education
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Cherry Creek spent $65K on investigation, but invoices remain secret, records show
After previously refusing to disclose the cost associated with the investigation into the former superintendent and his wife, the former human resources chief, Cherry Creek School District officials partially released records showing the cost to taxpayers: $65,054.85. The Denver Gazette obtained “invoice cover sheets” through a June 12 Colorado Open Records Act request seeking —…
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Trump administration warns Jeffco Public Schools it will lose federal funding over transgender issue
The U.S. Department of Education on Friday warned Jeffco Public Schools it has 10 days to correct alleged Title IX violations over the Colorado district’s transgender policy or lose federal funding. The Notice of Impending Action is the latest development in an ongoing saga between the district and the federal government that started last year,…
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Denver Public Schools superintendent confirms interest in Miami-Dade job
After repeatedly denying rumors he was pursuing jobs in other districts, Denver Public Schools (DPS) Superintendent Alex Marrero confirmed that he has been “recruited” in the Miami-Dade County Public Schools search. In a June 9 email to the Board of Education obtained by The Denver Gazette, Marrero said he was “recruited regarding the Superintendent vacancy…
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Jeffco Public Schools: Boys on girls’ sports rosters were mascots, not athletes
Jeffco Public Schools this week said the boys the Trump administration claimed to have found on girls’ sports rosters were trainers, mascots and managers, not student-athletes. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights announced in March that a months-long investigation into alleged Title IX violations committed by Jeffco found that 61 boys were…
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Cherry Creek hires search firm for new superintendent
The Cherry Creek School District board earlier this week approved a nearly $30,000 contract with McPherson & Jacobson to conduct a national superintendent search. The measure was unanimously passed on Monday without discussion. Founded in 1991, McPherson & Jacobson is an executive recruitment firm for public organizations and nonprofits. McPherson & Jacobson was one of two…
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Denver students face ‘bell-to-bell’ ban on cellphones
Starting next school year, Denver students will not be able to use their cellphones during school hours. The Denver Public Schools (DPS) Board of Education unanimously passed a “bell-to-bell” ban Monday after a third reading. “Policies like this succeed not because of enforcement alone, but because people trust the adults implementing them,” Director DJ Torres…
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Denver teacher fired after ‘same-gender’ kissing skits in French class
An administrative law judge has recommended the dismissal of a teacher at Northeast Early College — a high school in the Denver Public Schools district — after finding classroom activities and personal disclosures to students amounted to “incompetence and neglect of duty,” setting up a final vote by the school board. After meeting in executive…
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Cherry Creek School Board fires former superintendent’s wife from top HR role
The Cherry Creek School Board today announced the termination of Brenda Smith, the district’s chief human resource officer. She’s the wife of former Superintendent Chris Smith, who abruptly resigned in January during his annual review. Brenda Smith’s termination marks the latest upheaval for a district that has faced months of leadership turmoil and controversy. “In…
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Colorado legislators ask voters to forfeit thousands in TABOR refunds, redirect money to school spending
A Democratic‑backed proposal to direct money to K‑12 schools using Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights dollars is headed to the ballot, setting up a major debate over taxpayer refunds and long‑term education funding. If voters approve it, the average Coloradan would forfeit more than $7,000 in TABOR refunds over the next decade. Senate Bill 135 includes…
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Sheridan school board approves teachers’ contract, ending historic strike
The Sheridan teachers strike that languished through much of the month is officially over. The Sheridan School District Board of Education unanimously voted Tuesday to accept the union contract. “It has been a long road to get to today,” Sheridan Educators Association President Kate Biester said in a statement to The Denver Gazette after this…