Dear McAuliffe Families and Concerned Denver Residents,

In June 2023, 6,351 of us stood together to demand justice for Principal Kurt Dennis, a respected leader wrongfully terminated for speaking out about student safety. That show of unity should have triggered change inside Denver Public Schools (DPS).

Instead, the crisis has deepened. On Tuesday, November 4, 2025, Denver families have the power to demand accountability where it matters most — at the ballot box.

1. Why Kurt Dennis Was Wrongfully Terminated — and Why Taxpayers Are Still Paying

When Principal Dennis raised concerns about daily pat-downs of students accused of violent crimes, he acted as any responsible leader would. Under the First Amendment, his speech was protected. Yet DPS fired him.

His removal fractured the McAuliffe International School community and sent a chilling message to every educator: stay silent or risk your career. Meanwhile, taxpayer dollars continue to vanish into internal investigations and legal battles — not classrooms or safety. One recent inquiry alone cost more than $78,000.

Citations

CBS Colorado – DPS terminates McAuliffe principal Kurt Dennis
Denver 7 – Board members’ role in Dennis firing
9 News – DPS spent $78K on board-member investigation

2. A Pattern of Leadership Failures, Legal Exposure, and Academic Decline

These are not isolated events — they reveal a culture of dysfunction and neglect at the highest levels of DPS.

• Secretive governance. The Board has repeatedly violated Colorado’s Open Meetings Law — including a December 2024 closed-door session experts called a “blatant violation.”
• Wasteful investigations. The politically motivated inquiry into Board Member John Youngquist has already exceeded $78,000 in cost.
• Policy breaches. Several board members publicly intervened in school operations, violating DPS policy and undermining local principals.
  But the damage isn’t limited to politics — it reaches every classroom.

Families are voting with their feet. DPS enrollment has fallen from more than 90,000 students in 2023 to about 84,000 in 2025, and the district projects another 8 percent decline by 2029 to 6,005. Those who remain face larger class sizes, fewer programs, and shrinking resources.

Academic performance tells the same story. Less than half of Denver students read at grade level. Barely one-third are proficient in math. Both numbers trail Colorado’s statewide averages — and both remain below national expectations. Parents see it daily: inconsistent instruction, low morale, and leadership more focused on optics than outcomes.

Our district’s leadership crisis isn’t only wasting money — it’s wasting potential.

Citations

Boardhawk – Board reprimand of John Youngquist
Boardhawk – Open Meetings Law violations
9 News – $78K investigation cost
Denver Gazette – Leadership crisis commentary
Denver Gazette – Enrollment drops to 84,113 in 2025
Denverite – Projected 8% decline by 2029
Denver Families for Public Schools – 2025 CMAS Data Key Takeaways
Keystone Policy Center – DPS Academic Report 2024

3. Safety Is Still Not Fixed — Two Years Later, Our Children Remain at Risk

After multiple shootings — including the 2023 East High School tragedy — DPS promised reform. Two years later, little has changed.

• The long-delayed secure-vestibule project at East High remains on hold until 2026.
• Internal reports reveal staff believe “violent behaviors won’t be met with consequences.” Nearly 200 weapons were found on DPS campuses in a single school year.
• DPS went six months without a permanent safety chief, even amid repeated armed incidents.
• The revised discipline matrix still fails to define clear standards for expulsions and consequences.

Even after tragedy, the district’s response remains fragmented and reactive.

Citations

9 News – McAuliffe investigation & safety climate
Denver 7 – Board response timeline
Denverite – Lack of safety chief for six months
Boardhawk – Irresponsible leadership post-tragedy

4. Silencing Families and Students — The Board Shrunk Public Voice

When families demanded transparency, the Board responded by limiting participation.

• Public-comment time was cut from three minutes to two per speaker and capped at two hours per meeting.
• Topics were restricted to agenda items — often published after sign-ups closed.
• A new policy forbids students or parents from reading statements on behalf of others, silencing teachers and staff who fear retaliation.

Instead of listening, DPS leadership chose control.

Citations

9 News – Public comment restrictions
Colorado Politics – Community backlash to limits
Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition – New rules and 2-minute limit
Denver Gazette – Board moves comment before agenda release

5. November 4 — Our Moment to Act

Four board seats are on the ballot. This election isn’t about party lines — it’s about restoring integrity, safety, and accountability to Denver’s schools.

Who must be held accountable:

• Scott Esserman – violated policy by interfering at McAuliffe
• Michalle Quattlebaum – absent when her community needed her most
• Xóchitl Gaytán – chose politics over problem-solving
• Plus one At-Large seat open for new leadership

Learn about every candidate:

Denver Gazette – “Four seats, 13 candidates”
Denverite – DPS Voter Guide
Colorado Politics – Candidate forum summary

6. What We Each Must Do

• Register and vote on Tuesday, November 4.
• Share this letter with every DPS parent and neighbor.
• Ask candidates hard questions about safety, transparency, and student outcomes.
• Stay engaged — attend meetings, demand oversight, and keep this movement alive.

Final Word

In 2023, we stood for justice.

In 2025, we stand for change.

Denver’s children deserve classrooms that are safe, teachers who are supported, and leaders who are accountable. On November 4, let’s take back our schools — and our future.

With determination,
Eve Chen
Petition Organizer

#OurStudentsFirst #TransparencyForDPS #VoteForAccountability