Citizen Centennial 5-24-13
Centennial
Arapahoe County, Colorado • Volume 12, Issue 27
May 24, 2013
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourcentennialnews.com
School-finance overhaul signed Fate of measure will be in hands of state’s voters By Vic Vela
vvela@ourcoloradonews.com Colorado public schools are a step closer to a major funding overhaul after Gov. John Hickenlooper on May 21 signed a new school finance act that proponents say would provide a long-overdue modernization of an antiquated school funding formula for classrooms across the state. But the governor’s signature doesn’t make the reform measure a done deal. Voters must give the go-ahead to the legislation’s price tag of about $1 billion in new
taxes, something that Republican lawmakers are sure to rally against in the fall. If a vote falls short this November, the proposal could come back for funding votes through 2017. Hickenlooper, who was flanked at the Capitol bill- Hickenlooper signing by legislative cosponsors of Senate Bill 213, dubbed the “Future School Finance Act,” hailed the legislation as a way to “allow Colorado to vault to the top of every state” when it comes to school financing and transparency. “This bill really positions Colorado to be the national leader in terms of school reform, in terms of school effectiveness,” Hickenlooper said.
The legislation would mark the most sweeping change to the state’s school finance formula that’s been seen in decades. The act would fund full-day kindergarten, provide preschool for at-risk children and would increase needs-based programs for special education students and children who are learning English. The legislation also would provide more funding for students who are involved in gifted and talented school programs. The bill would give school districts greater flexibility in being allowed the opportunity to have longer school years and school days, if they choose to do so. The bill also is expected to increase per-pupil funding for most school districts across the state by way of a funding system that supporters say is a more equitable way
of divvying up money. Under the new formula, the state would determine how much revenue individual school districts are able to raise, with the state backfilling the difference. The state also would provide more support for local mill levy-matching. And, the bill would create a new teacher evaluation formula that supporters say is badly needed. Sen. Mike Johnston, D-Denver, was the main driver behind the legislative effort. The former Thornton High School principal said the bill marks a “tremendous step forward” in making Colorado a school reform model for the nation. “Instead of forcing (students and Funding continues on Page 6
Suspect appears in court
TWICE AS NICE
Woman charged in theft from charity now lives in East By Deborah Grigsby
dgrigsby@ourcoloradonews.com
Arapahoe boys lacrosse players share hugs and smiles May 18 after winning the state Class 5A championship. The Warriors won their second straight title, besting Cherry Creek, 10-7. Find more coverage on Page 24. Photo by Tom Munds
Cherry Creek grads rack up college aid Scholarships, grants hit record amount By Deborah Grigsby
dgrigsby@ourcoloradonews.com They were born in 1994 and 1995. Having hardly known life without the Internet, they entered kindergarten in August 2000. And this month, graduating seniors from the Cherry Creek School District’s six high schools have garnered a district record of $44 million in scholarships and grants. That beats 2012 by about $1.5 million and 2011 by $7 million. “We are so proud of 3,788 students, their teachers and all of those who supported them,” Superintendent Mary Chesley said. “And of the record-setting amount of scholarships coming out of a recession.” Students from Cherokee Trail, Cherry Creek, Eaglecrest, Grandview, Overland and Smoky Hill will cross the stage this month, earning their diplomas and an overall class scholarship average of $11,600 each. This year’s class includes 27 National Merit Finalists, four National Merit His-
Proving 13 is not such a bad number after all, Cherry Creek High School’s very diverse Class of 2013 makes its entrance into Stutler Bowl for the school’s 58th annual commencement exercises, held May 22. More than 800 graduates received their diplomas from Creek and garnered more than $22 million dollars in scholarships. Photo by Deborah Grigsby panic Scholars, 14 Daniels Fund Scholars, three Boettcher Scholars and six military academy appointees, according to a statement from the school district.
A woman accused of stealing close to $350,000 from a Centennial military charity made her first appearance in Arapahoe County Court. Ruthann Oppenheim, 34, was advised May 14 of the Class 3 felony charge against her, waiving extradition in exchange for posting a $5,000 bond. A condition of the bond permits her to return to her current residence in Arlington, Va., until her next court date. According to court documents, Oppenheim, a for- Oppenheim mer treasurer for the Colorado National Guard Foundation, allegedly wrote checks and made unauthorized withdrawals from the organization’s account totaling $336,748. Andrew Meverden, chairman of the foundation, said financial inconsistencies surfaced more than a year ago during an internal audit, which prompted the investigation. “There were just a lot of things that didn’t make sense,” he said. “Ledgers didn’t balance with bank statements, unauthorized purchases and even NGF gift cards being cashed out in Las Vegas.” Affidavits paint a complex trail of deleted files, bank transfers and unexplained charges. Oppenheim served as the organization’s treasurer, a voluntary position, from January 2009 to January 2012. She also was employed by the Colorado Army Embezzle continues on Page 6
According to the school district, more than 1,900 students enrolled in one or more Creek continues on Page 6
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