Press Release

Manual High School Principal Refutes Denver Post Story

February 6, 2001

A story in the Denver Post this morning claiming that Manual High School is considering conversion to charter school status is grossly inaccurate, principal Nancy Sutton said today.

The story was based on discussions from last October, Sutton said, when the school staff and community were studying "any and all" options to improve.

"This is old news," said Sutton. "We are not currently seeking charter school status nor were we ever. We were simply exploring charter schools as one of many options to improve our school's capacity to improve student performance.

"Any organization faced with a significant challenge is compelled to study all available options. We looked at the charter route months ago and rejected it," Sutton added. "It's wrong to report now that it's under consideration.

Aaron Gray, Director of Community Relations for Denver Public Schools, also challenged the story's merits. It's "inconceivable," said Gray, "that this is on the table at this time. Our office works closely with the Collaborative Decision-Making team at Manual and we know the substance of their school improvement plan. A charter proposal is not in the mix.

"Additionally, anyone who knows Principal Sutton realizes that the remarks attributed to her do not represent either the way she has led the school or the way she has demonstrated care for the community," added Gray.

In a statement to the Manual community, Sutton claimed the Denver Post story included a series of misquotes and faulty conclusions "disguised as fact." Chief among those were Sutton's characterization of the school's students and community.

"I am proud about what we have accomplished over the past four years," said Sutton. "I am extremely proud of our faculty whose professionalism and dedication extends to every student in every class, every day. I am proud of our students and of our parents and our community. Together we are shouldering the responsibility for educating our students. We are seeing results."