March 25, 2016
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School board votes for revised voucher policy
Change removes religious facilities from Douglas County program
By Mike DiFerdinando mdiferdinando@colorado communitymedia.com The Douglas County School Board has passed a revised version of the school district’s
voucher program that removes religiously affiliated schools as an option. The 4-3 vote on March 15 to approve the Benevento revision to the Choice Scholarship Program comes nine months after the Colorado
Supreme Court ruled the original version of the program was illegal. No public funds can be used to aid or support any “sectarian” institution, the court ruled. The school district appealed the case to the U.S. Supreme Court. A decision has not been made on whether the court will hear the case, but the appeal will continue, a district spokeswman said.
School board member Doug Benevento said the district now has a clear direction from the courts about what is allowable under state law and should proceed with the new program. “They made the decision that you cannot have a voucher program that includes religious schools — therefore, we won’t,” he said. Cindy Barnard — president of
the group that filed the original lawsuit against the district to stop the voucher program — said the revised policy is illegal and unconstitutional since public money would be leaving the district for private schools in violation of the Public School Finance Act. “Every dollar taken in the Board continues on Page 4
Council approves rezoning, annexation Residents concerned about possible impacts from commercial buildings By Chris Michlewicz cmichlewicz@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Ryan Miller, 12, of Parker, says hello to Kid, a schnauzer that placed second in a dog show in February. Photos by Chris Michlewicz
Here’s looking at you, Kid Parker boy’s dog enjoys early success at show By Chris Michlewicz cmichlewicz@colorado communitymedia.com Dog owners know that when it comes to getting their furry friends to obey a command, treats can be a powerful thing. Ryan Miller, 12, of Parker, has firsthand experience in the magical influence of treats. He’s
known to carry chicken breast, raw venison and even Cheerios in his pocket for his star pupil, a 1-year-old miniature schnauzer named Kid. So powerful are these delicacies — along with Miller’s gentle coaxing — that Kid placed second out of 30 entries at the 21st annual Rocky Mountain Cluster Dog Show at the National Western Complex in February. Dog continues on Page 4
Ryan Miller, a student at Colorado Connections Academy, and his schnauzer, Kid, placed second at the Rocky Mountain Cluster Show, the largest dog show in Colorado, in February.
The last vacant corner at Parker’s busiest intersection is one step closer to being developed. Parker Town Council unanimously approved the annexation and rezoning of what’s known as the Alcorn property during a meeting at town hall March 21. The property, made up of a handful of lots on the southeast corner of South Parker Road and Lincoln Avenue, had been in unincorporated Douglas County and was previously designated for suburban residential development. The rezoning resulted in a “Modified C-Commercial” designation for the combined lots. The commercial zoning allows for such uses as shopping centers, drive-in eating and drinking establishments, bakeries and auto parts stores. The developer, Armstrong Development Co., has said it intends to construct Parker Keystone, which would include two buildings totaling between 10,000 square feet and 15,000 square feet. Council continues on Page 4
DOUGLAS COUNTY PARTIES CONVENE Find out who was chosen to appear on ballots on PAGE 5