Heritage to Summit View Pairing Considerations

The Summit View building is approximately 5,000 square feet larger than Heritage Elementary. While this is reflected in the DCSD Master Capital Plan (MCP) (and has for years), the Douglas County Assessor’s website does not currently reflect this information. 

Notably, in addition to the square footage error, we know that the County’s records do not reflect Summit View's second level (see the County’s Summit View documents below). 

This is likely due to the fact that at the time when the updates to Summit View were made, information such as building modifications were reported to the state of Colorado and not the county. That responsibility began to shift in or around 2007 when the state began to disperse some of this responsibility to the localities.  

Summit View and Heritage were roughly the same size when they were initially built. In 2008 and 2009, Summit View experienced significant building expansion and other interior remodeling to more effectively serve our kids. The Certificate of Occupancy (CO) for this work appears below.  

In addition to more square footage, Summit View Elementary occupies two additional acres compared to Heritage (see the County assessor’s maps below for Heritage and Summit View). The bigger lot helps in a lot of ways, including the ability to disperse car and/or traffic loads on a daily basis along with school events. It also presents more options for modifications in the future if needed. 

Finally, the combined enrollment projection for School Year 2029-2030 for Heritage and Summit View is about 450 students with the boundary adjustments. Summit View's (and Heritage's) original size could have served that number of students even if the 2008-09 modifications to Summit View had not taken place. Summit View is especially well situated to do so because of those improvements. 

Heritage assessor report

Summit View assessor report

Summit View Certificate of Occupancy
 

All documents related to DCSD’s traffic studies can be found on the Traffic Reports page.   

Starting in Fall 2024, DCSD conducted traffic due diligence on the 16 elementary and 3 middle schools possibly impacted by any pairings and 6th grade to middle school. 

As administration began to narrow its pairing possibilities, follow-up studies were ordered for the pairing finalists. Those appear on the webpage as well.

In addition to these studies, we knew that each of the six schools has, in the past 5-10 years, had enrollment numbers at or above the projected pairing numbers. 

All of this information told administration that each of the six pairing schools could handle being a receiving school for traffic purposes. Some will do it a little better, some a little worse. Traffic is obviously important to account for but based on the information we had (again, posted on the webpage), we could focus on other criteria for pairings. 

We received this question/request about the traffic memorandum, which is publicly posted on the Traffic Reports webpage, from a Heritage parent (only modified as to formatting): 

Further, the traffic memorandum prepared by Dibble & Associates (March 2, 2025), while intended to assess current conditions and potential impacts resulting from the proposed consolidation of Heritage Elementary into Summit View Elementary, clearly lacks the rigor of a formal traffic impact study.  There is no traffic modeling, no traffic volume data collection, no vehicle counts, or peak-hour level of service analysis, which are standard for evaluating capacity, flow, and delays under increased traffic loads.  

The report itself acknowledges that traffic data was not collected because projected enrollment remains within historical capacity—even though student arrival modes and traffic volumes may differ significantly with a new population and busing configuration.  While Summit View has hosted up to 572 students historically, this does not guarantee that traffic patterns will remain the same under consolidation. 

Heritage families may rely more heavily on car drop-off. The memo also does not model cumulative traffic impact from nearby Mountain Vista High School and Mountain Ridge Middle School, both of which share the same corridor.  Peak hour overlap is dismissed without data, despite community concerns about traffic convergence and safety on Summit View Parkway and Wildcat Reserve Parkway.  

Additionally, observed safety concerns are noted, including: 1. Blind spots due to roadway curvature, 2. Frequent violations of no-left-turn rules, 3. Vehicles speeding through school zones, 4. Improper use of bus loops and parking areas. 

However, the proposed mitigation is limited to relocating school zone flashers and increasing speed enforcement, which is insufficient, failing to mention any physical safety infrastructure or traffic calming measures that could meaningfully address congestion and pedestrian risk.  

Additionally, accessibility gaps that pose clear safety risks, particularly for students with disabilities or limited mobility, such as missing curb ramps, slippery crosswalks, and non-ADA compliant pedestrian infrastructure are not addressed in recommendations.

This memorandum should not be considered a sufficient basis for approving the Heritage–Summit View consolidation or implementing traffic mitigations. A comprehensive, independent traffic impact study is needed that includes:

• Full a.m./p.m. traffic counts and LOS modeling
• Evaluation of new busing routes and pedestrian crossings
• Detailed queuing analysis
• Safety and ADA compliance review
• Coordinated modeling with traffic from the adjacent middle and high schools

DCSD engaged an outside licensed traffic engineer to generate our various traffic reports. Douglas County traffic engineers also participated in the process.     

Here is DCSD’s response to the question/request (only modified as to formatting): 

A Traffic Impact Study (TIS) was not completed for the Heritage Elementary to Summit View Elementary alternative as the alternative does not meet the threshold to require a TIS. Per Douglas County Roadway Design and Construction Standards, Appendix B (Traffic Impact Study Criteria), a TIS is required if "the land use intensity is increased by more than 20% or the land use is changed so that trip generation is increased by more than 20%."  

Per discussions between Douglas County School District (DCSD) and Douglas County traffic staff, it was determined that a TIS would be required for school pairings if the combined enrollment for the 2028-2029 projections exceeded the maximum historic enrollment since the 2013-2014 school year by more than 10%, with 10% being more conservative than the 20% standard Douglas County requirement.

The maximum historic enrollment for Summit View is 572 students and the projected combined student enrollment (without 6th grade) is 501 students, and should be noted, does not include a reduction for students that are proposed to be within the modified Copper Mesa Elementary boundary.  

Since the projected enrollment is not over 10% of the maximum historic enrollment, and is actually a decrease of 12%, a TIS was not completed. However, existing traffic patterns were observed and documented in a Traffic Memorandum to provide DCSD with an understanding of existing conditions. The scope of the Traffic Memorandums was limited to the school site, does not include any traffic data collection or modeling, and documents traffic patterns, congestion, and pedestrian/vehicle conflict areas.

• Mountain Vista/Mountain Ridge operating times are from 7:30 a.m. through 2:45 p.m. and Summit View operating time is from 8:30 a.m to 3:30 p.m. The peak traffic periods for the schools do not overlap.
• Blind spots due to roadway curvature are addressed with the extended school zone and the increased speed enforcement by Douglas County Sheriff's Office. Reducing the speed on traffic reduces the required sight visibility.
• Speeding vehicles are addressed with the increased speed enforcement by Douglas County Sheriff's Office.  
• Violations of no-left rules and improper use of the bus loops are addressed in the current school pick up and drop off policies.  There were no concerns about the policies, so no changes were recommended by the TIS. However, the school could increase enforcement of the policies if deemed necessary by the school administration.
• Any improvements within the ROW must be agreed to and approved by Douglas County and no physical traffic calming measures along Summit View were recommended.
• An ADA compliance analysis was not completed as part of the Traffic Memorandum scope. Douglas County regularly analyzes the public ROW for ADA compliance, and DCSD reviews ADA compliance within the school site. If an ADA compliance issue is identified on-site, DCSD will address the compliance issue. 

We understand that change can be challenging, and supporting our students and families through this transition is a top priority. We know children are adaptable, but we'll provide extra support for those who need it.

• Counseling: As you know, we have a counselor at every elementary school (and will continue to do so). School counselors will continue to be available (with backup from the district if needed) at the schools during the next two school years (SY 25-26 and SY 26-27) and beyond to help students adjust. 
• Communication and Community Involvement: We are committed to ensuring that both communities are actively involved in the transition process - not just as participants, but as drivers. The detailed transition plan will be a collaborative effort.
• Community Building: As part of the transition process, we anticipate supporting things like organizing fun activities for students from both schools before the pairing, as well as welcoming events for families and staff during the SY 25-26 school year and into the first year of the paired school (SY 26-27).

 The adults involved—staff and families—play a big role in making this a positive experience for the kids. 

The decision was based on several factors, aiming for the best long-term solution for students in the area.

• Location: The schools are very close, less than a mile apart in the same high school feeder area.
• Building & Site: Summit View's building is larger by 5,000 sq. ft., and its property is 2 acres bigger. This makes Summit View better suited to handle more students in the future with fewer changes needed. Summit View also has more parking lots (4 vs. 1) and building entrances/exits (5 vs. 2).
• Student Cohorts: This pairing keeps at least 70% of current student groups together. Other potential pairings including combinations of Heritage, Summit View, Copper Mesa, Arrowwood, and Bear Canyon likely would have kept fewer students together due to distance, and boundaries, or caused significant feeder area disruptions. Those options were considered less suitable based on the criteria and considerations. 

Transparency about finances is important.

• Savings Sources: Savings come mainly from two areas:
  • Reduced headcount (fully realized in 2027-2028 and beyond) by reducing to one management team (admin, office, custodial, etc) per school pairing. 
  • Reduce the number of schools (now and in the future) that require supplemental funding of about $2,500 per student per year in order to offer reasonable programs due to size.
• Estimated Savings: The total savings from pairing Heritage and Summit View are estimated at $10.6 - $13.4 million over five years. This doesn't include additional potential savings from moving district 2 programs out of leased spaces into district-owned buildings in Highlands Ranch. 
• Use of Savings: First, the newly paired school will prosper due to being larger in size overall - this allows for more options for robust student programming and support through economy of scale. The overall savings will help support programs like band, orchestra, art, or STEM (depending on the needs of individual schools).
• Voter-Approved Funds (recent ballot initiatives):
  • Funds from the 2023 Mill Levy Override ("5A" in 2023) went towards needed salary increases for all district teachers and staff as well as added security personnel. 
  • Funds from the 2024 Bond ("5A" in 2024) are for building improvements at every school, including Heritage. Heritage will be maintained and used for other district programs; it won't be sold or neglected. You can track bond project progress online.
• Staffing: Job guarantees for staff will be managed through normal annual staff turnover (500-750 positions district-wide) and the need to staff two new elementary schools opening in SY 2027-28. Affected staff will have priority access to open positions for two years. 

Keeping student groups together was a high priority.

• Boundary Adjustment: The boundary change for the Heritage/Summit View pairing aims to create more sensible boundaries going forward, preventing families south of E. Wildcat Parkway from having to cross it to get to school. Additionally, the change will help sustain Copper Mesa Elementary in the long run.  
• Choice: Importantly, all current Heritage families can choose to have their child attend the paired school (Heritage/Summit View), even if 3 the boundary change puts them in the zone for a different school like Copper Mesa.  ●
• Other Pairings: The other proposed pairings had less complex boundary situations to address, leading to higher initial estimates (90-95%) for cohort retention.
• Busing: We understand transportation is a concern for some families who would now be in a walking zone via walking paths (vs. roads) as well as some families who are impacted by boundary changes but want to stay with the paired school. While the current bus driver shortage is challenging, the district will investigate further to see if transportation solutions can be offered for affected families, at least for a period. No promises can be made yet. 

We recognize this timing impacts students currently in third grade and younger, and that those currently in third grade will be in three schools in three years. No matter what, there was going to be one grade-level with this experience (if we were not moving 6th grade to middle school, today’s 4th graders would be in three schools in three years). We are committed to supporting every child and family through these changes with counselors, community-building activities, and ongoing communication. We are also committed to hearing from families about what they need and what their students need during the transition. 

Supporting all students, including those with special needs, is essential.

• Special Education Staff and Service Providers: DCSD has excellent Special Education professionals, including at Heritage and 4 Summit View. It's likely many of these dedicated staff members will continue to support students at the newly paired school. ●
• Continuity of Services: We are focused on providing the necessary support for every child. ●
• Specific Concerns: We encourage any family with questions about their child's specific services (IEPs or ALPs) to please reach out directly to their teacher, principal, or the district's Special Education or Advanced Academics leadership. They are ready to help and support your family, understanding that every student’s situation is unique. ●
• Legal Case: Regarding the past legal case mentioned (Endrew F. v. DCSD), please know that litigation occurs in school districts everywhere. That specific case involved a complex dispute from 2010 (fifteen years ago). Our leaders and special education professionals work hard every day to support our students effectively.  Our leadership and educators align educational practices with legal requirements. 

We anticipate increased traffic but the total number of students will still be within the school's capacity.

• Mitigation: Summit View's larger site, parking capacity, and multiple access points are better suited to handle traffic than Heritage's site. In years past, more students attended Summit View than what is currently projected for SY 26-27.  
• Coordination: We are working with Douglas County to move school zone signs and flashers to better locations before the first entrance to Summit View. We will also coordinate with the Sheriff's office to request increased speed enforcement on Summit View Parkway. 

DCSD will keep the Heritage building, maintain it, and use it for other district programs currently housed in leased spaces.

• Timeline: Decisions on specific programming will involve staff and families and will be made by Spring 2026. 
• Neighborhood Impact: The building will not sit empty or fall into disrepair. Its facilities (like playgrounds) should remain available for community use after hours, similar to how they are now.  This approach helps maintain the positive contribution of the site to the neighborhood. 

Based on community feedback, each pairing recommendation will include a proposed leadership plan that will be communicated by Friday, April 11, as part of the overall recommendation. The newly paired community will have an opportunity to meet with and get to know the proposed leadership team the week of April 14 and 15 (locations to be announced).

The proposed leadership team will work, alongside the paired community, on transition planning and future programmatic planning. The community is a critical part of the process. 

While student needs are the top priority, we understand the connection between strong schools and property values. After the pairing, the neighborhood will still have a nearby elementary school (Summit View/Heritage). Furthermore, the Heritage building will be maintained and actively used by the district, not left vacant, which helps support the area. 

Heritage is an amazing, high performing (and top ranked!) school and the district is very proud of all that has been (and is being) accomplished. Both Heritage and Summit View are excellent, high-performing schools with strong communities, staff, and families. School awards and rankings reflect this.

• Awards: Both Heritage and Summit View have earned the John Irwin School of Excellence Award for the last four years. 
• Future Success: We fully expect the culture of academic excellence that the Heritage community and staff bring to the table to live on in the newly paired school. 

This process involves bringing two school communities together. The name of the newly paired school, along with its colors, mascot, and overall identity will be decided collaboratively by the new leader and the combined school communities during the next school year, before the newly paired school officially opens in 2026. 

While Heritage does attract open enrollment students, its projected enrollment (around 350 for SY 25-26, dropping to about 317 by SY 29-30 without 6th grade) presents challenges for offering diverse programs and retaining staff long-term. The paired school, with closer to 450 students, will be better positioned to offer more programs sustainably and attract/keep great staff, benefiting all students in the combined community.