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The Bruce Randolph School wants to do something no other traditional public program has ever done nationwide â€" operate autonomously within its district. That means it wants to run itself free of district mandates.

"We really need to be free of some of the barriers that are slowing us down," said Dr. Kristin Waters, the school's principal.

She has run Bruce Randolph for the last two years, improving test scores at a school that three years ago was the lowest performing in Colorado. Now, she wants to continue the trend at the 6th through 10th grade program without bureaucracy from the school board.

"Some of the policies of the school district, it's some of the procedures of the district," said Waters. "And, not having to wait for somebody to make a decision for you seven days later, 10 days later, three months later."

If approved, Bruce Randolph would not become a charter school, which also uses public funding. Bruce Randolph would still be a part of Denver Public Schools, but the teachers and staff would make decisions on budget, salaries, instruction, etc. The program would still draw from the neighborhood, unlike charter schools. The teachers would also remain with the Denver Classroom Teachers' Association â€" although they would have a different contract than the rest of the union.

"We feel this is more power for us," said Greg Ahrnsbrak, a physical education teacher and union representative for the Bruce Randolph teachers. "We looked at things that we wanted to be able to have more control over: our time, our money, our people, our students, our incentives."

The move for autonomy has caught the attention of local organizations. The Piton Foundation, a non-profit aimed at improving life for low-income families, is offering a $100,000 grant to support Bruce Randolph's autonomy efforts. The Daniels Fund is offering an additional $15,000.

"This has been a real surprise to us," said Waters.

"For a school to sort of take the reigns and say, 'Hey, we have to do things differently,' cause what we've been doing hasn't been working," said Van Schoales, program officer for The Piton Foundation. "This is specifically about the autonomy and also the accountability and then lastly a really good plan."

Some are asking if it is really a good plan to take the decision-making body of the district, the school board, out of making decisions. School Board President Theresa Pena thinks so.

"The role of the board then becomes one of managing outcomes and the accountability," said Pena. "I think this decision on Randolph really sets an opportunity to really look at how we deliver public education really differently to our students."

The Bruce Randolph staff wants to be creative with its budget, investing in ways to keep their kids learning in cutting edge ways. They want to reward teachers for taking on extra classes or tutoring.

"It's taking a risk. It's recognizing that what we have in place has worked up to this point," said Waters. "But, it's not enough."

Ahrnsbrak says autonomy will truly let the teachers decide what's best for their kids.

"If we're successful, everybody wins," he said.

However, some within the teachers' union have voiced concern that if autonomy is granted it will separate its own members. Officially, the Denver Classroom Teachers' Association is still examining the issue and has no stance as of yet. The school board is expected to vote on the proposal next Thursday.

"So, I think the precedent this sets is an incredibly exciting one which is an opportunity to drive student achievement at a much faster level," said Pena.

Waters says Bruce Randolph is not trying to make history. She just wants to do anything that may help her students improve.

"We're looking at things differently and willing to give it a shot," she said.

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