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November 13, 2014 VOLU M E 27 | I S S UE 52
HighlandsRanchHerald.net A publication of
D O U G L A S C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
SANTA ARRIVES IN DOUGLAS COUNTY
Students opt out of tests Seniors statewide balk at taking lengthy new assessment By Jane Reuter
jreuter@ coloradocommunitymedia.com
Santa extends his hand to Conner Kane, 3, of Highlands Ranch, immediately after his Nov. 8 arrival at Park Meadows mall. Santa arrived in a South Metro fire truck, officially kicking off the shopping center’s holiday season. Children gathered in the dining hall to wait for his arrival, doing Christmas crafts, writing letters to the jolly old elf and meeting cheerful characters, like the Gingerbread Man. Santa will be available to hear children’s Christmas wishes and take photos with them in his Alpine Village at Park Meadows through Dec. 24. Photo by Jane Reuter
High school seniors throughout Colorado refused to participate Nov. 5 and 6 in a state-mandated test. Many school leaders, parents and students hope the expected low participation rate sends a clear message about what they believe is excessive standardized testing. “People don’t always listen to educators, but they do listen to parents and students,” Cherry Creek School District spokeswoman Tustin Amole said. “This may be very helpful in letting policy makers know how parents and students feel.” A state education official said the student response likely will result in significant discussion. The first week in November was the beginning of three weeks of state-issued social studies and science tests for high school seniors called the Colorado Measures of Academic Success. Colorado students in fourth, fifth, seventh and eighth grades underwent CMAS CMAS continues on Page 7
HRCA plans slight assessment increase Delegates to vote on 2015 budget at next meeting By Christy Steadman csteadman@colorado communitymedia.com
Homeowners in Highlands Ranch will see an increase to the assessment fee, making 2015 the second straight year for an increase, if the proposed budget passes later this month. “(The increased) assessment is to keep operations running smoothly,” Christina Caputo, Highlands Ranch Community Association finance manager, said of the association’s main source of revCaputo enue. The annual fees paid by residents who pay both recreation and administrative assessments will increase by $4 quarterly, or 3.04 percent, while those who pay only administrative fees will see an increase of 25 cents quarterly, or 2.08 percent. The new assessment fee, which will become effective on Jan. 1 if the budget is passed, is a “modest increase” and is “still significantly below the (Consumer Price Index),” Caputo said. Delegates will vote on whether to recommend the proposed 2015 HRCA budget to the board of directors on Nov. 18. A website upgrade, a project that commenced in 2014 after receiving community feedback, will continue to be funded in 2015. The budget, a combined total from the administrative and recreational
capital funds, is $40,000 for the website upgrade. When the upgrade is complete, the website will provide more efficient services to the community and easier navigation, Caputo said. New this year is the five-year capital fund plan, which is part of the organization’s plan to achieve financial stability. Basically, the goal is to “plan for the future, rather than surprise people” with a big assessment increase, all at once, to cover a big expense, Caputo said. For example, an upgrade to the outdated technology needs to be done, Caputo said. “We have done more with less on the technology front for many years,” she said. “The time has come that we catch up to industry standards, and the expectations of our residents.” Budgeted for the technology upgrade — which would include switching to a new system, new software and computer equipment for staff — is $400,000 in 2015 and $200,000 in 2016. However, the numbers are set as placeholders in order to keep things transparent for community members, and to avoid any surprise requests to fund such an important project, Caputo said. Another example is a remodel of the Northridge Recreation Center. It is the oldest of the four facilities, and “is in need of a major renovation,” Caputo said. Included in the 2015 budget is $60,000 for Phase I, which includes architectural construction design. The Backcountry fund sees a proposed 10 percent increase, Caputo said, which was accounted for by the planned hiring of two new full-time employees — one revenue-based, and one need-based. Budget continues on Page 16
Two Highlands Ranch residents, Katie Dunker, left, and Tamara Gallucci, wave at the camera during the half marathon, which took place Nov. 8 on Highlands Ranch’s Backcountry Wilderness Area trails. Of the 800 participants, the majority were Highlands Ranch residents, but others hailed from all over Colorado and other states in the U.S. Photo by Chris Boyack
A unique kind of race Staff report
The 6th annual half marathon on the Highlands Ranch’s Backcountry Wilderness Area trails Nov. 8 attracted 800 people this year — a number that is double the previous record of participants. The race, which sold out in early October, is a unique event, said Valerie Kuhns, the HRCA’s fitness team leader and race series director, because it is done on trails, rather than on roads or a track. One section of the race takes place on two miles of open space that is privately owned by Douglas County. “The views on the race are amazing,” said Kuhns, who added that on parts of the race, one can see downtown Denver, the Front Range and the Highlands Ranch
community. Two charities benefitted from the half marathon this year — the Douglas County Search and Rescue, and Miles for Tuesday, which raised more than $10,000 for Children’s Hospital Colorado’s Center for Cancer. The half marathon is part of the Highlands Ranch Race Series, which offers different types of races — 5ks, triathlons and mountain bike races—throughout the year. Top female finishers in the race were Ladia Albertson-Junkans, of Minneapolis, in first place, Nicole Chyr, of Englewood, in second, and Julie Olsen-Smith, of Lafayette, in third. Top male finishers were Alejandro Jimenez, of Denver, in first, Daniel Rowe, of Evergreen, in second, and Chuck Radford, of Castle Rock, in third.