To the Supporters of Kurt's Reinstatement,
Today marks the fourth month since the tragic incident at East High School involving Austin Lyle, who sadly took his own life on March 22, 2023 after a shooting that affected two educators during the pat-down process.
I write to you today to update you on the infuriating state of affairs we find ourselves in.
While the DPS Board of Education's decision on Kurt's reinstatement is yet to be determined, it is essential to remain focused: NOTHING HAS CHANGED. WHAT HAPPENED AT EAST WILL HAPPEN AGAIN!
Director Anderson has informed our community that the board can only vote to reinstate or not but the final decision on Principal Dennis's return to our school still falls in the hands of Superintendent Marrero. Should Principal Dennis take up the reinstatement offer in the case the board voted to reinstate him, he could be placed into a paperclip counting job for a year and DPS can terminate him without any legal obligation after. THIS POTENTIAL OUTCOME WILL BE ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE FOR US.
Kurt risked everything to tell the public that our kids are in danger, and the District has done nothing to change that fact. No changes to the discipline matrix, to the safety plan, to untrained teachers performing pat-downs. If you aren’t furious, you aren’t paying attention!
Our battle is far from over, and we must not be swayed by empty promises or appeasing gestures. It is crucial that we stand united and maintain our unwavering demand for transparency, fairness, and accountability in this process. We can not afford to be silent.
Can you believe it? We've been shouting from the rooftops for FOUR agonizing months since Austin Lyle’s suicide after he shot two innocent educators at East High School on March 22, 2023.
And what has changed?
Absolutely NOTHING! Kurt bravely spoke out against the reckless policy that endangered both students and educators, following that terrible tragedy. He was sacked because of his bravery by exercising his 1st Amendment right. Yet, our cries for meaningful action have fallen on deaf ears, and instead, Kurt has been slapped with retaliation and stripped of his position. Austin Lyle was not given the needed support and resources because of Marrero's policies, the two Deans at East was shot also directly due to this problematic policy. Superintendent Marrero has failed Austin as much as he has failed all of us.
But wait, it gets even worse. Our educators are now walking on eggshells, too terrified to raise their voices against injustice, thanks to the suffocating atmosphere of fear imposed by the very people who should protect them. And what about us, the parents and community members who have fought valiantly? We've formed groups, poured our hearts into letters and calls, rallied our spirits, and defiantly signed the damn petition - near 6000 signatures strong! But to what avail?
This is the bitter reality - Our community has been turned into a dystopian nightmare, and we still don’t feel safe sending our kids back to such a corrupted, crumbling system in mid-August when nothing has changed to the discipline matrix and safety policies. Marrero won’t provide any needed resources to support at risk students while putting everyone else in danger and fear.
Enough is enough! While our kids suffer, he is actively pursuing job opportunities in New York. He is not committed to Denver and our kids!
We must rise, fueled by our collective rage, and demand nothing less than the immediate resignation of Superintendent Marrero should Principal Kurt Dennis not reinstated to our school at McAuliffe! If the Board of Education lacks the spine to hold him accountable, then they are equally complicit in destroying our beloved community!
So let us unite, stoke the fires of our righteous fury, and march forth with an unwavering demand for change. We will not back down, we will not be silenced, and we will not rest until Kurt is reinstated, to our school, and until true justice prevails.
In seething anger,
Eve Chen