News Release
June 13, 2005
Denver Board Of Education Names Three Superintendent Finalists; Community Meetings Planned For June 21-23
The Denver Board of Education today announced three Superintendent finalists:
- Michael Bennet, Chief of Staff to Mayor John Hickenlooper, Denver
- Dr. Patricia Harvey, Superintendent, Saint Paul Public Schools, Minnesota
- Dr. Christine Johnson, President, Community College of Denver
"We are delighted to have three very different and all superbly qualified candidates," said Board President Les Woodward. "We invite the public to please help us complete the process of evaluating and selecting our next superintendent."
Community members may learn more about each candidate next week as the Board plans a series of meetings with Christine Johnson on Tuesday, June 21; Michael Bennet on Wednesday, June 22; and Patricia Harvey on Thursday, June 23. Each day will feature a televised community forum in the evening at the Denver Public Schools administration building, 900 Grant St. Itineraries and details about sharing input with the Board of Education will be posted in the next few days on the district's website at www.dpsk12.org.
About The Superintendent Finalists
Michael Bennet has been Chief of Staff to Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper since July 2003. Bennet spent six years prior in Denver working for the Anschutz Investment Company, serving as Managing Director before joining Mayor Hickenlooper's staff. Bennet has a J.D. from Yale Law School and a bachelor's degree in History from Wesleyan University in Connecticut.
Patricia Harvey has been Superintendent of the 42,000-student Saint Paul Public Schools since 1999. Immediately prior to her superintendency, she served as Senior Fellow and Director of Urban Education at the National Center on Education and the Economy. Harvey has a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Illinois; a master's degree in School Administration from Roosevelt University in Chicago; and a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Lincoln University in Missouri.
Christine Johnson has been President of the Community College of Denver since March 2001. Immediately prior, she was Chief Academic Officer at Colorado Community Colleges. Johnson has a Ph.D. and master's degree in Educational Administration from the University of Colorado and a bachelor's degree in Secondary Education from New Mexico State University.
Denver Public Schools Superintendent Jerry Wartgow announced in February that he will step aside June 30, 2005, after four years at the helm of Denver Public Schools.
Earlier this month, the Board of Education began interviewing candidates to replace outgoing Superintendent Wartgow.
The Board has been working with Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, Ltd. to assist with the search for a new superintendent.
For information, contact the DPS Communications Office 720-423-3414.