February 20, 2014 Jefferson County, Colorado | Volume 90, Issue 27 A publication of
lakewoodsentinel.com
Board transparency bill moves forward Passes House following lengthy debate By Vic Vela
vvela@coloradocommunitymedia.com A contentious House floor debate preceded the Feb. 13 passage of a bill that aims to shine more light on school board members’ private discussions. House Bill 1110 would expand current law that already requires the recording of all conversations that take place during
school board executive sessions to include those involving attorney-client discussions. Most Democrats supported the measure, saying that it holds elected officials accountable for what happens behind closed doors and bolsters the public’s right to know. But all House Republicans joined three Democrats in voting against the bill. Several spoke out against the bill, calling it an affront to attorney-client privilege. They also argued that the bill unfairly targets a handful of school boards that
have been the subject of controversy over executive session matters, including boards in Douglas and Jefferson counties. “This is targeted and punitive to a few school districts to this state,” Rep. Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch said. “We should not use the power of legislation to punish.” McNulty’s comments came during a Feb. 12 House floor debate. The House passed the bill the next day on a 34-31 vote. Under the bill, sponsored by Rep. Cherylin Peniston, D-Westminster, recordings of attorney-client discussions during exec-
utive sessions would be stored and would be made available only through a successful petition through the courts. If a filer believes that what was being handled during executive session doesn’t warrant a behind-closed-doors discussion, a judge would listen to the recording to determine whether that information should be made public. If the judge believes that to be the case, the recordings would be released. Bill continues on Page 11
Getting school ready Lakewood’s head start program recognized By Clarke Reader
creader@colorado communitymedia.com
Sewing group celebrates 30 years By Clarke Reader
creader@coloradocommunitymedia.com The Clements Center Sewing group is celebrating 30 years of giving this year by doing what the organization has always done — provided hand-made items for the needy in Lakewood and the surrounding areas. The group, which was started by the Senior Resource Center, began as a small gathering for people who wanted to make something for others, and has steadily grown since then to around 30 members. “We have around 15 members who come to the Clements Center once a week to work and we have around 15 others who do all their sewing at home,” said Arlene Mayer, leader of the sewing group. All the items that the group produces — from quilts to
Stacks of hand made items created by Clements Sewing Group members for donation to people in need. Photos by Clarke Reader hats and bags to sweaters — all get donated to 19 different nonprofit agencies. The group gives to The Action Center, Developmental Disabilities Resource Center (DDRC), Family Tree and Total Long Term Care, among others. Last year more than 5,000 items were made by hand and machine sewing, crochet and
knitting. “We put in more than 13,000 volunteer hours last year,” four-year member Julie Lusch said. “I spend about 20 hours a week at home working on items to donate. All that we give wouldn’t be possible without our members who work here and at home.” The materials used by the
group are donated from various groups and they also have partnerships with a few local businesses, who keep the sewers stocked with essentials like needles and thread. The group is always accepting donations of materials so they can keep working. Knitting and crocheting have been hobbies for Lusch since she was five years old, and when she retired and wanted to find something to do, she heard about the sewing group and got involved. “I wanted to give back, and we do a lot of good here,” she said. “I’m not sure that many people are aware of all the work we do here.” Mayer said the group’s future is a little tenuous, because of funding issues. The group is looking for sponsors so they can continue with their projects. “We all love what we do here,” Lusch said. “We all enjoy crafts and using that to help people.”
Providing preschool students with a head start in Lakewood earned the city’s program recognition from the federal government. During a recent federal review of the Lakewood Head Start, the teachers’ ratings on a standardized nationwide assessment tool far exceeded other programs that were evaluated in the region. On two of three specific ratings, the teachers’ compiled scores were double the nationwide requirements. Lakewood’s program was in the top 10 percent nationally. “This is pretty exciting for us,” Sharon Keith-Zamora, family services manager said. “A lot of the time our teachers don’t get the recognition for the high quality preschool programs we offer.” According to Sherry Peterson, Lakewood’s Head Start administrator, the city started offering the program in 1997 and has no-fee preschool to 3- and 4-year-old Lakewood children who are from low-income families, homeless or child with identified special needs. Currently the program is serving around 119 children with around 20 staff, from teachers and co-teachers to bilingual assistants. “Our program is very community based, and we try to set it up in a way to prepare kids and get them school-ready,” Peterson said. “We work with the whole family and cover topics like nutrition, health care and family support.” Both Peterson and Keith-Zamora attribute the high ranking the program received due to coaches head start is providing to students. “We received a grant to hire these mentor coaches, who are able to provide real targeted goals for students,” Keith-Zamora said. Staff from the program may be asked to help train new staff in other areas due to the high scores they received, she added. Federal representatives do these reviews School continues on Page 11
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