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July 23, 2009, Phoenix, AZ
University Public Schools Media Advisory
University Public Schools Names Interim Executive Director

University Public Schools Inc. (UPSI) named Ms. Debra Gomez Interim Executive Director on July 21, 2009. Ms. Gomez will take responsibility for the family of charter schools run by UPSI given the untimely death of Executive Director Mr. Larry Pieratt who has lead this initiative since it was founded in 2006. Mr. Pieratt came to Arizona in 1990 after having taught and served as both an elementary and middle school principal in Ohio. He earned undergraduate and masters degrees in educational administration from Ohio State University. In Arizona, he founded the highly successful Horizon Community Learning Center that serves over 1400 k-12 students (with a waiting list in the hundreds) after having served as a principal in the Kyrene School District. In 2006, he was chosen to lead University Public Schools Inc., an affiliate of Arizona State University. UPSI opened the Polytechnic Elementary School in the southeast Valley in 2008 and this year will open University Public School Phoenix in downtown Phoenix in partnership with Phoenix Elementary School District #1. Larry’s dedication to public education and his energy and enthusiasm for building great schools will be sorely missed, and his passion to drive student achievement for each and every student will not be forgotten. Dr. Eugene Garcia, Vice President of Education Partnerships at Arizona State University stated at the Corporate Board Meeting, “Larry’s death is a great loss to all of us, and Arizona State University President Dr. Michael Crow expresses his appreciation for all of his work on behalf of the children of UPSI.”

Ms. Debra Gomez, the Chief Academic Officer of UPSI, will now serve as Interim Executive Director. Ms. Gomez has been dedicated to public education in Arizona since 1978 upon her graduation from Arizona State University. She has served as a Teacher, Grant Writer, Assistant Principal, Principal, Director of Curriculum and Assistant Superintendent in districts across Phoenix. She is bilingual and is actively involved in the Arizona Hispanic Administrators Association and is a board member of the National Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents.

About University Public School Incorporated (UPSI)

University Public Schools, working in affiliation with Arizona State University, partners with select school districts and educational service providers to deliver innovation and achievement to preschool through grade twelve schools. UPSI schools are designed to provide students choice and achievement while leveraging the resources and best practices for curriculum and technology integration, while also offering teachers the highest quality of professional development. UPSI schools are tuition-free public charter schools. For more information visit upsi.asu.edu or call 480-727-1612.

 

In the News | more...

10/19/2007 - East Valley Tribune: First ASU-run public school opens in fall 2008

10/11/2007 - East Valley Tribune: Parent meeting tonight on new ASU school

8/6/2008 - East Valley Living: University Public Schools opens first Center of Educational Innovation August 11

8/11/2008 - East Valley Tribune: New elementary with ties to ASU opens

 

Calendar | more...

09/01/2008 - Labor Day - No School - Polytechnic Elementary School

09/11 & 12/2008 - ILP Conferences - Polytechnic Elementary School

 

Press Inquires

For media inquires related to University Public Schools, an affiliate of Arizona State University, please call (480) 727-1612 between the hours of 8 AM - 5 PM (Mountain Standard Time - Arizona) Monday through Friday. For after hours, please contact us at upsi@asu.edu

For media inquires related to Arizona State University, please contact Christine Lambrakis at (480) 727-1173 or lambrakis@asu.edu or Arizona State University Media Contacts, click here

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