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October 2, 2015 VO LUM E 1 3 | IS S U E 48 | FREE
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How will we care for our schools? Paying for Douglas County’s aging and new schools at heart of capital needs issue
By Mike DiFerdinando mdiferdinando@coloradocommunitymedia.com The discussion about what the Douglas County School District’s capital needs are and how to pay for them has produced differing philosophies among district officials, parents and community members. The school district considers a yearby-year approach the best way to address capital needs. In this way, it can pay for what it considers the most importrant needs annually from the district’s operating budget, without raising taxes with a new bond measure. School officials also believe a projected increase in property tax revenue will help cover those costs. The Long Range Planning Committee — a group of community members and parents charged by the district with studying its capital needs — puts the price tag at $275.1 million for current
and future projects over five years. The committee identified major areas of need as facility reinvestment at $133.6 million, technology at $53 million and new construction to accommodate growth at $38.8 million. To help pay for these needs, the planning committee proposed placing a $200 million bond measure on the November election ballot. “We heard the recognition of the need for a bond; we heard a concern about a long-term strategy to address our capital needs,” said committee chairman Todd Warnke during the Apri 21 planning committe presesentation to the board. “One thousand-plus people came out, on snowy nights, on school nights, to sit there thoughtfully and give us very good feedback.” About 10 perecent of the bonds used by the district are set to expire at the end of the year. This represents about $8 million of $72 million in bonds. Proponents of a new bond hoped it would extend the current funding level for future years, as well as provide funds
TAKING CARE OF OUR SCHOOLS
A
ging buildings, rapidly changing technology and new construction spurred by enrollment growth are among the Douglas County School District’s top capital needs, according to a report conducted by the district’s Long Range Planning Committee. No one disputes that these needs — among others — exist. But exactly how to address and pay for them has become a debated topic between the school board and community members who worked on the report. Mike DiFerdinando, who covers education for Colorado Community Media, explored the issue, interviewing district officials, committee members and parents to give readers an in-depth look at the district’s capital needs situation.
The Long Range Planning Committee’s approach: A bond issue is necessary to handle maintenance of aging facilities and new construction from student enrollment growth. See Page 4.
INSIDE:
Getting older: The district has 31 schools less than 15 years old; 27 were built before 1996. DCSD has spent more than $35 million on maintenance and improvements since 2012. See Page 5.
The school district’s approach: An increase in property tax revenue will allow the district to address needs as they arise and help plan for growth down the road. See Page 4.
Keeping up with technology: Aging hardware needs replacement, and strengthening the district’s network is a priority as more and more students bring their own technology to school. See Page 5. Can schools handle expected growth? Student enrollment is projected to reach 128,000 by 2040, nearly double what it is today. The district says it will be ready to deal with the increase, but parents worry about overcrowding. See Page 6.
Schools continues on Page 6
Parker pilot used final moments to save lives Aaron Waters, 47, killed in Wichita plane crash By Chris Michlewicz cmichlewicz@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Adams 12 employs head trainers from Children’s. Jefferson County and Elizabeth hire from Panorama Orthopedics and Spine Center in Golden. Littleton Public Schools uses trainers from Physiotherapy Associates of Greenwood Village. Two schools in the Cherry Creek school district hire trainers from Rocky Mountain Youth Hospital, and others employ trainers who are also certified teachers. Head trainers have to monitor practices, attend as many events as possible — especially football games — and make sure each activity for their school is covered by a trainer from one of the schools competing. “There is a lot going on,” said Chris Matthewson, who has been Ponderosa’s trainer for 23 years. “We just try to be in the middle of it.”
A pilot killed in a plane crash in Kansas likely saved lives on the ground by avoiding occupied homes, officials say. Aaron Waters, of Parker, died on Sept. 25 — one day shy of his 47th birthday — in a crash while en route from Wichita, Kansas, to Colorado. Witnesses say Waters steered his twin-engine aircraft away from the homes, crashing into a wooded ravine in a residential area shortly after take-off. He was the only person on board. Waters was owner and president of Parker-based Aircraft Certification and Systems Engineering, LLC, and once worked as an air safety engineer for the Federal Aviation Administration. Waters Wichita Fire Chief Ron Blackwell said Waters did not specify the type of trouble he was having with the plane, but several witnesses on a nearby golf course described a “sputtering” noise before the aircraft went down. “He took off, and shortly after, indicated he needed to return and was immediately given permission,” Blackwell said. Some witnesses said the plane was “nose down at the time of impact,” he said. Because of the time of day — 4 p.m. on a Friday — people were in the homes that Waters maneuvered away from, and there were several vehicles on nearby roads. His quick thinking in the final moments of the flight demonstrate Waters’ propensity for thinking of others before
Trainers continues on Page 31
Pilot continues on Page 12
Legend athletic trainer Piper Thompson is a graduate of Douglas County High School. Photo by Jim Benton
Trainers keep athletes moving One of the most important team members works from the sidelines By Jim Benton jbenton@coloradocommunitymedia.com If it hadn’t been for an athletic trainer, Josh Boatright would most likely be dead. But thanks to Piper Thompson’s knowledge and gut instinct, the Legend High School senior saw a doctor who diagnosed a heart condition corrected by surgery. And today, he’s playing on the defensive line for the Titans’ football team. “I can’t give her enough praise,” Boatright’s mother, LeAnne, said of Thompson. “I love her because she saved my son’s life.”
Thompson is an example of how high school athletic trainers have become more knowledgeable and respected. All are certified and nearly 70 percent have master’s degrees. Injury prevention, evaluation and rehabilitation are some duties, but trainers also follow up on concussions, monitor the weather, make sure water is available, help determine whether athletes can return to play and often provide referrals to outside doctors or specialists. “Athletic training is really a lot more involved in education, and the skill set is much higher than people really understand,” said Bridget Younger of Children’s Hospital Colorado Sports Medicine program. Trainers’ roles vary by school district. Douglas County School District hires its own athletic trainers but contracts with Children’s for assistant trainers.