September 3, 2004
DCTA Contract Approved By Board;
Results Of Teacher Vote Due Next Week
The Board of Education this week unanimously approved the terms of a proposed contract for the 2004-2005 school year with the Denver Classroom Teachers Association.
"I am so thankful we were able to come to a settlement, to come to an agreement and move forward for another year of partnership," said Board member Michelle Moss. "What an incredible job they (teachers) do for our kids."
Added Board member Bruce Hoyt: "I hope teachers are very pleased with this proposed settlement. In the context of what has been a very difficult budget year...when we have had all other employee groups taking substantially less, I think teachers should look at this and realize...that teachers truly are respected in this district. It’s the way it should be."
The proposed contract awaits ratification by members of the DCTA before it’s official. Results are expected next week.
Under the terms of the proposed contract, teachers would receive a 1 percent cost of living adjustment; movement on the salary schedule (increases based on years of experience, educational credits and longevity); and an increase from $309 to $348 in the monthly benefits allowance. (A teacher receiving $348 per month would be able to afford mid-level health insurance coverage and basic dental and vision coverage under the district’s benefits plan.) The contract changes would take effect Sept. 1, 2004.
The proposed contract calls for a detailed market analysis to be conducted by a new Market Compensation Task Force. The task force will include four representatives each from DPS and the DCTA as well as three community members. The task force would oversee a study (to be funded by the DCTA and DPS and include an independent consultant) to analyze and make recommendations about the total compensation comparability for teachers in DPS with other districts and other employers.
The study will focus particularly on the relation of recent compensation decisions and their effect on the ability of the district to attract and retain teachers. In addition, the study will look at the relationship of the current salary schedule and the salary schedule envisioned for the new Professional Compensation system. Under "ProComp," as it is known, teachers would be rewarded for their professional accomplishments and their pay would be more closely linked to meeting the school district’s instructional goals. ProComp is set to start with the 2006-2007 school year.
Under the proposed contract language, the Board of Education is committed to prioritizing the recommendations of the study in the development of the budget for the 2005-2006 school year.
The tentative agreement was made possible in part by lowering the daily rate paid for substitute teachers (from $121.45 per day to $81.54 per day - in line with metro Denver school districts) and transferring the savings to the contract for fulltime teachers.
Board member Elaine Gantz Berman said the planned market study would also examine the pay rate for substitute teachers in Denver compared to surrounding districts.
Bryant-Webster Cleared For Second Language Focus
Following months of community activity and work, the Denver Board of Education this week approved "an educational plan at Bryant-Webster Elementary School that will provide an opportunity for students to learn a second language with a focus on high achievement for all students beginning in the 2005-2006 school year."
The Board approved the plan with the understanding that district staff would analyze the addition of Bryant-Webster’s language focus in the context of educational offerings at two other schools where dual language programs are underway –
Academia Ana Marie Sandoval and Fairmont Elementary School.
Board member Lucia Guzman lauded the community for its "struggle and fight for an opportunity that will enrich our children together."
One half of the Board room was filled with parents and students, many of them carrying neon colored signs of support: "Si." "Yes."
Added Board member Theresa Peña: "I’m very pleased that this school district has made the decision to honor the community input." Peña said she hopes all three schools have a "healthy, thriving enrollment."
During the discussion about the proposal at Bryant-Webster, Board members indicated interest in a plan that would allow for all schools interested in dual language to have flexibility in how they are structured.
A staff report raised concerns about proceeding with a plan since there appears to be a limited pool of Spanish-speaking students interested in the program. Sandoval currently is 17 Spanish speaking students short of the ideal mix of English and Spanish speaking students (although there is a long waiting list of English speakers).
Bryant-Webster is just seven blocks from Sandoval, but Board member Guzman said the new program should not be turned away. "Is it Bryant-Webster’s fault that Sandoval doesn’t have the kids it needs?" she asked.
In addition to adding a new focus on secondary language, Bryant-Webster begins the process this year of phasing in the addition of grades six, seven and eight.
Public Comment Changes Discussed
Four community members told the Board of Education at this week’s public hearing that they oppose proposed changes to narrow the scope of topics the Board will hear and shorten the amount of time in which individuals may address those topics during monthly public hearings.
"We are satisfied with the current policy," said Don Griebenaw, who addressed the Board on behalf of the District School Improvement and Accountability Council (DSIAC), a 50-member council that represents all segments of the community and studies issues that affect children in DPS. "Time and topic limitations could be difficult for the district...If you don’t provide an opportunity to give input, people will find another way...Some of what is handled in the public media could be handled directly between individuals and the district."
The Board typically holds public hearings on the first Thursday of each month.
The proposed changes include a new name from public hearing – to public comment. They also include shortening the time allowed for each speaker from three minutes to two minutes and the time allowed for each group of speakers (on the same topic) from 15 minutes to 10. Further, public comment would begin immediately following the close of the Board’s 5 p.m. regular meeting, meaning that the public comment start time would vary but generally would start prior to 6 p.m. Speakers also would be required to sign up 24 hours prior to the public comment session.
Among concerns voiced yesterday were the irregular start time for public comment and the 24-hour sign up deadline, particularly if Board agendas are not posted in advance of the deadline. Board member Elaine Gantz Berman said the Board knows it would have to make a commitment to post meeting agenda items earlier than the sign up deadline if the policy changes are approved at the September 23 meeting.
"What we’re suggesting is not unusual for public bodies," said Board member Berman. "Sometimes, the topics we hear have nothing to do with the public school system. We’re open to public comment, but we want to make sure public comment is relevant to the policy work we’re doing and that it focuses on the work at hand."
The proposed policy changes state, "The opportunity for public comment is not intended to be used as a means to air views or address issues that are not directly related to the business of the Board of Education."
New language also suggests that citizens wishing to bring concerns or issues unrelated to Board of Education agenda items may do so with appropriate district staff or to the Board of Education via e-mail (board@dpsk12.org).
"Enlightenment For Millions:" SCFD Reauthorization Supported
The Denver Board of Education expressed strong support this week for the proposal to reauthorize metro Denver’s Scientific and Cultural Facilities District.
"Denver was the first city in the United States to do anything like this," said Board member Elaine Gantz Berman. "We have become the envy of many cities across the United States and I don’t think we would have such strong cultural institutions without this tax."
The resolution states:
"WHEREAS, The Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) is a nationally acclaimed method to fund cultural organizations; and
WHEREAS, The SCFD provides funding from a one-tenth of a cent sales tax in the seven-county Denver metro area to more than 300 small and large metropolitan arts and science organizations and does so with minimal regulation and overhead; and
WHEREAS, More than 9 million people visited the Denver metro area’s cultural institutions in 2001, which is more than attended professional sporting events (5.3 million) or visited Front Range Colorado’s ski resorts (7.5 million); and
WHEREAS, SCFD-funded organizations provide entertainment, education, and enlightenment for millions of metro residents. Cultural organizations provide tours and cultural experiences for 2 million school children annually. More than 1 million people a year enroll in free and paid cultural classes and activities. An equal number are members of metro cultural organizations. Nearly 1 million underserved audiences such as children below the poverty level, seniors, and diverse ethic audiences experienced cultural programs in 2001. In addition, regional organizations offer area residents more than 100 free days a year; and
WHEREAS, SCFD funding helps metro cultural organizations preserve and protect priceless collections of animals, art, plants, natural history, and historical sites; and
WHEREAS, The region’s cultural organizations and facilities generate more than $1 billion a year in economic impact and provide more than 7,000 jobs; and
WHEREAS, Cultural tourism generated $139 million in 2001. Eleven of the top 15 tourism attractions in the metro area are beloved cultural organizations such as the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the Denver Zoo, the Denver Art Museum, and the Denver Center for Performing Arts; and
WHEREAS, Cultural programming in Colorado has been significantly cut due to state budget reductions and the economic downturn; and
WHEREAS, The SCFD has been approved by the legislature and endorsed by voters in two region-wide elections in 1988 and 1994. The SCFD must be reauthorized by voters on or before 2006; and
WHEREAS, The SCFD’s modest one-tenth of a cent sales tax equals only one cent on a $10 purchase, and in 2004, voters will be asked to extend, not increase, the tax for an additional 12 years.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of District No. 1 supports the reauthorization of the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, and urges legislative and voter support for renewal of the District and the continued benefits which the SCFD provides."
Public Hearing For Commission on School Nutrition and Physical Activity Is Sept. 28
The Commission on School Nutrition and Physical Activity has scheduled a public hearing from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 28 at East High School, 1545 Detroit St.
The hearing will be co-hosted by Superintendent Jerry Wartgow, Mayor John Hickenlooper and members of the commission. The commission is co-chaired by Denver Board of Education member Elaine Gantz Berman and Reggie Washington, a prominent pediatric cardiologist and co-chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ National Task Force on Obesity.
The commission is inviting all students, parents and interested community members to comment on effective policies and practices in schools involving students’ nutrition, health, and physical well-being.
Interested speakers should contact Jacquie Luecero (303-764-3211) or e-mail Board@dpsk12.org by 5 p.m. Friday, September 24. Individuals may speak for up to two minutes, and groups of two or more for up to five minutes. If time permits, people who did not sign up to speak in advance may follow.