Election will fill 14 vacant delegate seats

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Highlands Ranch Community Association residents who are not represented by a delegate will receive election notices in late May and early June for the Highlands Ranch Community Association Second Delegate Election.

e Highlands Ranch Community Association is divided into 95 Delegate Districts. Each district has a delegate and the upcoming election will ll 14 vacant seats.

Meeting monthly, delegates dis- cuss updates and upcoming projects for the community. ey also vote on association bylaw amendments, the annual budget and the governing document outlining the association’s structure.

A rst round of delegate elections in April marked a milestone for the association elections. for the rst time, the elections were held through an online voting format called Election Buddy. e vendor sent voting members a postcard with a secure code that can be accessed online or through a QR code.

In that election, the association welcomed three new and 21 returning delegates. Each will serve a twoyear term. e Second Delegate Election will also be held through Election Buddy. Voters can also mail ballots in or drop them o .

“ is unique voting ID has increased election security and ensured voter information is protected and anonymous,” the association said in a press release. “With electronic voting now available, it has made reaching our quorum requirements more accessible and faster.” e association has announced 12 districts have a candidate and only two non-sub-association-appointed districts are projected to remain empty.

Voting for the vacant districts will run through Friday, June 16. All ballots must be returned by June 16 and online voting closes at 5 p.m. Delegates who are elected will be noti ed and will join the monthly Board and Delegate meeting on June 20 at 6 p.m.

An example of the postcard the association is sending to voters is provided on the Highlands Ranch Community Association website.

Castle Rock

safe learning environments for all.

Denouncements of bullying, harassment, the promotion of speci c characteristics as superior or inferior and lowering standards or expectations for students were also added without issue.

ough the board worked to nd common ground on the revisions, Ray and Meek also took issue with the process, saying they felt there was a lack of transparency and not enough input from equity experts.

Meek noted the District Accountability Committee approved a resolution asking the board to delay the changes and seek more feedback. Ray tried to postpone the changes by one year, but his motion failed 4-2.

Superintendent Erin Kane presented her implementation plan for the equity policy in April, which outlines how equity will apply to academics, student wellness, resource allocation, human resources and parent engagement.

Protest before meeting

Leading up to the board meeting, around 50 students, parents and community members gathered outside the district building to protest the district’s response to reported racism happening at Castle Rock Middle School, where eighth grader Jeramiah Ganzy has been a victim of racial slurs in school and through social media. actions of those who we do not agree with. And everyone is entitled to their own opinions. My opinion and position are that I would rather live under the spirit of love and forgiveness as opposed to harboring anger, resentment, and frustration relative to the things that I have absolutely no control over. And if you still disagree with me, or think I am a bit too naïve, then maybe this can be your rst attempt at o ering me some grace.

Douglas County mom Melissa Sutherland organized the protest with her son Glenn, a sophomore at Douglas County High School, after hearing Jeramiah’s story.

Outside the district building, Sutherland called on the district and school board to condemn and act on discrimination happening in schools.

“If the school district doesn’t start stepping up, then we’ll be out here every time,” Sutherland said.

Jeramiah and his family rallied alongside Sutherland, saying they appreciated seeing the support and hopes the district will begin taking steps to educate students about diversity and enforce consequences for discrimination.

During the board meeting, Kane made a statement addressing the protest, apologizing for the Ganzy family having to experience racial slurs. She said multiple students were suspended in response to the reports.

“Racism in any form is unacceptable at DCSD and a direct policy violation,” Kane said.

Will society ever be perfect? No. Will people ever be without fault? No. Will the world ever get back to what the majority of us would call normal? Maybe, maybe not. But wouldn’t it be a better place if we all gured how to o er love and forgiveness instead of spite and hostility? As always, I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we can truly make that leap towards a return to grace, it really will be a better than good life.

Michael Norton is an author, a personal and professional coach, consultant, trainer, encourager and motivator of individuals and businesses, working with organizations and associations across multiple industries.