All the News About Denver’s Best Residential Community Since 1961 • Volume 57, Issue No. 8 • August 2018
EDUCATION UPDATE | Lynn Kalinauskas
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DPS Superintendent Tom Boasberg Is Out
Cranking The Political Dial To Red-Hot
Earth Matters: A Racy Proposition For Park Hill
The Inspiration Of A Lion In Winter
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In a letter to DPS staff and community, Boasberg gave a nod to his second in command, Susana Cordova: “DPS has an experienced and committed Board of Education and leadership team, including our talented deputy superintendent Susana Cordova, and I am confident that the transition to new leadership will be successful and DPS will continue to move forward.” Cordova, who was acting superintendent when Boasberg took a six-month sabbatical in 2016, will likely be considered for the superintendent’s position. Boasberg’s letter also touted many of his accomplishments, including a graduation rate that has risen almost 30 percent and doubling the number of African-American and Latino students enrolling in college. However, over the past year many community leaders and activists have grown increasingly vocal in criticisms over dismal test scores and inequities for students of color in DPS.
At Park Hill Congregational, Social Change Is A Relay
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His Departure Follows a Year Of Scandals And Discontent, Mixed With Praise For Accomplishments On July 17, just weeks before the beginning of a new school year, Denver Public Schools Superintendent Tom Boasberg resigned after almost a decade in the job. He will stay on for three months while the board of education searches for a replacement. In a press release, Boasberg cited personal reasons for leaving: “I am grateful for the progress Denver’s children have made and keenly aware of the work still ahead of us. After much reflection, I have decided it is time for me to step down to fulfill my commitment to my family and pass the torch of leadership.” In early 2009, Boasberg was DPS’ chief operating officer when he was appointed by the board to be superintendent, after then-Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter appointed Michael Bennet to the U.S. Senate. The press release announcing Boasberg’s departure included praise from Denver’s political elite, including Bennet, Mayor Michael B. Hancock and current Gov. John Hickenlooper.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
After School Is Cool At The Library
UPCOMING GPHC MEETINGS Photo courtesy of Denver Public Schools
Thursday, Aug. 2 beginning and Thursday, Sept. 6 at 6:30 p.m. at 2823 Fairfax St. All are welcome to attend.
Left: Mayor Michael B. Hancock delivering the annual State of The City address.; Middle: Protesters give the mayor an “F-” in youth apprenticeship programs.; Right: A Denver County sheriff, flipping a burger.
Hancock Readies For Reelection Run
State Of The City Speech Skims Past Controversies, Including #MeToo Outrage, City Park and Park Hill Golf Course Projects Story and photos by Cara DeGette GPHN Editor
In his July State of the City address, Mayor Michael B. Hancock declared it a “transformational moment” in Denver’s history. In his annual speech, Hancock did not highlight several controversies that have rattled city hall over the past 12 months. Rather he took the opportunity to lay the groundwork for what will undoubtedly be a run for a third term in May. Hancock delivered this year’s speech on Monday, July 16 to a crowd of several hundred city and state dignitaries, appointed and elected officials, employees, supporters
and critics at the newly built Carla Madison Recreation Center next to East High School. “We should be proud of how far we’ve come,” the mayor said during a speech that lasted about 40 minutes. “We are a city on the rise, and our clarion call is to seize the moment and set Denver and everyone who lives here on an equitable path of prosperity for the next 100 years.” Among Hancock’s highlights: Denver’s strong economy, low unemployment, as well as early childhood education, afterschool programs and access to cultural and recreational programs. He also gave nods to last year’s $1 billion voter-approved bond
measure and expansion projects underway at DIA and the Stock Show. The mayor rolled out several initiatives, including addressing homelessness in Denver, the ongoing gentrification of many of its neighborhoods, and plans to build more bike lanes and affordable housing using marijuana tax revenues. (In its coverage, Channel 9 News noted that Hancock’s speech largely mirrored last year’s address, which was held at Hiawatha Davis Recreation Center in Park Hill.) Scattered throughout the audience of hundreds were several dozen people wearing matching bright green T-shirts displayed with a large white “F-.” At the end
of the speech, the green shirt brigade stood up and politely walked out en masse. The group’s spokesman, Mark Thompson, said the “F-” represents their grade for Hancock’s refusal to agree to implement programs to establish apprenticeships and internships for young people seeking skills post-graduation. “The mayor is failing our youth,” said Thompson. Over the past year the mayor and his administration have also been criticized over the treatment of people who are homeless in Denver – including efforts to ban them continued on page 12