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Podcast

Jimmy Sengenberger's headshot.

Podcast episode 28: Investigative columnist Jimmy Sengenberger on the Youngquist investigation, its motivations and implications

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Denver Gazette investigative columnist Jimmy Sengenberger has some of the deepest sourcing on the Denver Public Schools beat, and has broken a number of important stories. When the so-called investigation report into DPS board member John Youngquist’s alleged racial insensitivity was released or leaked Monday night, Sengenberger came to mind as a good person to have on to discuss the report and its weaknesses, and its implications for the board and the district. It’s a lively discussion.

Podcast episode 28: Investigative columnist Jimmy Sengenberger on the Youngquist investigation, its motivations and implications Read More »

Theresa Peña's headshot.

Podcast episode 27: Former DPS board member Theresa Peña on the election, the current board and administration, and the state of the district

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We invited former Denver Public Schools board president Theresa Peña on the podcast to discuss the upcoming election, the state of DPS, current and past boards, and the current administration, because she unflinchingly expresses well-informed opinions, and has the credentials to back those opinions up with deep knowledge and relevant data.

Podcast episode 27: Former DPS board member Theresa Peña on the election, the current board and administration, and the state of the district Read More »

A screenshot of Kristen Fry speaking at a DPS board public comment session.

Podcast episode 26: DPS parent Kristen Fry, whose federal defamation lawsuit against board members and their supporters will move forward after a judge’s recent ruling

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Hear Kristen Fry’s story of her Kafkaesque reputational execution at the hands of the Denver school board and superintendent.

Podcast episode 26: DPS parent Kristen Fry, whose federal defamation lawsuit against board members and their supporters will move forward after a judge’s recent ruling Read More »

The headshots of the three podcast guests.

Podcast episode 24: Incumbent DPS board candidates refused to come on the podcast. So we examine their records without them.

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In this episode, Transform Education (TEN) Now Executive Director Nicholas Hernández discusses with hosts Alexis Menocal Harrigan and Alan Gottlieb the records of Denver school board candidates (and incumbents) Xóchitl Gaytán, Michelle Quattlebaum, and Scott Esserman. These three incumbents are running for reelection. We would have preferred to interview them, as we have most other candidates. They have served during one of the more tumultuous times in Denver Public Schools board history. They have been in the middle of multiple controversies, and they have a lot of explaining to do. But all three refused to come on the podcast, or to attend TEN community forums. So we examine their records without their participation.

Podcast episode 24: Incumbent DPS board candidates refused to come on the podcast. So we examine their records without them. 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 »

A graphic showing DPS test score data.

Boardhawk Podcast episode 20: The hard truths DPS won’t tell you about its test score results

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In this episode of the Boardhawk podcast, hosts Alexis Menocal Harrigan and Alan Gottlieb have an in-depth discussion on 2025 state test score results for Denver with educational consult and data expert Maya Lagana. While there are some sings of post-pandemic improvement, the data show that low-income students of color in Denver Public Schools continue to struggle academically, and achievement gaps have widened substantially since CMAS’ first year, 2017.

Boardhawk Podcast episode 20: The hard truths DPS won’t tell you about its test score results Read More »