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March 27, 2014 Douglas County, Colorado | Volume 27, Issue 19 A publication of

highlandsranchherald.net

Directors re-elected to board Delegates cast secret ballot for first time ever in HRCA race By Hannah Garcia

hgarcia@coloradocommunitymedia. com

A construction worker uses an excavator to move dirt on March 20 outside of the site of the county jail’s new medical facility, which is due to be finished in June. The entire project, which is projected to cost $25 million, is set for completion this fall. Photos by Hannah Garcia

Jail expanding into the future Medical building has focus on mental health, drug issues By Hannah Garcia

hgarcia@coloradocommunitymedia. com With completion set for later this year, Douglas County is busy finishing up remodeling and expansion projects for its jail. The implementation of a medical services building is one of the more significant additions to the detention facility in Castle Rock, a response to a rising population of inmates with mental illness, medical needs and drug addictions. “If they end up here, and we can’t help them, they get out and do it again,” said Holly Nicholson-Kluth, administrative services bureau chief for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. On March 11, county commissioners approved funds totaling $136,727.54 for the Robert A. Christensen Justice Center medical building network equipment and booking area remodeling projects. The whole venture is projected to cost $25 million and

As part of the jail’s expansion, plans call for a recreation area (pictured) with grated windows that allow in fresh air. is on schedule, according to the DCSO. The entire expansion project began in August 2012. The expansion project also includes a

parking garage, which was completed in November, to ease overcrowding in the Jail continues on Page 22

Three members of the Highlands Ranch Community Association’s board of directors will keep their positions, following a vote by delegates on March 18. Christina Caputo, Scott Lemmon and Dennis Seymour all secured more votes than delegate Shon Payne, who was the only candidate not currently on the board. Delegates voted to cast a secret ballot, which Lemmon said was “a first ever.” With three seats open on the board, the three top vote-getters would fill those seats. Caputo led with 20,694 lot votes, followed by Lemmon with 17,495, Seymour with 15,863 and Payne with 12,964. “Obviously, enough delegates believe the board is doing what they’re supposed to be doing, even though they don’t communicate anything,” Payne said after the meeting. “That’s why I ran.” Lemmon, who serves as the board president, called efforts to improve communications between the board of directors and the delegates as an “immediate, fundamental need” and said that while talking to delegates, he was surprised by the amount of “misconceptions and misunderstandings.” “Not everybody attends work sessions or board meetings,” Lemmon said. “There are lots of good conversations (there).” Lemmon also said he was “happy” that the current board will be able to continue working on projects, like developing a strategic plan for capital investments. Before voting, Caputo said that, although there are communication issues among neighbors, delegates and the board, the organization is making progress. “We would like to continue working on that momentum,” Caputo said. Last month, Seymour said he would like to start “filling out the ranks,” referencing vacancies in the delegate body. The organization just added four new delegates. “When I reached out to the delegates to get opinions, I ran into a lot of good ideas that gave me enthusiasm,” Seymour said.

First-grade teacher hooked on fishing, change Sand Creek educator gives kids more control in classroom By Jane Reuter

jreuter@coloradocommunitymedia.com As a self-proclaimed perfectionist, Sand Creek Elementary first-grade teacher Robin Schumacher admits she’s uncomfortable with change. But opening herself up not only to change but to mistakes proved contagious; her students felt comfortable trying something new as well. From there, things snowballed — all the way to an Apple Award. Schumacher won the Elementary Teacher Award during the annual Douglas County School District event, held March 1 in

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downtown Denver. “I’ve stepped out of my shell a little bit lately and been a bit of a pioneer with my first-graders this year,” the 32-year-old said. “I’ve been changing a lot of what I’m doing, so it’s not like your typical brick-and-mortar classroom. I’m helping them build their skills, so they’re more in charge of their learning.” Schumacher challenged her students to use a software program called Toon Boom to create movies about natural resources. “We’re trying to get our kids to show what they know while they’re learning,” Schumacher said. Using the animation program “was easy for older kids, but I didn’t know if first-graders could do it.” The teacher at the Highlands Ranch school said the movies her students made were nothing short of amazing. Seeing how they responded to that challenge inspired Schumacher to continue setting goals she previously wouldn’t have considered. That included more group work. “You’d be surprised which kids really step up when I don’t give them the answers,” she said.

“It’s sometimes my shyest and quietest kids that are taking that leadership role.” They’ve even stumped the teacher. During a discussion on U.S. symbols, one student asked how many pennies it would take to cover the Statue of Liberty. “We researched,” Schumacher said. The answer? “One billion, 366 million, 777 thousand and 110 pennies.” “When I’m letting them work in the collaborative groups, I’m getting a lot more questioning. It’s cool to show them I don’t know all the answers, but we can find the answers.” Born into a family of teachers, Schumacher never doubted her calling. She grew up in Lakewood, graduating from the University of Northern Colorado. In 2006, she started teaching at Sand Creek. But she stuck to traditional teaching methods initially. “I did what was comfortable,” she said. “Sitting in front of a group reading a book, you learn the facts and repeat them to me — that was what I grew up with, too. “Now, I try to pose a question to everything they’re doing. It puts a spark behind

Sand Creek Elementary first-grade teacher Robin Schumacher won the 2014 Elementary Educator of the Year Apple Award. Photo by Jane Reuter what you’re doing.” When she’s not teaching elementary school, Schumacher and her husband teach kindergarten Sunday school at Harvest Bible Chapel in Cherry Hills Village. She’s also an avid fisherwoman who enjoys Colorado’s outdoor scene. But her favorite place is in the classroom. “I love teaching,” Schumacher said. “I could not see myself doing anything else. My heart is with kids.”


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