Week of February 24, 2022
FREE
DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
HighlandsRanchHerald.net
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 15 | CALENDAR: PAGE 17 | SPORTS: PAGE 24
VOLUME 35 | ISSUE 12
School board approves superintendent search plan Process expected to go quickly BY ELLIOTT WENZLER EWENZLER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
The job posting for the next Douglas County School District superintendent will be displayed online beginning Feb. 17 and end-
ing Feb. 25. The district’s board of directors approved the preliminary timeline for the position in a special meeting Feb. 16. The board plans to fully approve a schedule for hiring the position — which would set March 3 as the date finalists will be identified — during a Feb. 22 meeting. During the special meeting, the board sparred over whether this timeline was too brief.
“We really need to get stability back, and I’m concerned that if we are leaving the superintendent seat vacant without a long-term solution, this sort of division is going to continue,” Director Christy Williams said in support of the shortened timeline. Directors Susan Meek and David Ray spoke against the timeline. “Why is this timeline so compressed that it prevents true, au-
Ski and Boot Lab stays true to form Highlands Ranch business provides mounts, bindings and fittings
SEE SCHOOLS, P6
Centennial Water reviews 2021, looks to 2022 Expansion and staffing continue to be priorities
BY RACHEL LORENZ SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
For KC McCallum, the hardest part of starting his own business was naming it. The Highlands Ranch resident opened Ski & Boot Lab in 2016 after nearly 25 years of working in the ski industry — an industry he finds fun and feels lucky to be a part of. While considering names, McCallum’s brothers gave him some advice. Also small business owners, they cautioned him not to use his name but to pick something that could show up organically in potential customers’ internet searches. So McCallum took inspiration from the shop’s location instead. After looking at expensive warehouse spaces, McCallum found a laboratory to rent in a commercial building not far from Highlands Ranch Town Center. It had sturdy countertops and cabinets, ventilation, even an eyewash station. SEE SKI AND BOOT, P9
thentic public engagement in the hiring?” Meek asked. The original timeline proposed by Board President Mike Peterson suggested the board vote on finalists by Feb. 24. The superintendent position became open after the Feb. 4 firing of former Superintendant Corey Wise in a 4-3 vote. The previous
STAFF REPORT
In its 40-year history, Centennial Water & Sanitation District has faced many challenges and 2021 was no exception. The continuing limitations placed on staff and daily operations by the COVID pandemic have brought Centennial Water back to one of its core values – teamwork. “The service we provide is essential to the health and safety of our customers 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Despite quarantines, staffing shortages and supply chain challenges, our staff relied on each other and found innovative approaches to accomplish our objectives in 2021,” Acting General Manager Stephanie Stanley said in a recent news release. As Centennial Water officials continue to review the results of 2021, the district said a lot was accomplished behind the scenes last year. Some of the accomplishments listed include: Ski & Boot Lab rents and tunes skis.
LET IT ROLL
Exploring the world of van life
P14
COURTESY OF SKI & BOOT LAB
SEE WATER, P23
HEART HEALTH MONTH
A Q&A on heart failure
P10