Safety, Discipline, and Learning at Heart of Denver School Board Races

By Olivia Young | CBS Colorado

Voters will elect four members of the Denver School Board next week. That will determine a majority on the seven member board and the future direction of the district, including the tenure of Superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero.

DPS parents who are stressing the importance of casting ballots talked with CBS News Colorado.

Chanele Simmons is a business owner and mom to three DPS students attending schools in far northeast Denver. She says her children’s well-being is on her mind every day they’re in classes.

“That they’re good and safe, that they’re learning and that they’re emotionally great,” she said.

Simmons would like to see the next Denver Board of Education focus on bringing down class size. She fears with the current class sizes are making it more challenging for students to learn.

“Because the larger the class size, then the less attention I feel like certain students get, and what if they’re afraid to raise their hand?” said Simmons.  

Rose Martinez is also a mom to three students who attended or graduated from DPS schools. She lives in southwest Denver, and she’d most like to see the board focus on academic outcomes.

“From what I have seen in the last two years with the current board that there are many other things other than academics that they’re focusing on,” said Martinez.

“The majority of our kids are still not reading on grade level. So I think academic outcomes really needs to be addressed especially here in southwest Denver,” she added.

Martinez says if the board sets the bar high, that’s where students will go.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT CBS COLORADO