I regret nothing.
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of convenience and comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy,” Martin Luther King, Jr.
I regret nothing. — I am glad that someone felt safe enough to trust me with information and seek justice for Black and Brown children that have been mistreated and allegedly abused by a former school leader and other adults in their school. This former employee and their attorney have not only admitted to locking children into a room and leaving them alone, but they also defended it.
The actions of this former employee violated Board Policy and, depending on if the student gave consent to go into this room, could have violated the law.
I want to thank this whistleblower(s) for being brave enough to come forward and share this information and allowing us as a district to investigate this matter. Their courage and dedication to the truth is a testament to their character, and without their resolve, we may have remained in the dark about this issue. This is an example of living out our ENDS statement of “being a district that is free of oppressive systems and structures.”
I want to thank Denver School Board President Gaytán, Treasurer Esserman Advocacy Denver Executive Director Pam Bisceglia for joining me yesterday to deliver this news and what we have uncovered through the first 24 hours of our investigation. Since the press conference yesterday, more people have come forward anonymously and on the record, sharing their knowledge of ongoing systemic injustices happening to students with learning differences and those who identify as people of color.
Next, I must thank Superintendent Dr. Marrero and his entire team for taking this seriously, and during a week that is meant for us to welcome back our school leadership teams, they dropped everything to seek justice for those wronged by these allegations. That is the leadership I can get behind.
In conclusion, my promise to you is this: every remaining day in my tenure will be dedicated to rooting out injustice and ensuring a safe, respectful environment for all our students. This is not a time for inaction or silence. It is a time for resolve and accountability. To those who think they can exploit the innocence and trust of our students, know that we will find you, and you will face the full force of justice. The determination to make this right stems not just from duty but from a deep-seated belief that every child deserves a nurturing, safe, and equitable school experience. As we move forward together, let our shared commitment be a beacon, guiding us towards a brighter, more just future for all our students.
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In the spirit of transparency, we will release additional information on this ongoing issue that we can share with the public. This will happen next week; members of the press will receive an invitation this weekend to join us.
In Solidarity,
Auon’tai Anderson, Vice President of the Denver School Board
