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Four candidates launch common-sense campaign for Douglas County school board
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Rocky Mountain Voice, Approved, Local, Top Stories

Four candidates launch common-sense campaign for Douglas County school board

By Jen Schumann | Rocky Mountain Voice Platform centers on academic excellence, parental rights, teacher support and protections for female athletes In Douglas County, a new slate calling itself Common Sense DCSD is stepping into the school board race. The group — Matt Smith, Keaton Gambill, Dede Kramer and Steve Vail — says the district’s future depends on keeping academics and safety at the forefront. They argue that balanced leadership has helped produce high test scores, a strong graduation rate and standout career training programs, and they want to carry that momentum forward. Smith, a former sheriff’s deputy, military veteran, global IT leader and father of a Douglas County student, said his goal is to keep the district centered on students.  “I’m running for school...
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Jeffco Kids First report reveals 33 staff misconduct cases in Jefferson County Schools
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Rocky Mountain Voice, Approved, Local, Top Stories

Jeffco Kids First report reveals 33 staff misconduct cases in Jefferson County Schools

By Shaina Cole | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice An alarming report released by Jeffco Kids First, a grassroots advocacy group led by teacher turned activist Lindsay Datko, has exposed 33 cases of sexual abuse and misconduct by staff in Jefferson County Public Schools since 2022. The article “33 Documented Sexual Abuse and Misconduct Cases in Jeffco Schools” presents a disturbing image of a district with systemic failures.  The data reveals a pattern of misconduct going unreported to the Colorado Department of Education. The scope of abuse: 33 cases and counting Superintendent Tracy Dorland has received pushback regarding the handling of these incidents, with critics citing inadequate communication and insufficient safety protocols. The report documents six ar...
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Commerce City Educator Surrenders After Abuse Allegation From Former Student
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Local, Approved, DENVER7

Commerce City Educator Surrenders After Abuse Allegation From Former Student

By: Stephanie Butzer | Denver7 COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — A former Commerce City teacher has been charged with sexual assault on a child after a victim came forward and said he was assaulted by her when he was in sixth grade. Michelle McMillan, 44, turned herself into the Adams County Detention Facility on Sunday on a charge of sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust, according to the Commerce City Police Department. The victim in this case disclosed to a parent in December that McMillian had sexually assaulted him when he was a sixth-grader at Landmark Academy. McMillan worked at the school as a teacher at the time, police said. This kicked off a lengthy investigation, which ended with an arrest warrant for McMillan. Landmark Academy is located along the 10...
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“Not one mention of sexual abuse”: Parents slam Jeffco union as Title IX storm builds
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Approved, Local, Rocky Mountain Voice, Top Stories

“Not one mention of sexual abuse”: Parents slam Jeffco union as Title IX storm builds

By Heidi Ganahl, Rocky Mountain Voice Jeffco Public Schools is at the center of a storm as teachers and parents clash with Superintendent Tracy Dorland over leadership, transparency, and the district’s handling of cultural and safety concerns.  Tensions hit a breaking point on May 29, when the Jefferson County Education Association (JCEA)—representing roughly a quarter of Jeffco’s 5,000 teachers—declared a vote of no confidence in Superintendent Tracy Dorland. The move came just days before news broke of a federal Title IX investigation into the district. Union leaders accused her of top-down leadership, fostering instability, and eroding trust. They highlighted high turnover in central office staff, the rejection of a board-approved policy on ICE protocols, and the rollback ...
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