As the November 2021 election nears, voters will be listening to many candidates who hope to lead and shape the future of Denver Public Schools — Colorado’s largest school district. The latest Denver Public Schools (DPS) School Board Candidate Forum was held Tuesday, October 12, where candidates discussed and debated school choice issues, the role of charter schools within DPS, and their particular qualifications.
DPS Board of Education members are elected to four-year terms and this year’s Board will oversee a relatively new DPS superintendent, implement a new strategic plan for the district, oversee school safety, and determine whether to close or consolidate schools as student enrollment continues to fall.
Presented by the African Leadership Group (ALG) and the Colorado League of Charter Schools, the forum was hosted at the Girls Athletic Leadership School (GALS), a charter school in Denver’s Lincoln Park neighborhood.
Dan Schaller, President of the Colorado League of Charter Schools, welcomed the audience to the event and introduced the candidates and other participants.
Forum Moderator Papa Dia, founder and CEO of the African Leadership Group, asked candidates several questions presented from in-person and online participants. ALG is an established Colorado nonprofit of 15 years created to serve the region’s African immigrant community.
Denver Public Schools serves more than 92,000 students within a district comprised of 206 schools. Twelve candidates are running for four seats on the seven-member school board in the Nov. 2, 2021 election. Five of the Board of Education directors represent districts within Denver and two represent Denver at large.
Among the candidates in alphabetical order are: Marla Benavides, Mike DeGuire, Scott Esserman, Gene Fashaw, Xochitl Gaytan, Vernon Jones Jr., (Kristen Seidel sat in for Carrie Olson), Michelle Quattlebaum, Jane Shirley, Jose Silva, Karolina Villagrana, and Nicky Yollick.
At-Large: Maria Benavides, Scott Esserman, Vernon Jones Jr., Jane Shirley, Nicky Yollick
District 2: Xóchitl “Sochi” Gaytán, Karolina Villagrana
District 3: Mike DeGuire, Carrie Olson
District 4: Gene Fashaw, Michelle Quattlebaum, Jose Silva
Among the questions asked were regarding school choice and whether charter schools have had a positive impact on education in Denver.
Denver Public Schools is among the most diverse districts in the state of Colorado. About 52% of students are Hispanic, 25% are white, 14% are Black, and 3% are Asian. More than 60% qualify for subsidized meals and 36% are learning English as a second language.
The district’s annual budget is approximately $1.2 billion with 15,000 employees. To learn more about DPS please visit www.dpsk12.org. Information regarding the Colorado League of Charter Schools can be found at coloradoleague.org and African Leadership Group of Denver can be found at usalg.org
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- More than 70 people arrived to attend the forum
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- 12 candidates are running for seats on the Denver Public Schools Board of Education
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- Each candidate introduced themselves and their top priorities
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- The Denver Public Schools Board of Education Candidate Forum was held Oct 12
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- The Denver Public Schools Board of Education Candidate Forum took questions from those in-person and online
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- The DPS School Board Candidates forum was held at the Girls Athletic Leadership High School (GALS) charter school
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- Founder/Executive Director of the African Leadership Group (ALG) of Denver
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- ALG Director Papa Dia moderated the discussion on charters and school choice
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- The African Leadership Group (ALG) of Denver was founded in 2006
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- Candidate Xóchitl “Sochi” Gaytán
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- The Colorado League of Charter Schools was established to improve student achievement by supporting Colorado’s charter schools.
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- Candidate Jane Shirley
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- Candidate Nicky Yollick
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- Candidate Karolina Villagrana
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- Candidate Marla Benavides
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- Candidate Scott Esserman
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- Candidate Vernon Jones, Jr.
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- Candidate Dr. Jose Silva
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- Candidate Michelle Quattlebaum
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- Candidate Gene Fashaw
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- Executive Director Papa Dia kept the candidates on point throughout the night
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- Candidate Mike DeGuire
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- Kristen Seidel sitting in for Candidate Carrie Olson
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- Colorado League of Charter Schools (CLCS) President Dan Schaller welcomes guests
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- CLCS President Dan Schaller helped moderate the discussion
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- Thelma Behnke, Selena Zikusoka
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- Admission desk volunteers provide information for forum guests
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- DPS School Board Candidates greet one another
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- DPS Board Candidate Marla Benavides
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- Latia Henderson, Jose Loera, Tori Salais-Alvarado
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- Maya Lagana, DPS Board Candidate Scott Essermen
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- Darryl Collier, DPS Candidate Dr. Jose Silva
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- The GALS Denver High School served as host for the forum.
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- Lisa Ali, Corelle Spettigue
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- Alicia Caldwell, GALS Board Chair; Lori Collier, African Leadership Group Project Manager; and Carol Bowar, Executive Director of GALS, helped organize and host the event.
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- The African Leadership Group of Denver moderated the DPS School Board Candidate Forum
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- In 1994, the Colorado League of Charter Schools was founded to provide advocacy and support services to the fast growing charter school community.
