Press Release

BOARD OF EDUCATION AND CHIP ZULLINGER AGREE TO PART WAYS

Following an amicable discussion Monday evening, the Denver Board of Education and Superintendent Chip Zullinger have agreed to part ways, Board President Elaine Berman announced today.

"Chip Zullinger deserves praise for his effort to extend an open hand to the community, particularly to those who have felt that they did not have a voice within Denver Public Schools," said Berman. "The Board supports his vision to streamline the DPS bureaucracy in order to improve education for students."

"However, concerns about Superintendent Zullinger's leadership style and his ability to implement his vision led to this very difficult step," she added.

The Board has appointed Bernadette Seick, currently Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education, to serve as Acting Superintendent.

"Both the Board and Dr. Zullinger have worked in good faith to resolve their differences," she said. "The Board of Education respects Dr. Zullinger personally and professionally and wishes him well in the future."

Berman cited projects developed by Zullinger - such as starting school report cards, developing a close working relationship with the teachers' union and the launch of the Department of Community Relations - as worthy initiatives that reflect the progressive ideas he brought to the district.

Dr. Zullinger was hired by the Board of Education in August, 1999.

Berman announced that the Board is fulfilling the terms of Dr. Zullinger's contract, including the provision that requires the Board to pay him 18 months' salary, along with unused vacation time, at the time the contract is ended.