In Darkness, We Find Our Light: A Call to Hope and Resilience for Denver Public Schools
Tonight, the Denver School Board made a unanimous decision to close ten schools. For the communities impacted, I want to acknowledge the profound loss this represents. Schools are more than just buildings; they are places where dreams are nurtured, where cultures and traditions are celebrated, where children find mentors, and where communities come together to build a brighter future. The closure of a school leaves an emptiness — a void that cannot simply be measured in enrollment numbers or budget lines.
To every student, family, and educator who called these schools home, your pain is valid. I know this decision feels like a breaking point, and I share in the grief that comes from seeing the heart of a community displaced. These schools have been places of hope, and losing them feels like losing a part of ourselves.
And yet, even in this darkness, I urge us to find hope. Vice President Kamala Harris has reminded us, “Only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.”
This moment feels dark, but it is not the end of the story. Denver Public Schools has a history of resilience. I have seen this firsthand. When Montbello High School and West High School were closed in years past, their communities did not give up. Instead, they rallied together, leading with courage and determination. I fought alongside students and families and co-sponsored the resolutions to reopen Montbello High School and West High School. Today, those schools are thriving testaments to what happens when we lead with bold action, compassion, and a commitment to our communities.
To every person who feels despair tonight, I say this: Do not give up on our schools, our children, or our community. Let this be a moment where we choose hope over hopelessness, action over inaction, and light over darkness. The future of Denver Public Schools is not written yet — it is being shaped by each of us, every day, through the choices we make and the vision we hold.
I commit to being right there with you to write that next chapter, as I was two years ago. While I remain firmly opposed to school closures that uproot our children and destabilize neighborhoods, I also believe this is a moment for reflection. Denver Public Schools as a community must ask itself: Is this the path we want to continue? The future of our schools and the direction of our district ultimately lies with the voters in the upcoming school board elections.
We owe it to our children to never stop believing in what is possible for them, for us, and for our schools. Let us work together to ensure that no matter how dark it feels, we will fill our sky with stars.
The Honorable Auon’tai M. Anderson
