DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. — Around 68,000 students will return to school Wednesday in the Douglas County School District, the third largest district in the state. Among them are the students of STEM School Highlands Ranch, which was the site of a shooting in May.
The K-12 charter school released this statement about the students' return to school:
"Throughout the summer, healing the STEM community has been our highest priority. We have made counseling resources available to our STEM family, shared information about a variety of additional mental health resources, established a dedicated committee to study security and emotional support programs at our school, and taken steps to heighten our already robust security protocols. As students return to school, we are confident that they will see that their safety and well-being continues to be our highest priority, and that we are committed to providing an environment that is safe and conducive to learning and innovation."
STEM School is one of several in DCSD that will have a new school resource officer on campus this year. Over the summer, the district and county commission approved $3 million dollars to hire additional school resource officers for high schools and middle schools adjacent to high schools. Another $10 million in one-time funding was also approved to help schools improve security and add mental health programs.
Schools can apply for the funding and explain their plans for security and mental health programs on DCSD here. Applications are due by September 17.