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Week of February 23, 2023
ELBERT COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
ElbertCountyNews.net
VOLUME 128 | ISSUE 2
School safety director honored Mike Newton is one of seven award finalists from around nation BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
On Jan. 6, Running Creek Elementary School principal Robin Hunt resigned her position effective June 30 after recurring perceived harassment brought on by Booth and Olsen.
Mike Newton, the Elizabeth School District’s director of safety and security, has been named a Campus Safety Director of the Year finalist. He is among a cohort of seven finalists from across the country and is the only finalist from Colorado. Newton is an Elizabeth resident and has been working with the Elizabeth School District since November 2021. Newton has had several notable achievements that led to his selection as a finalist. Newton has applied for and was awarded $730,000 in school safety grants focused on radio interoperability and school hardening. He installed security cameras, signage and door numbers, resulting in $44,000 in district savings. He also coordinated with law enforcement for a thorough Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design site survey assessment. Newton will join his fellow finalists in Las Vegas for the annual Campus Safety Conference West where the winner of the Campus Safety Director of the Year will be named. The conference takes place from July 10-12. In an interview from Feb. 14, Newton reflected on his achievements as director and shared his goals for the future of the Elizabeth School District.
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The Elizabeth Middle School auditorium held a sizable crowd for the Feb. 13 Elizabeth School Board meeting. PHOTO BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON
School meeting airs district tensions Recall, police investigation are ongoing as community members express concerns BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
The Elizabeth School District, a generally conservative district in western Elbert County, is expeINSIDE: CALENDAR: PAGE 11 | VOICES: PAGE 12
riencing extreme turmoil that is radiating through the entire Elizabeth community. Members of the school board are feuding over the perceived threat that critical race theory (CRT) and social emotional learning (SEL) might appear in district classrooms. In their professed aim to keep the district free of CRT and SEL, the actions of school board members Heather Booth and Rhonda Olsen have led to explosive board meet-
ings, a formal breach-of-confidentiality investigation, and resignation of district leadership. Principal’s resignation and public comment
KIDS AND MARIJUANA Children eating edibles is growing issue
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