Jeffco Transcript 080422

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Week of August 4, 2022

JEFFERSON COUNTY, COLORADO

A publication of

JeffcoTranscript.com

VOLUME 39 | ISSUE 2

Jeffco school board ratifies agreement with support professionals Large starting pay increase and more job security top list of gains BY BOB WOOLEY BWOOLEY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

at Parfet Park was different than usual. Cody Moreland of longtime vendor Armstrong Concessions explained how his family usually sets up near the train along the Clear Creek Trail. However, this year, Armstrong Concessions had both of its booths in Parfet Park. Overall, he said, it seemed smaller with “not as much going

Custodians, bus drivers, food service workers and other support staff — people who do the often overlooked work that helps keep the district running — have won a hard-fought contract victory in their latest union negotiations with Jefferson County Public Schools. The Jeffco Board of Education ratified a new labor agreement with the Jeffco Education Support Professionals Association July 26. The newlyratified agreement boosts starting pay for union members by 44%. The new contract calls for an $18/ hour starting wage by September 2023, increased job security, reduced turnover, more sick leave rights, healthier food for students and increased parent engagement about school nutrition. Library paraprofessional and JESPA President Lara Center called the agreement a historic moment for Jeffco Public Schools support staff. “This is the second year that we’ve fought for and achieved well-deserved and substantial pay increases for our members,” Center said. “We’d like to acknowledge the members of the Board of Education for keeping their promise to work with us.”

SEE BUFFALO BILL, P2

SEE CONTRACT, P3

Jason, left, and Buzz Baker walk around Buffalo Bill Days in costume, having their pictures taken by attendees of the festival. PHOTO BY SARA HERTWIG

Buffalo Bill Days returns to downtown Golden Festival schedule, layout modified after 2-year break BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Parents Dave and Kelli were just trying to take their sons to Lion Park on July 30, but found down-

town Golden much busier than they had expected. The family followed the crowds into Parfet Park, stumbling onto Buffalo Bill Days 2022. Golden’s annual summertime festival returned after a two-year absence during the pandemic, although this year’s schedule and layout was a bit different. There was no Wild West Show; the Saturday morning parade had fewer floats than usual; and the layout

INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 14 | LIFE: PAGE 16 | CALENDAR: PAGE 19 | SPORTS: PAGE 32

ART IN THE OPEN

There’s plenty of sculpture to see in parks and public places P16


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