NORTH FORK TIMES
SURFACE CREEK NEWS
OPTIONS FOR KIDS
SPORTS
WATER WATCH
Waldorf-inspired school begins year with a new principal, B1
DIAMOND PLAY
Orchard City, Cedaredge keep a close eye on reserves, C1
Cedaredge softball team opens season under new coach, C6
DELTA COUNTY
AUGUST 22, 2018 VOL. 135, NO. 34
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INDEPENDENT
www.deltacountyindependent.com
50J focuses on student growth BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
The results of statewide assessments for English language arts, mathematics and science were released by the Colorado Department of Education last week, along with academic growth summary information. “We really focus on the growth aspect,” said assistant superintendent Kurt Clay. “It’s important to be growing our kids at or faster than the state average of 50 percent.” Districtwide, English language art results lagged a bit at 49 percent, but strong growth was observed in math, a focus of the school district over the past several years. “This is the third year in the Go Math!” Clay said, “so teachers are feeling more comfortable with the curriculum. We just need to make sure we’re differentiating and meeting every student’s needs.” Overall, math was up 53 percent, with extremely good growth in the seventh and eighth grades. Science is clearly an area of
concern, Clay said, and a subject that’s the focus of a needs assessment in preparation for purchasing new curriculum districtwide. Approximately 550,000 students were assessed last spring from third through 11th grade. Third- through eighth-graders took Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) assessments in English language arts and math. Fifth-, eighth- and 11th-graders took CMAS science assessments. Ninth- and 10th-graders took the PSAT, and 11th-graders took the SAT as the state’s college entrance exam and Colorado’s measure of achievement in high school. “SAT growth is not where we want it to be, but it’s better than it’s been,” Clay said. He’s especially excited about strong growth in the PSATs administered to the district’s ninth and 10th graders. Results for all 178 school districts and approximately 1,800 schools can be found on CDE’s Colorado Measures of Academic Success webpage.
STATE/DISTRICT CMAS RESULTS % Meeting or Exceeding State Standards
LANGUAGE ARTS Grade 3 , , , , , , , , Grade 4 , , , , , , , , Grade 5 , , , , , , , , Grade 6 , , , , , , , , Grade 7 , , , , , , , , Grade 8 , , , , , , , , MATHEMATICS Grade 3 , , , , , , Grade 4 , , , , , , Grade 5 , , , , , , Grade 6 , , , , , , Grade 7 , , , , , , Grade 8 , , , , , ,
STATE
, , , , , , , , , , , , 40.4 , , , , , , , , , , , , 46.1 , , , , , , , , , , , , 47.4 , , , , , , , , , , , , 42.8 , , , , , , , , , , , , 46.6 , , , , , , , , , , , , 43.8
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , 39.1 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 33.9 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 30.4 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 30.4 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 28.8 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 28.2
DISTRICT 42* 44 56 47 47 42 37 21 29 28 25 35
*These numbers, as provided by the school district, have been rounded off.
Back to school
Jordan Olivas and his parents, Danelle and Johnny, check in with Jordan’s first grade teacher, Katie Stewart, during Lincoln Elementary’s back-to-school night. With the “perfect” number of 22 students in her class, Stewart said she’s excited to seeing the start of a great school year.
12-year sentence handed down for drunk driving death BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
The heartbreak that can result when someone makes the decision to drive while under the influence of alcohol and marijuna was palpable in Delta District Court Monday afternoon, as a Massachusetts man was sentenced for the death of Gladys “Josie” Varela in February 2017. Josie was just three days shy of her 20th birthday when she was killed in a head-on collision with James Catlin, who is now 33 years of age.
50J explores bond, mill levy override question for 2019 BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
Delta County School District #50 is exploring the possibility of a 2019 ballot question that would generate revenue through a bond or a mill levy override. Whether the school district borrows money through a bond, or collects more property tax through a mill levy override, it would likely use the additional revenues for two primary purposes — transportation and school security. At the Aug. 16 school board meeting, superintendent Caryn Gibson discussed proposals from three companies that would help the school district with election planning. The firms would con-
INDEX
Accent ........................... A4 Activities ....................... A7 Agriculture ................... B6 Back Page ................... D6 Business ........................ A8 Church ........................... D4 Classifieds .................. D1-2 Editorial ......................... A2 Legals ............................ D3 North Fork Times ........B1-4 Obituaries ......................B5 School Zone .................. A5 Service Directory ........ D5 Sports .............................C6 Surface Creek News ...C1-5 TV Listings ..................C3-4
duct a needs assessment and solicit feedback from local citizens that would help the school district determine how much — and for what purposes — voters would be willing to tax themselves. Gibson said the information will help school board members make an informed decision about whether to move forward with a ballot question. At Gibson’s recommendation, the school board chose the firm of George K. Baum & Company and authorized Gibson and business manager Jim Ventrello to negotiate the cost and extent of the firm’s expertise. Currently, Baum’s proposal of $35,000 exceeds the $20,000 budgeted for those outside services.
Photo by Pat Sunderland
The school district has been trying to bring the aging bus fleet up to date by purchasing several route and activity buses every year. On Aug. 16, the school board approved the purchase of two gas-powered route buses and heard a report from Joyce Conger. She said the district’s bus drivers covered 550,781 total miles during the 2017-18 school year, with no major accidents. About 185,000 miles were for activities. John McHugh, facilities supervisor, displayed photos of the many projects completed districtwide during the summer months. At Delta Middle School, district and Kissner GC crews met his goal of getSCHOOL DISTRICT TO A3
The accident occurred in North Delta on Feb. 6, 2017. Catlin pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide in the death of Josie and vehicular assault for causing injuries to Josie’s father Victor, who was a passenger in her vehicle. Sentencing took place Aug. 20. At the time of the accident, Josie was coming home from classes at CMU, where she was studying music performance. She began playing the violin shortly before her sixth birthday. Her mother Michelle testified that she had the serious dedication required to perfect her skills. Though Victor worked as a ranch hand and money was scarce, violin lessons for Josie were always a priority. Michelle described Josie as a “radiant beam of light” who was always willing to lend a helping hand. She told the judge she wished she could feel hate for James Catlin, but said the incredible sense
Josie Varela
of loss overrides every other feeling she could have. She urged the judge to sentence Catlin to the maximum of 12 years as outlined in the plea agreement. Victor Varela said the death of his daughter was no “accident,” because Catlin made the decision to drive while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. He tearfully described the devastating impact Josie’s death has had on their close-knit family, omitting details about his own serious injuries. Since the accident, Varela has been unable to return to work full-time due to his physical and emotional damages. Janey Sorensen, one of his employers, told Judge Steven Schultz that the pain expressed in the courtroom is not exaggerated. “I have watched this family suffer incredibly,” she said. “Where once there was joy and happiness, there is quiet and sadness. There is so much depression and sadness surrounding Victor and his family.” Defense attorney Gordon Gallagher presented video from Catlin’s AA sponsor and a priest at the monastery where he has been volunteering. He said Catlin is “completely consumed by guilt” and has committed himself to restitution. His girlfriend, an uncle and his father also spoke. Like the members of Josie’s family, they shed tears as they spoke about the tragic aftermath of SENTENCING TO A3
Veterans resource fair
Fire restrictions are back
Veterans who need employment resources, or who are interested in being a ventrepreneur, are invited to a Veterans Employment Opportunity Resource Fair Saturday, Aug. 25, at the Technical College of the Rockies. The entire family is invited to this free networking event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Small business, start-up funding information and resources will be available. This event is sponsored by the Elks Veterans Back to Work Program, western Colorado Elks lodges, Technical College of the Rockies, workforce centers and veterans groups. For more information, call 303-374-4107.
Uncompahgre Plateau and Grand Mesa have transitioned back to Stage 1 fire restrictions. Fire managers base decisions about fire restrictions on specific fuel moisture measurements in vegetation and other risk factors such as predicted weather and amount of current fire activity. The present state of the Bull Draw Fire indicates that current conditions on the plateau represent a high level of fire danger. As of Aug. 21, the Bull Draw Fire covered 30,180 acres northwest of Nucla. The Rocky Mountain Incident Management Type 2 Team Black has assumed management of the fire from Minnesota Incident Management Type 2 Blue Team. A total of 308 personnel are on the scene. On Sunday morning, four firefighters driving to the fireline were involved in a one-vehicle accident. Three firefighters were taken to Delta County Memorial Hospital by ambulance, and one was later taken by private vehicle. All four crew members were treated and released. For more information on prescribed burns, wildfires and fire restrictions on forest lands call the fire line at 970-874-6602 or visit http://bit.ly/GMUGFireRestrictions.