October 2, 2014 FREE
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Task force says ‘no’ to pot in Jeffco
GOLDEN GOES FOR A STROLL
Commissioners plan to meet again to discuss findings By Amy Woodward
awoodward@colorado communitymedia.com
Mayor Marjorie Sloan leads in a community walk for Go Golden Fall Fitness Celebration on Friday, Sept. 26, at Beverly Heights Park. The program offered free active living events throughout the month of September as part of City Council’s efforts to create a healthier community. One of the active living events included weekly community walks with council members. “We’ve even walk in the rain,” said Councilor Saoirse Charis-Graves, adding that the walk have been popular. “Walking is accessible to almost everyone.” Walks will continue on past the Go Golden initiative. Residents who are interested can find more information at www.meetup.com/Golden-Walks/. Pictured clockwise; Mayor Sloan, Tommy Lee, CT Westgard, Cindy Lee, Emma Westgard, 10, and Sid Westgard, 7. Photo by Amy Woodward
The Jeffco Marijuana Task Force presented its final report to the Board of County Commissioners and recommended prohibiting retail pot stores in unincorporated Jeffco despite a few dissenting opinions from members on the task force. Following discussions during staff briefings last week, the commissioners postponed their decision and will reconvene in the following weeks. Although opponents argue permitting marijuana establishments may allow for easier access among youth, Commissioner Casey Tighe said he is unsure if that argument is valid. “How could unincorporated Jeffco effectually change access when other cities are allowing it?” Tighe said.
Pot continues on Page 4
Students oppose review of history course Protests occur at most Jeffco high schools
TIMELINE OF EVENTS IN JEFFCO PROTESTS:
By Crystal Anderson
canderson@colorado communitymedia.com
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With several days worth of chants and placard waving, Jeffco high school students expressed opposition to oversight of the district’s AP U.S. History course. Students across Jeffco walked out of class to protest a resolution to review the Advanced Placement U.S. History (APUSH) curriculum for five days in a row. Students from 14 of the district’s 17 high schools took to sidewalks along major intersections waving posters in support of the AP U.S. History curriculum and characterized attempts to review it as censorship. The resolution, penned by Board Member Julie Williams, stated the curriculum should present positive aspects of the nation’s history, and not “encourage or condone civil disorder, social strife or disregard of the law.” The language of the resolution, along with contention surrounding recent compensation and performance decisions, prompted the Sept. 19 absence of more than 50 Jeffco teachers and closure of Conifer and Standley Lake high schools and ensuing protests. “I must not have explained myself clearly. I thought everyone, or at least everyone involved in education understood the huge debate and controversy surrounding the new APUSH,” Williams wrote in a Sept. 23 news release. “To be accused of censorship? Seriously? That is just ridiculous. I am advocating for just the opposite.” In a televised interview she gave with Fox 31 News, Williams says she is proposing the review of items within the curriculum, and not suggesting the “altering, cen-
Following the closure of Golden High School for the day, senior Rachel Hilbrecht and some members of Golden’s debate team stood in the roundabout showing support for civil disobedience presented in the AP U.S. History curriculum. Photo by Crystal Anderson soring or omitting of anything.” CCM attempted to contact Williams five times over the week of Sept. 22, with no response. In her initial proposal Williams stated several major historical figures were omitted from the newly released APUSH curriculum framework, including Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. She also said Martin Luther King Jr. was missing from the new curriculum. The APUSH framework is intended as a general outline that does not contain names of all historical figures mentioned in the textbook and materials. However, the framework reveals Jefferson and Adams are specifically mentioned, and items such as the Civil Rights Movement and the Declaration of Independence are to be given significant class time, according to the course timeline. The College Board, an organization in charge of the review of AP courses nationwide, issued a statement Friday, Sept. 26, in support of the student protests, stating if any context is censored
or removed from the curriculum, it would no longer be viable as a college-level course. “If a school or district censors essential concepts from an Advanced Placement course, that course can no longer bear the “AP” designation.” the statement read. Over the course of the week, the student protests were covered by national and international news sources, such as CNN, the AP and the Guardian. Williams’ proposed curriculum review committee is scheduled for discussion at the Oct. 2 board meeting. Students have said they will attend and possibly protest the meeting. In an interview with Board President Ken Witt, he said he was disappointed in the student protests, saying the protests had “certainly some teacher involvement” and education should come first. “I’m confident they’re passionate and convicted, but they are badly misinformed,” he said. “Many of them are simply believing there is a resolution out there
Friday, Sept. 12 - Sept. 18 board meeting agenda posted (with teacher compensation and APUSH resolutions) Monday, Sept. 15 - District offices hear of possible teacher “sick out” on Friday, Sept. 19 Thursday, Sept. 18 - District sends email communication to teachers and staff Thursday, Sept. 18 - Board discusses AP U.S. History resolution Friday, Sept. 19 - 50 Standley Lake and Conifer Teachers call in absent; students from both schools protest at major intersections Monday, Sept. 22 - Students from Evergreen High School walk out and protest at district offices, meeting with Jeffco Superintendent, Dan McMinimee Tuesday, Sept. 23 - All Arvada high schools walk out and protest beginning at 8:20 a.m., lasting throughout the day. Golden High School students protest at district offices. Wednesday, Sept. 24 - Dakota Ridge and Chatfield high schools walk out in protest; McMinimee meets with Alameda High students. Afterward, they walk out. Thursday, Sept. 25 - Bear Creek, Lakewood, Dakota Ridge, Columbine high schools walk out in protest. Friday, Sept. 26 - Smaller protests, College Board announces support of Jeffco students; students dress up as favorite rebellious historical figures during school. Monday, Sept. 29 - Golden and Jefferson high school teachers call in absent. Schools cancelled. Small student protests held outside of both locations. Tuesday, Sept. 30 - Students from Carmody Middle School in Lakewood walked out of class to protest. censoring history — there’s no such thing.” He said he is not an expert on the course, but believes a review is necessary and hopes the proposed committee would give a “good cross-section of voices and a quality review of curriculum.” For now, the formation of a review committee is pending.