Denver’s school board will hold a special meeting today to hear public comment about new schools scheduled to be approved Wednesday.
They’re expecting to get an earful.
Denver Public Schools received 11 applications for new schools but has recommended approval of just three, one in northeast Denver and two in the far northeast.
The district is asking the board to approve a Denver Center for International Studies, a second SOAR charter school and a University Preparatory Academy charter school.
In addition to the vote on the new schools at the 4:30 p.m. special meeting Wednesday, the board must take action on the 2010-11 budget in order to begin the new fiscal year Thursday.
The school board on June 17 failed to approve the budget — voting 3-3.
State law requires the budget be approved by Wednesday — the last day of the 2009-10 fiscal year.
Board member Jeannie Kaplan asked to delay the vote until after the June 18 release of an annual actuarial report about the Denver Public School Retirement System.
“Hopefully, we will be able to shed some light on the differing sides of this pension-funding issue,” Kaplan said at the June 17 meeting.
Superintendent Tom Boasberg asked the board to vote for the budget, saying retirement contributions are set by law.
“The law is the law,” he said. “The board doesn’t control this. It is something determined by the legislature.”
Today’s meeting starts at 5 p.m. at 900 Grant St.
Jeremy P. Meyer: 303-954-1367 or jpmeyer@denverpost.com
