Voice
Lone Tree 6-20-13
Lone Tree
June 20, 2013
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourlonetreenews.com
Douglas County, Colorado • Volume 12, Issue 23
Health-care experts ready for changes Providers in Lone Tree cite benefits, challenges linked to Obamacare By Jane Reuter
jreuter@ourcoloradonews.com Representatives of Lone Tree’s three major medical providers said they’re committed to reducing costs while improving care, even as their patient load will likely increase under the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. They were members of a panel at the Denver Marriott South who discussed the act during a June 12 public forum sponsored by the Lone Tree Chamber of Commerce. The Affordable Care Act, signed into law by President Obama in 2010, is a massive overhaul of the country’s health-care system. A major component takes effect this
fall when the health insurance exchanges open, allowing people and small business owners to shop for health insurance. Panel member Brenda LaCombe from the Colorado Health Benefit Exchange believes insurance rates will be affordable. “We’re very excited with what we’ve already seen,” she said. “Really, the small business owner will have more options to offer their employees.” The act also aims to reduce costs and streamline health-care delivery, an idea the representatives of Sky Ridge Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente and the University of Colorado Hospital said they support. “Quite frankly, our industry is not something I’m proud of in terms of what it’s consumed,” said Kaiser Permanente vice president Roland Lyon, noting that healthcare expenses account for about 18 percent of the country’s gross domestic product. “Shame on us if we can’t get our costs down. Health continues on Page 6
Roland Lyon, center, a vice president of Kaiser Permanente, speaks at a health-care panel discussion on June 12 in Lone Tree. He was joined by Sky Ridge Chief Medical Officer Dr. David Markenson, left, and University of Colorado Associate Dean Dr. Benjamin Honigman. Photo by Jane Reuter
New ratings for teachers don’t pacify Do-over by district follows high rankings at Trailblazer By Jane Reuter
jreuter@ourcoloradonews.com
Alberto “AJ” Stapleton stands among more than 1,000 donated bicycles inside Project ReCycle’s new location, at 13796 Compark Blvd. in unincorporated Douglas County. A Texas developer donated the 21,000-square-foot space where the charity now houses its repair shop, inventory and resale shop called “The Kick Stand.” Photos by Deborah Grigsby
Used-bike program picks up speed Project ReCycle grows in sprawling new space By Deborah Grigsby
dgrigsby@ourcoloradonews. com As Alberto “AJ” Stapleton walks across the floor of an empty warehouse, his tall, sturdy frame seems to disappear in the vast space. “This is a long ways from the eight storage units we used to have to work out of in Littleton,” said Stapleton. He serves as executive director of Project Recycle, a charity organization founded in 2008 that repairs donated bicycles and puts them in the hands of those less fortunate. Stapleton said the space, donated by the private developer who owns the building, has added momentum and reach to the group’s mission. “We were actually surprised when we pulled all the bikes out of storage and set them up,” he said. “We had no idea how many we had because they were all
Each bike refurbished by Project ReCycle comes with a new protective helmet. Alberto “AJ” Stapleton, executive director of Project ReCyele, says rider safety is important, and used helmets may not meet new federal standards. stuffed into these public storage units, but now, we see how much more we have to give.” The group moved into the space at 13796 Compark Blvd. in unincorporated Douglas County in October. Stapleton said the extra breathing room has fostered the addition of nine new bicycle repair stations, and the
creation of a new resale shop called The Kick Stand. While Project Recycle accepts bike donations of all makes, models and condition, some are not always a good for kids or the average rider, according to Stapleton. Higher-end bikes, such as those with specialized frames
or those that may have a higher resale value, are sold, and the proceeds go back into Project Recycle. But Stapleton said the new space is just the beginning of bigger things to come. “The bikes aren’t always just for kids,” he explained. “We have a lot of bikes for parents as well. Some need them to get to and from work or the bus; others often ride with their kids.” Project Recycle, which has given away more than 3,000 bikes since its inception, is looking at expansions into Castle Rock, Colorado Springs and New Mexico. Among Project ReCycle’s biggest needs right now is a pickup truck to pull a small covered trailer. “We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us before that happens,” Stapleton said. “But it’s worth it, when you see that smile on a kid’s face. That’s what makes it all worthwhile.” For more information, visit Project ReCycle online at www. projectrecycle.org.
Trailblazer Elementary School teacher Cheryl Murphy recently learned her original “highly effective” instructional rating dropped a notch to “effective,” taking with it part of her anticipated raise and more of her faith in the Douglas County School District. “The change isn’t what really bothers me,” Murphy said. “The whole evaluation process is flawed. It’s up to interpretation. It’s one more thing that shows this district’s not headed in a great direction for the majority of kids. It’s one more reason to go.” Because of the drop in her rating and her relatively high placement on DCSD’s new market-based pay scale, Murphy said she’ll get a 2 percent pay increase instead of the 5 percent she’d anticipated. Murphy and other Trailblazer teachers underwent a second evaluation of their teaching ability after DCSD labeled Principal Linda Schneider’s first assessments — in which she ranked 70 percent of her teachers “highly effective” — a statistical anomaly. Though Murphy chose to share her new ranking, the district isn’t releasing its results. District-wide, about 15 percent of teachers are rated “highly effective,” according to DCSD, and most — 71 percent — are rated “effective.” Schneider, retiring after eight years at Trailblazer, stands by her findings. Murphy stands by her principal. And DCSD stands by its self-designed process. “There are always unforeseen circumstances when implementing any sort of program,” said Christian Cutter, assistant superintendent of elementary education. “We had many, many schools around the district — the vast majority — where it worked very well.” Results continues on Page 8
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