June 17, 2005

"New Era Of Teacher Compensation" Heads To November 1 Ballot

Denver voters in November will be asked to consider a proposal to back ProComp, the groundbreaking Professional Compensation System for Teachers that links teacher pay to the school district’s instructional mission.

The Board of Education this week unanimously approved a resolution that asks voters to consider ballot language that, if approved, would raise the $25 million needed annually to support the proposed system.

"This is a landmark day in the history of Denver Public Schools," said Board member Elaine Gantz Berman.

"Denver is clearly at the cutting edge," said Superintendent Jerry Wartgow. "The eyes of the nation are upon Denver both for the process that was used to develop this new compensation system as well as the content and substance itself. The time has come for us to take bold steps to improve the quality of education."

Denver Classroom Teachers Association president Kim Ursetta concurred. "This has been a long time coming," she said. "We are very pleased with the final ballot language … It is important that we remain steadfast in our efforts to work collaboratively to improve student achievement."

Board of Education President Les Woodward lauded the stalwart support of the philanthropic community, particularly the Rose Community Foundation. The foundation support, he said, allowed for the necessary time to develop a system that has been "well-designed, tested and effective … (and) will give us the opportunity to step into a new era of teacher compensation."

Phil Gonring, Senior Program Officer for the Rose Community Foundation, cited the decision to extend the original pilot from two to four years as critical to refining the ideas being tested. "There is courage and commitment in this district," Gonring said.

ProComp has four components that allow teachers to build earnings.

  1. Knowledge and Teaching Skills – Teachers will earn compensation for acquiring and demonstrating knowledge and skills by completing annual professional development units, and through earning additional graduate degrees and national certificates.
  2. Professional Evaluation – Teachers will be recognized for their classroom skill by receiving salary increases every three years for satisfactory evaluations.
  3. Student Growth – Teachers will be rewarded for the academic growth of their students. They can earn compensation for meeting annual objectives, for exceeding CSAP growth goals and for working in a school judged distinguished based on academic gains and other factors.
  4. Market Incentives – Bonuses will assist the district and schools in meeting specific needs. Teachers in hard-to-serve schools – those faced with academic challenges – can earn annual bonuses. Bonuses will be available to those filling hard-to-staff positions – assignments which historically have shortages of qualified applicants.

A complete overview of the ProComp proposal is available on the district’s website at http://denverprocomp.org.

ProComp ballot language

Shall Denver Public Schools (School District No. 1) taxes be increased $25 million per year, adjusted for inflation, solely and exclusively to fund the professional compensation system for teachers (ProComp), which tax increase shall terminate if ProComp terminates, including compensation to teachers for:

By an additional property tax levy that results in the dollar amount of revenues set forth above in the current budget year and the same dollar amount, adjusted annually in each budget year thereafter for inflation as measured by the Denver-Boulder-Greeley consumer price index, which revenues shall be used solely and exclusively for, and none of which will be spent for any purpose other than, funding ProComp?

 

Superintendent Candidates To Meet Public

The Denver Board of Education has announced a series of meetings next week to introduce to the community each of the three candidates for the superintendent vacancy.

The schedule features Christine Johnson on Tuesday, June 21; Michael Bennet on Wednesday, June 22; and Patricia Harvey on Thursday, June 23. In addition, each candidate will meet from 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, June 24 with community-based organizations and foundations at the Denver School of the Arts.

Each day-long itinerary will include opportunities for the public to meet the candidates during a morning stop at an elementary school Summer Scholars program, a press availability session in the afternoon, and a community reception and forum in the evening.

The community receptions with each finalist will be from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at the Denver Public Schools administration building, 900 Grant St.

The 90-minute community forums will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. those same days (also at the administration building). The forums will be broadcast on Denver cable station Channel 22. Those in attendance will have time to ask questions of the candidate, and viewers at home may call in questions to 720-423-3210, fax them to 720-423-3216 or email them to board@dpsk12.org.

Other Superintendent Candidate Public Meetings Are:

Christine Johnson, Tuesday, June 21

9-9:45 a.m. Summer Scholars visit
Swansea Elementary School
4650 Columbine St.

1-1:30 p.m. Media availability
900 Grant St., Rooms 108 A & B

Michael Bennet, Wednesday, June 22

9-9:45 a.m. Summer Scholars visit
Harrington Elementary School
2401 E. 37th Ave.

12:45-1:15 p.m. Media availability
900 Grant St., Rooms 108 A & B

Patricia Harvey, Thursday, June 23

9-9:45 a.m. Summer Scholars visit
Philips Elementary School
6550 E. 21st Ave.

1-1:30 p.m. Media availability
900 Grant St. Rooms 108 A & B

 

2005-2006 Budget Approved

The Board of Education this week approved a $583.1 million budget for the 2005-2006 school year.

The new general fund total is $7 million above the $576 million proposed in May due to increased revenues ($3 million) from the Colorado Preschool Program and a modification ($4 million) for how the funding and charges for charter schools are reported in the budget, a requirement by the Colorado Department of Education.

Overall, the budget retains focus on the district’s three goals and represents significant spending reductions to make ends meet. A relatively flat enrollment forecast and an increase in the employer contribution rate to the DPS Retirement Fund presented significant budget challenges.

The budget reflects a reduction in central office departments by over 7 percent, a delay in some maintenance expenses, and a shift in the purchase of a new Student Information System to the bond program. In addition, the work-year will be reduced by three days for employees other than teachers and certain other workers.

The adopted budget is posted on the district’s website at:

http://budgetandfinance.dpsk12.org.

The district’s Budget Office has published a "Community Guide to Understanding the DPS Budget," which is also available on the budget office website.

 

Independent Center for International Studies Expands, Moves to Baker in August 2006

The Board voted this week to open a 6-12 Center for International Studies in the fall of 2006 at the Baker Middle School facility, which closed as a middle school last month.

The plan calls for moving the current 9-12 program out of West High School in August 2006 and phasing in sixth grade that year with seventh and eighth grades added subsequently the following two years.

All current West High School students will have the opportunity to enroll in the program and will have a higher priority than other district applicants. A lottery will be used to enroll students if applications exceed available space.

"With the breadth of its cultural studies and language offerings, the program meets a clear academic need within a highly-diverse district," states the proposal that went to the Board.

West High School’s enrollment may decline by about 175 students in 2006-2007 as a result of the shift, but West would take the opportunity to redesign its program based on community input to take advantage of the newly-available space.

For more information, access the proposal from the June 16 Board agenda at this link: http://board.dpsk12.org/meetings and click on Agendas.

 

MLK Middle School To Become Early College

The Board this week approved revitalization plans to raise achievement and attract students back to Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, which, under the plans, will be renamed the Martin Luther King Jr. Early College.

The school will reorganize from a traditional middle school with grades six through eight to an early college high school with multiple career path options. The transition to high school will occur with the addition of one grade every year beginning in August 2006.

Also included in the plans are curriculum enhancements to further support the district’s studio literacy course and Connected Mathematics Program. This includes re-staffing the school consistent with the superintendent’s recent "redesign" designation. The school also will implement Read 180 (literacy support); hire literacy and math coaches; implement AVID strategies in all classrooms to support teachers in the delivery of instruction across all grade levels; and implement "Measures of Academic Progress" (MAPS), a well-respected, data-driven benchmark assessment system that tracks student performance.

The school will be included in the district’s pilot programs for both science and social studies as the curriculum materials become available as early as the 2005-2006 school year.

The revitalization committee’s plan also boosts the level of ongoing professional development for all teachers and staff and integrates "project-based" learning opportunities across all grade levels.

MLK Middle School is among 13 schools designated by the Board of Education to tap into $2.5 million in funding from voters to revitalize neighborhood schools. Revitalization plans for all 13 schools have been approved.

 

Dr. Wayne Eckerling Honored For 36 Years Of Outstanding Contributions

Wayne Eckerling began his work with Denver Public Schools as a VISTA volunteer at East High School in 1969. He started work with the district two years later as a teacher and, later, school psychologist.

Beginning in 1987, he took on a series of increasingly complex administrative duties that involved a broad variety of district functions. He served as a key member of the district leadership team alongside nine superintendents.

This month, Wayne Eckerling officially retired as Assistant Superintendent of Research, Planning and Special Projects after a brilliant and distinguished career.

The Board of Education this week passed a resolution honoring Dr. Eckerling for his "personal dedication," his "extremely high standards for accuracy, fairness and creativity," and for his "insight, critical thinking and leadership (that) set high benchmarks for professionalism."

Superintendent Jerry Wartgow joined the chorus of praise. "His contributions are immeasurable," he said. "When you look back at the kinds of landmark things that Wayne has been involved in, I doubt there has been or ever will be another person that made that kind of a contribution."

"Really, thanks," said Wayne Eckerling in his typically low-key and off-hand manner. "It’s been nothing but fun for me."

 

More School Principal Appointments Approved

The Board of Education yesterday approved the following principals appointed by Superintendent Jerry Wartgow for the 2005-2006 school year:

    This page was last updated: Friday, June 17, 2005 at 1:31:48 PM

    Search
    ©2004 Denver Public Schools
    Privacy Statement | Style Guide