Debating the Denver School Board’s direction
“Vote to continue reforms in DPS,” Oct. 11 endorsement editorial.
I found it odd while reading the Denver Post endorsement of Denver School Board candidates that the name of candidateMeg Schomp was not even mentioned in the entire editorial. She is a highly qualified, intelligent and compassionate advocate who as a boardmember would listen to both sides of any issue beforemaking a well-informed decision based solely upon what is in the best interest of all Denver children— especially those at risk. It ismy hope that the voters of District 3 in central Denver perform their own due diligence regarding Schomp by attending a candidate forum instead of being tempted to simply follow the advice of the Denver Post editorial board.
We have heard both candidates for District 4 speak, and will be voting forRoger Kilgore. Whittier Elementary has done a turnaround in our district in away that he envisions, with strong parent and neighborhood involvement. He is not part of the reformmovement, which hands our schools over to private companies to improve, though he supports charters that are doingwell. He states that the district should be taking lessons fromthose that are successful and implementing them in all schools in Denver. He envisions a strong school in every neighborhood, teaching that does not just “teach to the test” but offers art, music, gym, etc., to meet individual student needs at a pace they can learn. Kilgore advocates for every student with specific programs, not just platitudes; he has experienceworking with DPS already; and he has never supported vouchers that take our children out of public schools. We hope voters will look at his platforms before casting their votes.
“In the balance: Boasberg’s reforms vs. traditional path,” Oct. 15 news story.
In response to the ongoing presentations of both sides of the Denver School Board elections, I write as a citizen deeply concerned about the inequities in Denver’s inner-city schools.
For several years I have prepared story times for the primary children at Whittier Elementary, a school with dedicated staff but lacking many of the resources available in other Denver schools. This ECE-8 school has a small library but has had no library staffing for the past six years; thus none of the 319 students can check out books. It has also added no new books to the library in that time. EveryMonday, I take the newest and most beautiful books from public libraries so that these young children might be inspired to love reading.
I ask the new board hopefuls: How can we continue adding new schools and updating certain area schools without ensuring that our inner-city children have all they need to soar?