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The Douglas County Educational Foundation awarded nearly $60,000 to schools in January and an additional $53,000 in July. The foundation raised $30,000 at its annual silent auction and $45,000 at its golf tournament.
Pat Grippe, who was the assistant superintendent of learning services for the district, retired at the end of the 1999-2000 school year, and Patsy Gleason, who worked at the Academy School District in Colorado Springs, was named to fill the position.
The board of education rejected charter renewal for Colorado Visionary Academy because the school had a $219,000 deficit, problems finding a site to conduct classes and some other concerns. The charter school appealed to the state board of education, was given a month reprieve, received another renewal rejection, appealed again and finally was told to close the school and place its students in other facilities.
At the same time, DCS Montessori Charter School opened in Castle Pines, combining classes from two locations into one facility.
Several new schools in the district were named in 2000. Elementary School No. 30 in The Meadows in Castle Rock was named Meadow View; Elementary School No. 31 in Highlands Ranch was named Arrowwood; High School No. 6 in Highlands Ranch was named Mountain Vista.
The University Center at Chaparral in Parker also opened in 2000. The school provides higher education classes for local residents.
Cresthill Middle School in Highlands Ranch was named a national "Blue Ribbon School."
The class of 2000 from the three high schools and two alternative high schools numbered 1,500.
The district's long-range planning committee determined that 10 new schools would be needed in the next 10 years because of an estimated enrollment of 45,290 by 2005.
Terra Nova testing was suspended for two years so schools could place more emphasis on state tests. Douglas County students scored well on the Colorado Student Assessment Program tests, with 73 percent scoring at or above proficient in math and science, compared with 47 percent statewide. Scores improved in reading and held steady in writing for fourth- and seventh-grade students.
Eighth-graders scored higher than the state averages in math - 51 percent compared with 33 percent - and science - 65 percent compared with 45 percent - on the CSAP.
Douglas County expects to receive nearly $1 million in grants from the state for its reading programs.
Area residents might have seen a giant helicopter flying over several schools in 2000. It was there to install six air conditioners on local elementary schools.
The Douglas County Federation of Teachers approved a new contract for its 2,500 teachers with an average raise of 6.3 percent and performance pay provisions. The 485 new Douglas County teachers were given orientation classes, and 35 retiring teachers and support staff were honored at a reception.
In sports, girls lacrosse began at Douglas County's high schools in the spring of 2000. After a three-year trial, lacrosse was approved as an official sport for all high schools in December.
A new athletic stadium opened in Highlands Ranch and was named Shea Stadium. The stadium is home to the high schools in Highlands Ranch.
The Highlands Ranch Falcons girls basketball team won the Class 5A state championship in 2000, and the ThunderRidge girls soccer team captured the Class 4A state championship.
