D2 Board of Education Honored Nationally for Urban Excellence

 

On Thursday, October 23, Harrison School District 2’s Board of Education was formally recognized during the District’s Board meeting for earning one of the nation’s highest honors in public education governance — the CUBE Award for Urban School Board Excellence, presented by the National School Boards Association (NSBA).

The CUBE Award recognizes urban school boards that demonstrate excellence in leadership, governance, and a commitment to equity and student achievement. Harrison School District 2’s Board is the first and only school board in Colorado ever to receive this national distinction.

Board members were joined in celebration by former D2 Board members and school board representatives from neighboring districts, all of whom came together to honor a team that has remained unwavering in its focus on students and the supports they need to succeed.

“We’re honored to be recognized by the National School Boards Association with the CUBE Award for Urban Excellence,” said Board President Michelle Wills-Hill. “This award affirms what we live every day in D2 — coherent governance, clear vision, and a relentless focus on opportunity to deliver real results for kids.”

Wills-Hill added, “Our Board operates with one clear purpose — doing what’s best for students. Every decision we make, every policy we set, and every partnership we build comes back to creating opportunity for the young people we serve. This recognition belongs to our entire community.”

At the heart of D2’s success is a coherent governance model in which the Board sets clear policies and expectations while the Superintendent executes and leads operations. That partnership has produced measurable and sustained success for students:

• Administrator retention is 88%, the highest in Colorado — fueling consistent leadership and student growth.
• Graduation rates are up 3.2% over the last five years.
• Students in D2’s highly diverse schools outperform similar peers statewide.
• In 2023–24, students earned 2,248 concurrent enrollment credits and more than $7 million in scholarships.

The District’s approach to community Engagement has also drawn national attention:

• Behavior referrals are down 70%, and expulsions down 86%, reflecting a safer, more supportive learning environment.
• Voters reaffirmed trust in the District’s leadership by passing a $180 million bond and a $9 million mill levy override to strengthen facilities, safety, and staff supports.
• Harrison School District 2 was recently named the Best K–12 Workplace in Colorado Springs.

“Community Engagement isn’t a program here — it’s how we lead,” said Superintendent Dr. Wendy Birhanzel. “Our Board’s clarity of purpose and commitment to coherent governance allow us to stay laser-focused on students — removing barriers, expanding opportunity, and ensuring every child has the support to thrive.”

The NSBA CUBE Award for Urban Excellence underscores what D2 has built through collaboration — a system where students are at the center and excellence is the daily practice, not the end goal.