May 19, 2016 VOLUME 92 | ISSUE 40
MEET THE CLASS OF 2016 Local graduates highlighted on PAGE 17.
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
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BIKE STATION UNVEILED
District, teachers agree to new deal Jefferson County School District and teachers’ union find common ground after 2 months By Crystal Anderson canderson@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Lakewood Mayor Adam Paul welcomes cyclists to his first bicycle tour of the Lakewood area on May 14. Part of the tour included celebrating the opening of the Garrison Bike Station. Find more coverage inside on PAGE 3. Photo by Clarke Reader
Lakewood chief of police to retire Paletta to leave department after 35-year career By Clarke Reader creader@colorado communitymedia.com
Well-known restaurateur and community member Ray Valente Sr. died on May 6 at age 91. Courtesy photo
Restaurateur remembered Community mainstay Ray Valente dies at 91 By Clarke Reader creader@coloradocommunitymedia.com Raymond Valente Sr., or Ray or Senior as he was known to his friends, died at the age of 91 at Mountain Vista Senior Living Center on May 6. Valente continues on Page 5
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Lakewood’s police chief Kevin Paletta announced his impending retirement at the end of May after 35 years with the department, including eight-and-a-half years a chief. During his time as chief, the department maintained its Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies accreditation, which represents professional excellence and shows that the department meets the highest standards. Last October, Lakewood also was the second agency in the state to receive U.S. Department of Justice’s procedural justice training, which outlines a policing philosophy that emphasizes fair-
ness, respect, legitimacy and transparency in interactions with residents. According to information provided Paletta by the city, Lakewood is currently designing a transition plan, which includes appointing current Division Chief Dan McCasky as interim police chief and conducting a national search for a new chief that is expected to take several months. We called Paletta to talk about his time with Lakewood and what’s next: What made you want to be a police officer? I was in college studying for an accounting major at Arizona State University, and I realized I didn’t really
A proposed contract between the Jefferson County Education Association and the school district will implement a new salary schedule that gives teachers raises based on their degree, years of experience and effectiveness rating. “This puts us on the right track to build stability and halt the exodus in Jeffco,” said John Ford, president of the association, referring to the large amount of teachers leaving the district. “It’s a start.” After two months of negotiations, the union and the district agreed to a five-year contract — the longest contract they’ve ever had — that would put teachers back on a salary schedule instead of strictly using the pay-for-performance model implemented in 2014. Evaluation ratings still play a role in an educator’s salary. Former board members Ken Witt, Julie Williams and John Newkirk implemented the pay-for-performance plan. Community members successfully recalled the three in last November. “I think the length of the agreement is a testament to the strength of the contract,” said Superintendent Dan McMinimee in a news release. “Both parties feel stability is important and this negotiation has gone well. My staff worked hard, the board gave as much compensation as possible, and JCEA was understanding of district limits.” If ratified by the union, the agreement will come before the board for approval June 2. Union members have until May 27 to vote. If accepted by both parties, the contract will begin July 1 and extend to Aug. 31, 2021. Most of the changes in the contract are minor and include such items as keeping instrumental music at elementary schools. In the 2015 negotiation season, the district and union settled on a 10-month contract after a tense five-month process. The new board of education, elected in November to replace the recalled members and fill two open seats, campaigned as a slate against the direction of the former board. “It is a major change, there’s no question about that,” said Ron Mitchell, president
Chief continues on Page 5
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