Roberta Selleck, who ushered in dramatic reforms in the Adams 50 Westminster school district, will retire at the end of the school year.
Adams 50 school board members accepted Selleck’s resignation letter during a special meeting Thursday night. See a copy of the letter and more details.
Selleck’s retirement is effective June 30 but she has been on medical leave tending her mother and will continue on leave through the end of her time in Adams 50, district officials said. Deputy Superintendent Pamela Swanson will serve as interim superintendent.
Selleck also is a candidate for a superintendent’s position in Florida, according to EdNews partner 9News. See a recent 9News report about community reaction to Selleck’s leave.
The superintendent oversaw the implementation of a standards-based instructional model that grouped students by ability, rather than grade. Adams 50 was the first large U.S. district to try such a shift and initial state test results declined, prompting concern from some. See EdNews coverage of the instructional reform and subsequent test results.
What’s churning:
The University of Colorado Board of Regents voted 5-4 Thursday to close the School of Journalism and Mass Communications on the Boulder campus. One regent said it was the first time CU has closed a school, giving rise to thoughts of what’s next, given the stiff financial challenges facing state colleges and universities. Denver Business Journal story.
What’s on tap:
Today is the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network’s National Day of Silence, marking its 15th anniversary, on which students from middle school to college remain silent – except when called upon in class. The silence is “a symbolic representation of the silencing effect young people across the country experience every day” because of anti-lesbian, gay and transgender bullying, said GLSEN Executive Director Eliza Byard. Learn more.
Jefferson County Public Schools will hold three budget forums tomorrow, Saturday, to gather public input on cuts planned for 2011-12. See details.
Good reads from elsewhere:
Springs happenings: Falcon School District in El Paso County declares a financial emergency, suspending some policies, while neighboring Colorado Springs District 11 agrees to open today’s union negotiations after a parent sues. Colorado Springs Gazette.
Resurgence?: The nation’s last-minute budget deal revives a D.C. voucher program, and some see a trend emerging across the country. New York Times.