Charter School Renewal: Vice President Anderson’s Update

Dear Denver Public Schools Community,

As the Vice President of the Denver School Board, I wanted to take a moment to update you on the upcoming renewal of charter school contracts. I want to acknowledge the important role that charter schools play within Denver Public Schools. They offer families a choice in their child’s education and provide unique and innovative educational models to our students.

However, it is also my responsibility to ensure that every school in our district is held to the highest standards of academic achievement and community engagement. After careful consideration and review, I plan to honor the recommendation by the Superintendent to renew the contracts of the majority of the charter schools, with the exception of STRIVE Kepner.

I believe that whenever we consider closing a school, it is crucial that we involve the community in the decision-making process. The families, students, and community members who are directly impacted by such a decision deserve to have their voices heard and their concerns addressed. Unfortunately, I do not believe that the level of community engagement by Denver Public Schools, in this instance, has met my standards. Therefore, I must vote against the recommendation to non-renew the school.

This is not a decision I have come to lightly, but one that I believe is necessary in order to uphold my responsibility to represent the best interests of our students and families. I want to assure you that this is in no way a reflection of STRIVE Kepners students, staff, or leadership.

I also want to stress that it is my belief that we must hold the same standard for all schools regardless of school model. Community engagement is a critical aspect of decision-making, and it should be a non-negotiable when it comes to making decisions that affect the lives of students and families.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to continuing to work together to serve the students of Denver Public Schools. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.

Sincerely,

Auon’tai Anderson Denver School Board Vice President