A pastor withdrew his proposal Tuesday to establish a church-run vocational school in classrooms at Manual High School.

"The organization that proposed it pulled it from the process," said Alex Sanchez, spokesman for Denver Public Schools.

"If the organization pulls the proposal, there is nothing to consider by the school district."

The Concerned About You Academy was proposed by Rev. Willie D. Simmons, pastor with the Central Missionary Baptist Church. The program, to be run by the church, was intended to help high school dropouts, ages 18-21, get vocational degrees.

The Concerned About You Academy planned on using three classrooms at Manual High School. The academy plan was among nine proposed schools or programs the DPS board is scheduled to consider for final approval tonight.

A letter of intent about forming the academy was submitted to DPS in April, followed up by a formal application in August. The DPS board also heard a presentation on the program last month. Sanchez said the district had recommended the academy be approved as a new program and also to share space at Manual High School.

Wednesday, Simmons said, "I have no comment on why the proposal was withdrawn."

It was reported Tuesday that a former church secretary had filed a federal lawsuit against Simmons, Central Baptist Church and Concerned About You, Inc., alleging Simmons had sexually assaulted her twice in her office in February 2007.

The former secretary claimed that the church then fired her and expelled her daughter from the school at the church.

The Denver District Attorney's Office declined to file charges against Simmons.

Wednesday, Simmons did not respond when asked if the lawsuit was a factor in the withdrawal of the Concerned About You Academy proposal.

As the result of the pullout, there will be no new space-sharing programs at Manual High School next year.