April 7, 2016 VOLUME 15 | ISSUE 11
LoneTreeVoice.net D O U G L A S C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
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Teacher turnover shows rise for ’15-16 New data from the Colorado Department of Education shows the turnover rate for 2015-16 is 19.7 percent By Mike DiFerdinando mdiferdinando@coloradocommunitymedia.com Teacher turnover in the Douglas County School District has risen above the state average, according to newly released data by the Colorado Department of Education. For the 201516 school year, DISTRICT the teacher COMPARISON turnover rate in the school 2015-16 teacher district was 19.7 turnover in area percent – it was school districts: 16.7 percent the previous year Littleton: 9.3 % and 11.6 perCherry Creek: cent five years 10.4 % ago — figures Adams 12: 13.2 % released April 1 show. The state Lewis-Palmer: average is 17 14.6 % percent. Jefferson: 16.3 % “We must do what is right by State avergage: 17 % our staff and we Douglas County: must be honest 19.7 % with ourselves,” Board of EducaEnglewood: 19.6 % tion President Denver: 22 % Meghann Silverthorn said. Elizabeth: 29 % “These numSource: Colorado bers are conDepartment cerning, and I of Education will not blindly defend them. I want answers. I care about our staff and our students too much to leave this unaddressed.” DCSD’s turnover rate continues to be higher than some of its closest
Rock Canyon High School student Ethan Zehender shows off his second-place winning painting, titled “Surreal Reality.” Photos by Shanna Fortier
Student art honored at contest Several awards go to Douglas County teens in Congressional event
By Shanna Fortier sfortier@coloradocommunitymedia.com For Rock Canyon High School art student Ethan Zehender, winning second place in Colorado’s 4th Congressional District Art Competition means he’s improving at his craft. “Last year, I got a jury award, so this is one up,” he said with a huge smile. He glanced back at his painting, which was created from a photograph of him as a little boy, but with a modern twist. “I had this concept where I turn realistic things into geometric forms,” Zehender said. “It shows that a lot of things in reality might not be real. The painting shows me as a little kid, but I’m turning into something artificial.” The Congressional Art Competition started in 1987, and 700,000 students have participated over the years. The 4th Congressional District’s contest included 131 entries this year; up from 91 last year. The district includes Castle Rock, Castle Pines, Parker, Lone Tree, Elbert County and a huge swath of Colorado’s Eastern Plains, stretching all the way to the state’s northern, southern and eastern borders. “There are few things that give me more hope in the future of our country than competitions like this — to see young people and their talent,” said Congressman Ken Buck, R- Windsor, who represents the 4th District in Washington and hosts the competition.
Community members came out April 1 to see the 130 entries in the student art show. “When you see young people display their talent and maturity like this, it is really a wonderful thing to see.” The grand prize winner was Jessica Perez, of Fort Morgan High School. She will represent the Colorado’s 4th District at a reception in U.S. Capitol with winners from other districts around the country. Her work will also hang in the tunnel between the congressional offices. The contest was judged by local artists Cindy Welch and Lucia
McConnell. Lutheran High School student Abi Budnack won first place and Rock Canyon High School senior Ashley Bradley took third place. “I’m super happy for all of the other winners,” said Bradley, who won grand prize in the competition last year. Her third-place painting this year was a play on a photograph taken in Boulder. “I played around with the colors a little more because I wanted it to kind Art continues on Page 4
CDE continues on Page 6
MEET THE ALL-STARS
Find out who made the All-South Metro girls and boys teams. PAGE 20
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