This November, the Denver Public Schools (DPS) Board of Education will consider the recommendation of consolidating or closing some of our schools. As school districts around the country continue to feel the impacts of declining enrollment, we must make difficult decisions in the interest of what is best for all of our scholars.
Our most important value at DPS is our Shared Core Value of Students First. We strongly believe that all DPS students deserve an excellent educational experience that prepares them for college, career and beyond. Due to limited resources at schools with low enrollment, not every student has access to the same opportunities found at other schools. Consolidating some schools will expand opportunities for students, enhance support services and ensure equitable access to specialized programming.
I realize how difficult it can be to hear that a school may be closing. During this process, we will be very transparent and provide opportunities for everyone in our community to engage and ask questions. Later this month and into mid-October, we will host six regional community meetings to explain the consolidation process and hear your questions and concerns.
Below are the dates and locations of the six regional meetings. Interpreters for our eight most spoken languages (Spanish, Vietnamese, Arabic, Amharic, Dari, French, Nepali and Somali) will be available at each meeting. If you would like to request an interpreter for an additional language, please complete this form.
Regional Engagement Meeting 1 (Southeast): Tuesday, Sept. 24, 6-7 p.m. at South High School.
Regional Engagement Meeting 2 (Central): Wednesday, Sept. 25, 6-7 p.m. at Manual High School.
Regional Engagement Meeting 3 (Northwest): Monday, Oct. 7, 6-7 p.m. at CEC Early College.
Regional Engagement Meeting 4 (Southwest): Monday, Oct. 14, 6-7 p.m. at Abraham Lincoln High School.
Regional Engagement Meeting 5 (Far Northeast): Tuesday, Oct. 15, 6-7 p.m. at Montbello High School.
Regional Engagement Meeting 6 (Virtual): Tuesday, Oct. 22, 6-7 p.m. virtual via Zoom.
On Nov. 7, I will present the Board of Education with a list of schools recommended for consolidation. Then, on Nov. 21, the Board of Education will vote on this list. In the two weeks between the presentation of the list of schools under consideration for consolidation and the vote by the Board of Education, we will hold a series of meetings at each of the impacted schools. There will also be time for public comment on Nov. 18. Between Nov. 11 and 19, the Board of Education will meet with the community from each impacted school. Then, between Nov. 18 and 21, I will meet with the community from each impacted school.
Although it is difficult to have conversations about some of our schools potentially closing, we must make tough decisions that ultimately lead to better offerings, opportunities and outcomes for our scholars.
In collaboration,
Dr. Alex Marrero
DPS Superintendent