Weldona Valley schools are getting in line with all others and making cuts to meet their budget. It means that salaries for eight employees, one being the superintendent, will be cut. Superintendent Robert Petterson volunteered to have his salary cut by the Weldon Valley Board of Education. The cuts will save the board nearly 32 thousand dollars in wages, a total savings of nearly 50 thousand dollars. For a while, there'll be nobody going to the annual Colorado Association of School Boards meeting, no field trips for students, a couple of unpaid furlough days, and no summer daycare.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Veterans Benefits Cut
Morgan County Commissioners found out this week that veterans benefits will be cut in the next few months. In 2009, more than two thousand veterans received about five million dollars in services. The Morgan County Veterans services officer said that non-low income and non-disabled veterans will have their services cut. But, the new VA hospital in Denver is due to open in 2014, and that will bring a telemedicine program to all veterans. That means veterans will be able to see their doctors and vice versa, via video.
Merino Schools Make Cuts to Save Money
The Buffalo RE-4J School District announced this week that it will cut the budget by cutting some staff. Superintendent Robert Sanders said two cooks will become part time, a full time cook's position will go away all together, as will an elementary para professional and an instructional coach and a part of English teaching position. The Colorado Association of School Executives or CASE conference and moving some insurance money to save money.
Coffman uses fundraising mess to enlist donations
Colorado's redistricting impasse is giving Republican Rep. Mike Coffman ammunition to ask for campaign donations.
In an e-mail to supporters Thursday, the suburban Denver Republican accuses Democrats of "dirty political games" to make it harder for Coffman to win a third term next year.
Coffman represents the 6th District in Denver's southern suburbs, which was Colorado's fastest-growing district over the last decade. The seat is now considered very safe for Republicans, but Democrats in the Legislature have proposed new boundaries that would make the district more competitive. Coffman told supporters that the Democrats' map would "take the voice away from everybody but urban, metro area Democrats."
A bipartisan redistricting panel missed a self-imposed Thursday deadline to agree to new maps and will try again next week.
In an e-mail to supporters Thursday, the suburban Denver Republican accuses Democrats of "dirty political games" to make it harder for Coffman to win a third term next year.
Coffman represents the 6th District in Denver's southern suburbs, which was Colorado's fastest-growing district over the last decade. The seat is now considered very safe for Republicans, but Democrats in the Legislature have proposed new boundaries that would make the district more competitive. Coffman told supporters that the Democrats' map would "take the voice away from everybody but urban, metro area Democrats."
A bipartisan redistricting panel missed a self-imposed Thursday deadline to agree to new maps and will try again next week.
Deal to add $90M to CO schools advances in House
A bipartisan deal to add another $90 million in funding for Colorado schools is advancing at the state Capitol.
The proposal was approved on an initial voice vote in the House on Thursday. Lawmakers say they can spend the extra money because preliminary revenue forecasts are higher than expected.
The proposal would give school districts $22.5 million. Another $67.5 million would be disbursed to the neediest schools in the fall based on school enrollment and other factors.
However, the second part of the deal is dependent on the revenue forecast due out in June.
Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper initially proposed a $332 million cut to education funding next year but lawmakers reduced that to $250 million. This deal would further reduce that cut.
The deal still faces a final House vote.
The proposal was approved on an initial voice vote in the House on Thursday. Lawmakers say they can spend the extra money because preliminary revenue forecasts are higher than expected.
The proposal would give school districts $22.5 million. Another $67.5 million would be disbursed to the neediest schools in the fall based on school enrollment and other factors.
However, the second part of the deal is dependent on the revenue forecast due out in June.
Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper initially proposed a $332 million cut to education funding next year but lawmakers reduced that to $250 million. This deal would further reduce that cut.
The deal still faces a final House vote.
Child awarded $350,000 by jury for mother's death
An 8-year-old boy who sued the driver in the car crash that killed his mother has been awarded $350,000 by a Douglas County jury.
The Denver Post has reported that Dominick Wilmer, the driver, was convicted of two counts of vehicular homicide and was sentenced to 12 years in prison last year. Authorities say Wilmer was drunk and high on pot and was driving 110 mph.
Damon Marquand's mother, Grace Cruthers, and another passenger were killed in the 2009 crash.
The jury Thursday assigned 15 percent of the blame to Cruthers and 85 percent to Wilmer. Marquand's lawyer said this means his client will receive about 85 percent of the reward.
Marquand's grandfather sued Wilmer and the car's owner on the child's behalf. The jury decided the owner wasn't responsible.
The Denver Post has reported that Dominick Wilmer, the driver, was convicted of two counts of vehicular homicide and was sentenced to 12 years in prison last year. Authorities say Wilmer was drunk and high on pot and was driving 110 mph.
Damon Marquand's mother, Grace Cruthers, and another passenger were killed in the 2009 crash.
The jury Thursday assigned 15 percent of the blame to Cruthers and 85 percent to Wilmer. Marquand's lawyer said this means his client will receive about 85 percent of the reward.
Marquand's grandfather sued Wilmer and the car's owner on the child's behalf. The jury decided the owner wasn't responsible.
Hoarded AZ Animals Expected in Colorado
About 80 animals were expected to arrive in Denver last night after being confiscated from an Arizona animal hoarder. The dogs and cats were among 239 animals found in deplorable conditions on the Eastern Arizona property of Mary Port. The 86-year-old used to run the Colorado Animal Refuge in Elbert County. The animals arriving in Denver will be sent to various local animal adoption agencies.
Man Pleads Guilt In Diaper Case
A Firestone man faces three years in prison after pleading guilty to sex crimes in court yesterday. Jesse Hodgson admitted to forcing his eleven-year-old daughter to wear an adult diaper and then forcing her to change his diaper after he urinated in it. He is also charged with similar acts with two other victims, including a family babysitter. Hodgson pleaded guilty to felony attempted sexual assault and two misdemeanors.
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