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Board member James Mejia “reluctantly” announced his resignation Thursday, May 15 in order to take advantage of learning opportunities out of state. Mejia said he’ll be away from Denver for at least a year as a White House Fellow or in graduate school at Princeton or Harvard University.
Board President Elaine Gantz Berman announced that the Board plans to appoint a new member Thursday, June 26, the same day Mejia’s resignation becomes effective. She also spelled out the process the Board will use to make a selection.
Applications forms will be available by fax and e-mail; they will also be posted on the district’s web site, www.dpsk12.org. Call 720-423-3211 or e-mail board@dpsk12.org to request an application packet. Applications will be due by 1 p.m. Monday, June 2.
The applications request a resume and brief written responses to four questions:
- Why are you seeking this seat on the Board of Education?
- Please identify two major challenges facing Denver Public Schools and tell us what steps you would pursue to solve them.
- The district and the Denver Classroom Teachers Association are collaborating on changes to the approach to teacher compensation. What’s your opinion of the recently outlined proposal and do you endorse the general direction of this reform? If so, why?
- DPS plans on going to the voters this November for a bond and mill levy increase. The district projects flat enrollment yet there are needs for new schools in northeast Denver. What suggestions do you have to ensure the passage of this bond/mill levy package?
The Board plans to declare finalists about a week after the application deadline. Those finalists will be asked to appear at a televised public forum, tentatively scheduled for the evening of Wednesday, June 18. On Monday, June 23, finalists will also be interviewed individually by the Board. One candidate will be selected and that person will be sworn in Thursday, June 26.
The appointee will fill the balance of Mejia’s term through the November 2003 elections; he or she would have to stand for re-election to the at-large seat.
Board vice president Lucia Guzman outlined the “characteristics” being sought in a new member. Among them: a high level of respect for public education, the courage to make tough decisions and “the energy and time to give to public service.”
Speaking for the Board, Guzman also lauded Mejia’s “intelligence, insight, soul and spirit...We are delighted by your opportunities but saddened that this journey we have taken together will come to an end sooner than we thought.”
» Download the Application Form |
