WEEK OF JUNE 19, 2025
VOLUME 105 | ISSUE 17
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Event puts spotlight on county achievements Arapahoe commissioners share their vision for future BY ISABEL GUZMAN IGUZMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Schools would share the time 50/50 for the (school resource officer).” Mark Edson, director of safety and security for the school district, gave a presentation in the June 3 meeting explaining the pros and cons of hiring a new part-time SRO. He said pros include enhanced safety, positive relationships, conflict resolution, and preventions and resources for staff and students. The cons include potential criminalization of minor offenses, public perception and impact on school climate, the cost and source allocation.
Investing in Arapahoe County. This was the theme for this year’s Arapahoe County State of the County address, during which the county commissioners reflected on achievements from the past year and offered a vision forward for the county. “When we asked residents what they wanted most from their local government, the message was clear — invest in the essential programs and services that make our community thrive,” said Leslie Summey, District 4 county commissioner. More than 300 people attended the address at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds Event Center in Aurora on June 10. Commissioner Rhonda Fields of District 5 said the county has spent the past year working to make neighborhoods safe and strengthening infrastructure and services through the passage of 1A — the county’s ballot initiative to avoid spending limits imposed by the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR) — to invest in the community. “We were blown away by the response. More than 70% of voters said yes and with that vote, our community chose to invest in some of the most important things in our community,” said Jessica Campbell, District 2 county commissioner. “The real work started this year and it couldn’t be happening at a more crucial time.” This year’s address was notably different than last year’s, when the county discussed a steep budget shortfall as the American Rescue Plan Act funds from the COVID-19 pandemic were running out. During the 2024 address, the commissioners said that the county was considering cutting services, raising taxes or voting to repeal spending caps that were implemented by TABOR.
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A volunteer at Convergint Social Responsibility Day on June 6 mounts a new 360 degree camera mount.
COURTESY OF TYLLER BARNER
Colorado’s Finest gets new security equipment Englewood Schools also plans to add police officer BY ELISABETH SLAY ESLAY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Earlier this month, Englewood Schools received many upgrades to its security systems and measures, including donated equipment and a future new school resources officer. Superintendent Joanna Polzin said all the improvements are meant to keep students safe and focus on prevention, as well as reaction. “The improvements will help us continue to provide a safe learning environment for our students and a safe teaching
environment for our staff,” Polzin said. “The improvements focus on prevention — preventing an incident is just as important as how we react to an incident.” During the Englewood Board of Education’s June 3 meeting, the board discussed hiring an additional school resources officer to maintain Colorado’s Finest High School of Choice and nearby elementary schools. “Englewood Schools and All Souls Catholic School would have a cost sharing measure in place at 49%, splitting it evenly at 24.5% each, with the City of Englewood paying the other 51%,” Polzin said. “Then, All Souls and Englewood
VOICES: 8 | LIFE: 16 | PUZZLE: 19
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