News Release
November 2, 2005
Superintendent Michael Bennet And Dcta President Kim Ursetta Thank Denver Voters For Supporting Teacher Pay Reform - Procomp; Voters Elect New Board Members Jill Conrad, Jeanne Kaplan, Re-Elect Michelle Moss And Kevin Patterson
Denver Public Schools Superintendent Michael Bennet and Denver Classroom Teacher Association President Kim Ursetta today thanked voters for their support of ProComp, the revolutionary teacher pay plan that rewards teachers for their professional accomplishments while linking pay to the school district's instructional goals.
On Tuesday, 58 percent of Denver voters backed ProComp, the Professional Compensation System for Teachers, by approving a ballot question referred by the Denver Board of Education. The "yes" vote creates a $25 million annual revenue stream dedicated solely to boosting pay for those current teachers who chose to enter the ProComp system and for all teachers hired after Dec. 31, 2005. Teachers in the ProComp system will receive pay increases for improving student achievement, for working in schools and assignments with the greatest needs, and for increasing their knowledge and skills. Salary incentives are also included for satisfactory professional evaluations. "We owe tremendous thanks to Denver voters for their continued confidence in Denver Public Schools and for the hope they are expressing for our future," said Superintendent Bennet. "It's now our job to deliver a fair and equitable ProComp pay system that will prove rewarding for teachers and students."
ProComp has been six years in the making as many a team of DPS administrators, employees and teachers tested and developed the ideas. As the project grew, much of the research and support was backed by local and national foundations.
ProComp is a critical element of the district's reform efforts and is the result of years of close partnership between the teachers' union and Denver Public Schools.
"Denver's citizens have again demonstrated their commitment to building a public education system that is second to none," said Kim Ursetta, DCTA president. "Teachers and other educators take great inspiration from this support and will use the momentum and reforms of ProComp to help all students learn at their highest level. If we apply the same focus, collaboration, and community involvement to the student achievement gap, I am certain we can make a difference."
ProComp is entirely voluntary for existing educators, and the current pay system will remain in effect as long as there are teachers and student services providers who are being paid through it. Eligible educators can opt into the new system as soon as Monday, Nov. 7. For more information, access www.denverprocomp.org.
Denver voters yesterday also elected Jill Conrad to fill a contested at-large seat held by Board president Les Woodward and Jeanne Kaplan to fill the east-central District 3 seat held by Board member Elaine Gantz Berman. Board member Michelle Moss was re-elected to fill the southwest District 2 seat and Kevin Patterson, who ran unopposed, was re-elected from District 5 in northeast and far northeast Denver.
All election returns must still be certified by the Board of Education; new members will be seated at an organizational meeting on Monday, Nov. 14.
For more information, contact the DPS Communications Office at 720-423-3414.