Board Gives High Marks To
Superintendent Jerry Wartgow

Board of Education Extends Contract Indefinitely After Positive Evaluation

Superintendent Jerry Wartgow will continue to serve Denver Public Schools indefinitely after an overwhelmingly positive evaluation from the Board of Education. Wartgow assumed all duties as superintendent on June 11, 2001. Last night, the Board said they hope he will continue to serve in this capacity for “many, many more years” to come.

“In one short year the confidence in DPS has increased dramatically,” said Board President Elaine Gantz Berman. “He has shown real leadership in the way he has tackled the challenges of the district. He has assembled a top-notch senior staff. He has been a quick study by visiting schools and listening to teachers, principals, community members, church, business, and political leaders. He is a workaholic and is deeply committed to the children and the mission of DPS.”

Berman listed many of Wartgow’s accomplishments saying “we are extremely satisfied with the progress made over the past year, under the leadership of Dr. Wartgow. We are more certain than ever that Dr. Wartgow is the right leader for DPS. The Board could not be happier with the job he has done and we look forward to many more years with Dr. Wartgow as the leader of the district.”
Wartgow acknowledged that his success has only been possible because of the support he received from the Board, the community, and staff members. The Board offered Wartgow a pay raise and bonus. He refused asking the board to use the money for the district’s senior staff. The Board did insist his open-ended contract include ten extra days of vacation.

“Let me begin by thanking members of the Board,” said Wartgow. “I am ecstatic about the ability to continue to serve. It’s been an exciting experience for my family and me. We have started something big and we have great momentum and I look forward to the future.”

A public evaluation of the Superintendent is required by law as part of the state statute. The Board used a ten-page survey to evaluate Wartgow’s leadership in such areas as mentorship, chief educational officer, financial management, human relations, and student services.

Superintendent’s Accomplishments To Date A renewed focus on instruction – This focus includes implementation of a comprehensive district wide Literacy Program which includes the selection and training of instructional coaches starting in all our low-performing schools, as well as extensive professional development, which includes ten-day summer institutes involving coaches, principals, district staff, and others. For the first time, the district has appointed a Chief Academic Officer through an innovative partnership with the Institute for Learning, based in Pittsburgh. Re-organization of the district into four geographic areas – This re-organization decentralized staff out of the central office into four field offices based in the community thereby providing more direct support to schools. This decentralization was completed recently with additional people deployed into the field, including staff in the areas of curriculum, English Language Acquisition, testing and assessment, and the budget office. More than 50 staff that were previously housed at 900 Grant have been decentralized into these four geographic areas. Realignment of the district budget around the district goals – Those goals are to set high expectations, improve the performance of all students, and close the gap between better and poorer performing students. In addition, the budget was re-organized to be more understandable and available to the public. A balanced budget was presented to the Board of Education earlier this spring. Improved relations with the Denver Classroom Teachers Association (DCTA) - This is evident in the successful completion of teacher contract negotiations using interest-based bargaining with the help of a facilitator. Contract negotiations were completed earlier in the year than in the past and union members approved the contract by more than 97 percent. Once again, beginning DPS teachers will have the highest starting salary of any district in Colorado. Continued focus on the Pay for Performance (PFP) pilot – This continued focus includes attracting major national resources for this groundbreaking pilot. Also, the Design Team for the PFP pilot will now report directly to the Chief Academic Officer in order to be fully integrated into the District’s overall strategy around instruction. Increased significantly philanthropic contributions to the district – All these additional resources – more than 10 million dollars- are focused on district goals. Improved the process for recruiting principals – Principals are now recruited by conducting national searches for all vacancies. Reorganized the DPS Foundation - A broad-based coalition of community leaders has joined the DPS Foundation board. With a new focus for the Foundation, there is considerable momentum to attract even more resources and build partnerships to support the district. Made significant progress implementing the court ordered English Language Acquisition (ELA) program. Recruitment of an exemplary group to join the senior staff and augment other outstanding staff at the cabinet level - These individuals include: Sally Mentor Hay, Chief Academic Officer; Mary Ellen McEldowney, General Counsel; Andre Pettigrew, Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services; Darlene LeDoux, Assistant Superintendent for School/Community Partnerships; and Richard Allen, Assistant Superintendent for Budget and Finance.

Board Accepts Resolution To “Close The Gap”

In May, 2002, the Colorado Civil Rights Commission presented to the Board of Education and Superintendent its report titled “A Research-Based Assessment of the Disparity Between Black and White Students: A Comprehensive Review of Contemporary Literature.” The report summarized findings from research on disparity between African-American and white students at East High School, Manual Educational Complex, Montbello High School and George Washington High School based on interviews and focus groups involving students, parents, teachers, principals and community members.

Last night, the Board accepted a resolution directing the Superintendent to “develop a strategic plan for closing the gap at the above named four high schools in consultation with members of the Commission Task Force and the University of Colorado-Denver based on findings and recommendations included with the Colorado Civil Rights Commission’s Report.

“The disparity is very real and there is no argument that we have a ways to go with bringing African American students where we want them to be,” Reverend Aaron Gray told the Board. “We have a plan that will work and is one that makes sense for our kids.”

In addition, the Board directed that funds be allocated to support the work of the Task Force and that the Task Force report to the Board no later than December 5, 2002 and periodically thereafter, on progress towards implementation of the plan.

“This is a significant step forward,” said Superintendent Jerry Wartgow. “It’s a solid collaboration. I think the recommendations merit our full consideration. I do want to emphasize that this plan will be more than just another study. It will be outcome oriented and it will be just one strategy of many to raise achievement and close the gap. This provides an opportunity for all of us to work together.”

“We have to take that next step to provide the high quality education we know our children deserve,” said Board member Kevin Patterson. “I look forward to working with you to improve DPS and make it the great educational system we know it can be.”

“I am very excited that the school board has made this resolution,” said Alice Langley, Task Force co-chair. “We want excellence for our children without excuses. We have many groups who are really excited about what is about to happen. This is truly a moment in history for us because we’ve never seen collaboration like this for the betterment of our children. It’s going to work”

Board Accepts Cole Middle School Reform Plan

The Board of Education approved the Cole Middle School Reform Plan including an additional $31,298 for implementation requested by the District.

“This is another example of what a community can do if it pulls together towards a common goal,” said Superintendent Jerry Wartgow. “Another reason we waited was that we wanted to engage the new principal before we proceeded forward.”

Nicole Veltze is the new principal at Cole. “She is very aware of the program and is ready to support it,” said Northeast Area Superintendent Carla Santorno.

Cole Middle School has been working on a school-wide reform plan since the summer of 2001 with a preference towards “Learning Families” as the core of school reform. Recently however, the Cole administration, District staff and the community agreed that a school-wide reform plan might be too ambitious given the implementation of the District Literacy Plan and changing demographics. District staff suggested that a phased in implementation might be more attainable and affordable given the goals and timeline of the District Literacy Plan.

The vision of Cole Middle School is to provide a program that is “accountable for the academic, democratic, and personal empowerment of all students.” The reform plan includes elements that phase in affective and academic strategies beginning in the sixth grade.

“It’s been a very positive program to get kids moved up to advanced classes at the middle school level,” said Wartgow.

Board President Elaine Gantz Berman showed concern over too many programs at the school including AVID, Service Learning, and the district’s literacy plan. “So you’re not concerned there is too much going on?” said Berman. “That you won’t lose focus?”

Santorno responded, “We think we can do it. And Nicole thinks she can do it. Each program works together to get the work done.”

Allen Balczarek, Program Manager, recognized members of the community including Padres Unidos for their long-term efforts to help reform Cole. Pam Martinez from Padres Unidos thanked Wartgow and the Board for their support.

“I do remember when this all started and it has ended on a positive productive note,” said Berman. “I have to thank the community for being so persistent. You really believed that with significant changes at Cole things could change. It has been our passion and your belief that it can happen that has gotten us this far. So thank you for your leadership.”

$860,000 Sought For Improving Literacy Through School Libraries

The Board approved the first step in seeking funds for improving literacy through school libraries from the United States Department of Education. The Improving Literacy program “promotes comprehensive local strategies to improve student achievement by improving school library services and resources. School library media centers have an important role to play in contributing to the success of local improvement plans, especially in libraries support of literacy program efforts, providing additional instructional materials and resources, and extending hours of operation during non-school hours.”

The focus of this program will be on staff development. All trained staff will sustain the program and will train additional librarians each year. The program will be aimed at helping the schools that are deemed unsatisfactory and low under the School Accountability Report Classifications (96 Schools). The grant will be used to fund a Librarian Literacy Training Institute and create a mentoring program where experienced teacher librarians mentor the librarian or library technician in each of these 96 schools. The Institute will include training on the districts literacy program.

 

Interim Principal Needed DPS is seeking a capable person to serve as Interim Principal for one year at Bromwell Elementary School. Interested parties should send a letter of interest to 710 South Pennsylvania St. Denver, CO 80209.

More Principal Appointments

Principal Appointments & Change In Assignments Since May 2

Appointments

• Richard Gonzales, Principal, Knapp
  
• Nicole Veltze, Principal, Cole
  
• Katherine Salaz, Principal, Gilpin
  
• Linda Torres, Principal, Baker
  
• Michael Gaither, Principal, Cowell
  
• Offie Hobbs, Principal, North
  
• Kenneth Hulslander, Principal, Ashley

Change In Assignment

• Ann Greenfield, Principal, Merrill
  
• Inez Catbagan, Principal, Eagleton
  
• Frank Roti, Principal, Beach Court
  
• Claudia Beck, Interim Principal, Cheltenham
  
• Sal Dimarco, Principal, Remington
  
• Katherine Johnson, Principal, University Park
  
• William Kohut, Interim Principal, South
  
• Beverly Winders, Principal, Columbian
  
• Kathleen Adams, Principal, Park Hill
  
• Wanda Beauman, Principal, Hallett
  
• George Schnittgrund, Principal, Brown
  
  
  

Thank you to those who participated in BikeTo Work Day

 

 

Denver Public School
Board of Education

Elaine Gantz Berman, President
Lucia Guzman, Vice President
Sue Edwards, Secretary
Kevin Patterson, Treasurer
Michelle Moss, Board Member
James Mejía, Board Member at Large
Les Woodward, Board Member at Large

BoardNews is published after each Board Meeting. For a free subscription contact the DPS Public Information Office 900 Grant St., Room 402, Denver, CO 80203

Phone: 720-423-3414 • TTY/TTD: 720-423-3741 • Fax: 720-423-3413