Democrats for Education Reform-Colorado Friday endorsed three candidates in the Denver Public Schools board election that is viewed by some as a referendum on district reform policies.
The group endorsed Happy Haynes in the crowded contest for the open at-large seat, Anne Rowe in southeast Denver’s District 1 and Jennifer Draper Carson in District 5 in the district’s northwest corner.
Rowe is expected to face Emily Sirota, and Carson is seeking to unseat incumbent Arturo Jimenez. All candidates have to turn in sufficient petition signatures to get on the November ballot.
DFER is a well-financed New York-based political action committee with branches in 10 states, including Colorado. This is the first time it’s endorsed in DPS board races.
The DFER-Colorado advisory committee interviewed seven of the nine candidates announced so far and also asked them to complete questionnaires.
The committee has some influential education figures, including State Board of Education member Elaine Gantz Berman (a former DPS board member), former Colorado Speaker of the House Terrance Carroll, Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia, state. Sen. Mike Johnston of Denver, former Lt. Gov. Barbara O’Brien (now with the Piton Foundation), former State Rep. Christine Scanlan (now Gov. John Hickenlooper’s top lobbyist) and A+ Denver executive director Van Schoales.
State Director Moira Cullen said DFER-Colorado will actively support endorsed candidates in 2011 “whether it’s financial or assisting with other aspects of their campaigns.” Cullen runs a Capitol lobbying firm that represents several education clients.
The group did not formally endorse in the 2009 DPS elections but did contribute $7,000 to Ismael Garcia, who was defeated in District 2’s Southwest Denver by Andrea Merida.
Candidates react to group’s endorsement
“Happy respects DFER’s voice as an advocate for the district, and we look forward to working with them throughout the election,” said Peter Schottenfels, campaign manager for Haynes, who is a former city council member and DPS executive.
DFER did give honorable mention to one of Haynes’ opponents, Roger Kilgore, a Park Hill water engineer. “We were impressed with his commitment to improving public education in Denver,” the group’s announcement said.
Other announced at-large candidates include South High School teacher Frank Deserino, Jacqui Shumway – who also ran unsuccessfully in 2009 – and Baker neighorhood resident John Daniel. Daniel and Shumway were not interviewed by DFER-Colorado, because they had not completed campaign paperwork at the time of the interviews.
Rowe, a founding co-chair of A+ Denver, said she was honored. “When you look at the members of the advisory committee, these are some of the greatest education leaders we have had over the past several years in Colorado, and this endorsement means a great deal to me.”
Sirota, whose background is as a community activist, “I have a fundamental disagreement with DFER and Anne Rowe. … When I look at a 51.8 percent graduation rate, a nearly 60 percent remediation rate, and unacceptable CSAP scores, I see a school district in crisis – not a school district going in the right direction.”
She said her candidacy is aimed at “changing the DPS administration” and “representing the desire of communities throughout southeast Denver to have a role in shaping the direction of our schools. Right now, I am deeply concerned that some special interests are trying to use the word ‘reform’ as an excuse to perpetuate the status quo.”
Carson, who worked in Jimenez’s 2007 campaign, said, “Our schools across the city and especially in Northwest Denver are not getting the job done, for far too many children. I am glad to have DFER’s support.”
Jimenez said, “While I expect various groups to endorse in this race, I’m proud to have the support of so many people from Northwest and across Denver, including those in the reform community.”
Haynes, Rowe and Carson also benefited from a joint fundraiser help by supporters on June 13 (see story).
Read the DFER-Colorado announcement and candidates’ questionnaire responses here.