Carrie Olson takes the helm of the Denver Public Schools board in the aftermath of a wave of voter discontent that saw the ouster of two incumbents following months of infighting and dysfunction.

The board on Friday voted in Olson to her second stint as president.

The long-time educator sat down with The Denver Gazette for a wide-ranging interview Monday that included her new role, board conflict and the challenges that lie ahead for the district.

Olson summed up her intentions by repeating what was a campaign slogan and now a public meme: She intends to “make the board boring again.”

Here are three takeaways:

New leadership

Minority enrollment in the district accounts for the majority of its student population with roughly 70% coming from marginalized racial groups. Nearly two-thirds of students receive free or reduced lunch, often considered a proxy for poverty.

Olson, who was first elected to the board in 2017, served as president from 2019 through 2021, when Xóchitl Gaytán was elected president.

During her previous tenure as president, Olson led the board through the 2019 teachers’ strike, the search for a new superintendent (Alex Marrero was hired in July 2021) and the COVID-19 pandemic.

So, what made her the obvious choice for board president?

“To me it signaled that the majority of members thought the board needed someone with experience,” Olson said.

Board dysfunction

Before last month’s election, every serving board member was supported by the local teachers’ union, which was credited with flipping the board four years ago and shifting the balance of power from the reformists and to a traditional model.

In Denver, pro-charter organizations are often pitted against the local teachers’ union.

Despite this, the board has endured scathing public criticism. Just 30% of likely voters headed into the election held a favorable opinion of district leadership, according to local polls.

The missteps include school closures; gun violence and a court-ruled illegal executive session; the termination of a popular principal and his wrongful termination lawsuit.

The personality conflicts on the board also nabbed headlines.

After holding a closed meeting to discuss the shooting of two East High School administrators, then Board Vice President Auon’tai M. Anderson held a news conference to explain his vote to temporarily return armed police to the district’s comprehensive high schools. (Anderson had led the move to remove police in 2020.)

Gaytán attempted to reprimand him.

The board drama is no secret.

Over six months starting last year, the district spent more than $35,000 to pay therapists and conflict coaches to help board members resolve disputes with each other.

Given the personality conflicts that have spilled over into public meetings, what will Olson do differently?

“I have experience on how to lead and make sure everyone’s voice is heard,” Olson said.

She intends to start with a board retreat next month to discuss, among other things, how the board wants to work together.

“We need to take the time to get to know each other,” Olson said.

Upcoming challenges

The district has grappled with declining enrollment for the past decade.

Student enrollment has shrunk more than 8,000 since 2014.

It’s a critical issue because fewer students mean less money for the district.

Lower birth rates, skyrocketing home costs and gentrification have been the biggest factors for the district’s declining enrollment.

To address this, the board closed three schools – Denver Discovery, Mathematics and Science Leadership Academy and Fairview Elementary – in March.

More closures are expected.

Olson said she expects the board, under her leadership, to address declining enrollment, school safety and student discipline.

School leaders, Olson said, have told her they feel safe on their campus, but worry about the safety of others.

A closer look at the district’s safety plan – which was created in the wake of a student shooting two administrators at East High School in March – may be warranted, Olson said.

She also is looking forward to receiving an update from Marrero’s team on the district’s review of its discipline matrix, which is used to respond to problematic student behavior, or students in legal trouble, and criticized as too lax.

“I wonder where some of the holes are in our safety plan,” Olson said.