Castle Rock News Press 1011

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OCTOBER 11, 2018

Elections 2018: Voter guide inside

A publication of

DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO

DOUGLAS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT BALLOT QUESTIONS

Bond measure tackles ‘huge needs’ BY ALEX DEWIND ADEWIND@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Inside a classroom at Douglas County High School in Castle Rock, the threadbare carpet is 25 years old — stained, worn and uneven in places. The handles of outdated wooden cabinets are broken or missing. Light bulbs on the ceiling are exposed without fixtures. The school’s automotive and welding shops need to be replaced — a cost of $200,000. If not, the programs housed in those shops that serve hundred of students could shut down. Last year, because of repairs needed to the heating and cooling system, the temperature of one classroom hovered around 49 degrees. Students were told to bring sweaters and coats. Principal Tony Kappas has seen kids trip across uneven tiles. He and his staff have had to move their students out of hallways because of ceiling leaks caused by an outdated piping system from the 1960s. “They go to other schools in the district and see the haves and Kappas the have-nots,” Kappas said. Nearly 2,000 students attend Douglas County High School, the district’s oldest high school, which opened in 1961.

Mill levy override puts focus on DCSD teachers Ballot question asks voters to approve $40M tax hike BY ALEX DEWIND ADEWIND@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Wayne Blazek, facilities planning manager at Douglas County School District, holds an outdated manual in a boiler room at Ponderosa High School in Parker. A bond would help address the school’s heating and cooling systems. ALEX DEWIND “There are huge needs,” Kappas said. “It’s getting tougher every year for these guys.” The majority of Douglas County High School’s infrastructure and interior aesthetics have well exceeded their 20- to 25-year life cycle. The situation is similar at aging schools across the Douglas County School District, which serves 68,000 students in 91 neighborhood, charter, alternative and magnet schools.

Lack of funding over the past 12 years has directly impacted the quality of schools and learning environment, district staff and building leaders say. Over the next five years, the school district needs between $152 million and $200 million to address all Tier 1 items, according to an executive summary of the 2018-19 Master Capital Plan.

Tim Ottmann, principal of Ponderosa High School in Parker, recalls why a volleyball coach of 16 years who led the team to several state championships left the school three years ago for a position in the Cherry Creek School District: a salary increase of $15,000. In the past decade, Ottman estimates his school has lost 35 educators. “Dealing with a staff that is constantly looking (to leave) is troublesome,” he said. Several factors, including the district’s then-politics and policies, pushed social studies teacher Caley Mitchell in 2015 to leave the Castle View High School community in Castle Rock that she loved.

SEE BOND, P6

SEE TEACHERS, P7

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THE BOTTOM LINE PERIODICAL

“There is a different mentality at airports now that is no different than swap meets and garage sales. Come as you are. Be as rude as you want.” Craig Marshall Smith, columnist | Page 12 INSIDE

VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 32 | SPORTS: PAGE 34

CastleRockNewsPress.net

VOLUME 16 | ISSUE 28


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