Press Release

February 1, 2000

For Immediate Release

PUBLIC INVITED TO COMMENT ON CALENDAR COMMITTEE PROPOSALS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3

The Denver Board of Education invites the community to comment on recommendations to change the school calendar at its regular public hearing, Thursday, February 3. The hearing will be held at 7 p.m. in the first floor Board Room, 900 Grant St.

The district's Calendar Committee has made a number of recommendations, including:

• Begin school in mid-August.

• End the first semester before the winter break.

• Provide schools with two flexible planning days (one each semester) to use at their discretion.

• Provide a late-start option for high school students.

• Switch elementary and middle school start times (letting elementary go at 8:00 a.m. and middle schools at 9:00 a.m.). This idea would first be piloted on a limited basis.

• Move summer school to the four weeks prior to the start of the school year.

As of Tuesday, six people had signed up to comment on the calendar proposals. Another 21 people had signed up to speak on such issues as gifted and talented education, the addition of a sixth grade at Steck and Whittier elementary schools, and arts education. Those who want to speak must call 720-423-3211 by 4 p.m. Thursday to sign up.

Prior to the public hearing at 4 p.m., the Board of Education will hear presentations on:

• Tuition-based kindergarten

• P.S. 1 charter renewal

• Arts Resource Council "Arts are Basic"

Following the 4 p.m. meeting, the Board will adjourn to room 706 for a work session. A discussion regarding the teacher pay-for-performance design team is scheduled.