February 18, 2016
Voluntary Contribution
VOLUME 92 | ISSUE 27
PROGRAM
See ad inside for details LakewoodSentinel.com J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
A publication of
Big screen fest tackles big problems Jeffco
schools big stake in state budget talks
10th annual environmental film fest comes to Golden Feb. 18-20 By Christy Steadman csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com Even in Bert Raynes’ ninth decade of life, he’s inspiring people to pay attention to their surroundings. Filmmaker Jennifer Tennican brings that story of Raynes — a Wyoming man whose great loves are his wife and nature — to the screen in a documentary called “Far Afield: A Conservation Love Story,” one of 50 films at the 10th annual Colorado Environmental Film Festival, Feb. 18-20, at the American Mountaineering Center in Golden. “Even though it’s a local setting, it’s got broad appeal,” she said of the film and Raynes. “He was responsible for getting more people outdoors.” The festival does have a couple local filmmakers in the mix, but features 10 countries worldwide, said Dave Steinke, a filmmaker on the festival’s board. “It really is a global festival,” he said, and “there is no shortage of environmental topics.” The purpose is not to have people leave the festival feeling guilty about the impacts on the environment, but people do learn a lot from the films, Steinke said. “There are so many wonderful films,” Steinke said. “The cool part is you can walk in at any time and have a variety of films to see.” Festival organizers did not want to focus only on oil leaks or global warming, Steinke said. Although those topics are covered, people may also enjoy the story of Larry Fivecoats by Colorado filmmaker Scott Thompson. Thompson tells how Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing helped Fivecoats after coming down with symptoms of PTSD and depression after he returned from the Vietnam War in the mid-1960s. Or, Steinke said, people may enjoy learning about how arborist Ryan Bartlett rescues and relocates beehives in “Bees and Trees” directed by Dawn George. Filmmaker Daniel Miller is especially excited to have his film “The Anthropologist” — “a climate change and coming-ofage film” — shown at the mountaineering Film continues on Page 7
Limited K-12 funding leaves local schools with $71 million less this year By Crystal Anderson anderson@coloradocommunitymedia.com
the center, the lack of information regarding the community impacts and concern regarding the conditions for these kids, I was concerned about it from the moment it was announced.” The plan to house about 1,000 children at the center in April was announced in late December, which took many elected officials and community leaders by surprise. “Since learning of the initial proposed selection of the temporary migrant shelter at the Federal Center, my office has worked to reassure the community and collaborate closely with our federal, state and local partners,” said Congressman Ed Perlmutter (D-7th District) in
Jefferson County schools receive more than $300 million from the state to help pay for education. This year, the district is actually getting $9.1 million more, which sounds good until considering that “full” school funding would actually give Jeffco an additional $71 million this year. In fact, since 2009-2010, the district estimates legislative changes to the way education funding is calculated has meant $485 million in lost funding. The negative factor is “With the antic- a tool introduced to ipation of not get- the School Finance ting a lot of money Act (Amendment 23) from the state, we formula in the 2009 have to find other legislative session means to fund that allows the state the increase costs to make across-theof programs and board cuts to district curriculum in our funding. By instating district,” Jeffco Su- this tool, the state can perintendent Dan decide what it wants McMinimee said. to spend on education, Two weeks ago, below what AmendMcMinimee and ment 23 initially called Jeffco’s finance for. staff met with Currently, the negative seven legislators factor shortfall is $855 from Jefferson million, with some County to discuss legislators and educathe district’s positors seeking ways to tion on funding shrink it. and see how or Since the negative what the two groups could do to factor was introduced, Jeffco has lost help solve the issue. Then last week approximately $485 it was announced million in funding. that the legislature’s Joint Budget Committee and the legislature’s two education committees, including 26 lawmakers, would be taking a continued look at the education portion of this year’s state budget, and if they can reduce the size of that downward revision in school funding, known as the negative factor. The negative factor refers to a statewide shortfall in education funding that began in 2010, after legislators opted to reinterpret state Amendment 23, which sets minimum education funding requirements, allowing them to pay much less than initially estimated. “Quality education for every student in Colorado and, especially in my district, is a priority for me,” said Rep. Tracy Kraft Tharp, a Democrat whose District 29 includes Arvada parts of Westminster. She was among the legislators who met with the district recently. “I know that our classrooms need more resources. But because of conflicting mandates in our state constitution, we have no extra funding for K-12 education this budget year.” “The negative factor is such a big
Housing continues on Page 8
Funding continues on Page 8
WHAT IS THE NEGATIVE FACTOR?
The film “The Anthropologist” will have a special screening on Feb. 18 for World Anthropology Day, but will also be shown on Feb. 20. It is one of 50 films that will be available at the 10th annual Colorado Environmental Film Festival, which takes place Feb. 18-20 at the American Mountaineering Center in Golden. Courtesy of Ironbound Films
IF YOU GO WHEN: Feb. 18-20 WHERE: American Mountaineering Center, 710 10th St. in Golden. TICKETS: A variety of packages, including single session, all-access pass or full-day Saturday. Group discounts are available. Tickets are available online until Feb. 17 or
can be purchased at the door throughout the weekend. WHAT: An opening night celebration for the film festival will be 5 p.m. Feb. 18. An awards ceremony in the Foss Auditorium will follow. Feb. 19 is community day, and entry and all screenings are free for the public, but dona-
tions are suggested. Opening reception for the Environmental Photography Exhibition will also take place. Other events, including an Eco-Expo, a live raptor demonstration, and electronics recycling are also scheduled. MORE INFO: www.ceff.net.
Temporary housing for migrant children at Federal Center canceled Perlmutter, Paul release statements By Clarke Reader creader@coloradocommunitymedia.com
HOT ON THE TRAIL Trail running breeds balance and strength, while providing peace of mind and smiles for miles. Find out more on PAGE 12.
A plan to temporarily house immigrant children from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador at the Federal Center in Lakewood this spring was canceled Feb. 12 because the facility could not be renovated in time. “It’s a relief to learn of the federal government’s decision to end its effort to open the shelter at the Federal Center,” said Lakewood Mayor Adam Paul in a statement. “Because of the short time frame for opening