Rocky Mountain Voice

Tag: Douglas County School District

School Funding Concerns Grow As Douglas County Faces $22 Million Deficit
The Denver Gazette, Approved, Local

School Funding Concerns Grow As Douglas County Faces $22 Million Deficit

By Nicholas Fogleman | The Denver Gazette The Douglas County School Board on Tuesday previewed its proposed 2026–27 budget amid declining enrollment and a projected $22 million deficit. District officials said the shortfall will be partially covered by a one-time drawdown of the district’s general fund, bringing the balance in line with pre-COVID levels. However, leaders warned the approach is temporary and will require more permanent solutions in the following year. “Without a structural change to how we fund schools in this state, there is at least a substantial risk that next year’s budget would not just be lower but substantially so,” board member Brad Geiger said. “Any substantial decrease in our budget means decreasing employees.” The proposed $901 ...
Douglas County Schools Reject Costly Metal Detector Expansion
The Denver Gazette, Approved, Local

Douglas County Schools Reject Costly Metal Detector Expansion

By Nicholas Fogleman | The Denver Gazette The Douglas County School District board rejected a cost sharing program proposed by the Douglas County Board of County Commissioners that would have installed metal detectors at up to 10 district schools. Board members cited high and recurring costs, staffing concerns and a lack of conclusive research showing the systems reduce school violence at their April board meeting. “I appreciate the commissioners want to help us, but this is unsustainable for our district,” Director Kyrzia Parker said.  Deputy Superintendent Danelle Hiatt presented an overview of the county’s proposal, which included installing Evolv metal detection systems and backpack search stations and funding for two school resource officers at rural e...
Douglas County Sees Political Shift in 2025 After Home Rule Vote and School Board Elections
The Denver Gazette, Approved, Local

Douglas County Sees Political Shift in 2025 After Home Rule Vote and School Board Elections

By Noah Festenstein | The Denver Gazette Douglas County this year failed to achieve home rule status, voters elected a progressive-leaning school board and officials completed a land transfer to build a massive regional sports complex. Home rule campaign fails Douglas County commissioners sought to become a home rule county, but voters overwhelmingly rejected the proposal. The three commissioners argued that home rule status would allow the county to enact its own zoning policies, reorganize county departments or increase the number of commissioners. READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT THE DENVER GAZETTE
The Modern Cult Operating in Plain Sight in Our Schools
Rocky Mountain Voice, Commentary, Local, Top Stories

The Modern Cult Operating in Plain Sight in Our Schools

By Laureen Boll | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice In the 1970s, the U.S. was gripped by a wave of predatory cults that preyed on the vulnerable, even children. Groups such as the Hare Krishnas and  Sun Myung Moon’s Unification Church convinced their disciples that parents were outdated obstacles to living one’s best life, and often convinced these youngsters to leave their homes.  Once parents were out of the picture, the cult leader became the child’s new point of authority.  Thousands of families were shattered, with children vanishing into underground networks, never to be heard from again. As someone who came of age during that era, I remember the urgent warnings from parents like my own: stay vigilant, spot the signs of manipulation, and neve...
Incoming Progressive Douglas County School Board Sparks Backlash With Early Swearing In
The Denver Gazette, Approved, Local

Incoming Progressive Douglas County School Board Sparks Backlash With Early Swearing In

By Noah Festenstein | The Denver Gazette The new members of the Douglas County school board have already assumed their seats — in “secret,” according to the outgoing president. The move by incoming directors effectively kicked out the four outgoing members early, said the outgoing board president, who accused the new members of being less than transparent. Douglas County voters in November elected a group of progressive-leaning directors, flipping the once conservative Douglas County School District Board of Education.  Elected directors already started their positions before Tuesday’s special meeting, when the board is supposed to be formally sworn in, according to Christy Williams, the outgoing board president. “This action, conducted without transparency, appears to ...
Six Highlands Ranch schools to consolidate by 2026 under unanimous DCSD board vote
Approved, DENVER7, Local

Six Highlands Ranch schools to consolidate by 2026 under unanimous DCSD board vote

By Sydney Isenberg | Denver7 DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. — The Douglas County School District Board of Education unanimously voted on Tuesday to consolidate six Highlands Ranch elementary schools. Under the plan, Saddle Ranch Elementary will consolidate into Eldorado Elementary, Heritage Elementary will consolidate into Summit View Elementary, and Acres Green Elementary will consolidate into Fox Creek Elementary. The consolidation will begin with the 2026-27 school year. Prior to the vote, several board members said it was one of the most difficult decisions they've faced during their tenure. "From the superintendent down… I’ve literally spoken to custodians, and they’ve all had opinions, and they’ve all mattered, and they’ve all been considered," said DCSD Board of Education memb...

FD863768-0ACF-495E-9D21-2EF784DFFA6B[1]

Join us at RMV's Freedom Festival

Click Here for Tickets!

This will close in 0 seconds