Highlands Ranch Herald 053113

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Herald Highlands Ranch 5-30-13

Highlands Ranch

May 30, 2013

A Colorado Community Media Publication

ourhighlandsranchnews.com

Douglas County, Colorado • Volume 26, Issue 28

TITLE TOWN

ThunderRidge High School baseball players pose with the trophy they won by capturing the Class 5A state championship with a win over Rocky Mountain on May 25. Find more coverage on Page 26. Photos by Tom Munds

Teacher ratings drawing scrutiny Greater percentage of Trailblazer educators received highest mark By Jane Reuter

jreuter@ourcoloradonews.com Trailblazer Elementary School Principal Linda Schneider says 70 percent of her teachers are “highly effective” under the Douglas County School District’s new evaluation system. The district questions that finding, and is summoning all the school’s teachers for a second, independent review. District-wide, about 15 percent of teachers are rated “highly effective,” according to information provided by DCSD, with most — 71 percent — rated “effective.” Under the evaluations, each teacher is assigned a rating ranging from “highly effective” to “ineffective” that is tied to pay increases. “Highly effectives” could get a substantial raise, while “ineffectives” likely won’t see increases. News of a second evaluation at Trailblazer upset not only teachers, but parents, who gathered outside the Highlands Ranch school early May 23 to wave handmade signs of support. “We should be celebrating our highly effective teachers instead of punishing them,” said parent Amy Fain. DCSD administrators said they aren’t happy either, but stand behind the integrity of their evaluations. “We recognize this is a difficult process for everybody,” said Christian Cutter, assistant superintendent of elementary education. Cutter said the district uses a check-andbalance system to flag statistical anomalies, or schools whose ratings appear out of balance. It also is reviewing evaluations at schools with an apparent excess of “ineffective” ratings, he said.

Members of the Mountain Vista High School girls soccer team celebrate with the trophy they won by edging Rock Canyon in the Class 5A state championship game May 22. Find more coverage on Page 25.

Ratings continues on Page 6

Local veteran pays tribute over Memorial Day American Legion member places flags at memorial By Ryan Boldrey

rboldrey@ourcoloradonews.com Former Air Force Staff Sgt. Russ King served two tours in Southeast Asia between 1969 and 1973. And while he appreciates the gratitude he receives this time of year, he is quick to remind people that’s what Veterans Day is for. “Memorial Day Weekend is a time to thank the guys who gave the ultimate sacrifice, who gave everything for their country and who didn’t come home,” said King, after checking on the American flags he placed at the Highlands Ranch Veterans Memo-

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rial May 25. “The rest of us came home, but they gave their lives. They gave everything.” King, who grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania, lost 13 friends from high school in Vietnam in addition to two members from his squadron. A member of American Legion Highlands Ranch Post 1260, he has spent the past four Memorial Day Weekends and the last three July 4 weekends placing flags at the Highlands Ranch memorial that was commemorated July 1, 2009, and honors hundreds of others with local ties who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Every time he arrives at the monument King salutes the large memorial in the center that honors Highlands Ranch’s Cpl. Max Donahue, Sgt. Jon Stiles and Staff Sgt. Christopher Falkel, the three local soldiers who gave their all over the past decade in Afghanistan. He repeats this ritual each time he departs. “It’s my way of paying respect to them for what they gave,” he said. King said a lot has changed since World Memorial continues on Page 9

Former Air Force Staff Sgt. Russ King makes sure the American flag is flying properly beside the memorial honoring Cpl. Max Donahue, Sgt. Jon Stiles and Staff Sgt. Christopher Falkel. Over the past several years, King has placed flags at the Highlands Ranch Veterans Memorial. Photo by Ryan Boldrey


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