Douglas County News-Press 0331

Page 1

March 31, 2016

VOTE NOW!

VOLUME 114 | ISSUE 22 | 75¢

SEE AD INSIDE FOR VOTING DETAILS

DouglasCountyNewsPress.net D O U G L A S C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O

A publication of

Why are teachers leaving? School district officials say numbers don’t reveal any major trend By Mike DiFerdinando mdiferdinando@coloradocommunitymedia.com Niki Mitchell has watched a number of fellow teachers leave the Douglas County School District in recent years. Some have gone to other school districts. Others have taken early retirement. A few have left the profession altogether. “It’s heartbreaking because these are all

This is the first in a series about the impact of initiatives and policies in the Douglas County School District. Upcoming stories will explore the salary band, pay-for-performance structure and evaluation system. amazing teachers who have made such an impact on kids — every one of my friends who have left are veteran teachers,” said Mitchell, a kindergarten teacher at Saddle Ranch Elementary in Highlands Ranch

who has taught in the district for 23 years. “Teachers are feeling demoralized. This has become a toxic place to teach.” District officials maintain turnover rates are not alarming and say teachers who leave do so more for personal and philosophical reasons rather than workplace dissatisfaction. They also blame those critical of district policies for politicizing the issue and creating an anti-district agenda. But interviews with 12 elementary, middle school and high school teachers and one school psychologist pinpoint specific district policies and initiatives as reasons for many teachers’ departures. Of those interviewed, one is a current district teacher, six

Douglas County School District teacher turnover rate: 2009-10: 10.2% 2014-15: 16.7% 2008-09: 10.2% 2013-14: 17.3% 2007-08: 12.5% 2012-13: 13.3% Source: Colorado 2011-12: 11.2% Department of Education 2010-11: 11.6% are now teaching in other school districts, one will leave for a new district next school year, three are retired, one is working in the private sector and one is in the Peace Corps. Reasons they cite include the market-based salary structure implemented in 2012, an Turnover continues on Page 4

Annexation for project advances Town, county intergovernmental agreement also lifts density cap of 968 units By Shanna Fortier sfortier@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Genevieve Biviano, 4, of Parker, gets her face painted like a bunny at the Outlets at Castle Rock. Photos by Shanna Fortier

Hundreds hop to bunny breakfast

The Easter Bunny visits children at the Outlets at Castle Rock on March 25 for a pancake breakfast.

THROUGH THE YEARS

Keir Royale makes balloon objects at the March 25 breakfast.

The Outlets at Castle Rock was packed with bunny-earswearing, pancake-eating kids March 25. More than 500 children and parents came out for the sixth annual Easter Bunny Breakfast. “We just really enjoyed coming last year,” said Parker resident Jamie Murphy, who attended the event again this year with her daughter. “It’s a great opportunity to meet up with friends and see the Easter Bunny.” The morning included free pancakes from Flippin’ Flapjacks, face painting, a magic show and a visit from the Easter Bunny.

A revised agreement between Castle Rock and Douglas County allows The Canyons South development off Crowfoot Valley Road to increase its density from 968 units to 1,506 units on the 1,584-acre property. The agreement also allows the developer to work more closely with the Town of Castle Rock on its request to be annexed. Bill Detweiler, the town’s director of development services, stressed that the amendment to the intergovernmental agreement between the town and Douglas County does not guarantee annexation of the Canyons South property, which is south of Crowfoot Valley Road, east of Timber Canyon and north of Founders Parkway. Annexation continues on Page 9

COUNT ON IT

DOUGLAS COUNTY NEWS-PRESS (ISSN 1067-425X) (USPS 567-060) OFFICE: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 | PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Douglas County, Colorado, the News-Press is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT CASTLE ROCK, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 DEADLINES: Display: Thurs. 5 p.m. | Classifieds: Tue. 8 a.m. | Obits: Mon. 4 p.m. | Legals: Thurs. 11 a.m.

New pitch limit is intended to reduce risk of injury for high school pitchers. PAGE 23


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.