ReportWire

Tag: Superintendent Erin Kane

  • Douglas County Schools breaks ground on new elementary school to serve growing Lone Tree community

    [ad_1]

    LONE TREE, Colo. — Douglas County Schools broke ground Wednesday on Elementary School 50 in Lone Tree’s RidgeGate Development, addressing the needs of a rapidly growing area on the east side of Interstate 25.

    The new school is set to open next fall, serving 750 students in grades pre-K through 5th grade.

    Wes Olis, a father of two young boys, has been watching the development unfold around his neighborhood.

    Anaya Salcedo, Denver7 Photojournalist

    Wes Olis, future Elementary School 50 parent

    “The construction, the school, everything that’s coming up here…this is the side to be on now,” Olis said.

    For families like his, the new school addresses the current gap in neighborhood amenities.

    The school construction became possible after voters passed a bond in 2024 that allowed the district to build two new schools, with Elementary School 50 being one of them.

    LONE TREE NEW SCHOOL.jpg

    Anaya Salcedo, Denver7 Photojournalist

    Superintendent Erin Kane explained that the growth in Lone Tree contrasts with enrollment trends in other parts of Douglas County.

    “We have the right number of schools… in all the wrong places,” Kane said during the groundbreaking ceremony.

    ERIN KANE.jpg

    Anaya Salcedo, Denver7 Photojournalist

    Erin Kane, DCSD Superintendent

    That challenge led the Douglas County School Board to vote last April to consolidate six Highlands Ranch elementary schools into three, addressing declining enrollment in that aging part of the county.

    But back in Lone Tree, Kane said Elementary School 50 represents the district’s solution for growing areas experiencing the opposite problem.

    “We can avoid having kids on buses for long periods of times to go to other communities,” Kane said.

    For families in the RidgeGate development, the school means convenience and connection to their neighborhood.

    “Having something locally, having something close, now the bus stop doesn’t have to be where you pick them up from, it’s actually where they go home to,” Olis said.

    claire image bar.jpg

    Denver7 | Your Voice: Get in touch with Claire Lavezzorio

    Denver7’s Claire Lavezzorio covers topics that have an impact across Colorado, but specializes in reporting on stories in the military and veteran communities. If you’d like to get in touch with Claire, fill out the form below to send her an email.

    [ad_2]

    Claire Lavezzorio

    Source link

  • Douglas County School District asks voters to pass $490 million bond

    Douglas County School District asks voters to pass $490 million bond

    [ad_1]

    HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. — At $490 million, the Douglas County School District’s 2024 bond request pales in comparison to surrounding districts asking for nearly a billion dollars. The question is whether voters will approve funding that they voted down last year.

    This time around, the district is asking for money to build new schools and make improvements to existing schools, particularly in Highlands Ranch, where some elementary schools will soon close due to declining enrollment.

    Denver7

    Superintendent Erin Kane said the school board will vote in the spring on which elementary schools to close.

    “The bottom line is we had 10,000 elementary kids in Highlands Ranch spread over 18 buildings back in 2012 and today we have about 7,000 kids stretched over the same 18 buildings,” Kane said

    Money in the bond would be used to make improvements to the buildings that will receive students once the schools are consolidated.

    Where the bond money comes from explained in the video player below:

    Schools asking voters for billions of dollars to make facility improvements

    The largest chunk of the bond though — $150 million dollars — would build new schools. The Sterling Ranch/Solstice community and the RidgeGate community in Lone Tree would each get a new elementary school. Sierra Middle School in Parker would also get an expansion.

    Douglas County school bond.jpg

    Denver7

    The bond would not raise property taxes.

    Continued coverage:

    [ad_2]

    Nicole Brady

    Source link