School Board Election: Eight Candidates, Three Seats
Park Hill To Help Decide DPS Future On Nov. 8
Editor’s Note: For the past several years, the Denver Public School board has been comprised of seven members who have exhibited unanimous decision-making on nearly every issue that has come before the elected body.
On Nov. 7, Denver voters will decide whether to continue the consensus approach, or to elect new board members with differing thoughts and opinions on how best to meet the challenges of educating students in the state’s largest school district. All Park Hill voters will cast ballots for an at-large board seat. In addition, two of the district seats that are up for grabs include portions of Greater Park Hill. These include District 3, which includes much of the neighborhood south of Montview Boulevard; and District 4, which includes the areas north of Montview Boulevard.
GPHC Education Chair Lynn Kalinauskas invited candidates running in these contested races to weigh in on numerous issues facing DPS. Their answers appear by clicking on the links below.
Check out this link for more information about an upcoming League of Women Voters briefing in Park Hill on school board campaign finance. See the information box below to find out which district you live in, and where and how to register and vote in this critical election.
District 4 Candidate Tay Anderson Q&A
District 4 Candidate Jennifer Bacon Q&A
District 4 Candidate Rachele Espiritu Q&A
District 3 Candidate Mike Johnson Q&A
District 3 Candidate Carrie Olson Q&A
At-Large Candidate Julie Bañuelos Q&A
At Large Candidate Barbara O’Brien Q&A
At-Large Candidate Robert Speth Q&A
November 7 Is Election Day.
Do You Know Where Your Ballot Is?
On Tuesday, Nov. 7, Denver voters will decide whether to give the go-ahead for $937 million worth of general obligation bond projects, which include the $20 million for improvements along Colfax between Monaco Boulevard and Sheridan Street. (For a detailed list of all projects, go to denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/denver-department-of-finance/2017-go-bond.html)
In addition, voters will elect four of seven Denver Public Schools board members to oversee the state’s largest school district.
Every Colorado voter now receives a mail ballot. If you want to vote at the polls, you can vote in-person. Go to GoVoteColorado.com to find your polling location.
You can also go to GoVoteColorado.com to check your registration status, and to make sure your information is up-to-date. Log into your voter record, which will show whether your mail ballot has been sent. If you have more questions about the status of your mail ballot, contact Denver Elections at denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/denver-elections-divison.html
Here are critical election-related dates:
• Monday, Oct. 16: Last day to register to vote.
• Monday, Oct: 16: First day that mail ballots can be mailed out.
• Tuesday, Nov. 7 – Election Day: Polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.