Turning around an urban school district that has almost as many challenges as students requires the efforts of an entire community.
Fortunately for Denver Public Schools, some major community players are stepping up and answering the call. We commend them and urge more to follow suit.
It’s going to take a village, as they say, armed with cash, innovative thinking and energy, to make DPS the top urban school district in the nation.
The DPS Foundation received $4.9 million in the 2005 fiscal year and anticipates $6 million to $8 million for the 2006 fiscal year. Only a few years ago the foundation’s annual income was below $1 million.
But it’s more than just writing a check. Urban districts across the country are using donated human capital to get reform efforts moving.
One Denver foundation has “loaned” a top employee to DPS to work on reforming Manual High School. The Donnell-Kay Foundation will continue to pay her salary, while DPS gets her expertise.
The Rose Community Foundation recently gave DPS $565,000, and some of that will pay for six full-time people to work on ProComp, the district’s complicated pay-for-performance plan for teachers. It’s one of the key components to boosting achievement levels at DPS.
DPS Superintendent Michael Bennet recently held a private meeting with leaders of community foundations and told them he needs free labor. Or, more precisely, highly qualified people for “70-hour weeks” to do reform work for the 68,000-student district. It’s a welcome sight to see them responding.
Bennet last week also tabbed former Denver mayors Wellington Webb and Federico Peña to lead a citizen committee aimed at boosting student achievement. Webb said they’ll also provide some political cover for Bennet as he makes important but unpopular decisions. It’s a wise use of two popular politicians, especially considering the respect they hold in minority communities.
Bennet could have used Webb when he announced his plans to close Manual for one year, which sparked cries of racism from some in the black community. Had Webb gone into the community beforehand, Bennet’s announcement might not have been such a bombshell.
The community must realize it has a vested interested in what happens at DPS – even those without children in the system. After all, these kids are expected to fill the jobs of tomorrow and to keep Denver moving forward.
