School District 49 Named National Finalist for Prestigious Performance Excellence Recognition

School District 49 is among a short list of only seven organizations in the U.S. selected as finalists for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the nation’s only presidential award for performance excellence. 

“This designation reflects commitment and perseverance,“ said Peter Hilts in his remarks during the D49 Board of Education regular meeting Thursday, August 14. 

The D49 Baldrige journey began in 2015 when the district committed to performance excellence across all areas of the organization. The Baldrige framework provides a time tested formula for developing, measuring, analyzing and improving processes, which D49 has adopted to innovate its educational programs and systems that support student learning. 

Mr. Hilts brought this into sharp focus in August of 2023, rallying the D49 workforce toward a shared goal of earning role-model organization status as recognized by the Baldrige Program. Being named a national finalist represents a significant milestone in achieving that goal. 

“We worked with a common purpose. We really believed that we could be the school district that our community wanted and that our students deserve,” Hilts said. “This recognition rises on the strength of the people of District 49. We see our vision –The Best Choice– in clear focus, clearer than ever before. And it's because our people have never failed to fulfill our mission –To learn, Work and Lead.” 

Because the Baldrige Program recognizes organizations across many industry sectors, D49 does not compete against the other finalists. As part of the award process, D49 will host a site visit with national examiners during the month of September. The team of examiners will complete an evaluation of the district against a standard of excellence that has been refined and applied for nearly 30 years. 

Mr. Hilts concluded his remarks by thanking all who have contributed to D49’s achievement of national finalist status. 

“Thank you to the families and students who choose D49. More students choose into D49 than any other district in Colorado. You have made us better. Thank you to a decade of leaders who believed in a vision of peak performance and never stopped climbing,” Hilts added. 

“Most emphatically, thank you to the finest workforce of any school district in America. In every department, office, school and setting you show up every day with energy, humor, intelligence and heart. We are blessed to work with you and our students are blessed to learn from you. The government of the United States of America says you are an example for others to follow. You are. So thank you, it is an honor to celebrate your achievement.”