News Release

February 9, 2006

Consolidation Of Three Manual High Schools To Be Considered At Board Of Education Meetings On Monday, Feb. 13; Community Meetings Set For Saturday, Feb. 11 And Wednesday, Feb. 15

The Board of Education will hold a work session and special public comment session - limited to two topics - on Monday, Feb. 13 at the district's administration building, 900 Grant St. The work session is at 4:30 p.m. in Room 706; the special public comment session is at 6 p.m. in the first-floor Board Room.

The 4:30 p.m. work session agenda includes a staff recommendation to reconfigure the Manual Educational Complex beginning this fall.

"A drastic decline in student enrollment at Manual is forcing us to consider reorganizing the complex," said Superintendent Michael Bennet. "To best support all students currently enrolled at Arts and Cultural Studies, Leadership Academy, and Millennium Quest high schools, we recommend that the three schools be combined and guided by a single leadership team beginning this fall. Additionally, we propose that Manual start the next school year without a new ninth-grade class."

Under the proposal, Manual would serve only grades 10, 11 and 12 next year while a leadership team works to reshape the school. Current seniors would graduate at the end of this semester, and students currently in grades 9, 10 and 11 would continue to attend Manual if that is their choice and provided they have sufficient credits to be in grades 10, 11 and 12.

The students who would have been the next ninth-grade class at Manual would attend West High School instead, or they may select from many other enrollment options for next year.

"We will select a precise course of action for students and families who are committed to Manual - and all who care about this school and its legacy," said Superintendent Bennet. "Unfortunately, despite the solid work of the Manual staff and many, many community members, the reform efforts at Manual have not made the kind of positive impact on academic achievement that we owe to all of our students."

With enrollment down by 47 percent in four years, Manual now offers fewer and fewer teachers and resources such as college prep courses, other electives and English language classes.

"As the process moves forward on this important matter, we want to thank the staff and community for their hard work and dedication to helping students at the Manual Educational Complex," said Superintendent Bennet. "This recommendation in no way reflects on the dedication and hard work of the Manual administration, faculty, staff or students. Ultimately, this is about offering the best learning opportunity that we can - and must - provide."

Northeast Assistant Area Superintendent Nicole Veltzé will host two community meetings at Manual in the next few days to discuss the proposal - 10 a.m. Saturday, February 11 and 7 p.m. Wednesday, February 15. (Spanish interpretation will be available.)

The Board of Education is expected to make a decision about the proposal on Thursday, Feb. 16. To give input to Board members prior to a final decision, email board@dpsk12.org or sign up for the special public comment session set for 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13. To sign up to speak, call the Board office at 720-423-3210 by noon that day. Each speaker has three minutes to speak, but groups of four or more people speaking on the same topic have 10 minutes collectively.

The 4:30 p.m. work session agenda also includes:

The 6 p.m. special public comment session is limited to discussion of the proposed changes at Manual and a recent proposal to adjust the grade level configurations for six schools that have been on track to grow to K-8 models and one school (Swansea Elementary School) that has expanded to a K-6 model. Based on conversations with principals and in analyzing the number of students enrolling, among other factors, Superintendent Bennet has proposed:

For more information, contact the DPS Communications Office, 720-423-3414.

 

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