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DPS board politics

A Greek-style building with "DPS" written on the front.

Former superintendents Bennet and Boasberg make an affirmative case for their Denver reforms

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As political winds shifted over the past five years, critics, including board and district leadership,  have pummeled Bennet and Boasberg, calling them, among other things, white supremacists and enablers of racist and oppressive systems. Both men are politically astute, and have chosen not to address those insults directly. This white paper as their oblique way of refuting those unjust and hyperbolic critiques.

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DPS board, leaders’ rush to judgment sparks federal lawsuit

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Kristen Fry, who brought the suit, was accused in August 2023 of using a racial slur and of assault against a Black community activist and political consultant, Hashim Coates, that led to a rush to judgment by the school board to cast Fry as racist. She was later exonerated by a video of the incident that DPS withheld until subpoenaed by her attorneys.

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Marrero’s $100,000 corner office: Long live the hierarchy!

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Consider the message sent by spending almost $100,000 to deconstruct the egalitarian philosophy that drove Denver Public Schools management for more than a decade. The superintendent’s corner office with a bank of windows looking over downtown and the soundproofing all but scream: ”Stay away. I have no time for the likes of you. And what happens behind that door is none of your damned business.”

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As Northeast Denver Innovation Zone folds, DPS takes a parting shot

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This coming fall, two of the three zone schools, McAuliffe International and McAuliffe Manual Middle School will revert to district-run schools but operate under their individual innovation plans. The third member, Swigert International, is seeking to join the Luminary Learning Network (LLN),  the last of the original three DPS innovation zones.

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Portrait of new Denver school board with Superintendent Alex Marrero, December 2023

Racial politics, redistricting, and the Denver school board

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We have board members and community members who speak about injustice, but do little to tackle the injustices that exist with our students’ academic achievement. Two things can happen at once without being in conflict; we can fight historic systems of oppression while also holding all leaders – including Black and brown ones – to account. 

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Manage like an ostrich: Marrero eliminates principal feedback on his leadership

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In years past, school leaders could rate Marrero and other senior leaders on a series of Likert Scale questions. For example: “Overall is an effective leader.” “Is a person whom I trust.” “Models the DPS values.” “Is reflective, open to and grows from feedback.” That opportunity has vanished into thin air.

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