August 25, 2016 VO LUM E 29 | IS S U E 40 | FREE
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Departure leaves board at crossroads Group now split 3-3 on policies of school district reform
By Mike DiFerdinando mdiferdinando@coloradocommunitymedia.com Douglas County School Board member Doug Benevento’s resignation has left the board with three members who support the school district’s reform policies and three who oppose them. The remaining board members hold
the choice of a replacement, and quite possibly, the direction of the Douglas County School District, in their hands. “The person who fills this board member vacancy will need to have a common passion for moving forward with the efforts to restore our district back Benevento to its state of excellence,” board member David Ray said. Judith Reynolds, board vice president, wants to find someone who can “hit the
ground running.” “I would look for someone with the ability to look at the big-picture issues but still sees the details, someone who is a problem solver and someone who is student focused,” Reynolds said. Benevento — who was three years into his second term when he announced his resignation Aug. 17 — was a strong supporter of school choice and pay-forperformance for teachers as a member of the reform-minded majority on the board. An attorney who lives in Highlands Ranch, he was first elected in 2009 and re-elected
in 2013. Term limits would have prevented him from running in the next school board election in November 2017. Benevento was among the four board members who voted to approve a contract for interim superintendent Erin Kane, president of a local charter school, the night of Aug. 16. Reynolds, board president Meghann Silverthorn and Dr. James Geddes also approved hiring Kane, while the three members who have largely opposed reform measures dissented. Board continues on Page 7
Growth fuels rising need for fire rescue services New station planned for south central Highlands Ranch By Alex DeWind adewind@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Grey Espinosa, 2, shares her food with her father, Devon, at the CenturyLink Taste of Douglas County at the Douglas County Event Center on Aug. 18. Photos by Tom Skelley
Food fans feast at fare festival Taste of Douglas County takes over Event Center
Over the years, Barbara Salisbury has had several encounters with the Littleton Fire Department, including a time when her great grandson fell. “The ambulance came in about five minutes,” she said. “I think they do a good job.” Salisbury, originally from Texas, has lived in Highlands Ranch for about 13 years. She was a delegate — an elected representative of a neighborhood — for about four years. “The population is growing all the time,” she said, “and they (emergency personnel) do need to stay on top of it.” Which is why Littleton Fire Protection District, Highlands Ranch Metro District and the City of Littleton developed a master plan for fire and emergency services that calls for more medic units, Fire continues on Page 21
By Tom Skelley tskelley@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Jagdish Singh, of India’s Castle, serves up a smile with some saag at the CenturyLink Taste of Douglas County at the Douglas County Event Center.
Restaurants, bakers and eateries brought their goods and goodies to approximately 2,000 hungry attendees at the Douglas County Fairgrounds Event Center for a celebration of food and drink on Aug. 18, at the 14th annual CenturyLink Taste of Douglas County. Festival patrons were treated to samples and entrees from businesses including franchises like Outback Steakhouse and Cold Stone Creamery and local establishments like Castle Pines’ Mama Lisa’s Little Italy and the Meridian area’s Great Beginnings Café.
UNSUNG HEROES Long snappers for area football teams take their role seriously. Check out this story and others as we continue our fall sports previews on PAGE 25.
Food continues on Page 15
GRAND OPENING S T R E E T S O F S O U T H G L E N N • T H U R S , AU G U S T 2 5