denver public schools
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Colorado sees record early applications for universal preschool
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Early preschool applications for the upcoming school year are breaking records for a program with 42,862 4-year-olds enrolled statewide. As of Monday, the program had received 12,886 applications. “Investing in high-quality early education is one of the most effective ways we can support children, families and the long-term strength of our state,” Lisa Roy, executive director…
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Denver Public Schools enrollment losses outpace school closures
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Enrollment losses in Denver now outpace what school closures alone can address. Denver Public Schools (DPS) Superintendent Alex Marrero is expected to present an update on the district’s enrollment to the board at its meeting this Thursday. During an October count, the district reported an enrollment decline of roughly 1,200 students and about $18 million…
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Higher home values, abatements to push DPS tax bills up in 2025
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Denver homeowners will pay more in school taxes next year even though Denver Public Schools (DPS) slightly lowered its overall tax rate. The increase is being driven by rising assessed home values, a full 52.142-mill levy and a dramatic increase in the district’s abatement surcharge – the fee DPS uses to recoup “historically high” tax…
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Federal judge rejects DPS’ attempt to obtain 9News sourcing documents in First Amendment case
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A federal judge rejected Denver Public Schools’ attempt on Monday to obtain documents from 9News related to its interview with a former principal who alleges his termination amounted to a constitutional violation. At the same time, the attorney for plaintiff Kurt Dennis admitted that Dennis did, in fact, provide documents to the outlet showing a…
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Gaytán builds support for Denver school board presidency bid
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Denver Public Schools Director Xóchitl Gaytán has been seeking support behind the scenes for a bid to lead the school board, according to people familiar with the conversations — a move that follows her visible role at the swearing-in last month and her unsuccessful push for an early officer vote. Gaytán downplayed the maneuvering. “Some…
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Audit: Denver school district owes more than it owns, despite nearly $1B in unspent bond cash
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Denver Public Schools is operating with a negative net position — owing more in long-term obligations than it holds in assets — a rare and troubling financial posture for a major Colorado school district, according to an audit. Presented on Thursday, the audit for fiscal year 2024–25, which ended June 30, showed the district is…
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DPS board president creates committees that may fall outside public view
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As one of her last official acts on the Denver Public Schools Board of Education, President Carrie Olson created a two-member committee that will not likely conduct its business in public as state law demands. The two-person committee headed by Vice President Marlene De La Rosa is expected to craft the district’s cell phone policy…
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Hold DPS accountable — and they’ll come for you | Jimmy Sengenberger
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Last Thursday, the board of Denver Public Schools voted 5-1 to censure Director John Youngquist, who abstained from the vote. The verdict capped an inquisition Superintendent Alex Marrero had requested, accusing Youngquist of mistreating staff and showing racial bias. The district’s investigation was flimsy. In a context-light report stacking anonymous and often vague grievances, investigators…
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Denver school board censures Youngquist
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Two weeks after district officials released a report clearing Director John Youngquist of overt racial bias, the Denver school board voted 5-1 to censure him during its meeting Thursday. Director Kimberlee Sia was the lone no vote. Youngquist abstained. More than half a dozen people spoke about Youngquist, most in support. “I want to express…
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Denver school board to consider censuring Youngquist
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Two weeks after district officials released a report clearing Director John Youngquist of overt racial bias, the Denver school board will weigh censuring him when they meet on Thursday. A censure is a formal, public reprimand for serious violations of law, policy or unethical conduct. A censure does not remove a public official from office. It…
