January 23, 2014 Jefferson County, Colorado | Volume 9, Issue 35 A publication of
arvadapress.com
Hiring of Jeffco attorney denied Board delays hiring decision until new superintendent arrives By Crystal Anderson
canderson@ coloradocommunitymedia.com Jeffco Schools board of education denied the hiring of Executive Employee Relations candidate Nicole Tuescher by a 3-2 vote at the Tuesday, Jan. 16, meeting. President Ken Witt, First Vice President Julie Williams and Secretary John Newkirk voted against the hiring after a board discussion about philosophical ideals, legal counsel, need and urgency. “We need to empower the incoming superintendent, to fill key positions that are vacant presently,” Witt said following the meeting. “We have both adequate legal
counsel for the district as well as employee relations that can’t be covered up by the HR (human resources) department adequately in the interim.” Prior to the discussion about the executive director appointment, Newkirk made a motion to move the item to an executive session, which was met with disapproval by First Vice President Lesley Dahlkemper and Board Treasurer Jill Fellman, as well as remarks and boos from the audience. “We have a CEO in our superintendent who leads our organization and identifies the best talent to meet the needs to continue to drive this district forward,” Dahlkemper said. “I would recommend that any conversation that is had, be had publicly, if there are concerns the board has, we address those and are public about it.” The motion to go to executive session failed 3-2 with Dahlkemper and Fellman opposed. Two-thirds majority approval is required to enter an item into executive
session. “I would also like to remind us all, several hours ago we heard testimony from Lisa Elliot, saying how important and critical this position is, that we need to act on it and that it is critical that we move now,” Fellman said. Throughout the discussion, Witt, Williams and Newkirk raised concerns about making key employee decisions without the opinion of a new superintendent expected to be hired later this year and concerns about the need for an urgent, additional aspect of legal counsel in the district. Resigning Superintendent Cindy Stevenson will complete her tenure with the district June 30, and the process to hire a new superintendent is ongoing. “We’ve had excellent representation over the years from Caplan and Earnest,” Williams said. “Why can’t we do a temporary hire, with Earnest and Caplan to continue that representation until a new
superintendent comes ... and then the new superintendent can choose who she wants.” Stevenson addressed their concerns and informed the board about the roles of the position and reminded the board this position is a crucial part of the Jeffco school district framework. “What I can tell you is that I’ve been doing this job for 12 years, I consider both departments essential,” Stevenson said. “You’ve heard from our associations earlier, they consider it essential, it really is part of the glue that makes Jeffco a great organization.” Following the discussion, the board voted to not hire the candidate for the executive director in favor of allowing time for the new superintendent the opportunity to weigh in on the discussion and use existing representation and staff in the interim. The audience was silent following the vote.
Meeting offers residents opportunity to hear from the senator and representative regarding the bills they are working on and hot topics in this year’s legislative session
Arvada hosts town hall
Zenzinger, Kraft-Tharp team up to host monthly meeting By Crystal Anderson
canderson@ coloradocommunitymedia.com Senate District 19 Sen. Rachel Zenzinger and House Rep. Tracy Kraft-Tharp are teaming to host monthly town hall meetings with their constituents. At the first town hall meeting, Jan. 18, Zenzinger and Kraft-Tharp meet with 40 people at the Indian Tree Golf Course Clubhouse, 7555 Wadsworth Blvd., to talk about the Colorado economy, job growth, and legislative issues circulating at the Statehouse. The meeting offered residents the opportunity to hear from the senator and representative regarding the bills they are working on and hot topics in this year’s legislative session. Zenzinger spoke to two bills that she is working on to help train teachers at turnaround and high priority schools and provide a tax credit program for businesses’ personal property. Kraft-Tharp spoke about her work with the Transportation and Energy Committee, the ReHire Colorado Bill and the job growth incentive tax credit. Following their updates the two took questions from the audience, answering questions regarding schools, RTD North West Line, and housing concerns. The meeting also featured an update about the state’s improving economy and $10 billion budget from Gov. John Hickenlooper’s chief economist Jason Schrock and Rep. Crisanta Duran. Zenzinger and Kraft-Tharp will host the next town hall meeting on Saturday, Feb. 22, at Indian Tree Golf Course Clubhouse, 7555 Wadsworth Blvd. 10:30 a.m. to noon.
Officer Jeffrey Hodgdon will be honored as Officer of the Year at 7 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 28 the Indian Tree Golf Clubhouse, 7555 Wadsworth Blvd. Courtesy photo
Optimists honor officer of the year Arvada police department recognizes Hodgdon By Crystal Anderson
canderson@ coloradocommunitymedia.com Lake Arbor Optimists in conjunction with the Arvada Police Department named Officer Jeffrey Hodgdon, the 2014 Officer of the Year. Nominated by members of the Arvada Police Department for his teamwork, investigative skill, and law enforcement knowledge, Hodgdon, who just had a baby with his wife, said this recognition was an honor he wasn’t expecting. In 2013, Hodgdon saw success in several aspects of his position when he helped recover 30 stolen vehicles in Arvada and discover suspects in both Lakewood and Westminster burglary cases. “Since becoming a police officer in Officer continues on Page 4
Sen. Rachel Zenzinger caught up with Arvada constituents answering questions and informing them of the issues and policies at the Statehouse. Photo by Crystal Anderson
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