24 Hours in DCSD: This is NOT Normal

Estimated Read Time: 6 minutes

The last 24 hours have included nothing short of a high-speed wrecking ball to our district … a rash Superintendent replacement plan revealed, a Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) release of the names of teachers who called out on Feb. 3, a woefully inadequate and inappropriate letter to staff from DCSD Board of Education President Peterson, and factless, threatening flyers placed on teachers’ cars.

Let’s unpack the hypocrisy and false narratives together.

A Rush to Hire New Superintendent

Just 10 days after firing Superintendent Corey Wise without cause, without public input and without following established board policy governance and due process, the new DCSD BoE majority is intent on fast-tracking the hiring of a new superintendent.

Consistent with its modus operandi of pushing through what majority board members call “taking our district in a new direction,” without input from the minority board or the public, the board scheduled another hastily called Special BoE Meeting, scheduled for 5 p.m. tonight. Let’s not forget that this Special BoE Meeting agenda was revealed to the supporters of the Board Majority before the public knew (by almost 20 hours) again demonstrating their lack of integrity. Along with the agenda for tonight’s Special BoE Meeting, a proposed timeline was released that indicates a new superintendent will be named just one week later at yet another Special BOE Meeting.

Such a whirlwind hiring process is not reflective of the thoughtfulness and consideration that our district deserves and needs. The last two Superintendent searches in DCSD have provided ample time for ALL stakeholders to ask questions and for the BoE to receive feedback on what the community, NOT just individuals on the Board, is looking for in district leadership. For additional context, Denver Public Schools just completed its Superintendent Search, and that was a six-month process. This rapid timeline suggests that firing Wise and replacing him almost immediately was part of a predetermined agenda.

Putting Teachers and Staff At Risk

Late yesterday, teachers were notified via email that their absences on Feb. 3, 2022, (the day of the Community Action) were part of a Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) request, and that the list of names would be made public today. This action is a direct threat and act of betrayal to our more than 1,600 teachers and staff who were exercising their First Amendment rights to protest unjust actions taken by the new board members to dismantle our Educational Equity Policy and remove Wise’s due process rights as a DCSD employee.

You may recall, George Brauchler, former District Attorney for the 18th Judicial District, initiated this call to publicly name teachers and staff “so that parents can confront them.” Local journalist Kyle Clark amplified Brauchler’s call for doxxing of our teachers and staff in a tweet on Feb. 2. His suggestion was promptly condemned by many, including Governor Jared Polis.

Last night, President Peterson again ignored board governance policy by sending out an official communication, misrepresenting that he was speaking for the entire BoE (highly unlikely) when he emailed all DCSD staff. Former DCSD Director Anne-Marie Lemieux immediately pointed out Peterson’s egregious disregard in a social media post: “Reminder: NO board member has INDIVIDUAL authority. When making statements using district email the BOE president should consult with the full board and send information on the BOARD’s behalf. Anything less violates policy and is self serving.”

Peterson’s email read, in part, “As your Board President, I will not tolerate or condone retaliation against any teacher or other employee in this district by any staff or community member.”

Lemieux adds, “CASB1 training, proper on-boarding, and reading through the Board Policy Governance book helps ensure consistent and trustworthy leadership. DCSD deserves better than Directors who will create a problem and then attempt to make themselves the hero. We see you. We know what you’re doing.”

And Peterson’s promise not to condone retaliation against any district employee stands in stark contrast to language both he and Director Winegar have used when speaking to right-wing media outlets (KOA and KNUS, including national media) to disparage the teachers’ union. The TEACHER’s union! Let’s be clear, an attack on the teacher's union is an attack on teachers. Period.

Threatening Our Teachers

This morning, flyers (pictured) were placed on the windshields of teachers at several DCSD high schools that had their cars painted with supportive phrases like, “Trust teachers,” “Support public schools” and “Stand Together.”

These retaliatory attempts at pushing ridiculous lies about our DCSD teachers (i.e., teachers unions do not support students or parents and parents control the curriculum) is further evidence that some in our community are buying into the national far-right extremist narrative. It is a distraction from the values of DCSD locally and prevents the healing that needs to happen in order for our community to move forward.

Reparable Harm?

While we continue to navigate the constant turmoil that has been created by our new BoE majority, we keep asking ourselves, will this ever stop and is there a path to restorative healing?

In our recent blog posts, “Playing Around” and “A Call for Reparative Action” we explore these issues facing our community.

With so much on the line right now (Superintendent, MLO/Bond, increased teacher resignations, etc) how long can we afford to wait for the new Board Majority to make a genuine trust-building effort with the community?

Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB) provides information and training for school board governance across the state. The new Board Majority directors refused to attend the CASB training this fall to prepare for their roles, thereby leading this BoE in policy infractions at every turn. Lemieux is correct in her reaction as the DCSD Policy Governance Handbook cites several policies that address the infraction President Peterson has made and continues to make even after he has been reminded.

1.3.2 To represent the Board to outside parties in announcing only Board-stated positions and in stating decisions and interpretations within the areas delegated to him or her. The President may delegate this authority to other Board members when appropriate, but remains accountable for its use.

GP 1.8 Board Members' Code Of Conduct

The Board commits itself and its members to ethical, businesslike, and lawful conduct, including proper use of authority and appropriate decorum when acting as Board members.

1.8.1 Members must have loyalty to the entire ownership, unconflicted by loyalties to staff, other organizations, including interest or advocacy groups, citizens of a director District, membership on other boards or staffs, interest as a parent of a student in the District, and any personal interest as a consumer.

1.8.3 Board members may not attempt to exercise individual authority over the organization.

1.8.3.1 Members' interaction with the Superintendent or with staff must recognize the lack of authority vested in individuals except when explicitly Board authorized. The Superintendent is accountable only to the Board as an organization, and not to individual Board members. Therefore, the relationship between the Superintendent and individual members of the Board, including the President, is collegial, not hierarchical.