July 1, 2021
FREE
DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
HighlandsRanchHerald.net
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 17 | SPORTS: PAGE 22
VOLUME 34 | ISSUE 30
DCSD board adopts 2021-22 budget Adopted budget includes more money for compensation and special education BY LIAM ADAMS LADAMS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Wind Crest Executive Director Craig Erickson speaks about acceptance and promotes the community’s diversity program before PHOTO BY THELMA GRIMES the parade.
Wind Crest hosts Pride Parade Residents, family members and employees celebrate the LGBTQ community BY THELMA GRIMES TGRIMES@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Around 70 Wind Crest Senior Living Community residents, family
SPARKS WILL FLY
A regional look at July Fourth events
P14
members and employees participated in the second annual Pride Parade on June 24. Wind Crest Executive Director Craig Erickson said in past years the community participated in the Denver Pride Parade. Last year, after the Denver parade was canceled amid the pandemic, Erickson said they came up with the idea to celebrate the LGBTQ community at the Wind Crest facilities in High-
lands Ranch. Craig said residents at Wind Crest are accepting and loving as they get involved in planning the inclusive events. Erickson said a lot of the ideas come from the community’s diversity and inclusion program, which is led by the 2021 parade Grand Marshal Jim Genasci. SEE PRIDE, P18
FRONT RUNNERS
Valor Christian wins state in 5A girls track
P23
The Douglas County School District was able to fold additional dollars into the 2021-22 final budget from the proposed budget that district staff presented in May. The district’s board unanimously approved the budget for the upcoming school year at a June 22 meeting. Board directors had nothing but praise to offer district finance staff, who were drafting the budget for four months and working to accommodate the many requests from board directors and community members about next year’s financial priorities. “This work is the clearest I have ever been able to understand the school district budget,” said Board Director Christina Ciancio-Schor at the June 22 meeting. The budget-drafting process for the 2021-22 school year dealt with several unprecedented factors, such as restoring budget cuts made in response to COVID-19 and distributing federal relief money. Also, the SEE BUDGET, P31