March 31, 2016
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VOLUME 15 | ISSUE 10
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Why are teachers leaving? School district officials say numbers don’t reveal any major trend By Mike DiFerdinando mdiferdinando@coloradocommunitymedia.com Niki Mitchell has watched a number of fellow teachers leave the Douglas County School District in recent years. Some have gone to other school districts. Others have taken early retirement. A few have left the profession altogether. “It’s heartbreaking because these are all
This is the first in a series about the impact of initiatives and policies in the Douglas County School District. Upcoming stories will explore the salary band, pay-for-performance structure and evaluation system. amazing teachers who have made such an impact on kids — every one of my friends who have left are veteran teachers,” said Mitchell, a kindergarten teacher at Saddle Ranch Elementary in Highlands Ranch
who has taught in the district for 23 years. “Teachers are feeling demoralized. This has become a toxic place to teach.” District officials maintain turnover rates are not alarming and say teachers who leave do so more for personal and philosophical reasons rather than workplace dissatisfaction. They also blame those critical of district policies for politicizing the issue and creating an anti-district agenda. But interviews with 12 elementary, middle school and high school teachers and one school psychologist pinpoint specific district policies and initiatives as reasons for many teachers’ departures. Of those interviewed, one is a current district teacher, six
THROUGH THE YEARS Douglas County School District teacher turnover rate: 2009-10: 10.2% 2014-15: 16.7% 2008-09: 10.2% 2013-14: 17.3% 2007-08: 12.5% 2012-13: 13.3% Source: Colorado 2011-12: 11.2% Department of Education 2010-11: 11.6% are now teaching in other school districts, one will leave for a new district next school year, three are retired, one is working in the private sector and one is in the Peace Corps. Reasons they cite include the market-based salary structure implemented in 2012, an Turnover continues on Page 6
Four vie for rec district positions Two posts are open on South Suburban board By Kyle Harding kharding@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Avery
LaBrash
Taylor
Wood
Four candidates are running for two seats on the South Suburban Parks and Recreation District Board of Directors. Scott LaBrash is the lone incumbent in the field and is joined by Tom Wood, Jim Taylor and Ed Avery. With the election coming up on May 3, here is a look at the candidates: Ed Avery, Centennial Avery wants to focus on financial responsibility on the board. “I have an extensive background as an institutional stock trader,” the retired real estate agent said. Avery thinks that his background would serve him well on the board, particularly his knowledge of property values and how they can be affected by board decisions. He noted that some people have expressed that trail development could negatively affect their property values. “I think those concerns need to be addressed,” he said. Avery also wants more Election continues on Page 8
COUNT ON IT New pitch limit is intended to reduce risk of injury for high school pitchers. PAGE 22
Children ages 12 and under participate in the fourth annual Egg Scramble at the Family Sports Dome in Centennial on March 26. Photos by Alex DeWind
Egg event goes over easy Scramble moves indoors because of wintry weather on day before Easter By Alex DeWind adewind@coloradocommunitymedia.com Hundreds of children ages 12 and under scattered throughout the Family Sports Dome for the fourth annual Egg Scramble despite dreary weekend weather. Colorful, plastic Easter eggs covered the inside of the South Suburban Parks and Recreation dome, at 6901 S. Peoria St., on March 26. Volunteers handed out candy and prizes provided by the City of Centennial. Children enjoyed games and music as they waited for the main attraction of the morning — the egg hunt. The hunts were separated into four age groups. Mayor Cathy Noon led the countdown as children eagerly waited in line. The eggs were off the turf floor and into kids’ baskets within minutes. A tradition for some families, the event was a first-time experience for others. The Scott family, with a 2-year-old and 9-month-old, made their first appearance. “It’s our first time coming because of our young one,” the children’s mother said. “There is a lot more people than we expected for sure.”
Liam Scott, 2, meets the Easter bunny at the Egg Scramble on March 26. Roger Mutz, left, is a volunteer at the Egg Scramble. His daughter, Elise, is on the South Suburban Parks and Recreation Youth Commission.