GPHC Letter to DPS

The Board of the Greater Park Hill Community, Inc., often writes letters of support or concern on issues facing the community. Recently, community frustration with the Denver Public Schools Greater Park Hill/Stapleton Community Committee meetings hosted by their Office of Community Engagement prompted the following letter. For more information on DPS’ Community Committee meetings, visit communityrelations.dpsk12.org.

Dear Superintendent Boasberg and DPS Board members,

I am writing this letter to express the Greater Park Hill Community’s consternation upon hearing of the DPS Greater Park Hill/Stapleton Community Committee meetings that were held between February and May 2012.

GPHC is a neighborhood organization that was established more than fifty years ago. It serves as a liaison to city agencies and responds to neighborhood concerns of all kinds, including education and schools.

Given that DPS has intentions that involve schools within the Park Hill neighborhood, we are dismayed that we were not contacted with details about these meetings. Communication between DPS and Park Hill seems to have been limited to certain schools. What happens to schools, however, impacts whole neighborhoods, not only families with school-age children. Additionally, changes in schools mean possible changes in property values. This affects every resident of Park Hill.

Schools shape communities and we want to make certain that all Park Hill children have an equal chance at a good education in their neighborhood. We want to be aware of and better understand DPS’ plans for our schools. Please inform us directly of any and all meetings concerning Park Hill schools in a timely manner. Our hope is to work with DPS collaboratively and bring to the table the voice of many Park Hill residents who enjoy their neighborhood and want to see it grow.

For all concerned, it is important the process remain transparent.

Sincerely,
Heather Shockey
GPHC Board President