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A graphic with the Denver Public Schools logo and text that reads, "Denver's 2025 school board elections."

Denver school board candidates clash in lively debate as vote nears

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All 11 candidates for the four Denver Public Schools board seats squared off Tuesday night in a televised debate that generated some rare back-and-forth heat over everything from student achievement to the performance of Superintendent Alex Marrero. With ballots mailed Friday for the Nov. 4 election, a large crowd attended the debate at Regis University […]

Denver school board candidates clash in lively debate as vote nears Read More »

An illustration of a rift between white and non-white students, with the words "DPS achievement gap" on the rift.

Academic achievement gap key issue in DPS board election, recent candidate forum

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The races to represent southwest Denver and an open at-large seat present clear choices of views on the value of standardized tests in measuring the achievement gap. The five candidates for the two sets expressed varying opinions at a Sept. 15 forum sponsored by the Denver Democratic Party.

Academic achievement gap key issue in DPS board election, recent candidate forum Read More »

An illustration of a piece of paper on fire that reads, "Contract for Denver Public Schools Superintendent ALex Marrero."

Boardhawk Podcast episode 23: Could an illegal DPS board committee make the superintendent’s contract voidable? A conversation with the Denver Gazette’s Nico Brambila

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This past weekend, Denver Gazette education reporter Nicole C. Brambila broke a big story about a shadowy committee of the Denver school board formed last spring to hammer out details of Superintendent Alex Marrero’s controversial new contract. We asked Brambila to join the podcast to discuss the story and its ramifications, as well as the overall transparency (or lack thereof) of the current board and Denver Public Schools administration. Listen to hear why, as Brambila told us, “what attorneys that I spoke to did say was that if somebody sued the school district and won in court, it could negate the contract.”

Boardhawk Podcast episode 23: Could an illegal DPS board committee make the superintendent’s contract voidable? A conversation with the Denver Gazette’s Nico Brambila Read More »

Denver Families CEO Clarence Burton Jr.'s headshot.

Boardhawk podcast episode 22: A conversation with Denver Families CEO Clarence Burton Jr.

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As a service to our listeners, Boardhawk decided to reach out to the two school board election axes of influence — The Denver Classroom Teachers Association and Denver Families Action to learn more about their process and criteria for endorsing candidates, as well as their funding sources and strategies. We conclude this series with a conversation with Clarence Burton Jr., CEO of Denver Families Action and Denver Families for Public Schools.

Boardhawk podcast episode 22: A conversation with Denver Families CEO Clarence Burton Jr. Read More »

DCTA President Rob Gould's headshot.

Boardhawk Podcast episode 21: A conversation with DCTA President Rob Gould

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As a service to our listeners, Boardhawk decided to reach out to the two school board election axes of influence — The Denver Classroom Teachers Association and Denver Families Action to learn more about their process and criteria for endorsing candidates, as well as their funding sources and strategies. We begin this two-part series with Rob Gould, president of the DCTA.

Boardhawk Podcast episode 21: A conversation with DCTA President Rob Gould Read More »

Jeremy Harris's headshot.

Boardhawk Podcast episode 18: Featuring Jeremy Harris, northeast Denver (District 4) school board candidate

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Jeremy Harris is one of four candidates vying for the Denver school board seat currently held by Michelle Quattlebaum, who is running for reelection. Harris opposes what he describes on his campaign website as “lessons on sexuality, racism, and gender identity-based curricula in K–8 education.” In general, he stakes out positions that in some cases are more conservative than is typical in a Denver school board race.

Boardhawk Podcast episode 18: Featuring Jeremy Harris, northeast Denver (District 4) school board candidate Read More »

Caron Blanke's headshot.

Boardhawk podcast episode 17: Featuring Caron Blanke, central Denver (District 3) school board candidate

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Caron Blanke is a Denver Public Schools parent, and the former director of the JCC (Jewish Community Center) Early Learning School, one of Denver’s top preschools. She is running for the District 3 school board seat, which encompasses a large swath of central Denver. In this podcast episode, Blanke discusses what she sees as a need for governance adjustments within the DPS board and administration, and her desire to be a change agent after several years of stagnant student achievement in the district.

Boardhawk podcast episode 17: Featuring Caron Blanke, central Denver (District 3) school board candidate Read More »

Mariana del Hierro's headshot.

Boardhawk podcast episode 16: Featuring Mariana del Hierro, southwest Denver (District 2) school board candidate

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In this podcast episode, Denver school board candidate Mariana del Hierro discusses with hosts Alexis Menocal Harrigan and Alan Gottlieb how her role as a parent of a Latino DPS student drives her passion to serve on the school board; her views on the state of the district’s academic performance; and her plans to be accessible to the community should she be elected.

Boardhawk podcast episode 16: Featuring Mariana del Hierro, southwest Denver (District 2) school board candidate Read More »