Quickhits

In the wake of the George Floyd murder and sustained, impassioned protests against racist policing practices, Denver Public Schools is on the cusp of ending a longstanding agreement to host “School Resource Officers” in some of its buildings.

Even more budget pain, and more grueling decisions, may lie ahead for DPS.

The COVID-19 health and economic crisis is causing monster problems for Colorado’s public sector pension system, which funds, among other thing, the retirements of public educators.

Based on new state revenue projections, the district could face up ta 10 percent –$104 million — revenue drop this fiscal year. Previously, the worst case was a 5 percent drop, totaling $61 million.

Some blend of remote and in-person learning looks likely for the foreseeable future in DPS, Chalkbeat’s Melanie Asmar reports.

Here’s a worthwhile read on all the factors that must be considered when deciding how and when to reopen schools. The authors believe schools should open in the fall if at all possible, but only if the proper conditions are set. 

Compass Academy, a southwest Denver charter middle school, had planned to expand and add a high school. That’s no longer the case.

There’s a good article by Elizabeth Hernandez in The Denver Post today about the additional challenges faced by the state’s English language learners as districts have transitioned to online learning in the Covid-19 era.

At best, the district will face draconian cuts. At worst…well, let’s not go there yet.

Why do Colorado schools struggle to teach kids to read? Chalkbeat has a great explainer.