Local News

The Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District might find itself involved in more legal affairs before the end of the year.

At last Wednesday’s meeting, Inter-Canyon’s Board of Directors discussed hiring an outside attorney to look at the entire department’s actions the previous four years.  

“We need somebody not currently associated with any of us to review what has transpired and what actions this board should take moving forward,” said Karl Firor, board treasurer.

Just a week after the school board approved his performance-based pay plan, Jeffco teachers recorded a vote of no confidence in school board President Ken Witt.

According to the teachers union, the vote by 180 representatives of non-administrative educators was unanimous.

"It is evident that educators in this district have had enough of the secrecy, waste, and disrespect of this board majority and its president,” said a statement from John Ford, president of the Jeffco Education Association.

West Metro Fire Rescue is considering shutting down a fire engine in the Ken-Caryl area, along with reducing staff, to cut costs after voters rejected a tax increase in May.

The proposed cuts, including shutting down the fire engine at Station 14 with its three firefighters in Ken-Caryl Ranch near West Chatfield Avenue and South Kipling Street, would amount to $2.1 million in next year’s budget if the cuts are approved by the district's Board of Directors, said Fire Chief Don Lombardi.

The Jeffco school board approved a new teacher compensation plan at last Thursday’s meeting that ties pay raises to performance. 

Under the new plan, “partially effective” teachers who are still in their first three years will receive a 1 percent raise. Teachers rated “effective” will receive a 2.43 percent raise. Teachers rated “highly effective” will receive a 4.25 percent raise.