June 5, 2014 Jefferson County, Colorado | Volume 90, Issue 42 A publication of
lakewoodsentinel.com
A new legacy The newly-appointed superintendent, Daniel McMinimee, left, was greeted by a community members following the Jeffco Board of Education meeting, Tuesday, May 27. Photo by Crystal Anderson
McMinimee named Jeffco super Jeffco board makes decision with split vote By Crystal Anderson Artist Lonnie Hanzon thanking the people who helped him create his art exhibit. “It really does take a village,” he said. Photos by Clarke Reader
Local artist Lonnie Hanzon dedicated his W Rail public art exhibit, “Lakewood Legacy Trees” on Friday, May 30 at the Lamar Station. Creating the tress took more than a year and involved nearly 150 people. “I always think of public art as a gift to the community,” Hanzon said.
The clay bricks at the base of the “Lakewood Legacy Trees” feature the names of prominent families that helped build the city, as well as important historical events.
Local artist Lonnie Hanzon dedicated his W Rail public art exhibit, “Lakewood Legacy Trees” on Friday, May 30 at the Lamar Station. Creating the tress took more than a year and involved nearly 150 people. “I always think of public art as a gift to the community,” Hanzon said.
Mayor Bob Murphy speaking at the dedication of the “Lakewood Legacy Trees.”“Everytime you seen it you see something different,” Murphy said.
canderson@colorado communitymedia.com Jeffco Board of Education hired Daniel McMinimee as superintendent for the Jefferson County School District with a split vote. Despite disagreement among board members and chanting from the audience, the board May 27 approved hiring of McMinimee by a 3-2 vote, with board members Jill Fellman and Lesley Dahlkemper opposed. “I think we made an outstanding choice for the superintendent of Jeffco, and I am delighted we are able to move forward with the hiring process,” said Board President Ken Witt. The board had a lengthy discussion about McMinimee’s hiring and key points — such as salary and performance measures — in his contract. In the process, several motions, subordinate motions and amendments were voted down by a three-two vote of the majority. McMinimee is assistant superintendent of secondary education in Douglas County School District. He has been with the district for 12 years and started as the founding principal of Rock Canyon High School in 2003. “I think tonight’s meeting sent the wrong message to our community,” Dahlkemper said. “I have never seen this district more divided than it is right now. My hope is that we would be able to come together, and we would work together.” Prior to the discussion, the board received a copy of a petition, gathered by community member Michael Clark, and heard 22 of the 87 people signed up to address the board. During the allotted 45 minutes, many people urged the board to not hire McMinimee, and said the board should follow set practices, be transparent, listen to the community and reopen the search process, which cost $40,000. “I have become very concerned with what has been going on,” Clark said. “The board has done a lot of things that has violated their own board policies, including the fact they didn’t properly follow their superintendent search. I actually did vote for both Mr. Witt and Mr. (John) Newkirk and that makes my disappointment that much greater.” Out of 63 applicants, McMinimee was named the sole finalist for the position on May 10, instead of narrowing the process to three candidates at that point. In his new position, McMinimee will manage more than 85,000 students who attend the district’s 155 schools. “Moving forward we want to do everything that we can
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