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DPS closes smallest elementary school

Nancy Mitchell, Rocky Mountain News

Published August 17, 2007 at midnight

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Denver's smallest elementary school was closed quietly Thursday, with school board members agreeing that Del Pueblo Elementary no longer could serve children adequately.

Enrollment at the Baker neighborhood school at 750 Galapago St. had dropped dramatically in recent years, with 80 students enrolled as of last month. The school was built for 344.

Principal Dave Villescas said he approached Denver Public Schools Superintendent Michael Bennet last month to discuss whether the school should operate for another year.

Villescas faced the possibility of combining grades - two classes each of kindergarten through second grade and of grades three through five. He also had five teaching vacancies and no applicants.

"It's not a great place for kids," the principal said. "Let's talk to families and say these are some other options."

Villescas said he and his staff began visiting homes Aug. 6 to talk about alternative schools. As of Thursday, all but a handful of students had decided to go elsewhere, he said.

"It was extremely hard," he said. "You fall in love with Del Pueblo kids . . . when you see them cry and it's because of the news you brought to their house, it's very challenging."

Bennet announced the shutdown Thursday to Del Pueblo teachers. Kim Ursetta, president of the Denver Classroom Teachers Association, said that seven teachers will be placed in other schools.

Villescas said he will stay at Del Pueblo for another couple of weeks to work with any families who try to enroll. He and his staff haven't been able to locate five students who had enrolled.

Villescas has been told that he has a job with DPS.

No one spoke against the Del Pueblo decision, and board members took no formal vote.

DPS spokesman Alex Sanchez called the school's fate a "suspension of the academic program" rather than a closing.

The future use of the school building will be decided this fall, as part of an overall district proposal, including school program changes and building closings, expected Oct. 2.

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