Closure of Denver’s Manual High School
Re: “Changes at Manual tough but necessary,” Feb. 15 editorial.
We all understand the importance of learning to read, write and cipher numbers. But how do we get the students interested and motivated to learn to do these things? You begin by introducing reading, writing and mathematics into a curriculum that incorporates these areas of learning within the subject matter being taught. And there is no more effective method than combining these sought-after skills than through a program of vocational education.
I refer you to Wisconsin’s vocational programs, where hundreds of varying subjects are offered to interest those students who do not envision entering a university program, i.e., an academic course of studies. Denver Public Schools Superintendent Michael Bennet should give this matter some serious thought. Do the research, verify the success in Wisconsin, and then proceed with meaningful change at Manual High School.
James E. Andrews, Devlin, Canada
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Re: “Closing, then rebirth for Manual High,” Feb. 17 news story.
I was dumbfounded to read that a member of the Denver school board, Jill Conrad, actually voted not to close Manual High School. Her reason was that the aggressive timeline for the closure would not allow “sufficient time to explain” the closure to the community.
As a taxpayer and property owner, when any tax-funded organization is failing to execute its intended function, and attempts to remedy the situation have failed as well, then I expect my government to shut it down immediately and start over, where feasible. Thankfully, the rest of the DPS board and the administration agreed with this painfully obvious solution and did the right thing by choosing to close Manual at the conclusion of the current school year.
I realize that Conrad is new to the board, so I am hopeful that she will quickly realize for future reference that continuing to allow one of our schools to fail both our kids and the taxpayers – for whatever reason – is not only unacceptable to me, but I suspect to most of Denver’s residents.
Josh Brodbeck, Denver
Managing traffic on Denver’s freeways
Re: “Feds push toll lanes for C-470,” Feb. 16 news story.
According to Colorado Department of Transportation commissioner Greg McKnight, congestion already makes the highway resemble a “parking lot.” To me, it looks like CDOT’s never-ending expansion of the freeway system threatens to make all of Denver into a giant parking lot.
Anyone whose brains aren’t soaking in gasoline should know by now that adding lanes of any kind to the freeway will not provide permanent congestion relief.
Opponents of the tolling plan would like to make non-users pay for their highways through increased sales or property taxes. This idea is even worse. The only realistic plan for this corridor is a viable passenger rail system along the freeway.
Mark Itkonen, Littleton
Contrast in columns
Re: “From 1851 to 2006: Ain’t I a Christian?” Feb. 15 Colorado Voices column.
Emily Spearman’s column was a wonderful display of the power of faith and the power of America’s youth. The fact that one so young – a high school senior – has already aquired such wisdom and grace is both humbling and an inspiration to this 43-year-old.
Her call to be proactive and involved is ironically contrasted by Al Knight’s column, which was printed directly below Spearman’s (“Language of politics”). Whereas a high school senior invites us to get up and act on our convictions, Knight implores us to do nothing and let history decide whether our leaders behaved morally.
Chris Francke, Longmont
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