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October 1, 2015 VOLUME 14 | ISSUE 37
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How will we care for our schools? Paying for Douglas County’s aging and new schools at heart of capital needs issue By Mike DiFerdinando mdiferdinando@coloradocommunitymedia.com The discussion about what the Douglas County School District’s capital needs are and how to pay for them has produced differing philosophies among district officials, parents and community members. The school district considers a yearby-year approach the best way to address capital needs. In this way, it can pay for what it considers the most importrant needs annually from the district’s operating budget, without raising taxes with a new bond measure. School officials also believe a projected increase in property tax revenue will help cover those costs. The Long Range Planning Committee — a group of community members and parents charged by the district with studying its capital needs — puts the price tag at $275.1 million for current
and future projects over five years. The committee identified major areas of need as facility reinvestment at $133.6 million, technology at $53 million and new construction to accommodate growth at $38.8 million. To help pay for these needs, the planning committee proposed placing a $200 million bond measure on the November election ballot. “We heard the recognition of the need for a bond; we heard a concern about a long-term strategy to address our capital needs,” said committee chairman Todd Warnke during the Apri 21 planning committe presesentation to the board. “One thousand-plus people came out, on snowy nights, on school nights, to sit there thoughtfully and give us very good feedback.” About 10 perecent of the bonds used by the district are set to expire at the end of the year. This represents about $8 million of $72 million in bonds. Proponents of a new bond hoped it would extend the current funding level for future years, as well as provide funds
TAKING CARE OF OUR SCHOOLS
A
ging buildings, rapidly changing technology and new construction spurred by enrollment growth are among the Douglas County School District’s top capital needs, according to a report conducted by the district’s Long Range Planning Committee. No one disputes that these needs — among others — exist. But exactly how to address and pay for them has become a debated topic between the school board and community members who worked on the report. Mike DiFerdinando, who covers education for Colorado Community Media, explored the issue, interviewing district officials, committee members and parents to give readers an in-depth look at the district’s capital needs situation.
The Long Range Planning Committee’s approach: A bond issue is necessary to handle maintenance of aging facilities and new construction from student enrollment growth. See Page 7.
INSIDE:
Getting older: The district has 31 schools less than 15 years old; 27 were built before 1996. DCSD has spent more than $35 million on maintenance and improvements since 2012. See Page 8.
The school district’s approach: An increase in property tax revenue will allow the district to address needs as they arise and help plan for growth down the road. See Page 7.
Keeping up with technology: Aging hardware needs replacement, and strengthening the district’s network is a priority as more and more students bring their own technology to school. See Page 8. Can schools handle expected growth? Student enrollment is projected to reach 128,000 by 2040, nearly double what it is today. The district says it will be ready to deal with the increase, but parents worry about overcrowding. See Page 8.
Schools continues on Page 9
Parks director getting to know turf South Suburban chief Hanna hopes to turn good into great By Jennifer Smith jsmith@coloradocommunitymedia.com
two of the instructors who belong to Cutthroat Chapter, a conservancy devoted to protecting Colorado’s rivers. Steve picked up fly fishing after his wife returned from her retreat and insisted he join her in the sport. The couple now spends almost every weekend fly fishing in the south metro area and Summit County. Steve saw the tremendous effect fly fishing had on his wife during her recovery, and he encourages people who have been through traumatic life events to try the sport. “It brings people who are depressed — because of past abuse or trauma — back to life,” Steve said. Other fly fishing groups have worked closely with support groups like Healing Waters and Wounded Warriors. It’s a sport
Rob Hanna might be considered a bit of an oddity among staff and board members of South Suburban Parks and Recreation District: He’s bad at golf. “I’m a terrible golfer,” laughs the district’s new executive director. “I’ve managed courses for 20 years, but I can’t break 100.” He now oversees four of them, plus a disc-golf course, along with all the district’s facilities, parks, Hanna trails and open space. And though he and his family are active — two teenage boys keep them busy with baseball, football and lacrosse — his career arose more out of a love of planning than for recreation. “I was on the city-manager track,” he said. “There just really wasn’t an opportunity on the Front Range that interested me. … Then when I read the article about Dave Lorenz retiring, I thought this would be the best of both worlds. It’s a perfect fit.” Hanna was the director of parks, recreation and golf for the town of Castle Rock before the SSPR board of directors voted unanimously to hire him on June 17. “We are excited that Rob will be leading South Suburban to the next level of greatness,” said John Ostermiller, board president. “Rob is a solid performer and has proven himself to be a dedicated leader who works exceptionally well with partners and agencies. He’s a collaborator and is responsible for creating an
Fishing continues on Page 6
Hanna continues on Page 6
Cyndy Scholz got into fly fishing when she attended a recovery retreat for breast cancer about eight years ago. She’s now a member of Cutthroat Chapter and volunteered at the Ladies Fishing on the Fly event at Fly’n B Park on Sept. 26. Photo by Alex DeWind
Fly fishing reels in women Highlands Ranch class brings new participants to the sport By By Alex DeWind adewind@coloradocommunity.com Highlands Ranch resident Cyndy Scholz casts her line and watches her fly bob up and down as small fish circle in the water below. On her fishing rod are a tiny pink ribbon and the words “Casting for Recovery.” Scholz, a breast cancer survivor introduced to fly fishing at a retreat about eight years ago, has a deep appreciation for the sport. “Fly fishing makes me feel focused and reminds me to live in the moment,” said Scholz. “I’m not worried about today or
tomorrow — it’s about the here and the now.” Scholz and her team of volunteers from Cutthroat Chapter of Trout Unlimited joined the Highlands Ranch Cultural Affairs Association for the fourth year of Ladies Fishing on the Fly. The three-day event included two classroom sessions and one field trip to Fly’n B Park on West Plaza Drive in Highlands Ranch. A sport typically tailored to men, fly fishing is proving to be popular among the ladies. “This is a great class for women who want to get into the sport,” said Naomi Becker, of Highlands Ranch. “It’s a nonintimidating, intimate environment with other women and very patient instructors.” Scholz and her husband, Steve, were