Giles at the helm

The Newly Appointed Superintendent For Aurora Public Schools Explains How He Got Here And Offers A Look At Navigating The Future

BY CARINA JULIG, Sentinel Colorado Staff Writer

lidified his second one.

Michael Giles’ first career choice so-

After college, he started working as a counselor in juvenile corrections facilities. He was drawn to helping underserved and at-risk kids, but he felt frustrated that he was only reaching them after their lives had been so dramatically derailed. He decided to move into public education, where he felt like he could help prevent student problems instead of work later to resolve them.

Decades later, Giles has now been named as superintendent of Aurora Public Schools, a place where he will have ample opportunity to serve students who need support. Nearly 75% of the district’s 38,000 students qualify for free and reduced lunch, a marker of poverty, and over 40% speak English as a second language. Meeting the needs of such a diverse student body was identified as one of the district’s top priorities when searching for a new leader.

“I believe education is the equalizer; it’s the key to success,” Giles said in an interview with the Sentinel about what drew him to the field.

Giles was tabbed the school district’s sole superintendent candidate finalist April 27 by a unanimous board vote.

Giles has spent his entire educational career in the neighboring Cherry Creek School District, starting at the school level in 2002 and joining the district cabinet in 2018. He said he plans to draw on many of the things he’s learned over his time in the district, but he won’t be attempting to make the two districts try to look the same.

“I don’t want anyone to think I’m trying to make APS Cherry Creek,” he said.

But there are some ways he’d like the district to more resemble its neighbor. During candidate interviews with the board in April, Giles said he wants APS to be the “destination district” for families in Aurora, a position he acknowledged that Cherry Creek currently serves for the region.

“Right now we have a lot of people who are moving to Aurora but when they move to Aurora they’re choosing to come to Cherry Creek as opposed to APS,” Giles said. “I don’t want that to be the case.”

He believes that strengthening the district’s partnerships with the many organizations and companies in the city — CU Anschutz, Buckley Space Force Base, DIA, Amazon, etc. — to give students more opportunities to explore different career paths is one way that APS could stand out. He also spoke about the importance of highlighting the good work already going on in the district, something APS has attempted to be more intentional about in recent years.

Giles also said there are more opportunities for the two districts to work collaboratively, something he said he and Cherry Creek Superintendent Chris Smith have spoken about at length. He highlighted CCSD’s summer leadership academy, a program created last summer to help address youth violence, as something that could potentially be expanded to APS.

“We’re serving the same community, so it would behoove us to partner more collaboratively,” he said.

Giles was up front about the challenges facing APS, including lagging academic performance that took a hit during the pandemic. He was hesitant to go into detail about his plans to improve academics, saying his first responsibility when coming on board will be to understand the work that’s currently being done and how curriculum is being taught at the classroom level.

“Once I understand what is going on, then I’m equipped to make some decisions,” he said.

Giles has talked repeatedly about the importance of recruiting and retaining teachers and staff, noting that if teachers feel supported and valued, they will become the district’s best recruiters.

Something that came up in CCSD’s ongoing work to diversify its staff was finding out that many teachers of color didn’t see a pathway to grow in their roles, he said. Mapping out different ways that educators can grow, either as a teacher or progressing into administration, is something he said is critical.

Along with academics, Giles said that his first priorities will include creating opportunities for the community to get to know him and looking into the district’s safety measures, a significant topic of community concern during the selection process, which took place shortly after several shootings outside a Denver high school that sparked renewed concern about youth violence across the metro area.

Giles said he intends to convene a safety task force, something he was involved in the creation of in Cherry Creek several years ago. The task force will invite administrative and building-level employees, teachers, students, parents and community members including police and mental health providers to including police and mental health providers to share their perspectives on what is needed. He said CCSD’s task force gave the district valuable insight, and helped it create better parameters for the role of school resource officers.

“What was happening was that in some buildings we were having SROs involved in discipline where it really should have been an administrators’ job,” he said.

Over the past several years, APS has navigated how to manage its finances as the district’s enrollment is decreasing. That has included the implementation of Blueprint APS, a facilities plan that has included closing and repurposing a number of schools over community objections.

Giles said he is familiar with the plan and would like to assess it when he takes office to determine whether it’s still working as intended. Unlike other metro districts, Cherry Creek has so far not had to face the possibility of closing schools, but it’s an issue Giles said he’s prepared to address.

“As superintendent you have to make decisions that are in the best interest of students that we serve and are fiscally responsible,” he said, acknowledging that closing schools is always incredibly difficult for communities.

Overall, he said the district community needs to make sure that it understands what its priorities are and is budgeting responsibly in alignment. There are several opportunities he’d like to pursue to increase funding, including continuing to lobby at the state level for more overall education funding, exploring potential grants and expanding partnerships at the city level.

During the candidate interview in April, Giles asked board members how he could help restore trust in leadership as superintendent. A survey conducted by the superintendent search firm found that a lack of trust with district leadership and issues with board dysfunction were two of the district’s biggest challenges identified by community members.

Giles said he appreciated that the board acknowledged the findings and hopes that they can have a good working relationship centered on their shared goal to help students.

“The focus on students’ welfare was pretty clear to me, that all of them believe their purpose is to provide opportunities for students,” he said. “I think that can be our grounding place.”

Negotiations for Giles’ contract are ongoing, after which the board will take a vote. His first day as superintendent is slated for July 1.

Metro

Police And Fire

6 hurt, 2 critically, after AC unit falls into pool at Gaylord Rockies

Large parts of a heating and cooling system fell from the ceiling into a swimming pool at the Gaylord Rockies May 6 injuring six people, two critically, according to Aurora fire and rescue personnel.

“We have provided medical care for six total patients,” fire officials said in a tweet. ”Two of these patients were transported to local hospitals with life-threatening injuries.”

All of those injured were taken to nearby hospitals.

“Our hearts go out to all those who were injured today, to their families and to those traumatized by witnessing what occurred,” Mayor Mike Coffman said in a statement. “We expect a thorough investigation, and our immediate focus is the well-being of those involved, and we thank our first responders for their quick response and care.”

Eight Aurora firefighters were at the hotel for a training exercise when the incident occurred just before 10 a.m.

“This allowed a quick response of highly trained paramedics and EMTs who went right away to the pool to assist patients,” city spokesperson Ryan Luby said in a statement.

Witnesses said the pool was crowded at the time, with as many as 100 people in the pool and the area.

Rescuers had to not only respond to injured people but ensure they weren’t also injured by falling debris, officials said.

“I would like to share that the men and women of this agency train for this type of incident every day,” said Aurora Fire Chief Alec Oughton. “I am proud of their rapid and effective response in caring for our community.”

Firefighters extinguish two-alarm office building fire in southwest Aurora

Firefighters extinguished a twoalarm fire May 4 reported on the second story of a three-story office building in the 2600 block of South Parker Road.

“A fire has been reported in the building and the incident Commander has requested a second alarm response,” Aurora Fire and Rescue officials said in a tweet at about 4:30 p.m. “Please avoid the area of Parker Rd and Yale as we have units incoming to the area.”

Firefighters said the fire was extinguished by about 5 p.m. and there were no reported injuries.

“While the fire is now under control, much of the building is still filled with smoke,” fire officials said in a tweet. “Firefighters continue to search for people and pets throughout the building.”

Smoke affected much of the building, officials said.

“Two office units involved in the fire and other offices are impacted by water and smoke damage,” according to firefighter officials.

“Firefighters stopped the fire and an entire wing of the building remains unaffected.”

— Sentinel Staff

Aurora police investigating fatal minimotorcycle crash

An unidentified man died May 4 after crashing his pocket-bike motorcycle into a car at the intersection of Del Mar Parkway and Havana Street, according to Aurora police.

Officers responded at about 11 p.m. to a report of a vehicle crash in the Del Mar Parkway neighborhood. Investigators determined the pocket-bike motorcycle — about a quarter of the size of a regular motorcycle — was traveling south when it collided with a Subaru Forester that was headed north on Havana and making a left turn, a news release said.

Police spokesman Joe Moylan later said the Subaru is believed to have had the right of way and was turning during a green arrow. The man who was riding the mini-motorcycle was taken to a local hospital and died from his injuries. The female driver of the Subaru remained at the scene of the crash and was said to be cooperating with police.

So-called pocket-bikes and other mini-bikes are not legal on Colorado roadways, according to state officials.

The identity of the man will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office, the news release said. Police reported that the fatal crash was the city’s 19th traffic-related death this year.

— MAX LEVY, Sentinel Staff Writer

Around Aurora

Aurora lawmakers consider charging impact fees on new commercial construction

Commercial and industrial development may soon come with a higher price tag in Aurora as lawmakers consider charging so-called impact fees that would help pay for expanded roads across the city.

Right now, builders pay several thousands dollars in impact fees on every newly-built single-family home and unit of new multifamily housing, while non-residential properties are exempt.

Mayor Mike Coffman and city staffers April 29 described impact fees as an approach to making development “pay its own way,” forcing builders to help with the up-front costs of new roads, parks, fire stations and other infrastructure and services needed as more people live and do business in Aurora.

According to Deputy City Manager Laura Perry, since the fees were introduced in 2008, the city has not charged impact fees on non-residential property.

But consultant Brian Duffany on Saturday told the City Council that the fees are commonly charged on commercial developments in other cities and said the impact on the pace of development would most likely be insignificant.

“I think the city is very wellpoised to continue capturing a very large share of the non-residential market, especially in warehousing and distribution,” Duffany said at the Saturday workshop.

“Development impact fees are very common in a fast-growing environment like this, and so it’s not

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Arapahoe County

Wool Spinning

17 Mile House Open House

Drop by 17 Mile House Farm Park and discover how animal wool is spun into the sweaters we wear. Featured activity: try wool carding by hand and dye your own sheep’s wool!

17 Mile House Open House

Saturday, May 13, 2023 | 9 a.m.–12 p.m. 8181 S. Parker Rd, Centennial, CO 80016

We will also offer small-group tours of the historic 17 Mile House and barn. This is a FREE event, but registration is required.

Registration: www.arapahoegov.com/17milehouse

Telephone Town Hall

Thursday, May 18 @ 6:30 p.m. | Call-in number 1-855-436-3656

Visit arapahoegov.com/townhall

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Upcoming Shred-a-thon benefits like when national developers come to build in Aurora, they’re going to say, ‘Oh my God, watch out for the impact fees.’”

Duffany and Perry shared the results of a study completed by Duffany’s firm, Economic & Planning Systems, which evaluated the impacts of different types of development and how much the city could reasonably assess in fees.

A proposal by Coffman would require developers of non-residential properties to pay transportation impact fees on new construction.

“We’ve always had the philosophy that growth ought to pay its own way,” the mayor said. “I think it’s something that we ought to take a look at.”

Based on the EPS study, the city could charge up to $12.70 per square foot for new retail development, $7.40 per square foot for offices, $3.80 for industrial space, $1.10 for warehouse space, $0.80 for mini-warehouse space and $4,400 per room for hotels.

Under Coffman’s plan, the city would phase in the transportation fees over three years starting Jan. 1, 2024. The proposal would also abolish the “zone” system that currently requires impact fee revenue to be spent in the same general area they were collected, which Perry said keeps the city from investing impact fees in larger projects. The dollar value of fees would also be pegged to inflation.

Council members didn’t oppose the change, agreeing that development creates a demand for city services that developers should help offset.

“I understand that implementing something like this will make development more expensive, but development also brings with it these costs,” Councilmember Curtis Gardner said. “We can live in this fairy world, where we say we’re not going to charge development fees because it keeps the cost of development lower, but we are still creating more needs for our city.”

While Coffman’s plan did not include an adjustment of transportation impact fees for residential development, the study proposed a maximum fee of $5,900 for single-family homes and $4,600 for multifamily housing units. Currently, developers pay $749 per home and $528 per multifamily unit.

Councilmembers Alison Coombs and Juan Marcano both said they would be interested in seeing the residential fees adjusted in a way that encouraged density.

“We don’t want to increase the cost of housing, but we also have to recognize that more costs can come with that,” Marcano said.

Perry said staffers may return later in the year with recommendations for implementation of the non-residential fee.

— MAX LEVY, Sentinel Staff Writer

BARD NONE: Adams County searching for county’s first poet laureate

Scribes, take note: in partnership with Anythink Libraries, Adams County is searching for its inaugural poet laureate.

The county is seeking an experienced poet, performer and artist for a two-year residency, according to a news release from Adams County. An application form is open through May 14, and the position is open to any Colorado resident “with a connection to Adams County,” according to the release.

During the residency, which comes with a $40,000 stipend, the poet laureate will be responsible for creating a public programming series, creating original and commissioned works and hosting public readings.

One of the goals of the residency will be “to document the works by the Poet Laureate and by the people of Adams County into a bound collection,” according to the submission form.

The poet laureate will give readings at public county functions such as ribbon cuttings, Adams County Pride and the Anythink backyard concert series. The public programming series will be a partnership with Anything Libraries, which has seven locations in cities throughout Adams County.

Originally a national and state function, more cities across the country are adopting poet laureates. Aurora started its own poet laureate program in 2013 and selected its third laureate, Ahja Fox, last summer.

“This program represents an incredible opportunity to connect with our communities in a deep, impactful way, and to advance the literary arts,” Adams County Commissioner Steve O’Dorisio said in the release. “The selected artist will represent and elevate the voices of the residents of Adams County, and we are humbled to play a role in making it happen.”

Applicants must have an established body of work and experience leading workshops on the arts, according to the submission form. Finalists will be invited to present a detailed project proposal, with a selection being made in mid June.

— CARINA JULIG, Sentinel Staff Writer

BEYOND AURORA

DOBBS EFFECT: As demand for abortions in Colorado goes up, so do wait times for in-person care

Nearly one year after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the number of people traveling to states where abortion is still legal has surged. In Colorado, the volume of out-of-state patients more than doubled between 2021 and 2022.

Because of the increase in need for services, everyone is having to wait longer for in-person care—including Colorado residents.

Mar Galvez, an Aurora non-binary 23-year-old who works for the Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights (COLOR), could relate.

“I actually found out I was pregnant on the day that Dobbs was announced and Roe was overturned,” said Galvez, then a student living in Boulder. “I realized I was eight weeks pregnant at the time. It felt surreal…It didn’t feel like it was something that I was holding evidence of in my hands.”

When Galvez found out they were pregnant, they knew they wanted an abortion—and they knew who to call.

But they were unable to get an appointment within a few weeks at any of the nearby clinics. Instead, they found an online organization that connected them with a provider over telehealth who could prescribe them mail-order abortion pills.

“It is painful and it is scary, but it doesn’t mean that it wasn’t precisely the decision that I wanted for myself,” Galvez said of their abortion. “The only thing I felt afterwards and during it was a relief that I had access to that care.”

Clinics across the state are experiencing increased demand. Following the Dobbs decision last

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