Press Release - August 15, 2024

Contact: Nan Baumbusch
EDUCATE Denver Staff Director
info@educatedenver.org | 303-501-7287

EDUCATE Denver endorses Denver Public Schools’ 2024 bond measure to support students in high-quality learning environments

Coalition calls on the Board of Education to ensure responsible stewardship of capital resources and to invest with a student-centered approach.

Denver – EDUCATE Denver, a civic coalition for DPS students, endorsed a $975 million bond proposal today put forth by the Denver Public Schools Community Planning and Advisory Committee (CPAC). If approved by the DPS Board, the proposal will appear on the ballot in November 2024. The package recommends an allocation of funds to support improved facility conditions; safe and welcoming school environments; and student enrichment. The proposal, which will not raise taxes, emerged through a thorough community process that included feedback from community members, administrators, teachers, families and students. EDUCATE Denver believes the capital resources, properly managed, will move all Denver students closer to the high-quality, equitable educational experience they deserve.

In conjunction with its endorsement, EDUCATE Denver calls on district leadership and the Board of Education to ensure any investment of resources maximizes positive impact on students’ academic, social-emotional, and life skills related outcomes. Today, Denver Public Schools has some of the largest race- and income-based academic achievement gaps in the state. Nearly 50 percentage point differences stand between the combined population of Black and Latino learners and the population of white learners for both reading and math, per 2023 CMAS data. Designed to support higher-quality learning environments and expanded enrichment opportunities, the 2024 DPS bond package would support district efforts to close these gaps and to set up students for success.

Should the Board and voters approve the bond proposal, EDUCATE Denver will advocate for accountability through a Board-appointed bond oversight leader and committee, equipped with the authority to hold district administrators accountable for timely, efficient, equitable, and sustainable investments.

“All DPS students deserve learning environments that are safe, comfortable and highly functional,” said Rosemary Rodriguez, chair of EDUCATE Denver. “The capital resources on the table can support them to that end. As civic leaders, we endorse an effort to procure critical resources, but emphasize the need for very sound oversight. We owe that to the Denver community and especially to our DPS families.”

EDUCATE Denver applauds CPAC co-chairs Albus Brooks, Mike Ferrufino, Kourtny Garrett, James Mejia, Simone Ross, and Mary Seawell (an EDUCATE Denver member) for their service and leadership through this effort. With assistance from 72 CPAC committee members, the team of co-chairs orchestrated an extensive, high-quality, community-informed process to construct a comprehensive bond proposal for the Board. As well, several capable DPS staff members supported the DPS CPAC through this effort. The coalition applauds district CFO Chuck Carpenter and his team, as well as senior program manager Melissa Rosales, for their high-quality work and dedication on behalf of DPS students.

About EDUCATE Denver

EDUCATE Denver is a coalition of civic leaders who are elevating ECE-12 education as the city’s No. 1 priority. The coalition is made up of over 40 business, philanthropy, public policy, faith-based and community leaders who understand that high-quality education and a thriving city go hand in hand. Learn more and see the full list of participants at educatedenver.org.