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DENVER - When the reforms began four years ago, the promise was to make the Mile High City the best urban school district in the nation. Four years later, Tom Boasberg says now is the time to make changes.

"We need to build upon the progress that we've made for the last four years," Boasberg, superintendent of Denver Public Schools, said. "But, we need to accelerate that progress."

DPS is entering an interesting time. Enrollment has grown so fast in the past years that it is now the biggest it's been in 35 years with more than 75,000 students. Still, Boasberg says the district may look at cutting up to $30 million through the next school year because of the sagging economy.

Boasberg is now launching a new community campaign called, "We're up to the challenge." He wants to foster more parent engagement while making changes to the reforms called the Denver Plan, first initiated by former Superintendent Michael Bennet.

"I'm very optimistic about where we are," Boasberg said. "We've had four years of consistent growth over the last four years."

Consistent, but not fast enough, Boasberg says. He says there is still an unacceptably low graduation rate and a big achievement gap between white students and minorities. He also wants to create a better system of ensuring a good classroom experience for all students.

"That focus on people. The focus on how do we do a better job of recognizing, rewarding, retaining our most effective teachers," Boasberg said.

Anna Conley teaches 8th graders at Morey Middle School. She started at around the same time the original Denver plan was initiated. She agrees something needs to be done.

"We need to work maybe even twice as hard as other school districts because we have kids coming in with issues," Conley said. "I think it's a great idea that he's rolling it out to the community to have (the community) be able to give input."

Boasberg is holding "State of the Schools" meetings Tuesday night and Wednesday night. Tuesday is at North High School at 6 p.m. The meeting on Wednesday will be at Hill Middle School, 451 Clermont Street, also at 6 p.m. Boasberg will take questions after his 20 to 30 minute speech.

He says he wants to issue the challenge of improving Denver Schools face-to-face to as many people as possible.

"If you look around this country, there's no city getting it right in terms of urban education," Boasberg said. "We're up to the challenge here."

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