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May 26, 2016 VOLUME 96 | ISSUE 12 | 75¢
GetAways 2016
Special Section Inside EnglewoodHerald.net A publication of
A R A P A H O E C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
School district explores bond request Funding would be used to rebuild or renovate elementary schools
By Tom Munds tmunds@coloradocommunitymedia.com The Englewood School Board has followed the recommendation of the facilities long-range planning committee and voted to gather information to decide whether to put a bond issue on the
November ballot. If the decision is yes, residents of the school district will vote in November on whether to approve a bond issue for money to rebuild or remodel all of Englewood’s elementary schools. The unanimous decision was made at the school board’s May 17 special meeting. Tena Prange, school board president, said the recommendation was to put the bond issue on the ballot. She added that information-gathering should begin immediately because the deadline to put an
issue on the November ballot is Aug. 1. Prange said there are a lot of issues to explore and there could be a need for a daylong board budget retreat. She added that everything is just in the talking stage at this point and the public will be kept informed about the steps the board is taking, with a town hall meeting possible. Parents, teachers, school administrators and residents volunteered to serve on the facilities long-range planning committee. The 28-member committee was asked to evaluate the district build-
ings and recommend ways to improve the learning environment and make the schools safer now and in the future. The committee started work in February. They spent about 20 hours gathering data. One issue was that the four elementary schools and the Early Childhood Education Center all are more than 60 years old. The conclusion was that all aging buildings should be rebuilt or should undergo major renovation.
Bonds continues on Page 9
Schools’ budget set to tap reserves District’s cost forecast again exceeds projected revenues By Tom Munds tmunds@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Mortar boards fill the air as the members of the Englewood High School Class of 2016 celebrate their graduation. The hats were tossed into the air at the conclusion of the May 21 commencement ceremonies. Photos by Tom Munds
Mortar boards, excitement fill air Englewood High School bids farewell to 129 graduates
By Tom Munds tmunds@coloradocommunitymedia.com It was standing room only on a nearperfect day as friends and family filled the stands for commencement ceremonies on May 21 at Englewood High School. Faculty — including retiring EHS Principal Jonathan Fore — and 129 candidates marched to their seats as the band played “Pomp and Circumstance.” There were speeches by students and faculty members. This year, for the first time, community representatives addressed the graduating class. Longtime Englewood residents Joyce and David Schroeder , whose youngest son was among the seniors waiting for diplomas, talked about the community and school. Graduation continues on Page 9
Financial predictions indicate that the costs of operating the Englewood School District for the 2016-17 school year will once again exceed revenues, so the proposal is to use money from the district’s reserves to balance the budget for the fourth year. Finance Director Sosan Schaller displayed the figures as she presented the preliminary budget to the school board at a May 17 special meeting. She said, based on data available as of May 9, it will cost the district about $28.6 million to operate the district for the 2016-17 school year. However, total sources of fund for the same school year are estimated at about $27.1 million. “To meet the state requirements for a balanced budget, the proposal is to use about $1.5 million from the district’s reserves,” Schaller said. The school board’s public meeting on the budget is scheduled to be held as Budget continues on Page 9
A TASTY TREAT
Members of the Englewood High School Class of 2016 move the tassel from one side of their mortar boards to the other, signifying they are now high school graduates, near the conclusion of May 21 commencement ceremonies.
Area restaurants introduce public to the popular Spanish dish tapas. Page 14
ENGLEWOOD HERALD (ISSN 1058-7837) (USPS 176-680) OFFICE: 2550 S. Main St., Littleton, CO 80120 | PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Englewood, Colorado, the Englewood Herald is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 2550 S. Main St., Littleton, CO 80120. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT LITTLETON, 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: Tue. 11 a.m. | Legals: Thurs. 11 a.m.