School boards
The American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado is representing the students and other plaintiffs in the case.
The board will discuss the alleged violations committed by John Youngquist during a Jan. 9 meeting.
Public comment will be divided into two parts: one in which speakers can only talk about agenda items and another in which they can talk about anything.
The move is meant to address declining enrollment.
They described the proposed closures as “illogical,” “unethical,” “half-baked,” “discriminatory,” and “classist.”
Students walked out of class Friday and marched to Denver Public Schools headquarters, where they chanted, “Keep your hands! Off our school!”
Superintendent Alex Marrero has recommended closing 10 schools due to declining enrollment.
Stephen Varela’s resignation means that a replacement will serve until January, when the Third District election winner will take over.
The superintendent is expected to make school closure recommendations on Nov. 7 and the school board is set to vote on them Nov. 21.
The new public comment limits would restrict the topics speakers could talk about to those on the board’s meeting agenda.
The change likely leaves less time for district officials to meet with students and families at schools recommended for closure.
The board is expected to vote on the policy later this month.
In redrawing the maps, the board also considered the racial makeup of the proposed districts.
The board defended its “policy governance” model that limits information requests and funnels communication through the superintendent.
The proposal comes as the U.S. Supreme Court is considering a case involving school board members in California who blocked parents on Twitter and Facebook.
The three newly elected school board members voted against approving the metrics, saying they didn’t have enough time to review them.
Board members said Academy 360 deserves a chance to boost student test scores, especially considering that the school provides mental health support to students and families that one board member called essential.
Only the three new board members set to be sworn in later this month will be eligible for the higher pay. Sitting board members can’t vote to raise their own pay.
“Are we sure this is going to make things better?” one board member asked.
The board is set to vote on the proposal Nov. 16, after next week’s school board election but before new board members are sworn in.