Board News
January 19, 2006
Denver Public Schools Board News
2006-2007 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDARS
Traditional Calendar
The Denver Board of Education today approved the 2006-2007 traditional school year calendar that calls for a start date of Monday, Aug. 21, 2006. Highlights of the calendar:
- First day of school: Monday, Aug. 21
- Thanksgiving break: Wednesday-Friday, Nov. 22-24
- Winter break: Friday, Dec. 22-Friday, Jan. 5
- Spring break: Monday-Friday, March 26-30
- Last day of school (half day for students): Thursday, May 31
The 2006-2007 traditional school year calendar is online at www.dpsk12.org/calendars.
Continuous-Year Calendar
The Denver Board of Education is considering a draft 2006-2007 continuous-year school calendar and a staff proposal that the district operate all schools on the same schedule beginning with the 2007-2008 school year. The 17 elementary schools currently on the continuous-year calendar may choose to switch to the traditional calendar in fall 2006 instead of waiting another year.
Continuous-year principals have met with school staff to assess their position on the schedule. They also met with and/or sent letters to students' families to solicit feedback. Based on this process, some continuous-year schools are requesting a return to the traditional schedule immediately - Amesse, Barrett, Johnson, Maxwell, Smith, Valdez and Wyman. Principals reference coordination with district-wide initiatives as the primary factor behind this decision. The balance of the continuous-year schools favor the continuous-year calendar and would prefer to stay on this schedule. At a minimum, they would maintain the continuous-year calendar for one more year.
Highlights of the draft 2006-2007 continuous-year calendar:
- First day of school: Monday, July 24
- Thanksgiving break: Wednesday-Friday, Nov. 22-24
- Winter break: Monday, Dec. 18-Friday, Jan. 5
- Spring break: Monday, March 19-Friday, April 6
- Last day of school (half day for students): Thursday, June 7
Final adoption of the 2006-2007 continuous-year calendar is expected on Thursday, Feb. 16. The draft calendar will be online starting Friday, Jan. 20 at www.dpsk12.org/calendars.
JOINT MARKET COMPENSATION TASK FORCE
Representatives from the Denver Classroom Teachers Association, Denver Public Schools staff, and the community presented collaborative recommendations for salary and benefits for teachers and other classified employees. The task force's goal was to recommend modifications that establish a competitive position for compensation over a multi-year period, beginning in 2005-2006, consistent with overall district financial strength.
The task force found that there is .98 percent ($1.8 million) market gap between DPS and other previously identified districts in teacher compensation. This calculation assumes that the current salary schedule will be fully funded. For the classified bargaining units, there is an aggregate 1.64 percent ($530,190) market gap between DPS and other districts.
Among its recommendations, the task force urged adding one day (half student contact; half planning time) to the calendar and adding a new Step 14 to the schedule at $1,275 above Step 13. The task force also made a series of budget recommendations including restructuring of the quadrant management system and curricular and instructional support to provide services consistent with the Denver Plan; accelerating progress toward a paperless work environment; investigating the sale or lease of surplus property; and developing a systematic method for determining use and/or closure of facilities.
The Board of Education has scheduled a retreat Friday, Jan. 27 to begin discussions and planning for the 2006-2007 school year budget.
» Joint Market Compensation Task Force Report [pdf]
BOARD NOTES
In other business, the Board of Education:
- Approved a resolution proposing a 2006 General Obligation Bond ballot initiative for the Nov. 7, 2006, general election. The action forms a Citizens Ad Hoc Committee on Facility Needs to assist Denver Public Schools in collaboratively developing a plan to address the advisability of pursuing a General Obligation Bond ballot initiative for the Nov. 7, 2006, general election.
- Approved the curriculum purchases from elementary arts mill levy funding of: 1) Spotlight on Music for grades K-5, including music textbooks, teachers' editions and CD recordings; and Adventures in Art for grades K-5, including art textbooks, teachers' editions and accompanying support materials.
- Approved the proposed pupil assignment plans at the new Montbello Village Place and Green Valley Ranch Picadilly K-8 schools in northeast Denver (www.dpsk12.org/news/press/2006/01/3b.shtml).
- Ratified a construction contract with Brown Schrepferman & Co. for remodeling projects at Crofton, Ebert, Harrington, Mitchell and Stedman elementary schools and Morey Middle School.
- Ratified a construction contract with Turner Construction for remodeling projects at Asbury, Ellis, Knight Academy and Lincoln elementary schools, Merrill Middle School and Slavens K-8 School.
- Approved a construction contract with White Construction Company for the Baker Middle School Renovation.