News Release
April 21, 2006
Superintendent Michael Bennet Announces Advisory Committee For Redesign Of Manual High School
Superintendent Michael Bennet today announced the formation of an advisory committee to oversee the redesign of Manual High School.
The co-chairs of the committee are Denver City Council member and Manual High School graduate Elbra Wedgeworth and Denver Board of Education President Theresa Peña.
"This committee will advise the district as we follow through on our pledge to reopen Manual High School in 2007 with a vibrant, dynamic educational program that meets the needs of neighborhood students and families," said Superintendent Bennet. "The committee will ensure that the redesign process is well managed and that the development of the new program fully engages the community as the work moves forward."
Bennet said the committee will first be asked to advise the district on development of a design process, including the selection of a project planning team to facilitate the community process that leads to the renewal of Manual.
Councilwoman Wedgeworth promised a thorough, community-based conversation as the work begins. "This process will engage Manual stakeholders including area residents, parents, students, alumni, educators, community and faith-based organizations, business leaders, and others to help," she said.
Bennet said the district anticipates that a plan for the new school will be completed by fall and a principal selected by Oct. 1.
In addition to advising on the selection of a project management team, Bennet said the advisory committee will also create an authentic community process that sets a strong academic foundation for Manual as a school that the neighborhood, district and the greater Denver community can support.
The advisory committee members include:
- Co-Chair - Theresa Peña, President of the Denver Board of Education. Peña has served on the Board since June 2003, when she was appointed by the Board to fill the remainder of James Mejia's term. She was elected to a full term for one of two at-large seats in November 2003. Peña is a small business consultant, performing the financial accounting for a veterinary practice and also operations and finances for a retail clothing business. Peña served in 2002-2003 as a member of the DPS Citizens Committee on Facility Needs, which recommended to the Board the projects for inclusion in the 2003 bond that was approved by voters.
- Co-Chair - Elbra Wedgeworth, former Denver City Council President (2003-2005) and District 8 Council member since 1999. With more than 16 years of experience in the city, Wedgeworth has the unusual distinction of having served in all three branches of government - the Mayor's Office, the Auditor's Office and City Council. She has served in Community Relations for Denver Health and City Liaison and Director of Philanthropic Affairs. Wedgeworth is a graduate of Manual High School, the University of Redlands, as well as the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program and the Colorado Institute for Leadership Training.
- Cynthia R. Gallegos, executive director of Focus Points Family Resource Center in the Five Points neighborhood. The mission of the center is to help build better communities by strengthening families. Gallegos graduated from John F. Kennedy High School and received her bachelor's degree from Metropolitan State College. She has more than seven years of non-profit experience and has participated for more than nine years with grassroots organizing. Gallegos participated in the Latina Leadership Circle 2003, Community Resource Center Colorado Nonprofit Leadership & Management Program 2005 and the White House Project 2005.
- Paul D. Garcia, a lifelong community resident and activist from the Swansea neighborhood who works at the Cross Community Coalition/Family Resource Center. Through this work, Garcia has developed and implemented several after-school and summer youth programs and has been instrumental in bringing together parents, teachers and principals through the Lights on After School campaign. His work has included direct involvement with middle and high school students in the Manual area.
- Pastor Vernon Jones Jr. is the Senior Pastor/Teacher of the Kinship Church in Denver located in the Manual neighborhood. He is a member of the Executive team of the North City Park Civic Association, a proud product of the public school system and supports positive efforts to improve schools for the advancement of all students. In 2003, Pastor Jones became one of the youngest pastors in the state when he began leading Kinship at age 25.
The Board of Education voted Feb. 16 to close Manual High School (1700 E. 28th Ave.) for one year and reopen the school with freshmen only in the fall of 2007. Grades 10, 11 and 12 will be added one year at a time. The decision was based on declining academic performance, enrollment and resources for students.
Earlier this week, the district announced that all Manual High School students would be accommodated in their first choice option for the 2006-2007 school year and that 98 percent of the students have had their requests confirmed.
South High School will receive the largest number of Manual students, 151. East High School is receiving 93, George Washington High School 66, North High School 62, and Thomas Jefferson 55. Only 11 students report that they will leave DPS.
For more information, contact the DPS Communications Office at 720-423-3414.