Denver school board’s weekend swearing-in ceremony draws scrutiny

The Denver Population Schools Board of Learning swore in three newly elected members and a reelected director Saturday a move that drew criticism over its timing and initial plans to elect new officers to lead the governing body of Colorado s largest K- district Board members scheduled the general meeting after the Denver Clerk and Recorder s Office alerted four candidates X chitl Gayt n Amy Klein Molk Monica Hunter and DJ Torres on Friday that their electoral process to the board was certified The school board originally scheduled the swearing-in ceremony for Dec but the timing of the notice meant DPS had to swear in the new members by Nov according to the district It s a tricky situation because all of DPS is on break and I really believe that the people that work so hard to make our district run deserve a break Molk mentioned I was surprised it was going to happen on Saturday DPS administrators including incumbent board member Gayt n and spokesman Scott Pribble noted the meeting was scheduled for Saturday because state law only gives the district calendar days after vote results are certified to swear in new members and various district staffers and school board members are unavailable this week because they are traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday Saturday was the only time DPS could get a judge and all four of the new directors in a room together Pribble noted We really felt like we had our hands tied he announced Members of at least one society group Educate Denver commented they were surprised that the meeting occurred so suddenly and on the weekend especially given that directors were originally scheduled to elect new officers including board president and vice president Related Articles In Colorado governor s race two heavy-hitting Democrats cleared the primary field But the fight s just starting Denver school board censures John Youngquist over his cure of DPS staff Denver schools foundation restarts pandemic-era food fund to help feed families during SNAP delays Outgoing Douglas County school board debates transgender athlete ban rejects -year charter extension Northfield one of Colorado s fastest-rising football programs trounces Skyline in Class A playoffs EDUCATE Denver is disappointed that the DPS Board of Teaching has opted to conduct its first order of business with its new board members in a largely non-public way the coalition of former board members and politicians wrote in a comment issued on Saturday The decision to hold the voting process for new board officers on a Saturday with barely hours of citizens notice is disrespectful to the Denver locality which has long been calling for more transparency around board decision-making Director John Youngquist reported he was very concerned when he located out that board members had planned to vote on new officers Saturday as he was out of town and unable to make the meeting That was very frustrating he revealed I m not sure that initial push needed to happen at all We really should be focused on the district viewing us as a unified connected Board of Schooling The board decided Saturday to postpone the referendum of new officers until Dec because two members Youngquist and Kimberlee Sia weren t able to attend the weekend meeting Pribble stated I m glad they took a minute to think about it Educate Denver Co-Chair Rosemary Rodriguez mentioned of the decision to postpone the vote That s something the inhabitants should be able to view Get more Colorado news by signing up for our Mile High Roundup email newsletter