Some shocks in Denver Public Schools school-sharing plan

Also concern from parents, staff over possible impacts

By Nancy Mitchell, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published November 14, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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Photo by Brian Lehmann / The Rocky

Aleah Vigil, 13, Angelita Moreno, 12, and Nick Villarreal, 13, from left, stand in the hall of Rishel Middle School after they left a meeting in frustration over proposed changes for the school.

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Parents and teachers reacted with shock, concern and some relief Thursday to Denver Public Schools' recommendations that five schools share space with new programs next fall.

The biggest surprise was the news that the existing program at Rishel Middle School in southwest Denver would be phased out as part of the plan, while two new programs would move in.

Teachers say they were shocked by the decision since closure had not been publicly discussed as an option. More than 50 parents attending a community meeting at the school expressed disbelief.

"It's not fair; we love it here," a girl in the audience told Pat Slaughter, the DPS administrator who presided at the meeting.

"I know it's hard for you," Slaughter told them.

Superintendent Michael Bennet is recommending space-sharing for schools that have empty seats. Denver's middle and high schools, on average, are 66 percent full.

"When you look at the number of middle school seats that are going into southwest Denver if these recommendations go through, it doesn't seem to us the program at Rishel would withstand" the new competition, Bennet said.

He said the school has been struggling academically for some time. Rishel was on DPS' closure list last year but was pulled off.

At Smiley Middle School in northeast Denver, parents learned that a charter school serving grades six through 12 would be moving in next fall.

Pamela Marsh, co-president of the Smiley PTSA, said parents are worried about the possible competition with Smiley's own new International Baccalaureate program, which itself is just getting off the ground.

But, she added, "I think the hardest part about this for parents was . . . that a decision was made without input from the community," echoing concerns raised at other schools.

Worried about impact

Marsh and other parents have been working for more than a year to strengthen Smiley's instructional program and to build interest in the school. They worry about the impact of a second school, operated by Envision Colorado based on a model successful in California.

"I think it's unclear to many of us what the Envision school is going to look like," Marsh said. "Certainly there would be concerns about the competition."

"I do think co-location can work," she added. "There are some parents who do not feel that it can work."

Helen Garcia, a parent at West High School who had been outspoken against space-sharing at her school, said after Thursday's meeting that it might work.

An Edison charter middle school is proposed at West, which relieved some parents who were concerned an elementary might be placed there.

"By listening to some of the programs that Edison does have, I do believe that both schools can learn and it will be for the better on both sides and all the parents do agree on that," Garcia said.

Denver school board members will vote Nov. 20 on the recommendations. It was clear Thursday that at least two board members have serious concerns.

Board divided

Jeanne Kaplan and Arturo Jimenez said they were unhappy with the amount of community input sought by district staff in making the recommendations.

Jimenez asked if the board was being asked to vote the entire plan up or down. If so, he said, "I would have to say no," and Kaplan nodded.

Other board members urged that they take action.

"The vote needs to be about how this is going to benefit the kids and not the problems the adults are throwing up," said Michelle Moss, referring to grumblings by some principals and teachers. "What's right for the kids in my opinion is moving forward."

mitchelln@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5245. Staff writer Jerd Smith contributed to this report.

CLOSURE PLAN, RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DPS

Denver Public Schools leaders on Thursday made these recommendations to school board members, who are expected to vote on the plan Nov. 20:

RISHEL MIDDLE SCHOOL

*Existing program: School will phase out gradually, starting with sixth-graders being sent elsewhere in fall 2009. Current sixth- and seventh-graders can continue at the school through eighth grade.

*New programs: A charter high school run by the Knowledge Is Power Program will move in fall 2009, starting with ninth-graders. A math-science academy for elementary students run with the Denver teachers union will move in fall 2009, starting with grades K-3.

SMILEY MIDDLE SCHOOL

*Existing program: Smiley's new schoolwide and academically rigorous International Baccalaureate candidate program will continue.

*New program: A middle-high school run by Envision Colorado, targeting students who would be the first in their families to go to college, will open in fall 2009 with grades six and nine.

KUNSMILLER MIDDLE SCHOOL

*Existing program: The school's ongoing conversion to an arts academy for kindergarten through grade 12 will continue.

*New program A second campus of West Denver Preparatory Charter Middle School will open in fall 2009.

WEST HIGH SCHOOL

*Existing program School's science, technology, engineering and math focus will continue.

*New program A charter middle school run by Edison, which also runs the district's Omar D. Blair and Wyatt-Edison schools, will open in fall 2009 with grades six, seven and eight.

MANUAL HIGH SCHOOL

*Existing program: The school's fledgling small high school, now serving grades 9 and 10, will continue to grow through grade 12.

*New program: A program serving students ages 18 to 21 who have dropped out will move into three classrooms in fall '09.

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Comments

November 14, 2008

6:50 a.m.

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mcgraw08 writes:

The school board and the superintendent don't care about our kids, they don't care about the hard work that the school staff puts in to improve. The DCTA is too weak to support the teachers and stand up for them. I find it amazing how people who have never taught know what is best for our students. Kunsmiller wasn't going to be a part of the pair sharing. Michelle Moss is upset because the parents know what the agenda is, she doesn't know what goes on in the schools none of these people ever set step in the schools unless it is necessary. DPS is becoming a district of charter schools, they are not held up to the same requirements as the rest of the public schools, the teachers don't have to meet NCLB requirements their first few years of teaching. This is what is happening to education, have a board and CEO looking at the bottom line, who cares if it is the workers that suffer. They basically have told teachers that they just need to shut up and do their job, because teachers are not respected by the board and Bennett. Charter schools could have gone into the empty schools already closed, because the district doesn't put money into them, the pay the district so why couldn't they have chosen them. People need to realize that teachers are working hard to improve their schools and the parents are working along side with them. But the district doesn't care, all they care about is the bottom line. They don't like to be questioned or put on the spot and get upset when they are questioned. We need people running DPS who actually knows what happens in the schools and how hard everyone is working to give our students what they truly need.
November 14, 2008

10:50 a.m.

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WDBarns writes:

mcgraw above is correct. The DCTA was bought off by Bennet giving them their own charter school. (Bennet knows that people's greed and egos will overrun what is right with most people, but especially those with little or nothing to lose like DCTA.)

But this misses the point. Ms. Moss is the point. How do people of color in SW Denver feel about her representing them now? The quote "The vote needs to be about how this is going to benefit the kids and not the problems the adults are throwing up. What's right for the kids in my opinion is moving forward" shows the disregard she has for the citizens who elect her, but especially people of color. Taking parents out of their children's education now is just like taking them out in the 60s and 70s through busing programs. These same "right minded" school boards were sure they knew better than the parents what was best for kids of color. Unfortunately, I do not have the opportunity to vote against Ms. Moss. She does not represent my district, but her constituents should remember this statement the next time they vote: Ms. Moss knows better than you do what is right for your kids. I think most of the citizens represented by her are not being represented at all. She represents the world we hoped was overcome a little bit with Mr. Obama's election last week, a world where people's voice is silenced because "they don't know what is good for them." A world of the 60s and 70s busing program.
November 14, 2008

12:39 p.m.

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BetterEducated writes:

I am having a hard time finding anything to argue about in McGraw's comments too.
November 14, 2008

2:42 p.m.

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Tizzy writes:

Why the heck is each school now the "International Baccalaureate School", the "Art School", the "Charter School", "the Montesorri School" the this that and other school????

Shouldn't DPS just have whatever the magic number of schools is for the metro area, say 30-50 schools for grades K-8 and then have about 4-6 High Schools for 9-12. Then EACH school offers the SAME programs. So you'll have Asbury Elementary offering the same reading, math and history classes as Bromwell. I think it's so strange that you have bussing for students in this day and age, so people can attend a "good school." Why not set a goal to make each neighborhood have the same options.

Why doesn't DPS look to JeffCo, Cherry Creek, and other excellently run school systems for advice. For the most part these districts don't offer such drastic differences in education at each building in their district. If you go to Heritage or you go to Littleton HS you'll get the same overall education. But with DPS there's just such a difference between all the High Schools. Why on earth would they want all their A+ students in one school and all the F students in another? Spread the kids around and help make things more diverse with the student population on items such as intelligence! They are so concerned with the diversity issues in other areas, but not in diversifying the students with their knowledge. Everything I was told as a kid/student was that those students who are bright actually help the students who aren't as bright when in the same classroom.
November 14, 2008

2:47 p.m.

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BetterEducated writes:

Oh Tizzy, that's WAY too easy for DPS.
Not NEARLY expensive enough. No need for experts, consultants, directors, supervisors, liaisons, specialists or even volunteer coordinators.
Whatever were you THINKING?! :-)
November 14, 2008

2:55 p.m.

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BetterEducated writes:

I'm going to assume yours was just a momentary lapse, and let it slide.
Here is why DPS is not like Jeffco, which has much the same population and in fact abuts the district in some significant areas:
1. DPS is secretive and Jeffco parents would not allow this to occur.
2. DPS has its own separate pension plan and this makes it very difficult to figure out how much money is being paid out for human resources. At the same time, workers don't receive either Social Security or PERA so they are "stuck" if they are already midway or beyond in their district careers.
3. DPS has a longtime attorney that encourages Board members to emphasize district control instead of collaboration. This has resulted in a string of legal cases and less formal incidents in which teachers in particular have become very skeptical of its motives. Where there is distrust there can be no progress.
So all kidding aside, Tizzy -- THANK YOU for expressing the fact that Denver is not even Colorado's #1 school district in terms of numbers.....that other districts have worked these things out without HALF the grief or anguish suffered by the Denver community...and that this is indeed an unnecessary and very disturbing phenomenon.
For many years, I've thought that DPS needed some sort of rigorous outside review of its affairs. ALL of them!! :-)
November 14, 2008

5:22 p.m.

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Tizzy writes:

Again, I really just don't get how there is just so much red tape involved with DPS. I mean isn't DPS, just like Littleton, CCSD, Jeff Co, Douglas County, Englewood Public Schools in terms of that they are all under one entity.... Dept. of Education with the State of Colorado???? Shouldn't these folks step in and start kicking out some of the bureaucrats.

Years ago I actually interviewed for a clerical position with DPS. Sounded good on paper, but during the interview process the fellow interviewing me, corrected me twice when I called him "Bob" and said that he was "Mr. Jones" or whatever? I was like 25 years old... why would I be calling my possible boss-man, Mr. Jones? It's not 1935 and I'm not a student of said Mr. Jones. Anyway, I left there not wanting the position (they offered it to me anyway), as I just thought that that small interaction with this one individual was just too odd.

I'm one that believes that most things in Government should be run as a Business. The schools, the DMV, the health dept. I am always annoyed by how things are run in these agencies. It would never happen in the "real world".

I just feel terrible for the people who have no choice in the matter and have to deal with DPS. Yes, other districts have problems and private schools have them as well, but this agency is just over the top in terms of what they do.
November 14, 2008

5:41 p.m.

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BetterEducated writes:

Tizzy, that was your best day and the best decision you ever made.
November 14, 2008

6:28 p.m.

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rishel_01 writes:

I am a student at Rishel and i think that it is not fair for them to "phase out" rishel it is not fair. This school is RISHEL MIDDLE SCHOOL not RISHEL AND KIPP CHARTER SCHOOL the founding father is JOHN B. RISHEL thats our school. They choose are school once we get alot more students and our school CSAP scores are #3 in the city thats great for us and now it is going to be gone. Our school has been up 50 years and all of a sudden they want to change that, no thats not fair. I love this school and so does all the students and teachers there too. Even my little cousins and next door neighbors want to go there now they can't and they should let them go but that won't happen it's wrong, my life and my teachers lives are all going to change because that should not happen, and on Monday when they have the next and last meeting i am going to speak my mind like just now.I am a 7th grader at RISHEL MIDDLE SCHOOL and i am PROUD to be a RISHEL RANGLER FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE!!!!!if you want to email me on questions or concerns or just to chat about this it is crystal_07sls@yahoo.com thank you for listening.
November 14, 2008

7:46 p.m.

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WDBarns writes:

Crystal, you write bravely. It is tragic that your school is being phased out. Speak your mind! Fight the decision! Now is a good time to learn that through organizing those around you, you can have significant influence over the events of your life. If you sit quietly, then you must take what they give you. If you get others to stand up with you and say, "This is wrong and on the first day of school in 2009 we will show up and sit in our chairs. You'd better be there to teach us DPS" what can they do? Put you in prison? Ha! While the DPS school board may act like it is 1972, the law looks at things very differently. Ask yourself, do you have a civil right to attend a public school? Not one that is operated by a public school district, but a true, public school? Is Ms. Moss's separate but equal approach to charter vs. public education a violation of your rights? Ask your parents. Ask your friends parents. Bring them all to the school board and say to the board and Ms. Moss that you will not take this quietly! Picket 900 Grant Street, where DPS makes these decisions in secret. Vote your representative out, because she does not represent you. You have a right to be asked about your education and the things affecting it. You have a right to attend truly public schools, not just charter schools disguised as public schools. Do what the DPS teachers union cannot. Organize to protect your rights! Ask yourself, what would anyone taking the pledge to be a Rishel Ranger for life do? When you have an answer, go out and do it.
November 14, 2008

8:32 p.m.

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BetterEducated writes:

Well, there you are, Crystal.
The author presents an interesting question: do you have a constitutional (civil) right, or a statutory right under federal Access to Education legislation, to attend a "truly" public school?
Here is an easier one to answer, the other needs an attorney: do you have an ETHICAL right to attend a local public school that is serving your needs?
Sure you do.
November 14, 2008

8:51 p.m.

Suggest removal

Tizzy writes:

I need more info on "charter schools". From the "old days" like in 1992, there were just schools. Maybe there was a Fame school thrown into the mix, but generally just schools. Then there was the charter school thing. From what I remember a charter school was started by parents and teachers who wanted to have a school where they could call all the shots and truly develop a plan for the school. Maybe they'd follow the Waldorf plan or the Montesori Plan. But now since there are hundreds of charter schools, doesn't that just defeat the purpose of having this "special school" offered to the students in the community?

Like I said before, everything is now the Bradly international school, the Dennison Montesori School, the Traylor Acadamy, Knight Fundamental Academy. Instead of putting some new signage up on the real estate, why not just have small neighborhood schools just be that, schools.

They're talking about closing so many buildings too. I ask you, and it will happen as everything is cyclical, what will happen when DPS realizes they need more schools in 10 years? They will have given away all their real estate, like the school near Harvard Gulch. Some day in the future there will be a boom in that neighborhood, where mc mansions will go up (just like in Observatory Park) and there will be no neighborhood school for the families.

I realize there are costs involved in running a building and that's why they'd like to close 10 schools and put everyone in one school, but you're creating a bussing situation (never good), no sense of a community school.

Why not cut out all the attorney fees, high paid officials, and the like and put the money into the actual schools.
November 14, 2008

9:04 p.m.

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teresapena writes:

Crystal,

¿Sabes César Chávez?
November 14, 2008

9:04 p.m.

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Tizzy writes:

One other thing that amazes me is how many DPS families choice out to suburban schools. Why is this allowed at all? Move to another city is my suggestion. Yes, we still get the tax dollars, but by not having this group of students (usually the families with the $$$$ and the resources), we are not having a good mix of students in the DPS system. These choice out students families are quite active in their choiced school, so again, DPS loses as there are the eager beaver PTA moms lost to districts like Creek and Littleton. And this is happening a lot in the community. Many residents of Southmoor Park send their children to Walnut Hills, Willow Creek. Many in Washington Park send their kids to Greenwood Elementary, Cherry Hills. Many in Pinehurst send their children to Goddard.
If the Department of Education in Colorado would stop turning away from these issues and make boundaries stand, make neighborhood schools a priority and the like, we'd see a better system in the whole metro area.

The answer is not closing schools and putting Kindergartners with 8th graders in one giant school. The answer is schools that serve a 10 block area and make a community feel like a community. And ALL THESE SCHOOLS should be equal. If I move from Highlands to Montbello, my children should be able to move to the new school and be on the same page as the old school. It happens in the burbs, but why not in DPS??

Letters need to go to the state level too with all these possible changes. Anybody have a contact name at the Board of Education in Colorado?
November 15, 2008

10:33 a.m.

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proudteacher writes:

I am a teacher at Rishel and have been there for 10+ years. I am so very proud to be a (w)Rangler!!!

First, I am also so very proud of you Crystal! You are an excellent example of the type of students that we have at Rishel. I will give you a big hug on Monday.

Second, I would like to thank everyone that has been posting comments here and all of your support. It is making this very sad time much easier.

Way to go Crystal!!!
November 15, 2008

2:14 p.m.

Suggest removal

BetterEducated writes:

Tiz, children in Colorado have open schools and nobody at the state Board of Education will support keeping kids in Denver if they don't want to be there.
Take a deep breath cuz this next part is sort of hard to believe!--DPS has been sued for a failure to abide by the "free and uniform public education" provided by the state constitution -- and WON that case. So long as it has buildings with staff in them, intending to teach, that's all they have to do. "I am not just making this up."
When the state constitution was adopted early last century, local (unpaid) school boards were given control over the education of all children in their respective districts.
Some of the districts have exercised this control with respect for children and the taxpaying community -- which is increasingly statewide (your state taxes benefit districts not local to you).
Others have not, one in particular. Parents do just about everything possible to escape it -- which is hardly what those voting on the initial constitution had in mind.
Maybe some of the stuff that DPS does to its staff and the community could be justified if it really did do a good job at educating children, only it historically has failed at this -- worse than most kids on its CSAP, even.
November 17, 2008

7:50 a.m.

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Cathy writes:

First off, DPS is not Jeffco or any other suburban school district. Lake Middle School has become Lake International School which is an IB. This is schoolwide, not just a small portion. Every student at Lake gets the opportunity to excel not just a select few.

My first instinct is to assume that "Tizzy" is just as racist as Michelle Moss.

Why should the schools that serve primarily people of color not have the same opportunities as students in the suburbs? I want the best education for my child. I do not think that "Tizzy", Michelle Moss or any one else has the right to determine what is best for my child at school. I am not one of these parents who is living off of the taxpayers. I work a full-time and job and have been at the same "company" for 24 years. In case you are wondering I am also Latina! Born and raised in the United States.

Yet, Michelle Moss thinks that "The vote needs to be about how this is going to benefit the kids and not the problems the adults are throwing up," referring to grumblings by some principals and teachers. "What's right for the kids in my opinion is moving forward."

As a parent, I have every intention of throwing up any problems I feel are dangerous to my child's education. As far as I'm concerned MY kid is MOVING forward with or without your help! Maybe, Michelle, you should just move on!!! It is too bad that you are term limited. Because, frankly, you should be recalled if you think yours is the only opinion that counts!!

Just realize, Michelle, that YOU are NOT the final decision in my child's education. I am!
November 17, 2008

3:15 p.m.

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BetterEducated writes:

Good for you, Cathy!
We can't give birth to them, and then give someone else the reins when Education Time comes around.
You will be very, VERY glad that you were focused on your kids' educations when they are working their way through college as ours are. One of them drafted an essay on my computer yesterday during a visit Back Home....and I was SO IMPRESSED!
Keep at it, it's a worthwhile challenge to educate children in Colorado.
Best wishes from another (but this one's a "K") Kathy
Best wishes from Kathy
November 17, 2008

3:24 p.m.

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BetterEducated writes:

Oops, sorry for the stutter, Cathy.
Guess this means you get EXTRA best wishes! :-)
PS, we moved from 32nd & Raleigh in 1989 to escape DPS and our old home is now worth a fortune. Our digs here in Bailey have done nothing but decline in value. But boy, when those kids come home and use our computer...they can WRITE.
I am sorry to say, in other words, that our solution to the dilemma was to SPLIT and that is something that seems even more valid 20 years after we left. It's not as though DPS was going to clean up its act in NW Denver in time for the children to benefit.
Our friends' kids never graduated. Now all the kids hang out together again, only some of them (ours) get ready for work and school the next day. Friends' kids pledge to get a GED, and one of them has already reproduced and so my friend is worried about the NEXT generation: her grandchildren.
Denver......please......why won't you clean up the School District?! Some of us would like to COME home, and I'll bet Cathy & Family would like to STAY there.
November 17, 2008

3:38 p.m.

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rishel_01 writes:

Proud teacher i was woundering what grade do you tech and what kind of subject to see if i have you.
November 17, 2008

3:53 p.m.

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BetterEducated writes:

Dear Rishel student, it is not wise for teachers to identify themselves as DPS has been known to carry a grudge about such things. I think you should just assume that any teacher there could have written the post, as they are ALL proud of you for speaking out in support of your school.
November 17, 2008

4:02 p.m.

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BetterEducated writes:

PS, capitalize the "I" in your writings. You are important.
November 17, 2008

4:04 p.m.

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rishel_01 writes:

well then proud teacher could you email me instead please it will be less private
November 21, 2008

2:24 p.m.

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tazz909 writes:

There seems to be a lot of questions and confusion about what charters schools are. I encourage you to learn more. There are facts listed on our website at: http://www.coloradoleague.org/colorad...

McGraw08 - charter school teachers must be "highly-qualified" under No Child Left Behind guidelines. Your statement is not correct.

There are currently over 40,000 children on waiting lists for charter schools in Colorado. I believe this is an indicator that parents want more choice in their children's education. We have so many options when it comes to choosing a car, a grocery store, a bank. But when it comes to public education we are supposed to go to the neighborhood school we are assigned to...even if that school isn't the best fit for our child? It doesn't make sense. Parents should have the right to choose an education that best fits their child's individual needs. Yet these schools are constantly under fire for providing this much needed choice in the public education system.

I applaud DPS for welcoming charters into their district and recognizing that charter school kids are still DPS public school students who deserve treatment equal to children in traditional public schools.

Stacy Rivera
Director of Communications
Colorado League of Charter Schools
www.coloradoleague.org

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