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October 13, 2016 VOLUME 150 | ISSUE 44 | 50¢

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GoldenTranscript.net J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O

Educating voters key to passing proposals Opponents say ‘need is great’ but see measures as flawed By Shanna Fortier sfortier@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Ka’ Daysha Caldwell, front, and Conner Savage, classmates in Brittany Brown’s fifth-grade class, work diligently on collecting inspirational quotes. The quotes, gathered from internet searches and other sources, will be posted around the school to coincide with the school’s 2016-17 academic year theme of grit, empathy and fun. Photos by Christy Steadman

‘The heart of the community’ Pleasant View Elementary faces challenges as it works to rebuild

REBUILDING PLEASANT VIEW

By Christy Steadman csteadman@colorado communitymedia.com By the first bell at Pleasant View Elementary, at 8 a.m., students in kindergarten through grade six are in their classrooms, eating a light breakfast of fruit or healthy muffins. Then they sit quietly, readying themselves. At 8:25 a.m., announcements over

This is the first in an ongoing series about Pleasant View Elementary in Golden, which Jeffco Public Schools initially placed on a list to be closed because of declining enrollment and the building’s aging condition. Community opposition resulted in the district removing that plan from the table.

are on free and reduced lunch, a marker of poverty. Test scores are low. The school sits in a neighborhood that is struggling economically.

Pleasant View Elementary’s challenges are great: Enrollment is the lowest since 2000. A large number of its students are homeless and transient. Nearly three-quarters of its students

Look for reporter Christy Steadman’s stories as she follows the school throughout the year and explores how a school tackles the challenges that affect education in its community.

But the school is the heart of the community. And that community of staff, parents and students is determined to help the school improve and succeed.

They are walking door to door canvassing neighborhoods. They are calling residents. And this week, a mailing campaign will start. Citizens for Jeffco, a group of concerned citizens, business leaders and parents in Jefferson County, is working hard to educate neighDon’t miss bors and residents Colorado about the Jeffco Community Schools’ bond and Media’s guide mill levy override to the 2016 measures on the local and state Nov. 8 ballot. elections in “We still feel next week’s like we have a lot edition. of work to do,” said Bill Bottoms, campaign chairman for the organization, which supports the two measures, known as 3A and 3B. Citizens for Jeffco has taken the lead in communicating with community members about the measures, which school officials say are crucial to updating aging buildings and ensuring academic student success but some residents oppose as financially irresponsible. The bulk of the proposed $535 million bond (3A) would provide money for

COMING NEXT WEEK: ELECTION GUIDE

School continues on Page 8

Campaign continues on Page 4

2016 presents ‘tough election for everyone’ Local party organizations campaign for their candidates amid contentious rhetoric

By Clarke Reader creader@coloradocommunitymedia.com Heading into the last month of the election cycle, everyone — regardless of political affinity — seems to agree that this has been one of the most singular and interesting elections in recent memory. According to research by the polling website FiveThirtyEight, Democrat Hillary

Clinton and Republican Donald Trump are the most disliked candidates in the past 10 elections. “This is a tough election for everyone,” said Anil Matha, chair of the Adams County Republican Party. “There is a lot of anger on both sides, and a lot of discussion and debate.” Pundits, pollsters and people on the street have all pointed to this year’s election as the most polarizing in recent history. Some blame the divide on the candidates themselves, some on their disparate approaches to government. “It’s no wonder people feel that there’s a little more hate,” said Kyle Saunders, a

political science professor at Colorado State University since 2004. “It’s no wonder that people feel that society’s a little more on edge. It’s because it is.” “Basically,” he said, “what we are seeing is a reflexive dislike for somebody on the other side, and the fear that goes along with that.” With Election Day nearing, local Democrats, Republicans and Libertarians are working hard to get the word out about their candidates. “We’re optimistic about a good turnout for this election,” said Cheryl Cheney, Election continues on Page 6

OUT IN PLEIN SIGHT The In Plein Sight festival brought artists and nature together to create new works of art last week. PAGE 5

GOLDEN TRANSCRIPT (ISSN 0746-6382) OFFICE: 722 Washington Ave, Unit 210, Golden, CO 80401 | PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Jefferson County, Colorado, the Golden Transcript is published weekly on Thursday by West Suburban Community Media, 722 Washington Ave, Unit 210, Golden, CO 80401. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT GOLDEN, 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. 12 p.m. | Legals: Thurs. 11 a.m.


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