April 7, 2016 VOLUME 3 | ISSUE 35 | FREE
CastlePinesNewsPress.net D O U G L A S C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
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A look at town’s budget difference Saving for long-term projects makes up $33.6 million difference By Shanna Fortier sfortier@colorado communitymedia.com Petitions calling for the recall of Castle Rock’s mayor and two town councilmembers have brought attention to the town’s budget. “Part of our recall is fiscal irresponsibility,” said Jeff
VanderWal, a business consultant who is leading the recall petition against Councilmember Mark Heath. “It’s misleading to say we have a balanced budget.” Petitioners say council has, for several years, approved budgets in which expenditures exceed revenue. In the 2016 budget, spending is $33.6 million more than revenue. Town officials have an explanation. “The one thing to understand is that the expenses include money earned in prior years and saved up for projects,” said Trish
Muller, finance director for the Town of Castle Rock. “That’s one reason why expenses are higher than revenue.” The difference seen is money that the town has been saving for projects, including the $9.5 million North Meadows Extension and $29.9 million in longterm water projects. The town has been saving for the North Meadows Extension since 2009, Castle Rock officials said. Voters approved debt for the project in 2005, and the town
$199 million — $165 million
2016 expenditures
$33.6 million
Difference to be pulled from prioryears’ savings not included in 2016 revenue
Source: Town of Castle Rock Graphic by Ben Wiebesiek
Budget continues on Page 19
2016 revenue
Teacher turnover shows rise for ’15-16 New data from the Colorado Department of Education shows the turnover rate for 2015-16 is 19.7 percent By Mike DiFerdinando mdiferdinando@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Cade Eagle directs a robotic through a maze with the supervision of Cadet Kevin Cabusora at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Photos by Shanna Fortier
Boy gets turn as ‘Cadet for a Day’ Cade Eagle, a World Compass Academy student, shows off his inventor plaque created by lasers in the U.S. Air Force Academy mechanical engineering lab.
Air Force Academy opens doors for Castle Rock fifth-grade student By Shanna Fortier sfortier@coloradocommunitymedia.com Wearing a child-sized Air Force cadet jumpsuit, Cade Eagle, 10, walked into the mechanical engineering lab at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs on March 31 with a mission. With members of the cadet class and his family at his side, the World Compass Academy fifth-grader immedi-
ately started pointing out machines and what they are used for. “This is like his heartbeat,” said Cade’s mom, Kelli Eagle. “He’s got it all planned out. He wants to go to school for mechanical engineering and robotics engineering.” Cade was at the academy as a participant in Cadet for a Day, a cadet-run program started in 2000 designed to honor local children and families who are fighting serious illness. The program is a partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
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Cadet continues on Page 20
Teacher turnover in the Douglas County School District has risen above the state average, according to newly released data by the Colorado Department of Education. For the 2015-16 school year, the teacher turnover rate in the school district was 19.7 percent – it was 16.7 percent the previous year and 11.6 percent five years ago — figures released April 1 show. The state average is 17 percent. “We must do what is right by our staff and we must be honest with ourselves,” Board of Education President Meghann Silverthorn said. “These numbers are concerning, and I will not blindly defend CDE continues on Page 28
MEET THE ALL-STARS
Find out who made the All-South Metro girls and boys teams. PAGE 23
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