American Academy and DC School District to Present Opposing Views

Tonight, CPN City Council will hold a public hearing on the rezoning application for the proposed Lagae Development in Castle Pines North. A dispute has arisen between the Douglas County School District and the proponents of the American Academy charter school who hope to build on the site. The District and the Lagae developer, who is donating land to American Academy, disagree over how much money and land the developer will "dedicate" to the school district for the impact of the new homes he is proposing.

On August 22, Douglas County Schools Chief Operating Officer, Steven Herzog sent a letter to Mayor Maureen Shul of CPN objecting to the City's staff report recommending approval of the rezoning application for the Lagae development. The application provided in part for the developer to dedicate land for the construction of the American Academy charter school. The text of Herzog's letter can be read here:
http://www.americanacademyk8.org/aastaffhome/BOD/downloads/LettertoCPNMayor8-22-08.pdf

In addition, the School District distributed it's position through a memo to parents of Buffalo Ridge and Timber Trail elementary schools. The memo can be found here:
http://www.americanacademyk8.org/aastaffhome/BOD/downloads/LettertoCPNFamilies8-26-08.pdf

Representatives of the American Academy refute what they feel are inaccuracies in the District's communications to the public. They prepared a point by point response to the District's concerns which can be reviewed here:
http://www.americanacademyk8.org/aastaffhome/BOD/downloads/LettertoCPNFamilies8-26-08AAResponse.pdf

The District's stated concerns focus on the issue of overcrowding in the public schools. For me, the District's attempt to link the approval of the Lagae rezoning and the American Academy School to overcrowding in the District's existing facilities is unpersuasive. The DCSD Board has decided to place a $395 million bond and $17 million override measure on the November 4, 2008 ballot. The Board is asking Douglas County voters to approve a fixed 4 mil tax increase to provide much needed funding. Successful passage of this bond issue will help alleviate overcrowding in the public schools, not lobbying our representatives to deny private development.

For the reader who is interested in additional information, the City of Castle Pines North will be holding a hearing on the issue at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 27 at the Castle Pines North Community Center.