News Release
April 13, 2005
Superintendent Jerry Wartgow Appoints Jennifer Barton Principal Of Mitchell Elementary School; PACE Model Will Be Pursued For Mitchell, School For Montessori Program Expansion In Northeast Denver Will Be Sought
Superintendent Jerry Wartgow today announced the appointment of Jennifer Barton as principal of Mitchell Elementary School beginning in 2005-2006. Barton is currently the principal at Cole Middle School, which shares its northeast Denver campus with Mitchell.
Superintendent Wartgow said Barton would be charged with implementing the PACE Model in redesigning Mitchell. PACE was one of the ideas advanced through a unique "Request for Proposals" process announced by Superintendent Wartgow in late February when Mitchell was designated for redesign. At that time, Superintendent Wartgow said any and all community ideas were welcome for how best to lift student achievement at Mitchell.
Mitchell was rated "unsatisfactory" in state accountability reports and is one of four schools - along with Bruce Randolph Middle School, Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School and Brown Elementary School - designated for redesign. The redesign process allows for hiring a new staff and for possible implementation of new programs.
On Tuesday, April 12, members of the Board of Education expressed their support of the Superintendent's redesign of the school based on the PACE Model, which proposes to leverage existing DPS curriculum and would feature a series of reforms including:
- Monthly parent contacts and regular home visits
- Professional growth plans for all staff
- Use of data to guide instruction and ensure timely intervention when progress is less than expected
- Establishment of an inclusive leadership team
- Full-day kindergarten
Mitchell has also been approved by the Board of Education for expansion to a K-8 grade configuration, beginning with the addition of sixth grade in the 2005-2006 school year.
The appointment of Barton, said Superintendent Wartgow, allows her to begin hiring staff during the teacher hiring process now underway.
The ideas that emerged through the "RFP" process for Mitchell also produced community interest in establishment of a Montessori program for northeast Denver. As a result, Superintendent Wartgow also announced today that he has directed staff to work with the community to study choice options in northeast Denver with a special focus on developing plans for a Montessori program to open with the 2006-2007 school year.
"I believe the PACE model, combined with the dynamic leadership that Jennifer Barton can provide, will yield the kind of thorough and thoughtful changes that are necessary to make an immediate impact on student achievement at Mitchell," said Superintendent Wartgow. He noted that Barton has experience at both elementary and middle school levels, which will be useful as Mitchell grows to a K-8 grade configuration over time.
"At the same time," added Superintendent Wartgow, "the request for proposals process has clearly indicated the strong community desire for a Montessori option in that part of the city. The staff heard that message clearly and we will actively pursue a means to make it happen."
Superintendent Wartgow also said staff would welcome continued community involvement as the PACE approach is implemented at Mitchell.
"The request and need for community involvement does not end with the appointment of a principal or selection of a specific program," said Superintendent Wartgow. "There may be adjustments as PACE moves forward. We will be open to suggestions for ideas and improvements to make sure that expected increases in achievement are realized. Nonetheless, PACE represents a solid starting point for making the changes that we all believe are needed."
The Board of Education is expected to take formal action on the Mitchell plan at its meeting Thursday, April 21.
For more information, contact the DPS Communications Office at 720-423-3414.