SHARING STORIES: New women’s history museum also focuses on current achievements P19
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March 29, 2018
ELBERT COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
Elizabeth School District puts focus on budget Challenges aren’t in short supply amid reality of needs versus limits BY JULIE A. TAYLOR SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Systems, the company behind the turbines, announced the project. Elbert County residents and commissioners showed great support, and in early 2017, the commissioners voted unanimously 3-0 for 190 turbines to be constructed across the county. During the initial hearing, an unusually large crowd came out. One person spoke of his concern about the already dicey roadways becoming worse under the weight of construction vehicles and increased use. Commissioner Chris Richardson said initially the dirt roads
While much of Elbert County unpacks their swimsuits and rubs aloe vera over their post-spring break sunburn, Elizabeth School District administration searches for clever ways to construct the 2018-19 school budget. The district has a tight budget, far below that in nearby counties, but attempts to disburse funds in the best possible direction based on community input and first-hand investigation. One of the main troubles that Superintendent Douglas Bissonette wants to address is the low teacher salaries in Elizabeth. The district has difficulty attracting and retaining high-caliber teachers because of this. Exit surveys from Elizabeth and new contracts from other districts show that teachers are getting an average of 26 percent more when they work elsewhere, and 77 percent more if they teach for Boulder or Cherry Creek. “That’s a huge gap,” Bissonette said. “We know talented teachers are interested in working in Elizabeth. The challenge is that our pay is at the bottom 10 percent for teacher salaries in the state.” Ron Patera, director of finance for the schools, has been touring facilities and detailing input. He said that reducing staff turnover is “an annual challenge” since about 80 percent of the operating budget already goes to salary and benefits. So on top of regular funding, the district relies heavily on grants, donations
SEE WIND, P8
SEE BUDGET, P8
Workers unload a turbine blade at Rush Creek Wind Farm. Running through eastern Elbert County, construction just ended on the foundations and turbine assembly recently began. COURTESY XCEL ENERGY
Wind farm heads toward completion Project will provide clean energy while bolstering finances of Elbert County BY JULIE A. TAYLOR SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
The foundation is set for a project that will boost the economy and annually eliminate 1 million tons of carbon. The project that blows through the southeastern edge of Elbert County will be the largest wind farm in Colorado, and the largest single-phase in North America.
Workers expect to finish all 300 turbines this summer, and by the end of October, the behemoths will power about that same number of homes or businesses. The contractor responsible for installing the 250-foot modern windmills, MA Mortenson Co., has laid all of the foundations, and recently started on the turbines. “All of the wind platforms have been poured, and they’re in the process of creating the turbines,” said Michelle Aguayo, spokesperson for Xcel Energy. “The actual construction should be completed this summer.” In the spring of 2016 executives with Xcel Energy and Vestas Wind
THE BOTTOM LINE PERIODICAL
“I’m glad I’m back. I’m wearing the same uniform I’ve been wearing for the last nine seasons, which is special.” Carlos Gonzalez | Colorado Rockies outfielder | Page 18 INSIDE
VOICES: PAGE 14 | LIFE: PAGE 19 | CALENDAR: PAGE 10 | SPORTS: PAGE 18
ElbertCountyNews.net
VOLUME 123 | ISSUE 9