Press Release

Jerry Wartgow Selected As
Denver Public Schools Superintendent

April 19, 2001

The Denver Board of Education announced today the selection of Dr. Jerry Wartgow as superintendent of Denver Public Schools.

"Dr. Wartgow's passion for making a difference for students, coupled with his many experiences, make him the right person now for this important role,," said Board of Education Elaine Gantz Berman. "Dr. Wartgow's track record, along with his strong ties in the broader Denver community, will prove to be powerful assets for our school district. He has tackled some very difficult problems in his career and proven that he can make systemic changes in complex organizations.

"In some ways Dr. Wartgow is a non-traditional candidate in the sense that he will approach the issues of Denver Public Schools with very fresh eyes. On the other hand, Dr. Wartgow's deep familiarity with the educational process, and his recent efforts to improve opportunities for all students in the Community College system, mean that he will brings a current grasp of relevant issues to reform for DPS. He will bring both a sense of entrepreneurship and a respect for the current system. We know he will provide a healthy analysis of what works and what doesn't in how we're approaching schools and classrooms today," added Berman.

Berman cited in particular Wartgow's stated goals of setting high expectations for all students, closing the achievement gap between minority and non-minority students, and boosting the district's level of responsiveness to students, parents, and the community.

"We warmly welcome Dr. Wartgow's keen desire to make improvements and hope that he pushes and challenges all of us to take whatever steps are necessary to get the job done," said Berman.

Dr. Wartgow's appointment will not be official until the Board of Education formally approves his contract, yet to be negotiated, in about two or three weeks, Berman said. A start date has not yet been determined.

Bernadette Seick is currently serving as interim superintendent. She has led the district since the Board of Education parted ways with former Superintendent Chip Zullinger in May 2000.

Wartgow is President Emeritus, Colorado Community College & Occupational Education System. He is also President and Chief Executive Officer for International Training & Education Alliance, Inc.

Dr. Wartgow holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Denver, a Master of Education degree from the University of Hawaii, a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin, and has done some post-Doctoral work at the East-West Center in Honolulu and Harvard University.

Between 1986 and 1998, Dr. Wartgow transformed a loose federation of community colleges into the Colorado Community College & Occupational Education System (CCCOES). Through collaboration with business and industry and the application of state of the art technology to teaching, learning and delivery of education, CCCOES has earned an international reputation as a responsive and entrepreneurial education enterprise.

Dr. Wartgow is credited with developing the Higher Education Advanced Technology Center and the Colorado Electronic Community College.

Dr. Wartgow has also served as the Deputy Executive Director and Acting Executive Director for the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (1973-1978).

Dr. Wartgow has received special commendations from the Senate and House of Representatives of the state of Colorado and the American Society for Public Administration, University of Colorado.

He is a member of the Denver Zoo Board of Trustees and a member of the Board of Directors of the Education Foundation. He has also served as chair of the Colorado Council on the Arts and on the Board of Denver Center for the Performing Arts, among many other public service activities.

Dr. Wartgow is married to wife Diane C. Wartgow. They have two grown sons.