News Release
April 6, 2007
Chief Operating Officer Andre Pettigrew To Leave DPS
Denver Public Schools Superintendent Michael Bennet today announced the resignation of Andre Pettigrew, the District's Chief Operating Officer. "The District has benefited from his extraordinary leadership and work over the past six years which have resulted in significant improvements to our operations," said Bennet.
Pettigrew joined DPS in 2001 at the request of former Superintendent Jerry Wartgow. "There is no work more important in Denver than improving public education," said Pettigrew. "During my tenure with DPS I have been committed to making DPS the 'best urban school district' in America, and I believe the goal is attainable with continued District leadership and the increasing support of our students, parents, teachers, administrative employees and the greater Denver community."
As Chief Operating Officer, Pettigrew has overseen a range of administrative functions that keep the district running, including technology, human resources, food service, transportation, facilities management, and purchasing. "I'm most proud of Andre's efforts to raise the level of accountability, professionalism and innovation within the operating departments during a period when the District dramatically modified its cost structure by eliminating and consolidating central administrative departments," Bennet said.
During the past six years, Pettigrew's departments have eliminated more than $35 million in costs. "We accomplished these savings not only by making tough choices, but by creating efficiencies through reorganization and innovative delivery of services. The efforts of my dedicated team have put the District in a better financial position to move forward in meeting its ambitions."
"I will always hold my time at DPS close to my heart. My colleagues are all incredibly committed to the children of Denver, and they work hard to provide the educational experience our children deserve."
Pettigrew's tenure at the district resulted in a number of significant district-wide initiatives and accomplishments:
- Championed the design, development, passage and integration of Denver's revolutionary teacher compensation system, ProComp.
- Improved coordination and alignment among budget, planning, human resources and other departments to better support the "Denver Plan".
- Accelerated budget and staffing timelines by almost six weeks, making Denver Public Schools' staffing cycle competitive with other districts in the state for the first time.
- Contributed significantly to the successful transition between Superintendents Wartgow and Bennet, maintaining the focus on organizational change within the District and minimizing the loss of momentum between administrations.
- Introduced several electronic, online systems to serve employees, including an online job application, benefits enrollment, employee information service and more.
"All of Denver is deeply indebted to Andre for his dedicated service to Denver Public Schools," said Bennet. "These accomplishments help position the district to make the leap to a world class enterprise." Bennet added that a search is underway to fill Pettigrew's job as soon as possible.
Pettigrew's immediate plans include working with the Institute of African-American Leadership in Boulder to raise money for black students between the ages of 9-18 to travel to Ghana this summer. Ghana is celebrating its 50th anniversary of independence from British colonial rule.