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Season 2, episode 12. Dialogue across differences: A conversation with Scott Esserman

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Boardhawk wanted former Denver school board member Scott Esserman on the podcast because we vigorously disagreed with him on a range of Denver Public Schools issues during his tenure, and wrote about him in a harshly critical tone on several occasions. At times the tone of those criticisms might have obscured the substantive differences in policy and philosophy that underlay them. Some of those disagreements include the performance of Superintendent Alex Marrero, whether DPS is headed n the right direction, Marrero’s contract extension, and school safety.

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Podcast season 2, episode 11: Why is DPS superintendent Marrero trying to stop the expansion of Denver’s last innovation zone?

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A proposed expansion of the Luminary Learning Network, Denver’s lone remaining Innovation zone, is being strongly opposed by Superintendent Alex Marrero. LLN Executive Director joins us to discuss the zone, and repeated attempts to curb its autonomies. The consolidation of school control under Marrero has implications for everyone with a stake in DPS.

Podcast season 2, episode 11: Why is DPS superintendent Marrero trying to stop the expansion of Denver’s last innovation zone? Read More »

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Podcast season 2, episode 10: How Dr. Richard Charles, DPS’ top technologist, is thinking about AI in schools

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In this second installment of our occasional series on the implications for public education of artificial intelligence in classrooms and homes, we welcome Dr. Richard Charles, the chief information officer for Denver Public Schools. A mathematician by training and inclination, Dr. Charles has deep knowledge of AI,  its promises and pitfalls. This thought-provoking conversation is well worth a listen.

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Boardhawk podcast season 2, episode 8: The state of educational opportunity in Colorado, with Nicholas Hernández and Marc Porter Magee

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50CAN, a national education advocacy organization, and Transform Education Now (TEN), its Colorado affiliate, recently released a report called The State of Educational Opportunity in Colorado, a survey of some 515 parents from across the state. ur guests for this podcast episode are Marc Porter Magee, the founder and CEO of 50CAN, and Nicholas Hernández, the co-founder and executive director of TEN. The Colorado report and national survey data are filled with fascinating insights that say a great deal about current attitudes toward public education, school choice, and parental engagement.

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A wide shot of the 2026 Denver Public Schools Board of Education members.

Boardhawk podcast season 2, episode 7: The dysfunctional leadership of the Denver school board, with guest Cody Ostenson

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Last week Boardhawk editor Alan Gottlieb published an article about the dysfunctional leadership of the Denver School Board under President Xóchitl Gaytán. In this new podcast episode Gottlieb and co-host Alexis Menocal Harrigan delver mnore deeply into this issue, along with Cody Ostenson, Director of External Affairs for Denver Families for Public Schools. Ostenson is one of if not the closest observer of the board and Denver Public Schools. His insights into board dynamics and DPS generally are invaluable.

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An illustration of a man receiving an award that reads, "Ongoing Failure." There is a spotlight on him and confetti swirling around the room, and a crowd of people looks up at him adoringly.

Boardhawk podcast season 2, episode 6: Why does the state boost the ratings of failing high schools like Denver’s Lincoln?

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Last week, Boardhawk published a piece by educator and education researcher Peter Huidekoper Jr. about the baffling move by the Colorado Department of Education late last year to boost the state rating of Denver’s Abraham Lincoln High School despite a longstanding and ongoing record of failure to educate most of its students to anything approaching grade level proficiency. We asked Huidekoper onto the podcast to take a deeper dive into this issue.

Boardhawk podcast season 2, episode 6: Why does the state boost the ratings of failing high schools like Denver’s Lincoln? Read More »

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Podcast season 2 episode 5: Former Mayor Federico Peña on why ‘failing’ DPS should merge with city government

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Former Denver Mayor Federico Peña this week authored a provocative article in Westword advocating for merging Denver Public Schools, which he calls a “failing institution,” into  Denver city government. He came on the podcast to explain his reasons, and how this might be made a reality down the road.

Podcast season 2 episode 5: Former Mayor Federico Peña on why ‘failing’ DPS should merge with city government Read More »

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Podcast season 2 episode 4: After 50+ years, DPS may be about to dump Kaiser Permanente as a healthcare provider. How this could hurt 5,000 people

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On December 8, health care provider Kaiser Permanente sent a letter to the roughly 3,400 Denver Public Schools employees who receive its services informing then that DPS was dropping Kaiser as a provider. Our guest today is Rob Gould, president of the Denver Classroom Teachers Association. We delve deeply into this issue with Gould, whose members stand to bear the brunt of the possible consequences.

Podcast season 2 episode 4: After 50+ years, DPS may be about to dump Kaiser Permanente as a healthcare provider. How this could hurt 5,000 people Read More »

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Podcast season 2 episode 3: School enrollment expert Brian Eschbacher on the root causes of enrollment declines (school choice is not the culprit)

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Colorado public schools are experiencing sustained enrollment declines (Denver less than many other districts), and that’s reshaping everything — school funding, staffing, program offerings, district politics, and debates over school choice. This is more than a demographic story; it’s a governance and values story. Today we are joined by Brian Eschacher to unpack enrollment trends, how school choice fits into the picture, and what districts and policy makers should be paying attention to next. 

Podcast season 2 episode 3: School enrollment expert Brian Eschbacher on the root causes of enrollment declines (school choice is not the culprit) Read More »