June 23, 2016
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HighlandsRanchHerald.net D O U G L A S C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
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Report doesn’t fault school board members Silverthorn, Reynolds broke no rules or laws in encounter with student, probe finds By Mike DiFerdinando mdiferdinando@coloradocommunitymedia.com The Douglas County School Board’s president and vice president were found not to have violated any rules or laws in the alleged bullying of a Ponderosa High
School student. An independent report, which cost the district Community $178,000 and protests on heels was released the of investigative evening of June report. See page 6 20, focused on an incident in which Meghann Silverthorn and Judith Reynolds spoke to Grace Davis about a planned protest at her school in March. The investigation was conducted
INSIDE
Silverthorn
Reynolds
Davis
by Denver-based law firm Sherman & Howard LLC. “We have investigated all aspects
of the March 4, 2016 meeting between Directors Silverthorn, Reynolds and Ms. (Davis) in which they discussed the planned protest,” states the report, in which Davis’ name was redacted. “Many of the individuals indicated that they would have handled the meeting differently if they could have stepped into the shoes of Directors Reynolds and Silverthorn. But their reasons for doing so differed widely. Several Directors felt it was inappropriate
Report continues on Page 4
Let there be light — green light Rock Canyon students implement project to save money, energy in gym By Jim Benton jbenton@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Oliver Jacquin, 5, right, climbs over a cargo net obstacle June 11 at Civic Green Park during the annual KidFest event presented by the Highlands Ranch Metro District. The Train OC obstacle course was one of many free activities, including a climbing wall, live entertainment, inflatables, and a Nerf Dart zone. The June 18 event had record attendance and featured many new vendors and games. Photos by Courtney Kuhlen/Metro District
Not just for kids
Civic Green Park bustled with families, entertainers and games for the annual KidFest on June 11. The Highlands Ranch Metro District hosted the free event at the park in Highlands Ranch, adjacent to James H. LaRue Library off Ridgeline Boulevard. Kids stayed busy from 9 a.m. to noon with several games and activities, including a bounce house, climbing wall, double slide, Nerf Dart zone, caricature artist and more. The family-friendly morning also featured a rescued hawk from Wild Wings Environmental Education, storytellers, and performances from a precision jump rope team and the Peak Summer Cats dance team.
The lights shine a little brighter these days on Rock Canyon High School’s basketball court: It’s the first and only school in the Douglas County School District with energy-conserving LED lights in the gymnasium. “It is definitely a little different,” basketball coach Kent Grams said. “There’s more clear lighting. The floor looks better. There’s more shadowing on the walls, but we’re not playing on the walls.” The student-driven project that installed the lights — and also implemented other conservation measures throughout the school — has already saved the school $1,000 in electricity costs. The lights are “a lot cheaper to run, they are brighter, they turn on and off right away,” Rock Canyon Athletic Lights continues on Page 24
FIGHTING CANCER
Ree Thompson, a volunteer with Wild Wings Environmental Education, shows off the wingspan of Miles, a Swainson’s hawk. Wild Wings Environmental Education presented a program, “Raptors of the Rockies,” during the annual KidFest
Natalie Nguyen performs a trick during the Claim Jumpers precision jump rope team show.
More than 200 participants gathered for this year’s Relay for Life of Highlands Ranch and Lone Tree. PAGE 5
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