Denver Public Schools Superintendent Michael Bennet expects to release the district’s much- anticipated “strategic plan” at Thursday evening’s school board meeting, he said late Monday.
The plan, which will call for sweeping reforms in DPS’ operations, will be among his first hallmark moves as superintendent. He took the helm of the state’s second-largest district in July.
“We’re killing ourselves to get this done,” he said at a board work session Monday.
The highly secretive plan is expected to call for changes in the administration structure, as well as an overhaul of the literacy plan, worth tens of millions of dollars. Bennet and chief academic officer Jaime Aquino will probably reform English-language acquisition classes, as well as principals’ roles in the classroom.
It probably will call for measurable academic goals, both short- and long-term, for students.
Bennet calls the plan, which is expected to be presented in draft form, an amendable document – one that can change with community and board input.
Among his challenges this year is making the $1.2 billion annual budget “transparent,” he said. In a resolution Bennet pitched at the work session, he calls for the budget to be aligned with district goals and priorities.
He said he wants the budget to be something that his wife could look at and understand.
“I think the district, internally, desperately needs that,” he said.
Staff writer Allison Sherry can be reached at 303-820-1201 or asherry@denverpost.com.
