Updated – Former President George W. Bush will pay a brief visit to Denver Thursday to meet with a “very select” group of about 25 community leaders and school reform advocates.
Bush will meet with Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, Denver Public Schools Superintendent Tom Boasberg, fellows in the Get Smart Schools leadership program, education funders and others during an hour-long meeting Thursday morning. The meeting will begin at about 8 a.m. at the Get Smart Schools offices, 2543 California St. After the meeting, Bush will make a statement to the press but will take no questions.
Fellows in the Get Smart Schools leadership program receive a year’s training to prepare them to run charter or innovation schools. Bush was scheduled to meet with the group last February, but canceled.
What’s churning:
A committee of legislators, educators and law enforcement professionals that’s been studying school discipline holds its last meeting this week to consider proposed legislation to overhaul state law on the issue.
The proposed bill (read text) would redefine the grounds for expulsion, meaning “The only circumstances under which expulsion remains mandatory are those that involve a student who is determined to have brought a firearm to school or possessed a firearm at
School,” in the words of the draft.
The draft also provides definitions for suspension, in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension and expulsion, would set requirements for school boards to meet when they establish discipline codes and require training programs for police officers who work as school resource officers.
Whatever the committee decides, of course, will have to be considered by the full 2012 legislature before any changes become law.
See the committee website for a list of members, summaries of previous meetings that links to documents and presentations the panel used during its deliberations.
What’s on tap:
MONDAY
A statewide listening tour designed to gather information for the Hickenlooper administration’s third-grade literacy initiative starts with visits in Steamboat Springs and Craig and continues through the week. Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia is leading the effort. Details on lieutenant governor’s website
It’s a deadline day for campaign committees supporting and opposing Proposition 103 to file contribution and spending reports.
Denver Public Schools board members have a study session on achievement from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at 900 Grant St. The agenda includes a staffing update and plans for adopting new state academic standards.
TUESDAY
The Legislative Task Force to Study School Discipline meeting starts at 9 a.m. in room 0112 of the Capitol.
Candidates in all three DPS board races are expected to participate in a forum staring at 6 p.m. in Davis Auditorium, 2000 E. Asbury Ave. on the University of Denver campus.
The Aurora school board meets at 6 p.m. at the Educational Services Center – 4, 1085 Peoria St.
Jefferson County school board candidates have a forum from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Evergreen Fire/Rescue Auditorium, 1802 Bergen Parkway in Evergreen.
WEDNESDAY
The superintendent forum on the State of Our Districts, sponsored by the Public Education & Business Coalition, the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and the University of Colorado Denver, will be held from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Seawall Ballroom at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Contact Natalie Newton at PEBC for more information.
The St. Vrain board has a 6 p.m. study session at Niwot High School, 8989 E. Niwot Rd.
The Adams 12-Five Star board meets at 7 p.m. in the Aspen Room of the Educational Support Center, 1500 E. 128th Ave. in Thornton. Agenda
THURSDAY
Jefferson County school board members hold a 5 p.m. special meeting to vote on a charter school application from Global Outreach Charter Academy, followed by a study session on training for new board members. It’s at 1829 Denver West Drive in Golden. Agenda
Denver Public Schools board members have a 5 p.m. meeting at 900 Grant St., followed by a public comment session. The agenda includes a vote on a new policy for board member spending, after recent revelations that some board members were over their $5,000 spending allowances.