An abundance of schools in DPS
Re: “Why does DPS have too many schools?” Feb. 12 news story
Deep in your article about Denver Public Schools is one paragraph that answers the question posed by the headline: “But, they noted, after the board majority flipped in 2019 and members backed by the teacher’s union took the helm, the new leadership … is hesitant to close schools.” This lip service to better informing parents of closures belies the real reason these politicians won’t act.
More schools mean more unionized teachers, which means more dollars in union election coffers and continued power for board members aligned with said union.
Until voters take back the education systems from the union, expect more of the same incompetent management,
as well as more woke curricula, fewer charter schools, and less student achievement.
— Jonathan Williams,
Denver
I am a retired teacher of 40 years. I noticed in the article regarding the nearly dozen schools of DPS that are losing student population that these are schools that most likely have a gymnasium and some sort of cafeteria. If they are to be closed, I have a win- win idea. They could be transformed into affordable housing units for teachers working for the school district or seniors on a low, fixed income.
They could either be rental units or owned by the residents. Each classroom could become an apartment for a single person, couple, or family. The cafeteria could become a sort of co- op central kitchen to be used by those living in the units. The gym could be used for exercise classes, yoga, tai chi, etc. The playground could be maintained or converted into a raised garden area to grow food for the residents. The parking lot would be used by the residents.
This would be a low- impact reuse of the empty schools and save lots of money building muchneeded affordable housing. The neighborhoods most likely would welcome such new use of the schools. Part of each school could alternatively be used for light commercial businesses.
In Colorado Springs, a District 11 elementary school has been turned into a community marketplace, including restaurants and a brewpub. Another use could be for non- profits benefitting the community. Recycle, repurpose, and save those buildings!