District Accountability Committee

The DAC consists of:

• At least three parents of current DPS students
• At least one DPS teacher
• At least one DPS school administrator
• At least one person who is involved in business within the district’s boundaries

A person may not serve in more than one of the required membership roles on the DAC in a single term. A person who is employed by the district or related* to a district employee shall not be eligible to serve as a parent on the DAC. However, if the board makes a good faith effort and is unable to identify a sufficient number of people who meet these criteria, a person may serve on the DAC and also be employed by the district or related* to a district employee.

To the extent practicable, the DAC shall represent a cross-section of the community in terms of sex, race, age, occupation, socioeconomic status, geographical location, and other appropriate factors.

* “Related” means the person’s spouse, son, daughter, sister, brother, mother or father.

The superintendent and board members will seek applications for membership and make recommendations to the president of the board. The president will nominate members to serve on the DAC based on the recommendations.

In nominating members to the DAC, the president will ensure, to the extent practicable, that:

• At least two members appointed reside in each geographic district
• At least one parent appointed resides in each geographic district
• The parents appointed reflect the student populations significantly represented within the district
• At least one parent appointed is a parent of a student enrolled in a charter school authorized by the board
• At least one person appointed has a demonstrated knowledge of charter schools

Should there be a vacancy on the DAC, the president will have the authority to appoint interim members who will serve as full members until the board votes to appoint members.

The DAC will select a parent representative to serve as chair or co-chair.

Members of the DAC will serve terms of 2 years.  In order to avoid having the terms of all members expire at the same time, up to 50% of the members initially appointed will be appointed for a one-year term and will be eligible for reappointment. The chair or co-chairs of the DAC will serve terms of one year and be eligible for reappointment.

The DAC will establish a schedule of meetings and adopt general rules for its operation, which will be provided to the board office.

The DAC will have the following duties:

• Budget Priorities: The DAC shall recommend to the Board priorities for spending district moneys. When it makes such recommendations, it shall make reasonable efforts to consult in a substantive manner with the school accountability committees in the district. The Board shall consider such recommendations in adopting the district budget for each fiscal year. C.R.S. 22-11-302(l)(a).

District performance, improvement, priority improvement, and turnaround plans:

• The DAC shall advise the Board concerning the preparation of, and annually submit to the Board recommendations regarding the contents of a district performance, improvement, priority improvement, or turnaround plan, whichever is required based on the district’s accreditation category. In advising and preparing the recommendations, the DAC shall make reasonable efforts to consult in a substantive manner with the school accountability committees. C.R.S. 22-11-302(l)(b).
• Compilation and submission of school plans: The DAC shall compile and submit to the Board the school performance, improvement, priority improvement, and turnaround plans submitted by the school accountability committees. C.R.S. 22-11-302(1)(b).
• Review of charter school applications: Charter school applications shall be reviewed by the DAC prior to consideration by the Board as provided in section 22-30.5-107(1). C.R.S. 22-11-302(1)(c).
• Recommendations to principals concerning assessments as it concerns teacher evaluations: The DAC shall provide input and recommendations on an advisory basis to principals concerning the development and use of assessment tools used for the purpose of measuring and evaluating student academic growth as it relates to teacher evaluations. C.R.S. 22-11-302(1)(d).
• Areas of study beyond those specified in statute: The Board and the DAC shall, at least annually, cooperatively determine the areas and issues that the DAC shall study and concerning which the DAC may make recommendations to the Board. C.R.S. 22-11-302(2).
• Consultation regarding the District safe school plan: This DAC and the school accountability committees shall provide advice concerning the adoption, implementation, review, and revision of the district’s safe school plan. C.R.S.22-32-109.1(2).
• Composition of District accountability charter review committee: For the purposes of reviewing a charter school application, the DAC shall include at least one person with a demonstrated knowledge of charter schools, and one parent of a child enrolled in a charter school in the District. C.R.S. 22-30.5-107(1.5).
• Adoption and/or revision of District content standards: The DAC shall provide input and recommendations concerning the adoption and/or revision of the district content standards. C.R.S. 22-7-407.
• Consultation regarding applications to waive state law: The DAC shall meet with the Board to consult regarding the Board’s intent to submit to the Statue Board of Education any waivers of state rules or statute pursuant to C.R.S. 22-2-117(2) and/or to submit a school innovation plan pursuant to C.R.S. 22-32.5-101 et seq.

Budget / Finance Review Subcommittee

This subcommittee reviews the district budget and provides a report to DAC and the Board of Education with written recommendations regarding spending considerations and fiscal responsibility.

Family and Community Engagement Subcommittee

This subcommittee works to align the charge to Board of Education policy KB as well as the powers and duties outlined in the Colorado Revised Statutes: “To increase the level of parent engagement in the school district and in the public schools of the school district, especially the engagement of parents of students in the populations described in section 22-11-301 (3).”

Great Schools Subcommittee

This subcommittee reviews new and renewal charter school applications, interviews applicants, presents a report to DAC for approval and makes recommendations to the Board of Education.

Performance / Unified Improvement Plan (UIP) Review Subcommittee

This subcommittee reviews the District Unified Improvement Plan and provides a report to DAC and the Board of Education with written recommendations to improve the effectiveness of the plan and the planning process.

Karen Mortimer
Committee Chair
DenverDAC@gmail.com

Chris Lee
Committee Co-Chair

Karen Ikegami
Committee Co-Secretary

Christopher Deidrich
Committee Co-Secretary

Sofiya Erman
716-713-1707
sofiya_erman@dpsk12.org

Robin Pulliam
720-423-3806
robin_pulliam@dpsk12.org

Meetings will be held virtually on Zoom from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm unless otherwise noted.