Slate - September 2011 - Election Edition

8/3/2019 Slate - September 2011 - Election Edition

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P R S R T S T D U . S . P O S T A G E

P A I D D E N V E R , C O P E R M I T # 3 7 3 5

T h e D C T A S l a t e 1 5 0 0 G r a n t S t r e e t S u i t e 2 0 0

D e n v e r , C o l o r a d o 8 0 2 0 3

DCTAs EndorsedSchool Board Candidates

Emily SirotaArturo Jimenez

They Can Help Us Accomplish DELTA

DCTA is committed to:

StudentSuccess

EducatorExcellence

SharedAccountability


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2 The DCTA Slate September 2011


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January 2010Volume 42, Number 5

DCTA SlateJournal of the Denver Classroom Teachers Association

Dedicated to serving Denver students, parents and the Denver community www.denverclassroom.org

the

September 2011Volume 44, Number 2

It is my pleasure to present to you theElection 2011 edition of the DCTA SLATE.

Our efforts in this November 1 election arehe result of input from members from acrosshe District and months of careful planning.

Our goal this election is not only to electandidates who support the values andnput of Denver educators, but also to puteachers at the forefront of what realeform and innovation look like. Too often,

district- and state-level decisions about edu-ation are made without seeking the input of eachers and other educators on the frontines. It is time for usthe true expertstotep up and take the lead.

Why Is This Election Important?As I mentioned in the August edition of

he DCTA SLATE, the upcoming election isritical to the everyday lives of children andeachers in DPS. Every day, members ask,Why is this election important to me?

Among other reasons, I believe everyeacher, SSP, office clerk, secretary and par-nt should be involved in this falls racesecause:

We know what works in schools. Our

chools are better when educators work col-aboratively at the forefront of school

improvement. It is time to elect school boardmembers who value educator input over thatof bureaucrats and corporate interests.

DCTA and DPS will work in part-nership to bargain the Master Agreementnext year. The makeup of the board willimpact major decisions including:

Teaching and learning conditions inour classrooms; How much say YOU have in what happens in our schools and classrooms; How LEAP and other supports for edu

cator excellence will be Implemented; How LEAP will fit into ProComp, andon what terms; Your work load and planning time; The process used to choose the highestquality educators for every building. Outside special interests are invest-

ing heavily in unproven, top-down poli-cies, leaving little to no say for educators onthe ground. Many of these corporate interestshave devalued the expertise of professionaleducators, which is detrimental to schoolimprovement efforts.

DENVER EDUCATORS CAREABOUT STUDENT SUCCESS!!!!

How We Are Going to Talk AboutReal Education Reform?

As part of our efforts to engage and col-laborate with the broader community, we arelaunching a new initiative: DELTA (DenverEducators: Leading, Transforming, Achiev-ing). DELTA is a way for us to move ourthree main priorities-- Student Success,Educator Excellence, and Shared Account-

abilityto the forefront of the conversationabout education reform in Denver. By focus-

ing on these three priorities, I fundamentalbelieve we have the chance to shift the dilogue back to what matters most for our stdents. You can read more about DELTA on

page 17.

What You Will See From UsBuilding Meetings DCTA build

representatives will be holding meetinbefore and after school to discuss importaissues to members across the district. Masure you attend and add your voice to the di

cussion.One-on-One Contact DCTA membe

volunteers and staff will be reaching out you personally at home to talk about yoissues and how you can get involved.

Articles, Emails, Posts and Tweets Wwill continually keep you up-to-date wupdates on issues and the election. Check oour new website, follow @DenverTeacheon Twitter, and sign up for updates www.denverclassroom.org.

Ways to Get Involved Knowing whthe issues are is a start, but nobody else cspeak for you but you. Take the opportunito have your voice heard. Make the SchoBoard Pledge on page 22! Also, visitAction Center on our website for other wato make your voice heard.

You are the educators. You are the onin our classrooms every day. You know whworks, and what does not. It is time for all us step up and tell Denver voters whatreally creates student success. Everyteachers like you tell me you are willing to accountable for excellence in your clas

rooms. But you also recognize that teache

Election Will Decidethe Direction of Our Schools

By Henry Roman, DCTA President

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The DCTA Slate September 2011

ant be the only ones who are held account-ble. To truly realize widespread student suc-ess, that excellence and accountability musthared by all stakeholders in Denver Publicchools.

It is time to put an end to outside specialnterests pushing top-down policies with lit-

tle to no input from educators on the ground.It is time for real, community-centeredreform that meets the needs of our studentsfirst, not the latest fad or the political agen-das of special interests.

And it is time to support candidatesfor school board who recognize that valu-ing educator input boosts student success.

Join the movement to re-elect ArtuJimenez in Northwest Denver and eleEmily Sirota in Southeast Denver. Thelection will decide the direction of ouschools, and whether well have policiethat cater to outside interests, or rereform that works for students, parenteducators and the larger community.

Election Will Decide the Directionof Our Schools

Continued from page 3

Why is Novembers election so vital tour success in the public schools? Its impor-ant because we know what the outcomes

will be if we dont change the course of DPS.How do we know?Well, Diane Ravitchs The Death and

Life of the Great American School Systemeads like a blueprint for what youre experi-ncing and foretells whats to come in

Denver if the current BoE direction remains.What are the issues, and what can we

xpect the outcomes to be in Denver?The main issues are:1) Overemphasis on testing with

manipulated data results.2) Increased spending outside the

lassroom (PD, testing, admin, etc).

3) De-humanizing of teachers andelittling of the teaching profession.

4) School closures and corporateakeovers of the system.

The exact process going on here inDenver was first unleashed on District 2 inNYC beginning in 1987 and then moved ono San Diego and across the country. It isully described in her book. Here are somemportant excerpts:

1) Overemphasis on testing with

manipulated data results.On the sixth-grade reading test in

2006 [in NYC], students needed to earn 41percent of the points to attain level 2; by2009, students in that grade needed only17.9 percent. In seventh-grade math, stu-dents needed to earn 36.2 percent of thepoints on the test to advance to level 2 in2006, but by 2009, they needed to earn only22 percent. (p. 79). It was a shock ,therefore, when the federal NAEP[National Assessment of EducationalProgress] released reading and math scoresfor eleven cities, including NYC, inNovember 2007 Except in fourth-grademathematics, there were no gains for blackstudents, white students, Asian students,Hispanic students, or lower-income stu-dents. However, Using private funding,the city launched a publicity blitz to pro-claim its increased test scores and gradua-tion rates (p. 88). Mississippi claimedthat 89 percent of its fourth graders were ator above proficiency in reading, but accord-ing to NAEP, only 18 percent were (p.106).

2) Increased spending outside the class-

room (PD, testing, admin, etc).In the spring of 2000, San Diegos ver-

sion of the Denver Plan was called theBlueprint. The emphasis in the plan wason intensive professional developmentThe annual cost of professional developmentrose from $1 million to about $70 million.(p. 51). Adult interests were well-served byNCLB. The law generated huge revenues fortutoring and testing services, which became asizable industry. Companies that offered

tutoring, tests, and test-prep materials weraking in billions of dollars annually fro

federal, state, and local governments, but thadvantages to the nations students were noobvious (p. 101).

3) De-humanizing of teachers abelittling of the teaching profession.

When Alvarado fired our new princpal (the third in four years) in the sixweek of school, despite the expressed colective wishes of parents and teachers, wrealized that we no longer have a choiabout whether to accept the packaDistrict 2 delivers. The degree of micrmanagement is astounding (p. 41). San Diego, The mandated professiondevelopment sessions were not opportunties for reflection and collegiality, but time for teachers to be told what to do anhow to do it (p. 55). In 2005, the PBS prgram Making Schools Work [about NYomitted the meetings of angry parentthe controversy over the constructivmathematics program, the debate abodemographics, and questions about thimposition of Balanced Literacy. (p. 43)

4) School closures and corpora

takeovers of the system.The NYC Department of Educati

gave a $15.8 million no-bid contract feighteen months to Alvarez & Marsal devise cost-cutting measures. A&M executives rearranged the school systems buroutes in January 2007, with disastrous cosequences. (p. 75). The small hischools, said Hemphill and Nauer, havstrengths but also significant limitations

By Loralie Cole, DCTA FundCommitteeMember

We Need You to Help Charta New Course

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1500 Grant Street Suite 200Denver, Colorado 80203

Phone: 303-831-0590 FAX: 303-831-0591Web site: www.denverclassroom.org

The Slate , published monthly during the school year, is the official publication of the DenverClassroom Teachers Association.

Managing Editor: Carolyn CrowderCopy Editor: Sabrina Stevens Shupe

The Association does not necessarily endorse the companies or products advertised in The Slate ,and the opinions and articles published in The Slate do not necessarily reflect the position or view of theDCTA.

SLATE ADVERTISINGThe Publication Company

Jon DeStefano, Sheldon Spector(303) 987-3994

EXECUTIVE OFFICERSHenry Roman, PresidentDCTA OfficeMelissa Underwood-Verdeal, Vice PresidentHenry World SchoolLawrence Garcia, TreasurerEast High SchoolSusan Pinkney-Todd, SecretarySouth High School

BOARD OF DIRECTORSSOUTHEAST SECTORPedro CamachoGeorge Washington High School

Open Seat

Dolly CalderonSamuels ElementaryErich SmeatonSouth

NORTHEAST SECTORCathy MooreArchuleta Elementary

Open Seat

Eric RappAmesseCarsten EngebretsenWaller

NORTHWEST SECTORBeka Brewbaker-ToneyColfaxDiana HernandezTrevistaLoralie ColeTrevistaLynne Valencia-HernandezBeach Court Elementary

SOUTHWEST SECTOR

Diane AndersonSpecialized Service ProvidersZach RuppLEAP Project, OutreachAngela KullhemHenry World SchoolBenita CervantezKunsmiller

CEA BOARD OF DIRECTORSLloyd BourdonHenry World SchoolAmber Wilson

Thomas Jefferson HSCathy Cronn (Alternate)McCloneDavid Szumiloski (Alternate)EagletonDCTA-R PresidentRobert AlaridDAEOP President

DCTA Mission StatementThe Denver Classroom Teachers Associations mission is to advocate for the rights and responsibilities of all educators, and to unite our members and the community to fulfill the promise of public education to prepare every student to succeed in a diverse and

interdependent world.

The DCTA Slate

DCTA Governing Body

including their inability to provide speceducation services, support for English-laguage learners, an array of courses in musand the arts, extracurricular and sports prgrams, advanced courses, and vocationprograms. (p. 83). Deregulation cotributed to the near collapse of our nationeconomy in 2008, and there is no reason

anticipate that it will make education bettfor most children (p. 222).Even data presented by the A+ co

mittee itself acknowledges residents disatisfaction with the current DPS directioaccording to a recent survey httpfciruli.blogspot.com/2011/04/ciruli-assocates-poll.html. They admit that there hbeen a lower rate of increase for poor chdren from 2006-2011, an increased need fremediation in college, and significantlower gains than the Districts goals hoto achieve. The maximum increase inCSAP area was 4.8% in middle-schomath for non-FRL students. The goal w3% per year, but even the maximum growin one subject area had less than 1% gaper year, which means that DPS is at be

meeting less than 33% of its goal. Ifschool met less than 33% of AYP over thpast six years, can you imagine what tconsequences would be?!

We need to change direction in DPPlease, plan on giving at least one hour volunteer for a campaign this fall. W

expect every one of our 3,077 members give one hour whether its phone callinattending an event, hosting a house partor walking door-to-door to get candidatelected who believe in the American pubschool system that provides every chiequal access to a well-rounded, liberal ar& sciences education. With a new schoboard, we must implement new improvment systems that foster shared-accountbility, acknowledge educator excellencand dont compromise on the meaning student success.

We NeedYou to Help

Chart aNew Course



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November 1Election

Day!

Ballots willbe arrivingat voters'homes around

October 11-15.

Here's a linkwith all thelocationswhere they can bedropped off:

http://www.denvergov.or

g/clerkandrecorder/Clerk

andRecorder/ElectionsVo

ing/VoterInformation/20

11101CoordinatedElectio

tabid/440260/Default.as

px


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Candidate Introductions

Anne RoweUndergraduate: B.A. Public Policy,

Stanford UniversityOccupation: Small-business Owner, RP

Publishing & InSource DenverFinancial Analyst, Wallach CompanyCommunity Service:Founding Co-chair, A+ DenverBoard Member, Summer ScholarsBoard Member, Colorado Childrens

CampaignBoard Member, Girls Inc.Board Member, Childrens Museum of

DenverBoard Member, Planned Parenthood of the

Rocky MountainsExecutive Committee, 2% Club of DenverCommunity Leadership Board, Mile High

Montessori

Committee to Re-Open SlavensSlavens CSCMiddle School Parent AssociationCo-chair, Patriot Partners at George

Washington High SchoolCo-Chari, DPS Advisory Committee on

Immigration and IntegrationPartnership for Southeast Denver SchoolsDPS Superintendents Parent ForumWebsite: annerowedps.com

Emily SirotaEndorsed by the DCTA Board of Directors

Undergraduate: B.A. Political Science,Indiana University

Graduate: M.S.W. Community Practice,University of Denver

Occupation (Community Service):Civic Engagement Organizer, Colorado

Progressive CoalitionFamily Advocate, Warren VillageEconomic Development Specialist,

Montana Governor's Office of Economic Development

ocial and Health Policy Aide, SenatorEvan Bayh

Budget and Housing Policy Aide,Congressman Baron Hill

Community Service:Reading to elementary school students

Pro-bono work for Colorado non-profits &ommunity organizations

Website: www.sirotaforschools.com

Arturo Jimenez*Endorsed by the DCTA Board of DirectorsUndergraduate: B.A. Sociology, B.A.

Ethnic Studies, University of Colorado-Boulder

Graduate/Professional: J.D., Universityof Colorado-Boulder

Occupation:Small Business Owner/ImmigrationAttorney, Law Office of Arturo Jimenez,P.C. youth employment, youth leadership,and college preparation programsCommunity Service:Founder, Labyrinth Arts AcademyFormer President, Colorado Statewide

Parent CoalitionYa Es Hora Citizenship CampaignParent Leadership Coordinator, Los

Padres/Las Madres, Academia

SandovalStrengthening Families Parent Trainer,

Latin American Research and ServiceAgency

Board Member, College Path Inc. at NorthHigh School

Website : arturojimenez.com


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Candidate Introductions

ennifer Draper CarsonUndergraduate: B.A. Political Science ,

Occidental CollegeGraduate: M.A. Nonprofit Management,

Regis UniversityOccupation:Consultant, Great SchoolsPublic Relation Liaison, North High SchoolAcademia SandovalExecutive Director, Northwest Parents for

Excellent Schoolsoftware Sales

Community Service:Volunteer, Edison Elementary and North

High SchoolWebsite: www.jenniferforkids.com

Frank DeserinoUndergraduate: B.A. History, Richard

Stockton State CollegeGraduate: M.A. American History,University of Colorado at Denver; M.A.Political Science, University of Colorado atDenver; M.A. U.S. Constitutional History& International Relations, University of LondonPostgraduate : PhD. History, UniversityCollege LondonOccupation:Teacher, Denver Public Schools South

High SchoolAdjunct Professor of History, Metropolitan

State College of DenverCommunity Service:School Leadership Team, 2008-2011PSC Committee 2008-present

Office of Curriculum, Denver PublicSchoolsDepartment of Assessment & Testing,

Denver Public SchoolsWebsite: deserino4schools.com

Allegra Happy HaynesUndergraduate: B.A. Columbia

UniversityGraduate : M.A. Public Affairs, Universit

of Colorado-DenverOccupation:Director of Civic and Community

Engagement, CRL AssociatesChief Community Engagement Office,

Denver Public SchoolsAssistant for Community Partnerships,

Denver Public SchoolsCity Council, 1990-2003City Council LiaisonAdministrative AideFacilitator, National Civic LeagueCommunity Service:Childrens Campaign, theColorado Commission on Higher

Education,City Park JazzStapleton Development CorporationBoard member of the Mile High Youth

CorpsBoard, Foundation for Educational

ExcellenceLeadership DenverDenver Community Leadership ForumRocky Mountain ProgramState and Local Program, Harvard

University Kennedy School of Government.

Website: happyfordenverskids.com


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Can didate Introductions

Jacqui ShumwayUndergraduate: B.B.A. Finance, Stephen

F. Austin State UniversityGraduate: M.S. Kinesiology, University

of Northern ColoradoOccupation:Small Business Owner and Health

Educator, Living Younger LongerInstitute

Adjunct Faculty, Red Rocks CommunityCollege

Adjunct Faculty, Metropolitan StateCollege of Denver

Community Service:Chair, National Coalition for Promoting

Physical ActivityColorado Governor's Council for Physical

FitnessWestern Region Director, National

Association of Health and FitnessPark Hill Thriving Communities.Rocky Mountain ACSM,Holistic Health Advisory to Metropolitan

State College of DenverAmerican Society on Aging Local

ArrangementsWebsite: www.shumwayfordenver.com

Roger KilgoreAssociates: A.A. Engineering, College of

San MateoUndergraduate: B.S. Civil Engineering,

Stanford UniversityGraduate: M.S. Technology and Policy,

Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyOccupation:

Small Business Owner, KilgoreConsulting and Management- Water Development and Design

Adjunct Lecturer, The Catholic UniversityCommunity Service:Volunteer, Cole Arts and Science Academy

and Rocky Mountain School of Expeditionary Learning

Organizer, Summer urban day camps inWashington D.C.

Project Organizer, St. Andrews Episcopal

Church

CandidatesQuestions/Answers

District 1Emily Sirota*Endorsed by the DCTA Board of DirectorsTop three priorities:

1. Rigor2. Effectiveness3. AccountabilityQuestion: Would You Support

Independent Body to Provide FTransparency for DPS?

Answer: This is a viable idea in the facestrong public distrust over how DPS schoooperate.

Q: Do you believe that every studentDPS should have a right to equitable and fun

ing in his or her classroom and are you willinto pledge to push for all children to haaccess to the same opportunities?

A: Yes.Q: The Schools of Innovation Act p

vides a particular process by which InnovatioStatus is granted a vote of majority suppoof the school staff. The DPS Board Education approved innovation status fthese schools without the establishment or thvote of the entire faculty. Provide yothoughts.

A: Teachers are equal stakeholders public education. Just approving without anstructure or support is setting folks up for faure. Instead, lets think about how we can sourselves up for success.

Anne RoweTop three priorities:

1. Leadership2. High-Quality Education Options forChildren3. Accountability and SupportQuestion: Would You Support

Independent Body to Provide FContinued on page


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SAVETHESE

DATES!T he Denver AreaLabor Federation(DALF) is hostingwalks to help elect EmilySirota and re-elect ArturoJimenez to the DenverSchool Board. With all of the outside money coming

in to defeat them, it is crit-ical that we volunteer tohelp as much as we can.Arturo and Emily are dedi-cated champions of ourstudents, our communities,and our profession; letsdo everything we can tohelp them win inNovember!

Meet us at DALF(140 SheridanBlvd, Denver)

on Saturday, October 8and/or Saturday, October15 from 9:00am to1:00pm. RSVP to BillyHusher at [email protected] so we knowyoure coming!


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Candidates Qu estions/Answers

ransparency for DPS?Answer: Rather than establishing an

ndependent body, I would support the solicita-on of community input as to what our citizens

would like to see in terms of transparency andnformation. Then, I would push the District toreate a plan that provides the asked-for levelf transparency. This plan needs to be imple-

mented and monitored to ensure progress.Q: Do you believe that every student in

DPS should have a right to equitable and fund-

ing in his or her classroom and are you willingto pledge to push for all children to have accessto the same opportunities?

A: I believe we need to continue to worktoward improving the quality and availabilityof educational opportunities in the schools. Bycontinuing to create diverse and exceptionalschool options, we will provide parents andstudents the opportunities within DPS to selectthe school that will best serve their needs. Iwill pledge to ensure that all students haveaccess to these options.

Q: The Schools of Innovation Act prvides a particular process by which InnovatioStatus is granted a vote of majority suppoof the school staff. The DPS Board Education approved innovation status for thesschools without the establishment or the voof the entire faculty. Provide your thoughts.

A: It is important to ensure both the spiand the letter of the Innovative Schools Act. It my understanding that the above vote is beinreviewed by the court system to determine ivalidity under the Innovative Schools Act.

District 1

District 5Arturo JimenezEndorsed by the DCTA Board of Directors

Top three priorities:a. Demanding that we cultivate great

chools.b. Great instructional leaders.c. Collaborate with teachers, parents, and

tudents to create a nourishing educational andworkplace environment.

Question: Would You Support anndependent Body to Provide Full

Transparency for DPS?Answer: I believe that the Board of

Education must be the primary body responsi-le for transparency and bond/mill levy over-ight committees should answer to the Board,ot the Superintendent. Also, we should haven independent financial auditor (such as in theension refinance situation) who answers tohe Board.

Q: Do you believe that every student inDPS should have a right to equitable and fund-

ng in his or her classroom, and are you willingo pledge to push for all children to have accesso the same opportunities?

A: Yes. I am very concerned that the cur-ent drain of resources to new schools is reap-ng precious resources from neighborhoodchools. Likewise, I am concerned that the cur-ent student-based budgeting plan does notesult in the maximum amount of resources tohe students.

Q: The Schools of Innovation Act pro-ides a particular process by which Innovationtatus is granted a vote of majority supportf the school staff. The DPS Board of

Education approved innovation status for theseschools without the establishment or the voteof the entire faculty. Provide your thoughts.

A: I did not vote to support the act. Myposition is well documented in that I do notbelieve that the district has followed the statutefor new schools. In addition, I am concernedthat existing schools have not been followingthe state principles of mutual consent.

Jennifer Draper CarsonTop three priorities:

a. Increase the percentage of childrenreading proficiently by the end of third grade.

b. Teacher and principal quality.c. Strong leadership pipeline.Question: Would You Support an

Independent Body to Provide FullTransparency for DPS?

Answer : Transparency is a key attributeof any public entity, and I fully supportincreasing the transparency at DPS. I would beinclined to support such a body, buy it would

be conditional depending on the structure,responsibilities, and accountability of the newbody.

Q : Do you believe that every student inDPS should have a right to equitable and fund-ing in his or her classroom and are you willingto pledge to push for all children to have accessto the same opportunities?

A: I believe that we must meet the needsof our students and right now, I dont think theState of Colorado is providing the necessaryresources to our students to meet the educa-tional requirements of the 21st Century. Ibelieve that all children should have the oppor-

tunity to receive a quality education.Q : The Schools of Innovation Act pr

vides a particular process by which InnovatioStatus is granted a vote of majority suppoof the school staff. The DPS Board Education approved innovation status for thesschools without the establishment or the voof the entire faculty. Provide your thoughts.

A: While the statute is silent on neschools, for example, a principle individual

designing a new school for Innovation Status I believe it is the responsibility of every indvidual interviewing for a job in any school tbe versant in the type of school, the missioand vision for the school, and the philosophupon accepting an interview.

Continued on page 1


At LargeFrank Deserino, PhDTop three priorities:

Smaller class size More teaching and less time spent

testing Make real efforts to ensure the retentio

of qualified, experienced educatorsQuestion: What would you think

establishing an independent body that woube used to provide full transparency for tpublic?

Answer: I think that that is a great idas this group would be able to exist free froany conflict of interest. Although costs for thbody would have to be considered, there a

some state agencies that would do some of th


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Candida tes Questions/AnswersAt Large

ata collection for free, while still other partsf this could be addressed by committees maderom parents and teachers on the same wayhat the Collaborative School Committee issed within each school.

Q : Do you believe that every student inDPS should have a right to equitable fundingn his or her classroom and school and are you

willing to pledge to push for all children toave access to the same opportunities?

A: Yes, as this hits at the core of why I am

unning for School Board.Q: The Schools of Innovation Act providesparticular process by which innovation is

ranted a vote of majority support of thechool staff. The DPS Board of Educationpproved innovation status for several of thesechools without the establishment or the vote of he entire faculty. Please provide your thoughts.

A: It is essential that the Innovation Act beollowed as written, and to bypass the process iskin to ignorance of the law. Schools would be

more innovative and obtain more buy in fromtaff by allowing for and consulting with thenly group that would be implementing any newnnovation strategy, its teachers.

Allegra Happy HaynesTop three priorities:

Strategically expanding achievementpportunities for every student

There needs to be greater attention onhe schools that are in the middle to help them

move from good to great and from fair andtruggling to rapidly improving.

The district must create more opportuni-

ies for parents to become empowered andngaged in supporting their students successy fostering a culture and climate that recog-izes and supports them as full partners partic-larly at the school level where they are mostnterested.

Question: What would you think of stablishing an independent body that woulde used to provide full transparency for theublic?

Answer: There are already a number of ndependent groups that inform and report onhe issues and the progress of the district, par-icularly A+ Denver that was specifically cre-

ated for this purpose.Q : Do you believe that every student in

DPS should have a right to equitable fundingin his or her classroom and school and are youwilling to pledge to push for all children tohave access to the same opportunities?

A: Equity means that every student hasthe opportunities to meet his or her education-al needs and the district strategically allocatesits limited resources to maximize those oppor-tunities based on those diverse needs. Whenwe talk about the same opportunity, we

mean similar, not exactly the same opportuni-ties because students needs and even schoolsdiffer dramatically.

Q: The Schools of Innovation Act providesa particular process by which innovation isgranted a vote of majority support of theschool staff. The DPS Board of Educationapproved innovation status for several of theseschools without the establishment or the vote of the entire faculty. Please provide your thoughts.

A: If this refers to the newly created schoolsin the district, I support the decision of the Boardto approve that status for new schools.

Roger KilgoreTop three priorities:

Adapt to all of our schools lessonslearned from our successful traditional, inno-vation, and charter schools.

Replace the culture of confrontationwith a culture of collaboration and respect.

Replace data-driven accountability withdata-informed responsiveness.

Question: What would you think of establishing an independent body that would

be used to provide full transparency for thepublic?

Answer: In the absence of a specific pro-posal designed to address specific concerns, Ido not currently see the need for such a body. Iam open to hearing more on this issue.

Question: Do you believe that every stu-dent in DPS should have a right to equitablefunding in his or her classroom and school andare you willing to pledge to push for all chil-dren to have access to the same opportunities?

Answer: I place a high value on equalopportunity of all students. There may be spe-cific policy issues behind this question that I

would be happy to discuss in greater detail.Question: The Schools of Innovation A

provides a particular process by which innovtion is granted a vote of majority support othe school staff. The DPS Board of Educatioapproved innovation status for several of theschools without the establishment or the voof the entire faculty. Please provide yothoughts.

Answer : I support the Act as applied existing schools. I believe the district was miguided in its interpretation for new schools wi

no staff and unnecessarily amplified the confrontational relationship with the DCTA. Munderstanding of the legislative history of thAct suggests that the District missed an opportunity to work more collaboratively with DCTA.

Jacqueline (Jacqui) ShumwayTop three priorities:

Art, music and physical activity are essetial to academic achievement in DPS anshould be part of the curriculum.

Question : What would you think establishing an independent body that woube used to provide full transparency for thpublic?

Answer: This seems like a good idHowever, District SIAC is in place and needto be supported as well.

Q: Do you believe that every student DPS should have a right to equitable fundinin his or her classroom and school and are yowilling to pledge to push for all children have access to the same opportunities?

A: This is a no-brainer of coursewould sign that pledge . . . Now, the ability t

implement the pledge will be a little hardwith shrinking funding. Hopefully, growincommunity involvement will fill those gaps.

Q: The Schools of Innovation Act provida particular process by which innovation granted a vote of majority support of thschool staff. The DPS Board of Educatioapproved innovation status for several of thesschools without the establishment or the vote othe entire faculty. Please provide your thought

A: I really think it unwise to NOT get t60% agreement from the collective bargaininstaff at any school to establish an innovatiodistrict.

ontinued from page 13


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CEA Joins Coalition Supporting Proposition 103The CEA Board of Directors took an official position is support of Proposition 103, Bright Colorado. Prop 103 is the 2011 bal-

lot issue led by Senator Rollie Heath (D- Boulder). During June and July, teachers, support staff and parents joined with Senator Heathto gather 142,000 signatures. The Colo Secretary of State certified the signatures and placed the ballot question on the 2011 statewideballot. Prop 103 is the only ballot question that will appear on the 2011 state ballot. We thank Senator Heath for his leadership in plac-ing a tax question for public school funding to the voters this fall. Visit http://brightcolorado.com to learn more about who else is sup-porting Proposition 103.

Why Proposition 103?Colorado lives under TABOR, the Taxpayers Bill of Rights. TABOR requires a vote of the people to raise any tax in Colorado.

As you know, the state of Colo has suffered under a fiscal shortfall because the very severe recession has caused less tax money, inthe form of state, income, and property taxes, to come into state coffers. As a result, K -12 public schoolsthe largest program fund-ed by our state-- have faced cutbacks. Increasing taxes is the only way to remedy this shortfall and reverse these cuts. If proposition103 passes, taxes will increase slightly and more money will come into the state coffers for K 12 and other state programs.

What is CEA doing to support Prop 103?CEA has committed money from our Every Member Option to help with the Yes on Prop 103 campaign. We are also partnering

with Great Education Colorado (http://greateducation.org), a group of parents working to increase school funding, to work on Prop103. CEA will be in communication with you about how you can support Prop 103, so be on the lookout for more information!


17/24


Colorado Education Associations boardf directors voted to unite with the growing,rassroots coalition that will ask Coloradooters for a temporary, modest income andales tax increase to put badly needed fundsack into public school classrooms.

More than 140,000 voters across thetate signed petitions to support the Bright

Colorado ballot measure, also known asnitiative 25. It will appear on the Novemberlection ballot as Proposition 103.

Were greatly encouraged to see that somany voters share our view that greatconomies start with great education, said

CEA President Beverly Ingle. This wonder-

ul coalition of concerned civic groups, busi-esses and families is tired of hearing thattudent growth isnt a budget priority. Wetand with them to remind all Coloradanshat the education of our children is thetates most pressing obligation and mostritical investment.

We commend Senator Rollie Heath foris vision to form a strong and spirited coalitionor the benefit of our children. His enthusiasticeadership in this movement demonstrates histeadfast commitment to Colorado publicchools and families, Ingle added.

Why Prop 103?Colorado citizens live with TABOR, the

992 Taxpayers Bill of Rights thats in ourtate Constitution. TABOR requires a vote of

the people to raise any tax at any level of government (state, county, municipality, spe-cial district, etc.).

Colorado is still recovering from thesevere recession that began in 2008 and near-ly every level of government, including thestate, has a major shortage of tax revenue(sales, income, and property taxes). Youknow what the result has been for public edu-cation: major cutbacks in funding from thestate to school districts and major cutbacks infunding for higher education.

The only way to make up this revenue isto increase tax rates. The only way toincrease tax rates is for the voters to approve

a measure that raises tax rates.If the voters approve Prop 103, stateincome and sales tax rates will increaseslightly and the state will eventually get moretax revenue for public education and otherstate programs. If approved, the state incomeand sales tax rates will revert for five years tothe rates that were in place before theLegislature, during Governor Bill OwensAdministration, reduced them:

State Sales Tax Rate: 2.9% now,would go to 3%. State Personal andCorporate Income Tax Rate: 4.63% now,would go to 5%

The Legislature cannot return taxrates to their former, higher levels becauseraising taxes is the voters right underTABOR. Prop 103 raises the tax rates for

Tax Years 2012-2016 as a temporary taincrease for five years.

What is CEA doing to help pass Prop 103?CEA has committed Every Memb

Option (EMO) money to help with tYes on Prop 103 campaign. The BrigColorado Coalition is writing a campaigplan with specific activities and raisinmoney to communicate with voters. CEwill coordinate with Bright Colorado oactivities to help persuade the voters approve the initiative. When these activties are developed and we have a list of thways we can all participate, we will sha

these with you.We will also work with Great EducatioColorado on Prop 103 activities. We havoften partnered with this group of dedicateparents who continuously work on schofunding issues. Some of our LocAssociations are forming community Yon 103 coalitions to work on grassroocampaign activities. We encourage you to dthis and if you do, please em

[email protected] to let her know whyour community group is doing so we ctell others about it through this update.

Lynne Mason, CEA Political Directoattends weekly Yes on 10BrigColorado meetings and will be workinwith all of us on how we can get involvein passing Prop 103.

Colorado Education Association JoinsBright Colorado Coalition

Our mission is to advocate for the rights and responsibilities of all educators, and to unite our members and the community to fulfill the promise of

public education to prepare every student to succeed

in a diverse and interdependent world.DCTAs latest initiative, DELTA, grows out of

the priorities you have said matter most to you. Inkeeping with our mission statement and our corevalues, and to help guide our focus, we will continueworking to bring teachers to the forefront of theeducation reform conversation. Through DELTA, we are now bringing our message of real reformfocused on student success, educator excellence, andshared accountabilityto the public.


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What is the University ofNorthern Colorado Center forUrban Education?The Center is an elementary teacherpreparation program that leads

students to a Bachelors degree andColorado teacher licensure.But its more than that its a placewhere traditional scholarship meetsa rich real-world experience in ametropolitan-area school classroom

a place where students find a homefor learning and growing as teachingprofessionals.That happens because Center studentswork with elementary school studentsand their teachers, developinginstructional skills on a daily basis.Who are Center for UrbanEducation students?Our current 200-plus students are richin variety and include: Recent high school graduates. More mature individuals who havebeen away from school for quitesome time.The one thing they have incommon?A desire to work with children rightaway and to learn how to be the best

teacher they can be.What makes the Center differentfrom other teacher prepprograms?

Its a work-and-learn program. Hereswhat we mean:

C LASSROOM A PPRENTICESHIP Youll spend your mornings in a

classroom teacher apprenticeshipposition all four years. Youll receive pay as well as collegecredit. Youll be mentored by a retiredmaster teacher who offers guidanceand support for the classroomapprenticeship experience during allfour years of your program.That means youll be part of theschool environment as a working,contributing staff members while youcomplete their college education.

A CADEMIC C LASSESYoull major in a liberal arts programwith a concentration in Englishand literacy that gives you a broadfoundation for teaching and learningwith your future students.How can I learn more?Just ask. Well tell you more and helpyou decide if the Centers uniqueprogram is for you.Heres what youll do:

Spend your afternoons in academicclasses at the Center. Focus on one academic class at atime, permitting you to complete

course requirements for a math,English or history class, for example,in five weeks. Come away from each classroomexperience richer in what youve

learned because youre focused moreclearly on the work at hand. Immediately start taking classes tolearn how to teach all subject areasto children and not wait until your

junior and senior years as in mostteacher prep programs. Bring what you learn in the teachingmethods classes into your apprentice-ship classroom immediately puttinginto practice what you learn and seeingfor yourself what works. Take advantage of special seminarsin educational technology andclassroom management techniques,tapping instructional resourcesfound in the metropolitan area alongwith a variety of helpful learningexperiences.Is the Center for Urban Educationfor me?YES! If youre ready to take on thechallenge of earning a bachelor of artsdegree and becoming a master teacher

one who will do everything in your

power for the good of the studentswho will be entrusted to you.It will be your commitment and ourprogram that will make this happen.

Phone: 303-365-7631 or 303-365-7635 E-mail: [email protected] Online: WWW.UnCo.edU/Center/Urbaned

This program is offered as part of the statewide coordinated program of off-campus instruction authorized by and in compliancewith policies of the Colorado Commission on Higher Education.


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Colorado Education Association filed lawsuit June 30 in Denver District Courtgainst the State Board of Educations

new rule that school districts must notifyparents when a school employee is arrest-d for a felony or other specific offenses.

We are seeking judicial review of the newule, as well as declaratory and injunctiveelief. The hearing date for the Motion for

Preliminary Injunction on the challenge tohe Parental Notification Rule has beenet for September 23, 2011 in Denver

District Court.In the lawsuit, we allege the State Board

nd Colorado Department of Education do

not have the authority to impose this rulebecause doing so oversteps their authority toupervise school districts and the manage-

ment of district employees. We view the rules unconstitutional and in conflict with stateaws regarding reporting of criminal offens-s and protection of school district employ-es from false allegations.

At the heart of the matter is the legalpresumption that school district employees,ike all other citizens, are presumed innocent

until proven guilty. The new rule willncourage parents and others to assume that

school district em-ployees are guiltywithout any dueprocess.

Once a per-ception of miscon-duct exists, em-ployees who arelater exoneratedwill remain stig-matized in theschool communityand their authorityin the classroomand in their jobs

will be under-mined. The ruledoes not supportits stated purposeof providing a safelearning environ-ment. To the contrary, it will create fear andunrest among students, parents, and schoolemployees in the school community.

Further, the rule is unnecessary.Colorado school districts already assertstrong local control in school employee dis-cipline. Anytime an employee at a public

school is accused of a crime, the districtdecides what is bestfor school safetyand student well-being. District offi-cials often choose toplace the employeeon leave during aninvestigation, sepa-rating that personfrom students if

there is even thepossibility of a safe-ty concern.

The Associationhas zero tolerancefor sexual miscon-duct against stu-dents, and webelieve every accu-sation of miscon-duct against aschool districtemployee should betreated seriously.

However, we cannot allow rules to stand thdegrade and punish education professionawhile having no discernable benefit to paents, students, or other school distriemployees.

Notification wont afford parents anstudents any added protections againsomeone who may have committed a crim- but will give them plenty of worries anfears about an accused person who didncommit a crime.

Lets face it bad things happen good people. A Colorado Springs teachrelated to us that she was nearly handcuffein school for allegedly stealing gas in a casof mistaken identity. A relative of hers in thteaching profession endured accusations sexual misconduct for two years before thtruth came out that the accusers were ups

about receiving a bad grade. This singmember example shows the court of publopinion is an unjust, ugly place, and wcant support laws that will drive fine eductors into that abyss.

The parental notification rule does noting to further protect students, nothing alleviate the concerns of parents, but everthing to destroy the career of any schoemployee wrongly accused. CEA believthe court will ultimately entrust disciplinaissues to the education professionals in oucommunities who do right by our childreevery day.


Representing DCTA members

since 1978

The best law you can practice is preventivelaw. Do not hesitate to call for information

or help when you need it.

Law Offices of:

William B. King1660 S. Albion St.

Suite 1110Denver, CO 80222

(303) 331-1927

Steven Goldstein5299 DTC Blvd.

Suite 1350Greenwood Village, CO 80111

(303) 283-8888

CEA Challenges Rule on ParentalNotification of Employee Arrests

DCTAGroup

Legal Services


20/24


FIRST NAME LAST NAME SCHOOLGary Bahr WestAndrea Barbera East HSSarah Bialek Peer Observerennifer Biddlecom Peer Observerustina Carney Peer Observer

Megan Claydon Farrell B HowellLeonardo Fua, Jr. Lake Internationalessica Garito Peer Observer

Laura Hein George WashingtonErik Hurst BalaratReagan Joel John F Kennedyimmie Kimbrough Peer Observer

Michael Kontrelos Thomas Jefferson HSBrett Lohman Henry World School

Cecilia Martin GustKathryn Mattis Peer ObserverKerrie McCormick Henry World SchoolCaleb Melamed FairmontRebecca Nagel Lake MiddleHenrietta Pazos Mental Health & AssessmentCahrray Reilly MontbelloFanny Renner HolmMartha Rosenberg Peer ObserverStacia Schmidt Howell/Samuelsuliana Shanley Henry World School

Matthew Smoot Farrell B HowellColleen Sologub-Sobering Denver Center for 21st Century Learningenny Spampinato Lowry

Elizabeth Terry MontbelloDouglas Tucker Skinner

Welcome New Members

SAVE THESE DATES!

T he Denver Area Labor Federation (DALF) is hosting walks to help elect EmilySirota and re-elect Arturo Jimenez to the Denver School Board. With all of theoutside money coming in to defeat them, it is critical that we volunteer to helpas much as we can. Arturo and Emily are dedicated champions of our students, ourcommunities, and our profession; lets do everything we can to help them win inNovember!

M eet us at DALF (140 Sheridan Blvd, Denver) on Saturday, October 8and/or Saturday, October 15 from 9:00am to 1:00pm. RSVP to BillyHusher at [email protected] so we know youre coming!


21/24


By Erin Bennett

Denver voters will have thehance to make Denver a healthierlace to live by voting YES onnitiative 300, the paid sick days cityallot measure. Nearly 108,000

Denver workers 41 percent of theworkforce do not have paid sickays. Most of these are lower-wage

workers who are forced to go intowork sick rather than risk not beingble to make ends meet at the end of he month or even losing their job.

A lack of paid sick leave is auge public health issue. The work-rs without paid sick days typicallyave significant interaction with theublic. For example, you could beetting more than you ordered withour lunch. That's because over 72ercent of Denver's restaurant work-rs servers and cooks do not getsingle paid sick day.

We exchange cash with you,make your latte, hand you your pas-ry and yes, we sneeze, explained

Laura, a barista at a popular coffeehop in Denver, at a Campaign for a

Healthy Denver event on the 16thtreet Mall. So if an employee had to come

o work with the flu because she couldntfford to miss work, you might be walkingut of the store with your double latte and thelu.

While Initiative 300 will not directlyffect Denver Public School employees,nitiative 300 would grant paid sick days forhousands of parents across Denver, allowing

hem to take guaranteed paid time off to careor their sick children rather than leavinghem home alone to recuperate or go tochool anyway. In addition, childcare centernd preschool workers frequently dont haveaid sick days, putting the children in theirare at risk for illness. And when parentsave no paid sick days, many have no choiceut to send sick children to school where theealth of their classmates, teachers and childare providers are put at risk. The result isncreased illnesses and higher rates of infec-

ion for all. Paid sick days policies are goodor working families.

Believe it or not, home health nurses,Certified Nurse Assistants (CNAs) and nurs-ing home staff frequently dont have paidsick leave, either. Patients in hospitals, long-term facilities, rehab centers and at home already vulnerable to infection are put atrisk when these lower-wage workers have tochoose between economic survival andpatient safety.

The people who work at nursing facili-

ties should have paid sick days to protecttheir patients, said Myra Crenshaw, aDenver woman who helps her mother carefor her World War II veteran father. Myfather caught a severe infection at a rehabfacility following a hospitalization for a leginjury. That just shouldnt happen.

Initiative 300 would make it so that allprivate sector workers in Denver will be ableto earn one hour of paid sick and safe timefor every 30 hours they work, up to nine daysannually for full time workers and pro-ratedfor part-time employees once the measurepasses. Smaller businesses with fewer than

10 employees would be able to cpaid sick and safe time to five days pyear. Companies that offer that mupaid time off of any kind vacation personal are in compliance with thmeasure as long as they allow themployees to use that paid time fsick days and doctors visits.

Paid sick leave laws have benefted workers and businesses in citiwhere they have been enacted. Sin seven employers surveyed in SFrancisco, where a paid sick da

law has been in effect since 200say that paid sick days have had nnegative effect on profitability, annearly 70 percent of employers that city support the law. Employehave not abused the policy, using average of 3 days annually. Not onare workers healthier and more prductive; they dont expose cutomers, clients and patients to iness.

Recently nine professors at tUniversity of Denvers DanieCollege of Business came out in suport of Initiative 300 because thsay its good for business. Wh

sick workers are able to stay home, thspread of disease slows and workplaces ahealthier and more productive. Employewith paid sick days are more loyal and stawith their employer longer, reducinturnover and replacement costs.

Real-life experience tells us businessare not going to have to close or relocate duto this modest measure, said Dr. Cynth

Fukami, a professor of business managemeat D.U. The data and experience in SFrancisco and other places simply dont support this fear.

Erin Bennett is a spokesperson fothe Campaign for a Healthy Denver and the executive director of Colorado 9to5

National Association of WorkWomen, a membership-based organiza-tion of low-income women working toimprove policies on issues that directlyaffect them. For more information onthe Campaign, please visit www.cpaignforahealthydenver.com.

Initiative 300 and Paid Sick Daysfor a Healthier Denver


22/24


Be The ChangeMAKE THE

SCHOOL BOARDPLEDGE!

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