Election 2023: The Ballot Beckons
Campaigns For Nov. 7 DPS School Board Are In Full Swing. Plus, What Do You Know About HH and II? Time To Do Your Homework
By Cara DeGette
Editor, GPHN
Park Hill has many points of pride: knowing how to do a righteous Halloween is one of them. Stepping out for democracy is another.
Every election our neighborhood consistently delivers some of the highest voter turnout of the city. Sure, we just got through with monster municipal primary and general elections this spring — but 2023’s not over. Get ready to dig in for Nov. 7. Three of Denver’s seven-member DPS school board are up for election. Park Hillians will help decide just one of them — the at-large board race. Two other seats up for grabs are in districts that do not include Park Hill.
Auon’tai Anderson, the controversial and outspoken at-large DPS board member for the past four years, is not running for a second term. Anderson has announced he instead plans to run for the state legislature in District 8 (that seat is currently held by Rep. Leslie Herod, who is term limited next year).
Several candidates are vying to replace him. They include security consultant Paul Ballenger, single mom Brittni Johnson, Tattered Cover owner Kwame Spearman and former East High School Principal John Youngquist.
On Nov. 7 Colorado voters will also decide two statewide ballot proposals — HH and II.
Proposition HH, which was referred to voters by the legislature, would reduce property taxes for Coloradans for 10 years. Under HH, the state would then be allowed to keep future refunds as mandated by the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) for at least 10 years, with an option of extending that without voter approval. Proposition II, also referred to the ballot by the legislature, would allow the state to keep additional nicotine and tobacco funds that pay for universal preschool.
Ballots will be mailed to Denver voters on Oct. 16 and must be returned by 7 p.m. on Election Day. To check your status or to register to vote, go to GoVoteColorado.gov. You can also call the Denver Elections Division at 720-913-8683.
There are several sites in and around the neighborhood to drop off your completed and signed ballot: Hiawatha Davis Recreation Center at 33rd and Holly Street, the Museum of Nature and Science in City Park, at the Montclair Recreation Center in the Lowry neighborhood, and at East High School.
After you’ve turned in your ballot, check denver.ballottrax.net/voter/, where you can track it like a package — from printing to acceptance for counting.
See our exclusive Question & Answer news feature with all four candidates below, along with information about public candidate forums scheduled during the month of October and other resources to help get you up to speed.
DPS In The Spotlight
Compiled by Cara DeGette
GPHN Editor
Denver Public Schools is at a crossroads. The outcome of the Nov. 7 school board election will likely help determine which path the largest school district in Colorado takes next.
The past several years have been marked by a multitude of challenges in DPS — a pandemic, a new superintendent, board infighting and personality clashes, and concerns over school safety — just for starters.
The volunteer board is the official policy-setting body of the district — hiring (and firing) the superintendent and establishing a vision for the city’s schools. The board is comprised of seven members. Five of them represent specific districts in Denver, and the other two are elected at-large by voters all over the city. The four-year positions are staggered, meaning not all seats are up for election the same year.
This year, voters in Park Hill will weigh in on just one position that is up — the open at-large seats. Four candidates are in the running. Here are their responses to a series of questions the Greater Park Hill News posed to them about their goals and priorities.
Media Links & Resources
9News Breakdown of Ballot Issues HH and II
Colorado Sun Breakdown Of Campaign Cash
Dark money groups have begun to fuel the campaigns on both sides of Proposition HH. Special interest groups are expected to play a role in DPS school board elections this year. As of Sept. 11 in the at-large race, candidate John Youngquist raised nearly $50,000, Kwame Spearman raised more than $36,000 and Paul Ballenger reported nearly $14,000. Read the full report at coloradosun.com/2023/09/11/proposition-hh-colorado-fundraising/
Brittni Johnson
How long have you lived in Denver?
I was born and raised in Denver.
List any previous public service positions that you’ve held.
I am a first-time candidate.
What are the three main goals you have for DPS if elected?
1. I plan to advocate for safe and equitable safe environments that focus on mental health.
2. I envision a school district where standardized tests do not dictate a child’s future and where teachers are supported, valued and adequately compensated. I am committed to creating a more diverse teaching staff that reflects the communities they serve.
3. I aim to create a community-based educational model that includes wraparound supports and programs that go beyond the traditional curriculum.
Describe your style of leadership, in 10 words or less.
Leadership driven by the love for our kids and community.
The shootings at East High School and the ongoing controversy over the firing of Kurt Dennis have dominated headlines about DPS for months. As a board member how would you have responded to these controversies?
As a parent to three DPS students, I cannot imagine the impact the East High School tragedies had on all of the families and students involved. All students should be able to attend school without the constant fear of a school shooting or gun violence-related incident happening. As a board member, I would have felt it my duty to ensure that all affected had the mental/emotional support needed for the following week, followed by an open meeting with the community to allow a chance for all voices to be heard.
As it relates to the firing of Kurt Dennis, I would have reviewed the full recorded documentations of misconduct alleged by the superintendent. As a board member, I would look at the facts of Mr. Dennis’s firing, making an informed non-bias ruling as to whether or not I would vote in favor or against the firing. However, it is unacceptable for a DPS school to use any sort of seclusion room for students in any capacity.
Equity is an important and touted value in DPS but Denver’s schools don’t all have the same resources. Do you believe DPS’ portfolio model of charters, innovation schools and traditional neighborhood schools can lead to a truly equitable district? Briefly explain how you see this model developing in the next decade.
I’m running precisely because the current model, as implemented today, is not working and is not equitable. When charter schools were first introduced, they provided educators with the opportunity to enrich their curriculum. It was the hope that with this new flexibility educators would be better prepared to help all students regardless of circumstance. Unfortunately, corporate interests have corrupted this process in the pursuit of private profit and the choice and charter model has yet to demonstrate any evidence that it is effective at closing achievement gaps, particularly those underscored by race and family income levels. Our most vulnerable students are not given the same opportunities to participate in quality public schools when wealthy families redistribute their per-pupil funding outside of their neighborhood schools. Further, this puts valuable neighborhood schools at risk of closure due to low attendance. School choice has also led to extremely inequitable transportation issues across the city. Wealthier families have the opportunity to drive their children across town to the higher funded schools, creating traffic and environmental hazards that could be avoided. The hope behind school choice in innovation has not been reflected in the evidence since its creation.
In the next decade, I would like to push DPS to move towards a model that prioritizes traditional, neighborhood schools and a portfolio that funds schools equitably based on need and puts the needs of students above arbitrary test scores.
Kwame Spearman
KwameforDenver.com
How long have you lived in Denver?
I was born at Rose Hospital and raised in Montclair. My mom taught at Park Hill Elementary. I attended Smiley and East — so I have always considered Park Hill my second home. I left Denver to attend Columbia University, Yale Law School, and Harvard Business School. After working at Bain and living in NYC for a decade, I returned home to Denver to purchase Tattered Cover.
List any previous public service positions that you’ve held.
I’ve served on several not-for-profit Boards in Denver, including the Denver Public Schools Foundation, Colorado Education Initiative, East High Friends and Family and the Downtown Denver Partnership.
What are the three main goals you have for DPS if elected?
1. Establish a 100% Culture of Excellence and Safety. We should aspire in four years to see 100 percent of graduating students career and college ready and 100 percent of third graders reading on level. We can accomplish this by offering more educational pathways, like trade-based curriculums to give more options and reasons for students to stay enrolled. We also need to ensure that parents can select the right learning environment for their child, and that we have strong neighborhood schools.
During the same period, we should also see 100 percent of teachers, students and staff reporting significant increases in safety and perceptions of safety. We can do this by acknowledging that while we need Student Resource Officers presently, we can aspire to remove guns from our schools and recruit community officers to keep our schools safe.
2. Elevate Teacher Profession and Pay. I’ve launched a Teachers’ Bill of Rights that includes increases in teacher compensation to become the highest paid in the region, access to better benefits such as maternity and paternity leave, IVF and egg freezing subsidization and mental health support. I will lead referendums to fund these increases.
3. Advocate for Teacher-Housing Partnerships. I remember when DPS teachers could live in Denver. Presently the city is unaffordable for the very individuals who are committed to educating the future of our city. As the second-largest landowner in the city, DPS should lease unused or vacant land to not-for-profit developers. These developers can build housing specifically deeded to our educators.
Describe your style of leadership in 10 words or less.
Bridge builder, pragmatist, and fighter for all students and teachers.
The shootings at East High School and the ongoing controversy over the firing of Kurt Dennis have dominated headlines about DPS for months. As a board member how would you have responded to these controversies?
I was one of the first members of the Parent Safety Advocacy Group (P-SAG) after the East shooting. It was so impressive to see how the community could affect DPS outcomes.
I also co-organized and co-led the rally for Kurt Dennis. Over 350 people attended to showcase their support for Kurt. I believe that all our DPS educators deserve due process before termination. And that we should listen to all community voices.
As a board member, I’ll continue to innovate and lead on difficult issues, with community involvement and support.
Equity is an important and touted value in DPS but Denver’s schools don’t all have the same resources. Do you believe DPS’ portfolio model of charters, innovation schools and traditional neighborhood schools can lead to a truly equitable district? Briefly explain how you see this model developing in the next decade.
The DPS family of schools provides enormous opportunities — if we can ensure access. Transportation for every family to the education opportunities they want must be a priority. The next phase of the model must prioritize cooperation over competition, ensuring that all families have great neighborhood schools so their kids have a chance to succeed.
John Youngquist
Youngquist4DPS.com
How long have you lived in Denver?
46 years. I attended elementary, junior high and high school in Denver, graduating from Thomas Jefferson in 1984.
List any previous public service positions that you’ve held.
I have never run for office. I am a 35-year public educator.
What are the three main goals you have for DPS if elected?
1. Safe schools and redesigned mental health services for children and school staffs.
2. Transparent and strong organization.
3. Complete focus on teaching and learning; ensuring that our children gain the academic growth that they deserve.
Describe your style of leadership, in 10 words or less.
Deep listener. High integrity. Prioritizes responsibility and results.
The shootings at East High School and the ongoing controversy over the firing of Kurt Dennis have dominated headlines about DPS for months. As a board member how would you have responded to these controversies?
As a former principal of East High and Dad of two students at the school, I understand what did not happen and what should have happened regarding the shootings. I would not have voted to remove School Resource Officers from schools without first investing in student mental health and partnerships with our community safety partners that would’ve mitigated the likelihood of shootings. I made a request (along with 16 other principals), prior to the DPS board’s decision to expel SROs from schools, to put those supports in place. The board and leadership did not respond to warnings that the schools were not prepared for these circumstances. Last year, I went to East High School four times to pick up my kids under these circumstances. As a board member, I would require our superintendent to act, plan with our safety partners, listen to students, staff, and parents, and commit to the types of measures that increase security in our schools.
As a board member, one of my responsibilities would be to ensure that we as board and staff follow our own DPS policies and due process. I’d also ensure that actions as a district are aligned with federal and state laws. Regarding the firing of the principal at McAuliffe, I would’ve required that a full report from an independent agency be developed, reviewed that, and then made a decision to approve or deny the request from the superintendent based on those findings. I’d note that issues related to equity in the application of disciplinary measures, especially to Black students, is a priority for me. I disagree with lockable rooms as a school practice and, in fact, I demanded that similar rooms be removed from elementary schools in a neighboring school district when I served as chief academic officer.
Equity is an important and touted value in DPS but Denver’s schools don’t all have the same resources. Do you believe DPS’ portfolio model of charters, innovation schools and traditional neighborhood schools can lead to a truly equitable district? Briefly explain how you see this model developing in the next decade.
To me, equity means that people get what they need when they need it. This inherently means that schools don’t receive the same funding, but that we have the responsibility to design a system that allows students to receive the services that they need when they need them. The reality of our district is that about half our schools are “district-run” and the others are either “innovation” or “charter” schools. We need a board capable of directing the district in the complex work of: defining our current context (three months), creating a vision for the future (six months), designing our future system based on this vision (12 months), and distributing resources to ensure that students experience equitable levels of success (18 months).
Paul Ballenger
paulfordps.com
How long have you lived in Denver?
Three years. I lived in Erie, Colo. prior.
List any previous public service positions that you’ve held.
No elected positions, but I have proudly held the title of US Marine, Firefighter, EMT and Army officer.
What are the three main goals you have for DPS if elected?
My focus at the board level will be on safety, improving educational outcomes, restoring governance and community building. The three main priorities in the district are safety, student and teacher retention and overall educational outcomes.
Describe your style of leadership, in 10 words or less.
Servant, collaborative and diplomatic leadership focused on representative democracy.
The shootings at East High School and the ongoing controversy over the firing of Kurt Dennis have dominated headlines about DPS for months. As a board member how would you have responded to these controversies?
Not fire him. If he broke any policies by speaking to press he should have been counseled and then provided the resources he highlighted as missing from his school.
The board members that spoke to press about the seclusion room were way out of line with some of their insinuations. Micah Klaver [who was briefly appointed interim principal of McAuliffe but then put on leave] should be reinstated.
Equity is an important and touted value in DPS but Denver’s schools don’t all have the same resources. Do you believe DPS’ portfolio model of charters, innovation schools and traditional neighborhood schools can lead to a truly equitable district? Briefly explain how you see this model developing in the next decade.
Yes I believe in equity and the continued need for more effective equity policies in DPS. I believe district leadership should look at several key areas:
1) Resources: Ensure schools are equally resourced with appropriate staff, facilities, technology and equipment. This comes down to proper budgeting, planning and coordination.
2) Ensure we are recruiting and retaining our educators of color. Representation is important and so is mentorship.
3) Break down subdistricts to smaller clusters of schools that can be mutually supporting. Shared resources, best practice and peer leadership/development groups.
4) Bringing innovation centers to disadvantaged communities (i.e. Cherry Creek Innovation Center). These centers focus on a child’s talents and interests, provides exceptional education and training, provides certifications and pipelines 6students into rewarding skilled and great paying careers — here in Denver.
Up Close And Personal
DPS At-Large Candidates Forums In October
Educate Denver
Wednesday, Oct. 11, 7 p.m.
Regis University, 3333 Regis Blvd.
Educate Denver is a group comprised of longtime Denver leaders in business, philanthropy, education, faith organizations, public policy, and community development. Co-chaired by state Sen. James Coleman and Rosemary Rodriguez, participants include past DPS board members Anne Rowe, Theresa Peña, Elaine Gantz Berman, Nate Easley and Barbara O’Brien and former mayors Wellington Webb and Federico Peña. Check out the group’s website at educatedenver.org
Lowry United Neighborhoods
Tuesday, Oct. 17 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Eisenhower Chapel in Lowry, 293 Roslyn St.
Lowry United Neighborhoods is hosting a candidates forum for candidates running for the open at-large board seat. Topics to be addressed include board responsibilities, school safety, ensuring student attainment of basic education competencies, the role of “soft money” in campaigns, and more. This forum will be moderated by Lowry resident Todd Neff.
FaithBridge School Talks
The Denver group several planned “dialogue circles” for board candidates in October.
• Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 6 p.m. — Montbello High School, 5000 Crown Blvd.
• Tuesday, Oct. 10 at 6 p.m. — West High School, 951 Elati St.
• Tuesday, Oct. 17 at 6 p.m. — George Washington High School, 655 S. Monaco St. Pkwy.
FaithBridge describes its mission as committed to building and bridging relationships and resources to ensure an equitable and excellent education for every child. The group’s executive leader is Vernon Jones, and the founder is state Sen. James Coleman. Check out the group’s website at faithbridgeco.org.
YAASPA Forum
Friday, Oct. 20 beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Manuel High School, 1700 E. 28th Ave.
Sponsored by Young Aspiring Americans for Social and Political Activism (YAASPA). Read more about the group at yaaspa.org.