Future Plans for Falcon Zone

• February 2026 Falcon Zone Expansion Update
• Previous August 2025 Update from Zone and District Leadership
• D49 BOE Meeting Clip - 9/24/25

Greetings Falcon Elementary and Bennett Ranch Families,

We want to share an update on the planning work underway for the 2026–2027 school year, when Falcon Elementary School of Technology (FESoT) will relocate to the Bennett Ranch Elementary (BRES) campus. Since our initial message in September, teams from both schools have been working closely together to ensure this transition is thoughtful, organized, and centered on students.

Classroom & Scheduling Planning
School leaders from FESoT and BRES are working thoughtfully together to identify and assign classroom spaces that are best fits for our students and programs. We are also developing a shared master schedule allowing similar grade levels to have lunch at similar times. This schedule will consolidate age groups while preserving the best possible schedule for: Special Education services, Gifted & Talented programming, and English Language Learner services.

Start & End Times
In coordination with our transportation partners, we can confirm both FESoT and BRES will operate from 8:30 a.m. to 3:40 p.m. This schedule resolves traffic conflicts with Falcon Middle School, which welcomes and dismisses students at an earlier time. This strategy will ensure smoother traffic flow for all families.

Parking & Traffic Flow
To keep traffic organized and reduce congestion:

• The North Parking Lot at BRES will be dedicated to Bennett Ranch Elementary families.
  

• The South Parking Lot (between BRES and FMS) will be dedicated to Falcon Elementary School families.
  

• All preschool arrivals and dismissals for both schools will take place in the South Parking Lot and will be staggered from regular school arrival and dismissal times.

This segmented approach will keep student and staff traffic clearly organized for each school.

Transportation Support for Falcon Elementary Families
We are excited to share a new transportation option for Falcon Elementary families who have a longer commute to the BRES campus. We have worked closely with our transportation team to offer FESoT families the following options for the 2026–2027 school year:

• Option 1: Neighborhood Bus Stops (same as now)
  Families may continue to use traditional neighborhood bus stops for the normal transportation fee.

• Option 2: Falcon Park & Ride (new option - no cost to families)
  We will add a bus stop at the Falcon Park & Ride off Meridian, near the current Falcon Elementary campus. Families who choose this option may drop students off at the Park & Ride in the morning for bus transportation to BRES and/or pick students up at the Park & Ride after school before buses continue their neighborhood routes. This option is available because buses already pass this location on their way to BRES, allowing us to add this stop efficiently to support families during the transition.

• Option 3: Direct Drop-Off & Pick-Up at BRES
  Families may also transport their students directly to and from the Bennett Ranch campus following the school’s designated traffic and parking procedures.

Important clarification:

• Students who ride only between the Park & Ride and BRES will ride free.

• Students who ride to or from neighborhood stops will follow normal transportation fee structures.

Continued Communication
BRES and FESoT leaders will continue working through logistics and sharing updates. Principals and Zone Superintendent Brian Smith will attend some upcoming PTSA and SAC meetings to share up to date information and answer questions as planning continues.

We want to reassure all families, Falcon Elementary is not closing — it is relocating to share a campus with Bennett Ranch Elementary while maintaining each school’s own identity and leadership.

Thank you for your continued partnership and trust as we prepare for the 2026–2027 school year. Please watch for more updates as details are finalized.

With respect and appreciation,

Brian Smith

Falcon Zone Superintendent

Martina Meadows

Bennett Ranch Principal

Craig Stevens

Falcon Elementary Principal

Greetings Falcon Zone Families,

We’re excited to share important news about plans for the future of the Falcon Zone. Although we are continuing to finalize details and secure board approval, our plan is taking shape and we want you to know what’s coming. Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, we will launch a new school configuration to support our growing community and prepare for long-term success.

Here’s what’s changing in August 2026:

• Falcon Elementary School of Technology (FESoT) & Bennett Ranch Elementary (BRES): FESoT will relocate to the BRES campus. Both schools will continue as separate communities with their own leadership, traditions, and identities, while benefiting from stronger collaboration, more balanced class sizes, and expanded opportunities for students.

• Falcon Middle School: All students in grades 6–8 will once again be together under one roof at FMS, creating a more unified middle school experience.

• Current FESoT building: This campus will become the new home for the district’s PEAK program, giving it the space it needs to serve students effectively.

Why these changes?

The Falcon Zone continues to grow. New neighborhoods east of FESoT are already in the planning stages. At the same time, we are seeing some enrollment shifts and rising housing costs that make it challenging to project the scope and scale of our student population. This makes it even more important that we use our facilities wisely while preparing for the future.

This plan is a strategic bridge toward a new PreK–8 school in the Falcon Zone, which will carry on the leadership and legacy of FESoT. To support that vision, district leaders are exploring the consolidation of office space at the Creekside Success Center and the potential sale of current properties along the Woodmen corridor. Proceeds from those sales would directly support the construction of the new school.

Our commitment to you:

Every Falcon Zone school plays a vital role in our community. Falcons, Firebirds, Bison, Bulldogs, Tornadoes, Bulls, and Hawks all contribute to a strong and lasting legacy. While we may not attract as many “choice” students as some neighboring zones, our strengths are clear: strong community schools, dedicated staff, and families who value relationships and opportunities.

These adjustments are not just about enrollment. They are about stability, innovation, and growth. Most importantly, they ensure that the identities of the FESoT Hawks, BRES Bulls, and FMS Firebirds remain strong as we position the Falcon Zone for the future.

We will share more details soon and provide opportunities for families to meet with zone and school leaders. Together, with the support of our staff, families, and community partners, we are building a foundation that will keep the Falcon Zone strong for years to come.

With respect and gratitude,

Brian Smith

Falcon Zone Superintendent

Peter Hilts

District 49 Superintendent

Zone Executive Assistant - Sharon Guy

Zone Academic Administrator - Tim Scheck

Zone Community Liaison - Cari Muresan

Website: https://www.d49.org/falcon-zone
Location: 11243 Londonderry Drive, Peyton, CO, USA
Phone: (719) 495-5525