May 19, 2016 VO LUM E 1 1 | IS S UE 51
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Fire kills child and disabled woman Investigation underway at foster home for adults By Crystal Anderson canderson@colorado communitymedia.com A white teddy bear holding an American flag blowing ever so slightly in the drizzly wind leaned against the fenced perimeter around an empty adult foster care home where two days earlier a fire had killed a 4-year-old girl and a 39-year-old disabled woman. “Yesterday, I saw her standing out front, taking pictures,” said neighbor Patti Suman on the
“From here (a neighbor’s yard) you could barely see the house, but through the trees you could see flames coming off the roof,” said Elena Zuniga, a resident just two houses west of 6152 Robb St. that caught on fire early May 14. A 4-year-old girl and a 39-year-old disabled woman died as a result of the fire. Photo by Clarke Reader
morning of May 16, referring to the foster parent who took care of two disabled adults and her own family in the home at 6152 Robb St. The foster parent’s 4-year-old granddaughter was one of the victims. “I saw her, and I went over to her and gave her a huge hug.” Both victims died from smoke inhalation at area hospitals, said Dan Pruett, Jefferson County’s chief deputy coroner. He said their names are not being released until next of kin have been notified. Four others were injured in the May 14 fire and were taken to area hospitals. No condition updates Fire continues on Page 2
DASHING AT THE DERBY
District, teachers agree to new deal Jefferson County School District and teachers’ union find common ground after 2 months By Crystal Anderson Canderson@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Delta sector — the grant will pay for one year of salary, benefits and training for each officer. That’s about a $100,000 investment per person, Arvada Police Recruitment Officer Greg Miller said. “We do the very best we can to maintain a high integrity with the people we hire,” he said, “and all of our tests are geared to help us hire the right people.” Arvada police recruits undergo a fourmonth series of tests, interviews and
A proposed contract between the Jefferson County Education Association and the school district will implement a new salary schedule that gives teachers raises based on their degree, years of experience and effectiveness rating. “This puts us on the right track to build stability and halt the exodus in Jeffco,” said John Ford, president of the association, referring to the large amount of teachers leaving the district. “It’s a start.” After two months of negotiations, the union and the district agreed to a five-year contract — the longest contract they’ve ever had — that would put teachers back on a salary schedule instead of strictly using the pay-for-performance model implemented in 2014. Evaluation ratings still play a role in an educator’s salary. Former board members Ken Witt, Julie Williams and John Newkirk implemented the pay-for-performance plan. Community members successfully recalled the three in last November. “I think the length of the agreement is a testament to the strength of the contract,” said Superintendent Dan McMinimee in a news release. “Both parties feel stability is important and this negotiation has gone well. My staff worked hard, the board gave as much compensation as possible, and JCEA was understanding of district limits.” If ratified by the union, the agreement will come before the board for approval June 2. Union members have until May 27 to vote. If accepted by both parties, the contract will begin July 1 and extend to Aug. 31, 2021.
Grant continues on Page 5
Deal continues on Page 5
Runners of all ages took part in Hope House of Colorado’s annual Derby Dash Family Fun Run Saturday, May 7, at Lake Arbor Park in Arvada. Hope House is a nonprofit serving teen mothers and fathers across the Denver metro area with schooling, money, food and self-sufficiency programs. Courtesy photo
Federal grant to go toward new recruits Arvada Police Department receives $875,000 to hire seven new officers By Crystal Anderson canderson@coloradocommunitymedia.com An $875,000 federal grant will allow the Arvada Police Department to hire seven new officers at the end of this month. That hiring process, the department said, is part of a four- to five-year push to build up the force, which is aging out
and stretching thin because of retirement and Arvada’s economic and residential growth. “We recognize the growth out in the northwest part of the city is more rapid than we anticipated,” Deputy Chief Link Strate said. “To continue our decentralized strategy, we need to move to that area of the city and offer policing services in all areas of the city.” Awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice for Arvada police’s effort to expand its community policing model in the northwest area — known as the