Niwot Resident Carries On Family Tradition

On June 16, Nancy Jamison McIlvain of Niwot carried the flame for the Athens 2004 Olympics Global Torch Relay in Los Angeles, CA. The flame was making its first global tour, with stops in cities which had hosted previous Summer Olympics.

McIlvain carried the flame 400 meters in LA’s financial district.  This is the same distance her grandfather, Herbert B. Jamison, ran in the first modern Olympics in Athens in 1896.  Her grandfather won a silver medal.

 

  Proponents And Opponents Speak Out On Proposed SVVSD Mill Levy Override 

Editor’s Note:
These are the first of a series of articles covering the St. Vrain Valley School District’s (SVVSD) potential mill levy override request, which may appear on the November ballot. The purpose of these articles is to provide an overview of the issues.

The Courier encourages readers to attend the district’s presentation to the Niwot Community Association on Aug. 2 at the Left Hand Grange on the corner of Franklin Street and Second Avenue in downtown Niwot at 7 p.m. 

 

SVVSD Considers Mill Levy Override  
By Mary Wolbach Lopert 

The St. Vrain Valley School District announced that as of June 30, 2004 (the end of the fiscal year), the district has met all of its major financial goals established in an agreement with Colorado State Treasurer Mike Coffman, including repayment of a $14 million loan from the state.

Another district objective met was restoration of TABOR reserves, which are required by state law. TABOR (Taxpayer Bill of Rights) also prevents the district from increasing property taxes without approval by voters. The district adopted a 2004-2005 balanced budget June 9, which does not include any increases for teachers’ salaries or benefits.

As a result, the district is considering seeking voter approval for an increase in property taxes in November to fund salary increases as well as other items. At the school board’s request, the district staff presented a proposal for an $18 million mill levy override, which the board will consider in late August.

St. Vrain Valley School Board President Sandi Searls of Niwot wants to make it very clear that district staff members

are asking for what they feel the school district needs to stay competitive. In doing so, four categories of needs were identified. At press time identified needs were:

• Recruiting and retaining quality employees: $4,100,000 or 22.8 percent of total.
• Opening new schools and adequately funding operational and maintenance costs: $6,100,000 or 33.9 percent of total.
• Accommodating student instructional needs: $6,800,000 or 37.8 percent of total.
• Establishing an annual surplus to the general fund balance: $1,000,000 or 5.5 percent of total.

The board will review these figures in August and if they need to be revised, they will be revised downward, according to Searls.This proposed override is different from the bond issue that was passed in 2002.  Searls said, “The bond redemption mill levy was for brick and mortar.” It covered new schools, building additions and renovations. Money from the bond issue cannot be used for operating expenditures.The proposed override would raise additional revenue for operating expenses, such as salaries, benefits and professional development as well as new textbooks, expansion of academic and intervention/prevention programs, and increased technology support for teachers and the classroom.

Searls emphasized that the funds raised from the 2002 bond issue could only be used for capital expenditures and could not be used for staffing or other costs of operating new or existing facilities.

If passed as currently presented, the mill increase would be 10,046 mills for a total of 50.420 mills. This would mean that a house in the district with an assessor’s appraisal of $250,000 would see an increased property tax of $16.66 per month. If passed, the override would provide an additional $892 per student per year.

District Funding Per Pupil

As shown in a chart prepared by the district (See Mill Levy Rates and Program Funding For Various Districts 2003-04) the SVVSD has total funding per pupil of $5,818. These funds are derived from a combination of property tax revenues from the district’s assessed valuation, the bond redemption mill levy and state contributions. In comparison with 12 other Colorado school districts of comparable size, SVVSD ranks sixth in funding per pupil.

Searls explained that the ranking changes when mill levy override funds are added to the comparison. SVVSD is one of only three comparable districts which has not passed an override. After factoring in the additional dollars produced from approved mill levy overrides in nine of the other districts, per pupil funding for SVVSD drops to 11th out of 12.

From the per pupil funding figure, some money is automatically deducted to remain compliant with state mandates. For the 2004-05 school year, student funding will be $5943.60 per student. “Off the top of that, next year we will have to deduct $258 for each student for capital reserve and risk management,” Searls stated. “That’s mandated by the state… regardless of your district.” These funds guarantee that districts have insurance and that some monies are set aside for buildings and leases.

Searls continued, “Each district is required to set aside $165 for supplies and materials per student.” Since December 2002 the SVVSD has been unable to meet this state requirement due to the financial crisis.

“Until recently,” Searls said, “we were under a contract with the state treasurer. Part of the contract said that ‘you don’t have to meet this (requirement) because you don’t have the money to do this and you have to pay your other bills.’”

Since the district has paid back the state, it is no longer under that contract. Yet the budget adopted by the board does not include money to cover supplies and materials the state mandates. “We will be in violation of state statute,” Searls said. Unless this situation is resolved, state accreditation may be affected.

Searls continued, “We have already had preliminary state accreditation meetings. What we have been told, and we have requested it in writing, if we demonstrate significant progress towards meeting this goal this year, and we put in a plan to seek revenue to meet that, we will remain accredited by the State of Colorado.”

Part of what is covered under the $165 per pupil funding is the cost of textbooks. It is typical for a district to be on a seven-year cycle to ensure that textbooks are up to date. The SVVSD hasn’t adopted any new textbooks in the past two years, so many of the books will be on a 10-year cycle.

Since 2002, the district cut funding for supplies and materials by 20 percent. “These funds need to be restored not only for the state mandate, but you just need (to have these items),” Searls said.

Building Trust And Staying Competitive

As president of the school board, Searls knows “that trust is an issue.” She said that the board is determined to demonstrate that it is working hard to correctly manage funds. To ensure public security, the override has two elements built in.

First, the override would “sunset” in eight to 10 years. While the exact length of the override is still being worked out, Searls wants the public to know that all monies would be wisely used and the voters will have good results.

Secondly, as with the 2002 bond issue, there would be a community review committee. Members would be picked from all areas of the district and would be charged with making sure that every dollar is spent as stated and that all projects come in on time and under budget.

According to Searls, the district has made great financial strides in solving monetary issues. It is no longer in debt but it is running on a deficit, which will continue under the approved 2004-2005 budget. While the district has been able to pay down the deficit from $13 million to $9 million, it needs to be running on a stronger financial footing. Part of the funds ($1,000,000) derived from the proposed override would go to rebuilding those reserves.

Searls stressed the proposed mill levy override is not a bailout from the financial crisis. In her view, it is a way for the district to stay competitive in staffing and in programs. Like any business, Searls said, the district has to recognize what customers want. And the district has to be able to produce students who will become members of the work force.

For more information go to www.stvrain.k12.co.us. 

 

Some View Proposed SVVSD Mill Levy Override With Skepticism   
By Claire Chase  
       

Darwyn Herbst of Niwot questions the decision by the Board of Education (BOE) to consider requesting an $18 million mill levy override for the St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD). Herbst believes that a tax increase would be unjustified in the present economy.

He contends that if the 2005 budget, as adopted and approved by the superintendent, was adhered to, an override would be unnecessary. “When you look at (the override) as compared to the 2005 budget, I don’t see it being justified,” said Herbst. “Do I disagree with it? You bet I do. The numbers just don’t add up.”

According to the BOE plan, the override funds would be allocated to four different categories: recruit and retain quality employees; student instructional needs; opening new schools and for all facilities, increased operational and maintenance costs; and establishing reserves.

Herbst asserts that as adopted, the 2005 budget includes the following:               

• Salary and benefits increases of 3.8 percent or $3,700,000.
• Education materials increases of 16 percent or $900,000.
• No line item on opening new schools because the funding comes from a bond issue that was approved in 2002 for $212,000,00

No money designated for reserves because the amount required by TABOR was met in 2004.

Herbst disputed each of the four points in the mill levy override proposal:

• First, “Salaries and benefits would receive $4,100,000 more. This brings the total increase for 2005 over 2004 to $7,800,000 or eight percent. The offer the BOE has made to teachers and applied to all employees is $1,900,000. The counteroffer by the teachers and applied to all employees totals $7,500,000. The teachers’ portion of this increase is $5,300,000, an 8.7 percent increase for them as well as to all other employees. This level of increase fits into the mill levy override request but 8.7 percent is much beyond the norm.”
• Second, “Education materials would receive a huge boost of $6,800,000. This addition more than doubles the 2005 budget and is 120 percent above what was expensed in 2004.”
• Next, “The BOE allocates $6,100,000 million to the opening of new schools. This is not the correct place to budget for this (2002 bond issue for $212,000,000).”
• Finally, “Reserves are to receive an additional $1,000,000. Since TABOR requirements are met, this is not required. (The amount required from TABOR was met in 2004.)”

Herbst concluded by saying, “A citizens’ review meeting is needed in order to see realistically whether the teachers are being underpaid. If so, how much money do we need to pay them back? We don’t want the teachers to suffer. They (the BOE) need to make it clear where they will use the money and where does the teacher negotiation stand. I don’t see that they’ve made a good faith effort to resolve this issue.”

Herbst encouraged community participation at a town meeting scheduled for Aug. 2 at 7 p.m. at the Left Hand Grange. Sandi Searls, president of the BOE and member representative for Niwot, will present the terms of the proposed mill levy override.

Complete budget, further analysis and facts pertaining to the St. Vrain Valley School District can be found at www.stvrain.k12co.us. 

 

  

Left Hand Laurel: Virginia Black 
By Jennifer Svendsen Delaney
 

This month, the Courier honors Niwot resident Virginia Black for all of her efforts and all the support she offers to local seniors, especially at Eagle Place. “She weeds, decorates for every holiday, sets up for community coffee and she does it willingly and lovingly. She’s always out there!” said Chris Kanowitz, Care Coordinator/Resource Specialist with the Aging Services Division of Boulder County

Currently, Black resides at Eagle Place. She was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio where she and her sister Rita Mack lived for many years. Another sister, Mary Perry, lived in Niwot, and Black enjoyed visiting her. The two often traveled around the state together.

When Mack passed way, Black decided to move to Colorado to be closer to Perry. Black admits that it was initially a tough adjustment; however, now she finds it difficult to leave this glorious state. She likes Colorado’s weather, scenery, and especially her community. “We’re all just one big happy family!” Black said.

Mary Perry has since passed on, but Black maintains a close relationship with Mary’s son, Don Perry, and his wife, Elaine. “She’s always busy, that’s for sure,” Don said. Their son, Michael, is a senior at Niwot High and their oldest son, Patrick, was just drafted and signed by the Boston Red Sox.

For seven years, Black volunteered sorting clothes at the O.U.R. Center, an outreach program in Longmont, but now she focuses her energy on Eagle Place. She creates a monthly calendar for the residents detailing upcoming events and she is a member of the Senior Advisory Council.

The Niwot council invites a variety of speakers on topics such as Medicare, wellness, reverse mortgages and even planning your own funeral. Black also sets up for the monthly Eagle Place Coffee, which is primarily a social event. She also intends on organizing a senior exercise program.

A couple of cats, Mason and Tippy, keep Black company. She loves animals and enjoys reading mysteries as well as gardening. “From the looks of it, you would think I had been doing this all of my life, but I’m actually a city girl!” Black confessed.

Eagle Place resident Ralph Falce spoke fondly of Black. He credited her with planting most of the flowers along the fence behind Eagle Place. Black also takes pleasure in quilting and makes afghan blankets. Her most recent beauty – a white quilt with blue embroidery on blocks – bedecks her bed.

Falce summed it up very well. “Virginia always has something nice to say about somebody.” And while they all work as a team at Eagle Place, “Virginia is our superintendent! She’s a hard working woman.”

Photo by Jennifer Svendsen Delaney
 Hard-working Virginia Black is the Courier’s Left Hand Laurel for August.

 

 

 

Significant Opposition To RMCC Expansion At NCA Meeting 
By Ron Goodman       

An estimated 120 people turned out to fill the Left Hand Grange Hall for the Niwot Community Association’s (NCA) community meeting held to discuss the proposed massive expansion of the Rocky Mountain Christian Church (RMCC), located on Niwot Road and 95th Street.

“About 18 people spoke at the meeting,” NCA President Neil Andersen said. “The opponents and the proponents were about evenly balanced. Many of those present merely asked questions."

Anderson stated that the NCA “sent a questionnaire to everyone in the Niwot Community Service Area.” Of the 190 responses received as of July 1, 80 percent were against the expansion and only 20 percent in favor of the expansion plans, according to Anderson.  

NCA Board members made an elaborate presentation of the facts, summarized below:

• The issue of the proposed expansion is not the current RMCC facility. The issue facing Niwot is whether an expansion of this magnitude will benefit or harm the Niwot community. It was noted that only a small percentage of church members live in Niwot. The great majority travel to and from church by car from Boulder, Larimer and Weld counties.

• Selected goals of the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan were explained: development should be located within or adjacent to existing urban areas; agricultural land should be preserved; planned activities should be evaluated based on cumulative impacts; there should be no undue burdens on existing communities.

• Special Use Permit allows religious facilities on agricultural land. The granting of this permit is subject to approval of the Boulder County Commissioners after review by the Boulder County Planning Commission and the Land Use staff.

The RMCC presented their expansion plans at the meeting. They also announced a $1,500 Platinum sponsorship donation to the NCA for this year’s Nostalgia Day events.

Based on data provided in the RMCC application to the county, the NCA presented the following information:

• Sunday traffic will increase by 1530 auto trips on Niwot road and 95th Street.  (From 2140 to 3670 trips.)
• Total traffic into and out of Niwot will increase by 229,560 trips every year.
• The attendance at RMCC on a Sunday will exceed the population of Niwot by 150 to 200 percent. 

 

  

* The Proposed Expansion Will Result In A Very Large Increase In The Size Of The RMCC Facility 
* After Expansion, Attendance At RMCC Could Exceed The Population Of Niwot By 150-200%.

 

 

 

History Of RMCC Expansion 
By Claire Chase 

In a continuing effort to provide balanced coverage of the Rocky Mountain Christian Church (RMCC) complex expansion, the Courier has compiled a timeline of the church’s physical growth to date.

Boulder County Land Use provided building specifics and docket information.  Church attendance information was provided by RMCC and is the average number of people who attended services each week for the respective year.

Currently, the church estimates that 100 Niwot families regularly attend services at the church. RMCC is in the process of examining data to accurately account for its demographics. This information will be published when available.

• 1984 - Lot split approved. Church opened April 1, 1984. Average weekly attendance: 197.
• 1993 – Twenty-child pre-school approved. Average weekly attendance: 832.
• 1994 - “Mom’s Day Out” and additional 40 pre-school children approved. Average weekly attendance: 1,011.
• 1997- Requested recognition of the existing non-conforming church and included an expansion to the church (with an occupant load greater than 100 persons per lot), a private educational facility (Kindergarten through fifth grade) for up to 260 students, and additions/modifications to the existing structure.

The 1997 application originally included a request for kindergarten through eighth grade for up to 400 students. This request was revised based on concerns raised by county staff.

Of note, the application was approved to include grade six as part of the school without increasing the number of students.

The RMCC building was 50,000 square feet, and the 1997 application included a two-story addition of 53,960 square feet. The total square footage proposed by the applicant and approved by Boulder County on Jan. 19, 1998 was 103,960 square feet. Average weekly attendance: 1,551.

2002 - Proposed an amendment to 1997 docket to allow an increase to the maximum number of students and staff on site, including a temporary modular unit. The applicant originally requested four temporary modular units, but revised the request to include one large modular unit to provide adequate sanitation facilities as required by the County Building Division.

The proposed modular unit was approximately 7,200 square feet (60’ x 120’). The school, now called Rocky Mountain Christian Academy, noted that due to unanticipated growth it needed to set up a modular unit on site before July 1, 2003 for the 2003-2004 school year and until permanent facilities could be designed.

It requested that the school be allowed to include grades seven and eight, and to allow an additional 60 students for the 2003-04 school year, 100 students for the 2004-05 school year and 120 students for the 2005-06 school year. Average weekly attendance: 1,946.

2004 - The applicant has requested approval of construction of a balcony within the sanctuary bringing the total seating to 2,400 and an addition to the west of the existing structure for expansion of the church and school classrooms, increasing the total maximum number of elementary and middle school students to 540.

The 152,200 square foot addition includes classrooms, gymnasium and chapel. This proposed expansion includes vegetative screening and grading. The grading involves the placement of landscape berms and excavation of parking areas to reduce visibility from neighboring properties including the residents of Quiet Retreat to the west.

The design of the facility is intended to appear as a cluster of smaller buildings rather than a massive building as viewed from 95th Street and Niwot Road. Additional berming will be placed near the northern entrance off N. 95th Street near the existing detention pond. A new detention pond will be constructed north of the existing ball fields (five-acre site).

Presently, the square footage of buildings in the complex is 106,000. If approved, the complex will grow to 258,200 square feet.The average weekly attendance in 2003 was 2,010. 

 

Nostalgia Day Grand Marshals Announced A Break In Tradition For A Patriotic Celebration 
By Katy Ibsen     

The families of 244th Engineering Battalion have been invited to participate in the 2004 Niwot Nostalgia Day Parade on Sept. 11 as the parade’s grand marshals. This decision marks a break in tradition, as more than one person will act as grand marshal. Niwot Community Association (NCA) President Neal Anderson said, “The criteria for being a grand marshal is someone who has performed service to Niwot either through local activities or national or international activities like the families of these soldiers.”

The NCA chose these families to honor the service of their loved ones, who recently returned from Iraq.Anderson said, “We have not confirmed their participation, but feel they are the best option for this year’s grand marshal.”

The parade will be similar to those in years past, with participants including Girl Scouts, Shriners, community dignitaries and many more. Anderson also said that committee members discourage any political campaigning, as it takes away from the parade. However, county commissioners and state representatives have been invited.

Beginning at 9 a.m. on Neva Road, antique cars, tractors, and floats will move through Niwot down Murray Street to Second Avenue, ending at Cottonwood Square. Anderson added, “When the parade reaches Second Avenue, we would like to have a moment of silence in observance of September 11.”

Connie Herbst, fund-raising and social chair of the NCA, said that there is a need for adult volunteers to help with street closures during the parade. The NCA is also looking for anyone with a convertible car who would like to drive dignitaries in the parade.

For more information contact Connie Herbst at 303-652-3934.

 

 

 To Vicinity And Beyond: Say “Cheese” 
By Donna Currie 

Haystack Mountain On The Move

No, the mountain isn’t wandering around, but Haystack Mountain Goat Dairy has opened a new creamery at 1121 Colorado Ave. in Longmont. Chuck Hellman, CFO, Project Manager, and more, said that the dairy needed the extra space because it “wanted to be more than local as far as cheese sales.”

The new location will provide extra production capability, so the dairy can ship to more markets. Currently, sales are regional; the goal is to sell nationally.

Along with new space, the dairy is investing in new equipment. A replacement vacuum-packing machine will reduce some of the manual labor while increasing the shelf life of the fresh cheese from six weeks to three months.

Another goal is the creation of new cheeses. The dairy hopes to create and bring to market a new cheese each year. Having the extra creamery will aid that goal, as will their partnership with another local goat farm.

The dairy has now has 110 goats, the maximum number of animals Boulder County allows on the site.  Those goats can supply milk for the cheese-making at the Haystack facility, but do not produce enough for the new Longmont creamery. A partner dairy, with 280 goats, will provide milk for the Longmont facility.

Creating partnerships goes beyond Colorado. Dairy owner Jim Schott and his wife Carol are taking their dairy knowledge international as they help develop a commercial dairy in South Africa. They are currently raising funds, and hope to reach $6000, with matching funds provided by Land O’Lakes. Schott welcomes donations to aid this effort; checks can be made to South African Goat Cheese Project.

Tours of the Haystack Mountain Goat Dairy, 5239 Niwot Road, are available Tuesdays and Saturdays from noon to 2 p.m. For more information, call 303-581-9948, email to info@haystackgoatcheese.com. Their website is www.haystackgoatcheese.com.

Cook, Cut, Store, Serve
Although it has been in business for over 25 years, most people probably don’t know that St. Vrain Restaurant Supply Company exists, much less that it sells to the general public as well as restaurants. Owner Stuart Katz stocks all sorts of interesting cooking tools and supplies from salt shakers to stockpots and everything in between.

St. Vrain Restaurant Supply is at 1131 Delaware Ave., Longmont.  It is open Mon. to Fri. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 303-651-1099 for more information.  

Jim Schott sells his cheeses at the farmer’s market at the Boulder County fairgrounds. Besides selling at the farmer’s market, Haystack Mountain cheeses are available at a variety of local grocery stores, at the dairy, and at Cheese Importers in Longmont.

 

 

 

 

The Virtue Of No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

By Ron Goodman                                                        

Many readers commented that we did a “good deed,” a mitzvah, when we rescued an abandoned dog, since named Chaco, from the desert in New Mexico.  We don’t do things like that for praise.  We are comfortable doing them and it is right for us. Besides, we reasoned what starving dehydrated and abandoned dog could resist a 3BR ranch, 2B, Liv/ Din A/C 2Car Attached in lovely Niwot?

Virtue is its own reward some say, but not Mary, our editor.  “No good deed goes unpunished,” she chants at me relentlessly.

I thought I would summarize briefly for you, dear readers, the last six weeks of our lives, since returning home from New Mexico with Chaco, and let you decide which cliché rings true.

We arrived home after a seven-hour drive and were greeted by our two cats Samba (11) and Lindy (16), who looked at their new brother suspiciously from perches on high chairs.  “This will be ok,” I thought. 

Suddenly Chaco moved toward Samba, causing her to hiss and to swipe her paw at him.  He backed away, into Lindy, who repeated the greeting. And they were off.  Twelve paws scratched for traction on our polished wood floors.

We separated them, bifurcated the house with a see-through gate. As our expensive and skilled animal behaviorist consultant told us, “That way they will see each other and gradually get used to each other.”  It made sense to us, but the feline and canine population paid no attention. 

The cats are in the bedroom/bath area and Bev, Chaco and I inhabit the living/dining rooms during the day.  At bedtime there is an elaborately choreographed moving of gates, closing and opening of room and closet doors and, finally, the relocating of canine and felines so that Chaco is positioned closely chained to our bed and the cats have the freedom of the house.

Total cost in dollars and a sense of the past six weeks:

• Bev has fallen twice walking Chaco. He is now better trained and weighs 12 pounds more.
• Three Venetian blinds are toast.
• One dining room chair is without its hand crafted back.
• Two screen doors are in need of replacement.
• A fenced side yard has been constructed and is almost never visited by said canine.
• Several doors and walls, recently painted, are now in need of repainting.
• A thriving grape arbor has been cut to the ground.  Did you know that grapes are poisonous to dogs?
• We can no longer use the vacuum cleaner, because the canine machine eater viciously attacks it. Brooms are fine. And so are the pounds of hair shed daily.
• Then there are vet bills, and Chaco has not yet been neutered. We anticipate a new Cadillac in our vet’s garage, less our senior discount.
• At some point Samba and Lindy decided they were not pleased with their new domestic living arrangements. We were advised of their feelings by the deposit of bodily excretions on our bed. Add one new mattress to the tally.

You are probably wondering about photo of Bev and me. We retuned from July 4 fireworks and began the evening ritual of opening and closing doors, locating the cats, moving the gates to provide access to the bathroom and then the bedroom. Suddenly something went awry.

In an instant, Chaco went from being outside the closet door to being inside the closet. There was a yowl and a scurrying of feet. Samba exited from the other side of the closet, Chaco in hot pursuit. They scrambled under the bed, exited on the other side and morphed into a howling, growling frenzied ball of fur, legs, tails, teeth and claws.

I threw a blanket over the mêlée and tried to pry Samba loose. She broke free along with a small quantity of my flesh and blood. Then Bev tried to separate the growling hissing mass with equally disastrous results. We spent a good part of July 5 at the clinic absorbing IV antibiotics. 

For the next several days we will each take two large antibiotic pills and return to the hospital daily for IV treatment. We now know that virtually all cat bites and scratches will lead to infection. The animals won, we lost.

So it is your call - is virtue its own reward, or does no good deed go unpunished?