Where candidates for Denver mayor stand on education issues: an election guide

An election judge sets out voting stickers on a table.
Denver voters will choose among 17 candidates for mayor on April 4. (RJ Sangosti / The Denver Post)

Seventeen candidates are running for mayor of Denver during a time when the city’s schools face challenges ranging from declining enrollment that’s led to school closures to rising youth violence that’s prompted discussion of the role police should play in schools.

The Denver mayor plays no formal role in running the school system, but that hasn’t stopped some candidates from suggesting that person should have a louder voice and even appoint members to the school board. 

Internal divisions on the school board have played out in public and led some critics to say the board isn’t focused on the needs of students. Other candidates say it’s important to respect the authority of the independently elected school board. 

We asked all the candidates what they see as the role of the mayor in Denver Public Schools, how they would address an affordable housing crisis that’s pushing teachers and families out of the city, and how they would address gun violence that’s showing up at the schoolhouse door

The election is April 4. If no candidate earns more than 50% of the vote, the top two candidates will advance to a runoff election on June 6.

Ten of the 17 candidates responded. Here, in their own words, is what they said.

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“I don’t think we should be spending taxpayer resources to bring that into our district,” said a District 49 school board member.

As Michigan’s state superintendent, Glenn Maleyko will oversee the Michigan Department of Education and report to the elected State Board of Education.

Experts point to factors like surges in private and homeschool options and general population decreases. The losses come with big implications for Memphis-Shelby County Schools’ budget and impending school closures.

Two years ago, the Students for Fair Admissions decision ended affirmative action as the nation knew it. The Trump administration has repeatedly cited the ruling as it seeks to end a wide range of efforts to support students of color and diversify schools.

A new report from NYC’s Education Department shows that 90 out of about 400 high schools offer journalism classes.

Sherry Jackson uses her love of zoology to teach students skills that will help them no matter what career path they choose.