BRIGHTON - 27J Superintendent Rod Blunck was expected to recommend the selection of Hughes Consulting as the new operator of Brighton Collegiate High School.

    Brighton Collegiate parents were informed of the recommendation at Thursday night’s BCHS board meeting. A letter, drafted by 27J charter liaison Sam Sakurada, was also sent to school parents and guardians.

    In the letter, Sakurada said Hughes Consulting is the “lead applicant” to take over at the soon-to-be former Brighton Collegiate High School and Blunck would recommend that selection at the 27J Board of Educating meeting April 27. The move was based largely on feedback from an April 14 community meeting and the work of the School District 27J charter school committee.

    Sakurada also said in the letter that Arrow Academy, one of three charter finalists, rescinded its application April 19.

    Bob Hughes, of Hughes Consulting, told parents at the April 14 meeting that he believed the school’s current curriculum could stay in place.

    “We looked closely at your test scores,” Hughes said. “This school has a good curriculum in place. Your academic program is good. You’ve got a good program, and we think it should remain in place.”

    Hughes noted at the meeting that his group planned to institute a S.T.E.M. curriculum as a “hook” to draw more enrollment.

    “We think we can create a special emphasis on S.T.E.M.,” Hughes said in referring to the Denver School of Science and Technology as a model.

    Noting the arrival of Vestas and a green energy-related solar company slated in the next six months, Hughes said the S.T.E.M. approach would be a good match for the community.

    Hughes admitted budget constraints the first year or two would continue to harness progress at the school. The $750,000 annual bond payment could not be made with the current enrollment. But with the financial knowledge of his team, he felt the payment could be renegotiated until the per-pupil allotment from the state could better afford the bond repayment.