Denver Public Schools Grows Bureaucracy While Student Population Declines

By: Nicole C. Brambila | The Denver Gazette

Denver Public Schools (DPS) has operated with thousands fewer students than its peak enrollment in 2019 but it has grown its administrative ranks back to nearly their pre-pandemic level, a Denver Gazette analysis of state staffing data shows.

This finding mirrors a statewide trend identified in a report by the Common Sense Institute (CSI) that found Colorado school districts continued to grow their administrative staff despite declining student enrollment.

In the past five years, districts across the state have added more than 250 administrators, a 13.1% increase, according to CSI.

State data shows Colorado has lost more than 15,000 students over the same time period, prompting school closures, layoffs and budget cuts.

The picture at DPS is very similar.

The state’s largest school district has closed at least 10 schools and restructured three others, while adding 78 administrator positions, a 15.8% increase over the same period.

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