August 11, 2016 VOLUME 15 | ISSUE 30
LET PEACE RING OUT Area churches sound bells to honor victims of gun violence. PAGE 12
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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Superintendent pick draws mixed reaction Erin Kane was executive director of charter school American Academy
By Mike DiFerdinando mdiferdinando@colorado communitymedia.com Although the Douglas County School District’s new interim superintendent stated a top
priority will be to restore trust among staff and the community, two parent advocacy organizations expressed disappointment Kane about her lack of classroom and educational experience. “I believe we can come together and move forward for students,
staff and community,” said Erin Kane, an engineer and executive director of American Academy charter K-8 school, which has two locations, in Castle Pines and Parker. “Sometimes, one cannot just sit on the sidelines waiting for someone else to solve problems and show leadership.” Kane was selected as the lone finalist from two candidates and approved by a 4-3 vote of the Douglas County school board at a
special meeting Aug. 2. The other candidate was James Calhoun, who retired as principal of Castle View High School in Castle Rock at the end of the 2015-16 school year. Board members said they wanted to have an interim leader in place by the start of the school year, which begins Aug. 8. But the search for a permanent replacement could last several more months. Kane steps into the role
EATING IT UP
vacated by Elizabeth Fagen, who left in July to take the superintendent position in Humble, Texas, a district of 39,000 students outside Houston. Douglas County Parents and Voices for Public Education, both parent organizations long critical of the district leadership and policies, said they were disappointed by Kane’s selection. Interim continues on Page 4
DOUGLAS COUNTY SCHOOLS
Voucher program halted Ruling says previous order applied to all schools, not only those affiliated with religion By Mike DiFerdinando mdiferdinando@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Payton Holt, of Parker, gets down and dirty during the pie-eating contest at the Douglas County Fair and Rodeo on Aug. 6. Turn to page 6 for more photos from the fair. Photo by Shanna Fortier
Residents get to know the folks in blue Coffee with a Cop aims to build bridges By Rick Gustafson Special to Colorado Community Media With nearly a dozen patrol cars parked outside the Chick-fil-A on the morning of Aug. 3, commuters on County Line Road might have wondered if something might be wrong at the restaurant, but inside, all was well. Residents, officers from the Lone Tree Police Department, and even a couple of city council members gathered for informal conversations, discussions, and a cup of Coffee with a Cop.
The Lone Tree Police Department began holding the Coffee with a Cop events last September, and the intent of the program is to allow citizens to meet local police officers in an “informal, neutral space to discuss community issues, to build relationships, and to drink coffee.” Chick-fil-A franchise owner Doug Jacobson hosted the event at his County Line Road location because he is concerned about what is going on in the country and felt that it was important for people Coffee continues on Page 11
Judge Michael Martinez of the 2nd Judicial District has stopped the Douglas County School District’s school voucher program. Martinez granted the injunction filed by Taxpayers for Public Education, a group, that according to its website, is a Coloradobased, bipartisan organization made up of taxpayers and parents of children enrolled in public schools. In the Aug. 3 ruling, Martinez found that the School Choice Grant Program was fundamentally the same as its predecessor, the Choice Scholarship Program, and that it is covered by the same injunction that halted the earlier version of the program. The judge rejected the school district’s argument that the injunction against the DCSD voucher program applied only to religious schools. He held that the Colorado Supreme Court’s order “applied to all private schools.” Martinez agreed with the plaintiffs that the School Choice Grant Program is “in actuality a mere revision of the (Choice Scholarship Program).” “While we respect Judge Martinez, we disagree with his decision,” said board member Doug Benevento. Benevento said the district is exploring options for an appeal. Cindy Barnard, president of Taxpayers for Public Education, applauded the decision. Voucher continues on Page 4
AROUND THE FIELD Susan Goldman talks with Ron Pinson, interim Lone Tree police chief, at Chick-fil-A on Aug. 3. The department has been hosting Coffee with a Cop once a quarter to keep a dialogue open with residents. Photo by Rick Gustafson
Turning a double play in softball can also turn a team’s momentum. Check out this story and others as we kick off three weeks of fall sports previews on PAGE 22.