1-Color
May 22, 2014 Douglas County, Colorado | Volume 13, Issue 18 A publication of
lonetreevoice.net
Principal put on leave for alleged misconduct Move involving Rock Ridge’s Sorg comes as parents protest district review of teacher ratings By Jane Reuter
jreuter @coloradocommunitymedia.com
Selvin Velazquez Tellez crosses the finish line on the field at Acres Green Elementary May 16 under the watchful eye of educational assistant Joyce McDonnell. Photo by Jane Reuter
On the run: Acres Green 5K raises $11K Staff report Acres Green Elementary raised about $11,000 during the school’s first 5K Run for Education held May 16. The event was so successful members of the school’s Parent Teacher Organization already are planning what likely will be a
bigger one in 2015. Students pledged to run in exchange for donations. Money raised goes directly to the school for education-related items such as iPads, Google Chrome Books, science lab supplies, writing curriculum and other needs. The money also plugs “the gap between
funds needed by our school and the funds provided by our school district,” PTO president Santosh Manjrekar said. “Each year the school district provides $45,000 to $75,000 less than what the school needs. We, the PTO, with the help of parents and events like these, raise that money and plug the gap,” she added.
Survey finds residents optimistic about future Two-thirds of respondents say things going well By Mike DiFerdinando
mdiferdinando @coloradocommunitymedia. com A recently completed survey has given residents and government officials a snapshot of life in Douglas County. The survey of registered voters by Hill Research Consultants, released last week by the county, revealed that the majority of residents are content with the direction the county is moving in and are optimistic about the future.
Of those surveyed, 67 percent said they feel things are moving in the right direction for the county, while only 20 percent said they are moving in the wrong direction. Twelve percent were not sure and 1 percent didn’t answer that question. “As a county commissioner reading this survey, we have a tremendous amount of support from our community and the things that we have been working on,” District 3 Commissioner Jill Repella said. “It’s an affirmation that we’re on the right track.” When asked if they were “very satisfied” with the county’s parks and trails, 70 percent of people said they were. And 54 percent said they were equally as happy with the law
Castle View High football players greet fans at the 2013 Douglas County Fair parade in Castle Rock. The parade is one of many family-friendly activities that the county supports every year. File photo enforcement provided by the sheriff’s office. The majority of respondents listed economic prosperity as
Rock Ridge Elementary School’s principal was put on administrative leave under allegations of misconduct on May 16, the same day parents and students protested in defense of the school’s teachers. Amber Sorg already had submitted her resignation in early 2014, and planned to work until June 30. Her leave comes six weeks ahead of that planned last day. Douglas County Sorg School District officials aren’t saying why Sorg was put on leave, noting it is a personnel issue. In a May 19 letter to Rock Ridge parents, DCSD’s assistant superintendent of elementary education Ted Knight called the situation “regrettable,” and asked parents to respect Sorg’s privacy. “I know that this will be difficult news for many of our students and we feel that it is best shared by parents, so we encourage you to have a conversation with your child tonight about the change,” Knight’s message read. Incoming principal Michelle Colton will be brought on board earlier than planned “to help keep the learning environment as stable as possible,” according to Knight. Parents think they know the reason Sorg, who became principal in 2012, was put on leave. “I believe this happened because parents dared to voice their opinion on our children’s world class education,” said Jen Johnson, who has two kids at Rock Ridge and participated in the May 16 protest. “We collaborated together, and spoke out against our teachers being bullied and demoralized. I believe Amber is being punished because of parent actions.” Johnson said the atmosphere at her children’s Castle Rock school was strained when she came to do her volunteer shift May 19. “There were police officers outside our school, and two more in cars in the church parking lot across the street,” she said. “When I walked in, the air feels different. Teachers who would normally come up (to me) didn’t, because they’re afraid. No one was talking to anyone besides parents asking, `What the hell is going on in our school?’ “This is our neighborhood, where my kids are growing up. To watch and feel this happening in my own school is sad, and it makes me angry. It shouldn’t have happened.” Principal continues on Page 15
their highest priority in the county. Fifty-one percent of those Survey continues on Page 13
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