Northglenn-Thornton Sentinel

11/20/2025

Adams 12 Five Star Schools is bringing hands-on career exploration to middle school students starting next fall.

Instead of waiting until high school when some students are already behind, sixth graders will soon have access to 3D printers, broadcasting equipment, and entrepreneurship programs.

'Middle school is a challenging time,' says Matt Schmidt, the district's executive director of secondary options and innovative programming, who spent 10 years as principal of an alternative high school.

Six schools will launch programs in 2026, part of a district-wide expansion funded by November's mill levy override and the 2024 bond.

Read more: https://www.northglenn-thorntonsentinel.com/news/adams-12-brings-career-and-tech-training-to-middle-school/article_5293e80c-e0f5-4ec8-974a-a6adaad8a851.html

What do you think - is middle school too early for career exploration, or right on time?

Adams 12 Five Star Schools to launch $2.3 million middle school CTE programs for hands-on learning and career exploration. Initiative aimed at preventing students from falling behind in core subjects and engaging them early on.

11/10/2025

The 27J Schools board unanimously extended Superintendent Will Pierce's contract through 2028, citing his strong leadership and collaborative approach, even as they marked him non-compliant in three of 12 evaluation areas.

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.

11/06/2025

🚨 BREAKING: Adams 12 Measure 5B appears headed for approval

The $39.42 million mill levy override is leading 52.5% to 47.5% as of 2:30 p.m. Wednesday—a stunning 20-point swing from last year's 15-point defeat.

"The passage of 5B is not only a huge win for our students, it's a win for our community," Superintendent Chris Gdowski said.

The funding provides teacher raises, school security, mental health workers and smaller class sizes.

Final results expected in coming days.

Full story:

Adams 12 Five Star Schools' Measure 5B, which seeks a permanent $39.42 million property tax increase to fund teacher salaries and school programs, appeared headed for approval Wednesday afternoon. As

11/05/2025

🗳️ Adams 12 Measure 5B Update

Preliminary results show Adams 12 Five Star Schools' Measure 5B with 52.2% support as of Wednesday morning, a dramatic shift from last year's 15-point defeat.

If results hold, the $39.42 million mill levy override would fund:

$13M for teacher salary increases
$5M for support staff raises
Mental health workers and school security
Smaller class sizes for 6th and 9th graders

The close margin means the final outcome may not be known for days as remaining ballots are counted.

Adams 12 Five Star Schools' Measure 5B, which seeks a permanent $39.42 million property tax increase to fund teacher salaries and school programs, remained too close to call Wednesday morning.

11/05/2025

BREAKING: Adams 12 school tax measure too close to call.

As of 9:30 p.m., Measure 5B holds a narrow lead with 51.8% support and 48.2% opposed. The $39.42 million property tax increase would fund teacher raises, support staff and school programs.

This is a dramatic shift from last year when voters rejected a similar measure 57.7% to 42.3%.

The close margin means we likely won't know final results for days as remaining ballots are counted.

What's at stake: If it passes, Adams 12 can give teachers a raise and reduce class sizes. If it fails, the district faces potential layoffs and program cuts.

Stay tuned for updates as more ballots are counted.

https://www.northglenn-thorntonsentinel.com/news/adams-12-school-tax-measure-5b-looks-too-close-to-call/article_4a15bbb1-6754-4a75-85be-f6a60a89c286.html

10/27/2025

Chris Gdowski's journey came full circle when he was named Colorado's 2026 Superintendent of the Year. The Thornton High School graduate now leads the district that shaped him.

Under his 16-year leadership, Adams 12 has seen Hispanic graduation rates soar and students earn over 1,000 career certificates in a single year. But the celebration is bittersweet. The district just cut 150 positions and faces a $272 million funding gap.

"I am angry and sad that we have to make these decisions because for decades our state has failed to prioritize education funding," Gdowski said.

A $39.42 million mill levy override on November's ballot could help. Without it, Gdowski warns, more cuts are coming.

Chris Gdowski, a product of Adams 12 schools, wins Colorado's 2026 Superintendent of the Year award. Significant academic achievements under his leadership, including improved graduation rates and test scores.

10/27/2025

Chris Gdowski, who graduated from Adams 12 schools and now leads the district as superintendent, won Colorado's 2026 Superintendent of the Year award. He will now represent Colorado in the National Superintendent of the Year competition through the School Superintendents Association.

Chris Gdowski, a product of Adams 12 schools, wins Colorado's 2026 Superintendent of the Year award. Significant academic achievements under his leadership, including improved graduation rates and test scores.

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.

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.

10/09/2025

Parents and educators: What would help your student get to school more consistently?

After years of flat data hovering around 82-84%, the district is finally seeing improvement. But getting attendance back to pre-pandemic levels (96%) remains a major challenge.

What's the biggest obstacle to consistent attendance in your family or school? 👇

Read the full story: https://www.northglenn-thorntonsentinel.com/news/strategies-reduce-chronic-absenteeism-adams-12-schools/article_44a5d0d3-28d3-4615-8927-6e2147598b9c.html

At Thornton Middle School, Principal McCarthy has faced a challenging start to the school year, with hundreds of students disappearing and new enrollments adding to the instability.

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 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

Regional Transportation District officials say to finish only the North Metro rail line through Adams County and the Northwest Rail Peak Service from Denver to Longmont would cost almost $1 billion, well above the $441 million available for funding.

Regional Transportation District officials say to finish only the North Metro rail line through Adams County and the Northwest Rail Peak Service from Denver to Longmont would cost almost $1