School safety director honored School meeting airs district tensions

BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

e Elizabeth School District, a generally conservative district in western Elbert County, is expe-

INSIDE: CALENDAR: PAGE 11 | VOICES: PAGE 12 riencing extreme turmoil that is radiating through the entire Elizabeth community. Members of the school board are feuding over the perceived threat that critical race theory (CRT) and social emotional learning (SEL) might appear in district classrooms.

In their professed aim to keep the district free of CRT and SEL, the actions of school board members Heather Booth and Rhonda Olsen have led to explosive board meet- ings, a formal breach-of-con dentiality investigation, and resignation of district leadership.

Principal’s resignation and public comment

On Jan. 6, Running Creek Elementary School principal Robin Hunt resigned her position e ective June 30 after recurring perceived harassment brought on by Booth and Olsen.

BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Mike Newton, the Elizabeth School District’s director of safety and security, has been named a Campus Safety Director of the Year nalist. He is among a cohort of seven nalists from across the country and is the only nalist from Colorado. Newton is an Elizabeth resident and has been working with the Elizabeth School District since November 2021.

Newton has had several notable achievements that led to his selection as a nalist. Newton has applied for and was awarded $730,000 in school safety grants focused on radio interoperability and school hardening. He installed security cameras, signage and door numbers, resulting in $44,000 in district savings. He also coordinated with law enforcement for a thorough Crime Prevention rough Environmental Design site survey assessment.

Newton will join his fellow nalists in Las Vegas for the annual Campus Safety Conference West where the winner of the Campus Safety Director of the Year will be named. e conference takes place from July 10-12.

In an interview from Feb. 14, Newton re ected on his achievements as director and shared his goals for the future of the Elizabeth School District.

Children eating edibles is growing issue