Brighton Standard Blade

11/11/2025

What stood out in 27J's superintendent evaluation:

The unusual transparency and collaboration between board and superintendent.

The board openly acknowledged areas where THEY need to improve - admitting some members sometimes overstep into day-to-day operations.

Pierce's response: "Their sins and my sins...are all just really a combination of good people wanting to do their best for everybody."

This kind of honest, collaborative relationship between a board and superintendent is rare. Worth reading about.

Details: https://www.thebrightonblade.com/news/27j-board-extends-pierce-contract-through-2028-compliance/article_59b1e1b0-511b-55e5-ae31-d3cdfff7c44f.html

11/11/2025

27J board extends Superintendent Pierce's contract through 2028

The board praised Pierce's "collaborative leadership" and his 27 years of commitment to the district, while identifying specific goals for improvement in graduation rates and student support.

Key highlights from the evaluation:
✅ Compliant in 9 of 12 areas
✅ Strong financial management and staff relations
✅ SEL scores improved 8.52% district-wide
✅ Board values "high bar" for student success

Areas for growth:
📊 Graduation rates (87.2%, above state's 84.2%)
📊 Social-emotional learning consistency
📊 Academic performance tracking

Pierce's response: New "Thinking Classroom" initiative focuses on early intervention to help students succeed.

"I'm really optimistic and hopeful that we're going to keep moving forward. I think the best is really in front of us."

Full story and board evaluation details:

The 27J Schools board extends Superintendent Will Pierce's contract through 2028, highlighting his strong leadership with some concerns in graduation rates and academic tracking.

11/10/2025

An early Sunday morning fire in Adams County that claimed the lives of two people and a dog is under investigation.

An early Sunday morning fire in Adams County that claimed the lives of two people and a dog is under investigation.

11/05/2025

🗳️ 27J Schools Board Election Results

Incumbents appeared to sweep all three races for the 27J Schools board in Tuesday's election, with Tracie Alvarado holding a narrow lead over challenger Amy Gomez in the night's only contested race.

Unofficial Results:
District 6 (2-year term): Tracie Alvarado 52% (9,054 votes) vs. Amy Gomez 48% (8,358 votes)

Uncontested Races (4-year terms):
Starr Trujillo: 13,672 votes
Ashley Conn: 13,961 votes
Ramón Alvarado: 13,625 votes

Incumbents sweep 27J Schools board races with Alvarado leading tight contest, adds new members, challenges ahead overseeing growing district. Trujillo, Conn poised for reelection, Ramón Alvarado leads in uncontested races.

11/05/2025

Brighton Downtown Development Authority gets voter support at the Nov. 4 polls. Next, picking the seven-member board early next year to manage it.

Brighton’s downtown will get a new authority to carry the torch for the Brighton Urban Renewal Authority, voters agreed Nov. 4.

11/05/2025

Close race for two seats in Brighton right now.

New faces are guaranteed for the Brighton City Council in two wards as the Nov. 2 City Council ballots are counted.

10/31/2025

District Attorney Brian Mason Monday unveiled the first step in getting a Family Justice Center established for domestic violence victims in Adams and Broomfield counties.

District Attorney Brian Mason Monday unveiled the first step in getting a Family Justice Center established for domestic violence victims in Adams and Broomfield counties.

10/27/2025

More animals living in deplorable conditions were rescued by Adams County authorities and were taken once again to the already burdened Riverdale Animal Shelter in Brighton. Read the full story here:

More animals living in deplorable conditions were rescued by Adams County authorities this week and were taken once again to the already burdened Riverdale Animal Shelter in Brighton.

10/15/2025

📚 NEW: Adams 12 school board voter guide now available! In collaboration with Chalkbeat Colorado , we're bringing you comprehensive profiles of candidates running in the November election. Get the facts on their positions on district priorities, budget management, student achievement, and other critical issues facing Adams 12 schools.

https://www.northglenn-thorntonsentinel.com/news/education/voter-guide-meet-the-candidates-for-adams-12-school-board/article_1a1d7100-ebf6-40c8-a4a0-064316b1ebe1.html

In Adams 12 Five Star Schools, voters will choose two school board members this year. Ike Anyanwuebo and Juan Evans II are vying for the District 3 seat, while Amira Assad-Lucas seeks re-election for District 4.

10/14/2025

Five weeks ago, Matthew Silverstone confronted a gunman at Evergreen High School and was shot in the head and chest. His heart stopped twice. Doctors told his family to prepare for the worst and said he would likely need lifelong, full-time care.

On Tuesday, Matthew walked out of the hospital smiling, speaking and ready to tell you, "I'm still alive!"

A brave survivor overcomes tragedy at Evergreen High School after a hero's welcome at the hospital. Matthew Silverstone walked out to applause after a harrowing ordeal. 140 first responders and hospital staff honored him as he emerged.

10/02/2025

A Thornton mother urged the Adams 12 board Wednesday to remove a Century Middle School student who created a list naming 36 people, including her eighth-grade son.

The list, titled "Made an OP list of My OPS," was posted to social media Sept. 25. Principal Kristin Devlin told families the list "didn't reference harm towards anyone," but one student has been barred from campus during the investigation.

The list, titled "Made an OP list of My OPS," was posted to social media Sept. 25. Principal Kristin Devlin told families the list "didn't reference harm towards anyone," but one student has been barred from campus during the investigation.ion.
The incident was one of three safety concerns in four days, including a gun found at Mountain Range High School and a bomb threat at Horizon High School.

Read more:

District faced several recent safety concerns including a gun in the parking lot at Mountain Range High School and a bomb threat at Horizon High School.

10/02/2025

More than 1 in 4 students in 27J attend charter schools, but new monitoring data reveal enrollment shortfalls, declining performance at NHA-operated schools and an alternative school facing its first renewal with significant changes ahead.

More than 25% of 27J students attend charter schools; some facing financial and performance challenges. The Stead School is in debt repayment and undergoing renewal process. National Heritage Academy schools experiencing declining performance, sparking concerns.