy was one of support for the students, athletes, and activities. All teachers on his staff were expected to take on extra duties and responsibilities. No one went home right after the buses

continued on page 14

Coach Breese with the team in 1967 Breese started in the 1962-63 school year teaching History, Drafting, and Physical

Education

Don Breese at the re-dedication of the district athletic stadium, named in his

honor, in 2007

Breese with LPHS Athletic Director Ken Emry in 1990

DR. R

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. KIL

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Dr. Ray E. Kilmer It is no accident that Lewis-Palmer School District has become one of the top districts in Colorado. It happened through foresight and dedication of the people who believed it could be done. Dr. Ray E. Kilmer led the charge when he was appointed Superintendent of Schools in 1973, responding to what he believed to be positive and enthusiastic direction from a relatively newly elected Board of Education, for quality education. He established an administrative team, shaped core values for

the District, set expectations for staff and set goals to meet community demands.

He put great emphasis on listening to local residents to assess their needs regarding the education of their children, from casual conversations to a formal district-wide survey. The community was rapidly growing and the culture was changing from a rural area to one of more young families with college-bound children, and there were great expectations he knew were achievable.

“I held the belief that our academic achievements could and should compete with any other district, that we could be competitive with the best in the State.” He helped make that belief come to fruition, transforming Lewis-Palmer from a low-achieving district to what would become one of the top in Colorado. New emphasis was placed on college and workforce readiness. “We were quite active in establishing standards that met or exceeded the state requirements. We agreed to have high expectations for student achievement, and began to significantly upgrade our instructional guides and class offerings.”

He also set the bar high for administrators and staff, implementing weekly meetings where principals could work through issues and establish a consensus. “It was okay to have differing opinions, but once Dr. Ray E. Kilmer, Superintendent of Schools, 1973 to 1987

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we reached a solution I expected that it be a team position.” His philosophy of management was, “Let’s make it happen. It’s up to the school board to set the policies and expectations, and it was our job as administrators to execute it. I expected teachers to give their best effort, to provide a quality learning environment for every child.” The administrative group came to be known as the A Team, and the legacy of administrative collaboration continues today. He also stressed the importance of the many functions carried out, too often unnoticed, by dedicated but unheralded support staff. The single greatest key to the learning process, he said, is supportive parents, families, and community who place high value on quality education.

He was recruited for the superintendent position just before he completed his Doctoral degree at University of Northern Colorado. The Board of Education had placed a high priority on its new hire being a Doctor of Education, which is how he came to be known to staffers as “Doc” to this day.

During 14 years with the District, Kilmer guided staff through opening a new middle school; building the new Lewis-Palmer High School in 1980; relocating the middle school to the Grace Best building; and reorganizing elementary locations. The school in Palmer Lake was temporarily closed, remodeled, expanded, and reopened during this time. He also worked through the approval, financing, and location of a new elementary campus that would eventually bear his name.

‘Doc’ left Lewis-Palmer in 1987 to become Deputy Commissioner of the Colorado Department of Education, served as Acting

Commissioner, and in later years was director of Pikes Peak Board of

Cooperative Educational Services. His professional awards include the Colorado Association of School Executives Colbert Cushing Award for significant

continued on page 14

Kilmer with students at a Palmer Lake Elementary spelling bee in 1980

Kilmer during construction of the new Lewis-Palmer High School, which would open in 1980

Members of the “A Team” at the 1986 CASE award ceremony when Kilmer received honors for significant

contribution to the profession

NORM

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Norma Belle (Younger) Lavelett By Dr. Genevieve H. Garcia

Dedicated, committed, loyal, level-headed, unflappable, humble, and friend are all adjectives that describe Mrs. Norma Lavelett and her service to Lewis-Palmer School District #38.

Norma Younger grew up on the family ranch just west of Highway 83,and attended school at Lewis-Palmer from first through twelfth grades in “Old Red”, the only school in Monument at the time.

After attending Blair Business College, marrying Ralph Lavelett (another L-P graduate), and raising two sons, she applied for a job as a cook in 1966. She talked with Mr. Bill Negus, the superintendent, who told her she could go to work the next day as one of the two secretaries in the District.

As the District grew, so did Norma’s responsibilities. When she was the secretary of the combined junior and senior high, the enrollment was just under a total of 200 students. She was the secretary and bookkeeper for the superintendent and the secondary principal, Mr. Don Breese. A dollar was not spent nor was a teacher hired at the District #38 secondary schools without Norma having a hand in the process.

With sons Craig in 5th grade and Scott in 4th, she was only going to work to help with their education funds until they reached high school. Little did they know she would work with Mr. Breese at Lewis-Palmer High School for 19 years and then transfer to Palmer Lake Elementary and work for seven years until her retirement in 1992.

Norma Lavelett, District and School Secretary, 1966 to 1992

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Craig remembers the other kids in school teasing him that he could get away with anything because his mother worked at the school and his dad was a local policeman. “In truth, we could not get away with anything! It was like every teacher was family and you don’t want to mess up in front of the family, which kept us in line.”

Scott thought it was great to have his mom at school, as she was always there for them if there were concerns. “I am so proud of her, She is my guiding light and a strong force in my life.”

As Don Breese described her in 1986, “Norma Lavelett is a living legend. I consider her the most valuable employee of this district”.Gennie Garcia remembers Norma’s friendship and willingness to be tolerant of a new principal and teach her all of the essential fundamentals of running a school. “Norma was so loyal and always confidential in dealing with teachers, students, and their parents. Her

ability to multitask was amazing. She could talk on the phone

with a parent, put a band aid on a child, answer three teachers who were standing at her desk asking questions, and do it all well!”

One of Mrs. Lavelett’s greatest accomplishments was her ability to adapt to the changes in technology over her years at Lewis-Palmer. Going from using a Remington manual typewriter in 1966, to an IBM Selectric, and then implementing computers into the District to be used for word processing and data management, Norma was always willing to learn and grow in her professional career.

In addition to her duties at Lewis-Palmer, Norma was a well-known baker, making wedding cakes for many couples in the community. She also is an accomplished seamstress and quilter. Researching the Lavelett and Younger family trees is a hobby she still enjoys in her home in Grand Junction. Keeping in touch with her family and colleagues as well as her new friends in Grand Junction help this “living legend” to be well informed and young at heart.

Lavelett had applied to work in the kitchen, but was asked instead to become secretary and bookkeeper

Lavelett moved to Palmer Lake Elementary after 19 years as district secretary. She loved working with students

Norma Lavelett and Don Breese. What a team!

FRAN

K RO

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Frank RoyalFrank Royal retired from his 30-year Air Force career and moved to Monument in 1970 when his two sons were in grades 7 and 9. He wanted to know more about the schools from which his sons would likely graduate, so he stopped in on a Board of Education meeting he saw publicized. “The board members were not accustomed to people walking in.” He said Board President Tom Collier asked him, “What are you doing here?” Royal explained he was just curious, “I have two boys in school, I just want to know what you’re dealing with these days.” He learned the district faced many challenges, and he thought he could help.

When Board Treasurer John Thompson resigned to focus his attention on building the expanding Woodmoor development, Royal applied and was appointed to take his place in 1971. When that term ended in 1973, Royal ran for election and voters chose to keep him. He held office for a total of eight years, serving as Treasurer, Vice President, and President of the Board. Those years would prove to be very challenging, a time of significant change. When Royal started there were just 887 students in the District but it was growing fast.

His initial goal in agreeing to serve on the Board was simple, “Our district did not have national certification or state accreditation, and we were seeking that.” Royal, like many new residents moving into the area, had hopes for his children to attend college, and a strong public school system was the only way that would be possible. He said the growth of Woodmoor and the new types of families moving into the area were changing the culture of the community, “We had been competing with small, rural schools. I think local aspirations for children’s futures weren’t very high. We needed to start competing academically with the larger districts. Our first priority was to get a bond issue passed, to build facilities and keep up with growth. We also needed to broaden class offerings, raise teacher salaries, and hire some new staff to help us improve.”

Board of Education 1971 to 1979 and Patron Volunteer

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With that goal in mind, the Board launched a search for a new superintendent, in which Royal played a key role. He and Bob Mumm travelled to University of Northern Colorado to investigate a promising candidate who was just about to complete his Doctoral degree. His name was Ray Kilmer. That turned out to be a great choice, Royal said, “You could fill a book with all the good things Ray Kilmer did for this district.”

Royal says the biggest challenge of his time in office was, “Primarily reaching taxpayers, particularly the long-time residents, to persuade them that we needed funding and that it would be wisely spent.” Royal played a primary role in the successful campaign for the bond issue in 1971, to create the school that is now Lewis-Palmer Elementary and to build an addition onto the Palmer Lake campus. He worked with community members to secure the land for LPES, and later to secure a location on Higby Road for the new Lewis-Palmer High School, which opened in 1980.

When his term ended in 1979, Royal didn’t stop there. Through the 1980’s he continued to serve the district, as a volunteer on the long-range facilities planning committee, which helped design future expansion as the population grew. He shares a suggestion for the community, “You should understand the value of living in a school district that has a good reputation and good property value. Then be willing to play your appropriate part, be it volunteering to support staff and programs, or paying your full share of taxes if you are persuaded the district needs it, or become politically involved —at least vote—if you feel there needs to be a change.” Royal has proven his own advice to be true: his dedication to public service improved our schools, our community, and our future.

Frank Royal at a football game in 1974Frank Royal and his wife Rene at a school district gathering in 1987

1975 Board meeting. Pictured (from left): Superintendent Ray Kilmer, Tom Personett, Frank Royal, Bill Higby, and Arnold Lucero

Lewis-Palmer Consolidated School District #38

Board of Education, 2013Dr. Jeffery Ferguson, PresidentJohn Mann, TreasurerMark Pfoff, Vice President Dr. John Magerko, SecretaryRobb Pike, Director

Superintendent of SchoolsJohn Borman

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contribution to the profession; University of Colorado Alumni Hall of Fame; the BOCES Outstanding Administrator Award; and Phi Delta Kappa Educator of the Year.

Altogether, he retired four times, repeatedly returning to work that made education better. Former CDE Commissioner Cal Frazier once applauded his clarity of purpose, “He told me, ‘Kilmer, we always knew just what you were for – you were for kids.’” Kilmer says he only refers to students as “kids” in casual conversation, as his affectionate and respectful term for students of all ages. He turns emotional when he explains that’s the only reason anyone should be in education, “If you’re not for kids, you should get outta the business.”

Dr. Ray E. Kilmer Continued from page 9 Don Breese Continued from page 7

left the building. If a teacher did not coach a sport, he/she would sponsor a class, direct a student play, work the game clock, keep the stat books, or sell tickets at an event.

Among the many accolades given to honor this L-P legend, Don has been inducted into four previous Halls of Fame:

● Western New Mexico University - track ● Western New Mexico University - basketball ● Colorado High School Coaches Association ● Colorado High School Activities Association

Mr. Breese was also recognized with the National Association of Secondary School Principals Excellence Award. In addition, the new L-P District stadium complex was named in his honor in 2007.

Don and his angelic wife, Pat, have two daughters and three grandchildren. Now retired and living in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, Don remains active in the Sandoval County Senior Center where

he teaches table tennis. Involved in the Senior Olympics for 20 years, Don still maintains the competitive edge and thirst for excellence that he shared with the Lewis-Palmer School District for 28 years.

Grace Best, her first graders, and some parents wait at the Palmer Lake train station to take a field trip into town

1973, A Thursday night school board meeting with (from left) Jim Britt, Esther Brown, Frank Royal, Superintendent Wayne Brower, Bob Mumm, and Tandy Wright

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Nomination ProcessMore Lewis-Palmer School District Hall of Fame inductees will be added in coming years. Candidates may have served the District as classified or licensed staff members, volunteers, elected officials, distinguished alumni, or in other capacities. Successful nominees will have made significant contributions to the District and its students, or to supporting the District vision. Nominations will be accepted through the web site at http://lewispalmer.org or via hard copy sent to Lewis-Palmer School District Hall of Fame c/o Community Relations Dept., P.O. Box 40, Monument, Colorado 80132.

Volunteers willing to participate in the selection process or future awards programs may submit their interest online, or call (719) 785-4223 for more information.

2013 Selection Committee

Special thanks to the volunteers who played a role in establishing the Hall of Fame, including the esteemed retirees who assisted in selecting the award winners for its inaugural year:

Dr. Genevieve Garcia Vic Garcia Ida Liebert Dr. Dallas Strawn Ken Emry Ted Bauman

Rich Stewart Dr. Jeffery Ferguson

Lewis-Palmer School District #38146 Jefferson, P.O. Box 40, Monument, CO 80132

(719) 488-4700 • info@lewispalmer.org • www.lewispalmer.org

for Significant Contribution to the Success of the District and its Students