DENVER — Colorado's largest school district is once again weighing whether to close some schools.
Denver Public Schools said changes are needed due to declining enrollment. DPS reports falling birth rates in Denver and housing development patterns have left a decline in school-aged kids in Denver. They expect these trends to continue over the next five years, which is why they're taking action to address this now.
The changes are coming after DPS welcomed thousands of additional new-to-country students to the district last school year.
Still, DPS Superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero said taking action now will allow them to ensure every child gets the education they deserve.
"Doing it right is what we need to do, and what I believe we're all working toward making sure we do together," school board member Scott Esserman said at the board's meeting Thursday.
"It's been clear in terms of the financial burden. I want to make sure that everyone understands that the quality of the student experience -- and in order to ensure educational equity, in using resources effectively, it's becoming untenable that we continue this way," Marrero said at the meeting.
In March 2023, the board voted to close three schools due to "critically low enrollment": Denver Discovery, Fairview Elementary and the Mathematics and Science Leadership Academy.
Marrero said keeping under-enrolled schools running is expensive. By closing those down and merging others together, Marrero said they can offer kids more educational opportunities, programs and resources.
Right now, there's no list of schools that could be on the chopping block. The district will put out its list of consolidations and closures on Nov. 7. They'll hold a public meeting for community members to sound off on Nov. 18.
Just two weeks after the list comes out, on Nov. 21, the board is expected to vote on the plan. And once that list comes out, he said, they won't be changing which schools get the axe.
"I'm acknowledging when we produce a list, as insensitive as this may sound, we're not going to be convinced otherwise. We've made the decision based on data and what's best for the district," Marrero said.
"So that means that you all, respectfully, are going to get all the concerns, advocacy, calls for reconsideration," Marrero said, speaking to the board during its meeting Thursday. "We're not immune to it, but we're not going to pivot, because the recommendations are going to be the same."
Before that list comes out, DPS will hold meetings around the district to hear from families and community members.
The schools hosting the community meetings are not on the chopping block. The hourlong meetings will be held:
- Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. at South High School (Southeast)
- Sept. 25 at 6 p.m. at Manual High School (Central)
- Oct. 3 at 6 p.m. at Lincoln High School (Southwest)
- Oct. 7 at 6 p.m. at CEC Early College (Northwest)
- Oct. 14 at 6 p.m. virtually on Zoom (Virtual)
- Oct. 15 at 6 p.m. at Montbello High School (Far Northeast)
Esserman and board member Michelle Quattlebaum said during the meeting Thursday that people deserve a chance to weigh in.
"We know, nobody wants their school closed. Nobody," Esserman said.
"This entire process is going to be difficult," Quattlebaum said.