March 19, 2015 VOLU M E 1 49 | I S S UE 1 5 | 5 0 ¢
GoldenTranscript.net J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
A publication of
Jeffco district, teachers Golden postpones begin negotiation talks Sides form issues and begin laying out bargaining process Staff Report Negotiations between the Jefferson County Education Association and the Jeffco Public Schools District began to a calm start the week of March 9. During the first two meetings, both sides presented their issues, or what items they wish to build an agreement on this negotiating season. For the district, aligning a contract with strategic objectives, student learning goals, supporting and rewarding teachers under a clear, flexible and collaborative framework was key. JCEA presented seven issues, which included educating the whole child; family
WHAT’S INSIDE
school and community partnership; class size conducive to student success; time to teach and time to learn; culturally relevant education; effective educators and respectful collaboration. “While it might not look like a traditional IBB (Interest based bargaining) process, we are very committed to the collaborative aspects of the IBB process,” said Jim Branum, Jeffco’s lead negotiator and district counsel. “By working around the table, we’re going to come out with a much better agreement.” After presenting, each side delved into their priorities for each issues, highlight-
ing what each side is looking for. Although most of the meetings were congenial, some points of contention arose around compensation and the over testing of students. “There’s a very real problem for the district right now in that some of the details of a complete compensation plan are not in place, and Amy (Weber) needs some of those details rather quickly or maybe yesterday in order to be effective in her role as the head of HR in doing that recruitment of highly effective teachers,” said Negotiations Moderator Jon Numair on the current compensation model. “I think this is probably one of the very difficult pieces we might have in front of us.” Moving forward, the sides will continue to discuss their top issues, how to put together small study groups for each issue and what the priorities are for each.
‘March Gladness’
CRIME: Six indicted in effort to hinder gang. Page 3 LIFE: Ears in the ceiling. Miller play in Arvada explores espionage. Page 13 SPORTS: Ralston Valley wins girls lacrosse game. Page 19
POSTAL ADDRESS
Volunteer Betty Wilson shows off a woman’s sweater that is part of the Christian Action Guild’s annual sale, which ends March 31. All winter wear is $1. Pictured from left to right; Betty Wilson, Cheryl Selbe and Kelly Ivan. Photo by Amy Woodward
GOLDEN TRANSCRIPT (ISSN 0746-6382)
OFFICE: 722 Washington Ave, Unit 210 Golden, CO 80401 PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Jefferson County, Colorado, the Golden Transcript is published weekly on Thursday by Mile High Newspapers, 722 Washington Ave, Unit 210, Golden, CO 80401. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT GOLDEN, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 722 Washington Ave., Unit 210 Golden, CO 80401 DEADLINES: Display: Fri. 11 a.m. Legal: Fri. 11 a.m. | Classified: Mon. 5 p.m. G ET SOCI AL WITH US
P LE A S E R ECYC L E T H I S C O PY
Christian Action Guild offering expanded thrift shopping and food to needy By Amy Woodward awoodward@coloradocommunitymedia.com
T
he impending seasonal transition has many retailers offering outstanding sales on winter wear. The Christian Action Guild, a nondenominational food bank and thrift shop is also taking part in the frenzy with their own March Gladness sale with sweaters, jackets and winter kids wear for $1. “We’ve got more things and a bigger variety so people need to come here,” said Joyce Sutton, president of the Christian Action Guild. The clothing shop, organized by volunteers, has been revamped with displays which boast quality merchandise and specialty items. “When people come in they are all excited about it because it’s a fun little local place to shop,” Sutton said. The guild is also excited about the progress of their food bank, which now offers fresh produce and meats. “We keep stretching our goals,” said Kay Fur-
IF YOU GO The March Gladness sale runs through March 31. The Christian Action Guild is located at 1401 Ford St.
tak, volunteer. In almost a year since the guild reached out to the business community, the tidy food pantry has garnered additional support from surrounding merchants and national food chains. Every Tuesday, the sandwich shop Which Wich, located in Denver West, brings 100 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Bonefish Grill, also located in the Denver West area, donates food. “We pick up there once a week and they freeze extra things that they normally would have thrown away,” Furtak said. The guild has also networked with Starbucks, Pizza Hut and the Outback Steakhouse. Bob’s Atomic Burgers in Golden remains one of their dedicated supporters. “We’ve come a long way,” Sutton said.
new special events City staff requests time to review policies By Amy Woodward
awoodward@colorado communtiymedia.com
The City of Golden is known for being a gracious host to special events organizers, especially during the summer months. But city council has decided to uphold the city manager’s administrative moratorium on new special events until staff reviews and drafts updated policy requirements. “It’s been a concern of staff and different stakeholders in the community for a long time,” said Steve Glueck, community and economic development director. “From the staff point of view, we know that events are important to the community for lots of reasons … but it’s a great deal of work, it’s a great deal of work for police, parks and rec, streets, to some degree fire and the rest.” Council has been briefed by staff before on the impacts of special events to community resources. With Denver’s recent decision to place a moratorium on some of its parks, staff predicts a flood of new requests on top of the already approximate 75 applications received a year in Golden. “I’m all about events, I love events, however … it feels like Golden is throwing a party for people we don’t even know,” said Councilor Marcie Miller. The moratorium will not affect events this year nor will it apply to neighborhood block parties. The Downtown Development Authority and Visit Golden have also expressed interested in reviewing policies for special events. Glueck said that staff would like to reach out to residents to get their feedback as well. Staff will work to bring new policy drafts to council by September with the anticipation for council to act by October or November at the latest. “The simple process of permitting events has evolved over the years but needs an overhaul,” Glueck said. “It needs to work better for both the event holder and the city and it raises lots of policy issues such as what are the appropriate fees.”
EVENTS NOT TAKING PLACE With the City of Golden’s special events calendar already quite crowded, the following events will not be getting the go-ahead this year. Water Slide Event for July or August; the holder applied for a giant water slide down Washington Ave., with a beer party on the street 5k Fun Run for Ghana Children’s Fund for June 13 in Parfet Park Golden Giddyup, a collaboration with Jeffco Open Space, designed to hold a series of bike races hosted by multiple bike groups Muscular Dystrophy walk set for June Solar City 5k Run set for July or August, holders requested to close down Washington Ave and use Parfet Park Half Marathon in Golden scheduled for September or October Rocky Mountain Pizza and Pints Festival for July 17 and 18 in Parfet Park with an approximate 2,000 people scheduled to attend.