Former Colorado Gov. Roy Romer, now superintendent for Los Angeles Unified School District, will deliver the keynote speech at "CDM Gathering II," an annual meeting geared to those involved in site-based governance in Denver Public Schools.

It was Romer who launched Collaborative Decision-Making (CDM) teams in early 1991. As governor at the time, Romer intervened to avert a threatened teachersŤ strike, and ultimately dictated terms of a new contract that provided parents and community members with a role in the decision-making process in Denver schools.

Romer's speech will launch the "CDM Gathering II," a morning-long series of discussions and workshops organized by the district's Community Relations office.

"The gathering this year will be focused on the district's goals of setting high expectations, improving the performance of all students, and closing the gap between better and poorer performing students," said Aaron Gray, Director of Community Relations. "People are welcome to come and learn more about the district and about becoming involved with schools, with students, and with learning."

The morning-long meeting will focus on one major question: "How, as a CDM, do we work together in making decisions to improve student achievement in our school?"

Workshops will be led by Dr. Linda Navarro Damon and Dr. Oscar Joseph, both from the University of Colorado at Denver, and Dr. Dave Thomas, research analyst of the district's Department of Assessment and Testing.

A panel discussion on the issue of closing the gap between better and poorer performing students will feature Carla Santorno (Area Superintendent for northeast Denver), Keith Mills (principal of Knight Fundamental Academy), Jose Perea (Executive Director of English Language Acquisition), Rosanne Fulton (Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction), and Nate Howard (Assistant Principal, Cole Middle School).

A closing address will be presented by Dr. Maria Guajardo Lucero, director of Assets for Colorado Youth.

The event will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 12 at the Red Lion Hotel, 4040 Quebec Street. Romer will speak about 8:35 a.m.

The public is welcome to attend the event, but registration is required by calling the Community Relations office at 720-423-3577.