The Sterling Ranch development in Douglas County, Colorado, has been at the center of a contentious debate following a decision to amend land dedication requirements originally set aside for district-run neighborhood schools. Despite strong opposition from some community members and the Douglas County School District, the county commissioners approved the plan to allocate land to charter schools, including the soon-to-open John Adams Academy. "Sterling Ranch promised neighborhood schools. This amendment makes that future unlikely," Sterling Ranch resident Alyssa Little told 9News during a pre-Thanksgiving meeting. In a unanimous vote, the commissioners disagreed, arguing that fulfilling the obligation with a charter school equates to providing a public school.
The revised land plan allows Sterling Ranch to pay cash instead of dedicating land if the Douglas County School District cannot demonstrate an immediate need for school construction, an amendment that has left some parents, feeling misled, fearing that their children may not have access to district-run schools as anticipated. "This is where the school will be," was the promise Lenaya Dotseth recalled being made when her family moved to Sterling Ranch, according to CBS News Colorado. The school district, which had plans for future schools, including a high school and an additional elementary school, stated the change would undermine public school access, pushing for a delay or withdrawal of the proposal.
However, with concessions made by Sterling Ranch, including an increased total dedication of 125 acres and withholding the fee in lieu for the middle and high school sites, the commissioners approved the amendment. The development insists the intent was always to build schools, stating, "The preference would be for the school district to secure financing for district schools; however, if that doesn't occur a charter should be able to get the site in order to build a public school," said Brock Smethills, president of Sterling Ranch Development Company, as obtained by CBS News Colorado.
