Category Archives: Far Northeast

What 9News needs to know about Montbello

We got word that Denver’s 9News was planning to do a big story on the “success” of the turnaround efforts in Montbello. The writer of this letter asked us to publish his letter to Nelson Garcia, news anchor at 9News.

Mr. Garcia,

I urge you to make sure you tell both sides of the story as you investigate what has been happening at Montbello. When you ask your questions, make sure you include random community members, random students, random teachers, not just people that Denver Public Schools has hand-picked for you to talk to. I challenge you to ask both sides the same questions and see how their answers compare.

Some questions to ask the random people might be as follows.

What’s happened to the experienced teachers who have worked there? If the old teachers were so bad, why did they wait until now to let them go? What’s the average age of the teachers who are coming into the new schools?

Why didn’t DPS support the school that already existed with the same amount of money that they’re spending on this change? What’s the difference in the per-student money being spent between now and before the change?

Why didn’t DPS support the school that already existed by providing a consistent principal? How many principals has Montbello had in the last five years? How might a consistent leader have made a difference?

Who stands to make money from this drastic move in the Montbello neighborhood?

What was the community input about these decisions? How do they feel about their kindergarten children riding on the same bus as the 12th graders? How do they feel about their school and community being dissolved?

Check the background of some of the administrators at Montbello and DPS. Do they have teaching experience? Do they have criminal records? Do they have ties to entities that would stand to profit from this change?

Considering what has happened at Manual, why would DPS continue to perform such drastic and expensive changes?

The Denver Public Schools is reporting the myth that things are going extremely well with the turnarounds that are in place in the schools, and that the community is happy with the school situation. That is not exactly the truth. The parents of the students who were lucky enough to get into the new schools, DCIS, DSST, College Prep, are probably extremely happy because approximately $11,000 per pupil is being spent to make sure their children are at grade level or above academically. Check out Blueprint Denver at http://blueprintschools.org/Denver-fellow.php for information.

On the other hand, students left in the “phase out” schools are being warehoused until their schools close. Although DPS will tell you differently, our community did not agree to have the majority of our students in schools that will be closing soon, depending on the choice process to gamble on a chance to get into a higher performing school.

Mr. Garcia, Channel 9 is well-known in the metro area as being a top-notch news provider. Please make sure that you continue to deserve that title while you do this story. Please be fair in your reporting. There are always two sides.

Thank you for your time.

Christmas in May for Far Northeast Children

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May 5, 2011

DPS Board of Directors, and Superintendent,

No Christmas for Montbello students

You have seen me at board meetings, some of you have seen me at events and locations within the Far Northeast as well as in other communities. Director Pena, we spoke at one of the A+ meetings held in the Far Northeast where I asked you to “do the math” before supporting the ”turnaround” plans for Far Northeast.

I joined the board meeting/conference call held Monday, May 2, 2011; subsequent to that call, I want you to know that I am disappointed in and disgusted by your willful and blatant disregard for the law, the teachers, the staff, the students, the parents, the community members, and the school process mandated by SB 08-130 to govern approval of innovation (autonomous) schools.

I am whole-heatedly supportive of improving education, the access to education, and the system of education for ALL students in the existing public schools which are supported by 60% of my personal property tax dollars.

I am supportive of sincere and honest efforts to respect and include students, teachers, parents and communities in the development and implementation of educational plans which affect us as stakeholders in the Far Northeast.

I am supportive of the DPS board, administrators, and staff – including yourselves – respecting and following the requirements of Senate Bill 08-130 Innovations School Act in all matters concerning the application and approval of such schools.

On Monday, May 2, 2011, Superintendent Boasberg, DPS President Easley, along with Directors Pena, Hoyt, and Seawall demonstrated a blatant disregard for the process of consent – by administrators, teachers, other school employees, students, parents, school advisory councils, and community members - required by SB 08-130 to approve innovation schools.

I object – along with thousands of other residents in the Far Northeast – to the mass privatization of our public schools in the Far Northeast where I live.

I object to subjecting teachers; especially those who are minority and pension-invested, employed in the Far Northeast “turnaround” schools, to at-will firings and the so-called reduction in building process. I object that you and other proponents of the “turnaround” process did not have to sit before those teachers to see their faces when they cried.

I object to mass, ivy league, non-credentialed, 5 and 6-week trainees being hired to replace stellar, credentialed, experienced, mostly minority teachers in the Far Northeast.

I object to the blatant disregard of the expressed wishes and needs of students, parents, and community members in the Far Northeast.

When you visit your doctor or designated hospital, God forbid that you and/or your family will be forced to be treated by non-certified, non-licensed, inexperienced, 5-6 week trainees who have been hired to replace certified, licensed, experienced physicians, nurses and staff because corporatist think that somehow the goal is all that matters. Intelligent people realize that the goal is important but, who takes you there and how you get to your destination are essential.

As elected officials of the “people” who elected you, you owe your constituents the respect and dignity to be PRESENT in your communities, to LISTEN, and to VOTE THEIR WISHES – that is why you were elected.

Speaking OF the children does not equate to working FOR the children. Supporters of the so-called “turnaround” plans, school reform, and the charter school movement seem to operate as though they are preparing for a poor kids Christmas party (charter schools) where exciting “presents” (various school curricula) can be opened, and there, the children and families will sing Christmas songs (hale to the charter schools) and the communities will realize how wonderful the givers (turnaround/reform supporters) are. Ignored was that the givers didn’t ask the parents what the kids needed or what they wanted them to have. The kids are pleased for only a short time because the “presents” were not what they really needed, or wanted.

The DPS board of directors and superintendent tip-toeing around 900 Grant Street hiding injustices is not the same as parents tip-toeing round their houses, hiding Christmas presents.

“The power of the people is more powerful than the people in power.” Perhaps that is what you are fearful of; however, if you are a part of the people, you are a part of the power.

Earleen Brown
Far Northeast Denver resident
Concerned Citizen
DeFENSE member

Recall petitions multimedia

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Below is a gallery of photos of copying the petitions:

[nggallery id=2]

And here are videos of the press conference:

Best quote: “In that document, it says ‘we the people.’ But in that document, it should also say, ‘power to the people.’” –John McBride

Part 2:

Best quote: “…DPS’ ‘magic math;’ that is, disappearing students.”

Part 3:

Best quote: “We stand with the 6,000 people who understand that in these hard economic times, elected officials should not be firing hundreds of dedicated public servants, or the people will rise up and fire these same officials.”

November’s coming, Denver. Will you stand with us to take back our schools?

Mas de 5.000 personas están de acuerdo: ¡Fuera con Easley!

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el 28 de marzo del 2011

Contacto: John McBride 720-270-0327 o Larry Borom 303-355-4635
Organizaciones: Northeast Community Congress for Education, Black Education Advisory Council, and Democrats for Excellent Neighborhood School Education (DeFENSE)

Correo Electronico:info@defensedenver.com

Sitio del Red: http://defensedenver.com

Evento: Entrega de peticiones para la retirada del representante del DPS Distrito 4

Fecha/Hora: Martes, 29 de marzo, 2011 3:30 pm

Lugar: Denver Election Commission , 200 W. 14th Ave., Suite 100 (esquina suroeste, 14th y
Bannock), Denver, 80204

Más de 5,000 votantes del Noreste de Denver Apoyan la Retirada del Presidente y Representante del Distrito 4 del la Mesa Ejecutiva de DPS, Nate Easley

Denver, CO – Mas de 5,000 residentes de Denver, incluso Montbello y Green Valley Ranch, firmaron en favor de retirar al presidente y representante del Distrito 4 de la mesa ejecutiva de Denver Public Schools, Nate Easley por su conflicto de interés que resulto en una falta en su capacidad en representar a las familias del noreste de Denver en una manera independiente.

Easley está empleado como el subdirector de la Fundación de Becas de Denver cuyos miembros incluyen oficiales de las escuelas públicas de Denver (DPS), Theresa Pena y Tom Boasberg, que apoyen abiertamente el cerramiento de escuelas que han recibido pocos recursos para convertirlas a escuelas privadas (charter) como parte de la estrategia “turnaround” de DPS.

Ahora hay más gente que lo quieren fuera de oficina que los 4,500 que votaron para ponerlo en oficina. Apoyo para el retiro está particularmente fuerte en el área de Montbello así que muchas familias ya saben cómo se siente el impacto de cerrar escuelas y reducir la capacidad de escuelas. Muchos padres reportaron que sus hijos fueron puesto en una “lista de espera” de mas que una lista después de las loterías que tenían lugar para determinar la matriculación de estudiantes para el año académico 2011-2012. Padres expresaron su frustración y enojo por tener menos “opciones” ahora aunque llenaron las formas de matriculación muy a buen tiempo. Antes padres podían matricular a sus hijos en escuelas del barrio, y esas escuelas los aceptaron abiertamente sin que importara sus necesidades, dificultades o capacidades.
Ahora, familias enteras han sido rehusados de las escuelas chárter más selectivas. Familias están en pánico por conseguir opciones para sus hijos que tendrán que asistir varias escuelas por todo el noreste para matricular a sus hijos en escuelas que aceptaran a sus hijos. Es probable que cientos de niños vayan a estar desplazados y forzados a asistir escuelas fuera de sus barrios y además fuera del distrito en los condados de Adams y Arapahoe. También hay reportajes de que DPS y Easley no respondieron a llamadas de padres con preocupaciones.

“Hemos hablado con mas constituyentes de Nate Easley en los pasados 60 días – que es más de los con quienes ha comunicado durante sus 18 meses en oficina,” declaró John McBride.

Una coalición comunitaria de padres, abuelos, educadores y vecinos juntaron por dos meses para circular peticiones. McBride explicó que este grupo tan dedicado sin fondos ningunos de grupos políticos y fundaciones adineradas alcanzo a comunicar con miles de residentes, aunque un avalancha de dinero vino al lado de Easley de fundaciones adineradas para ayudarle en su lucha contra el retiro.

Otra cosa que escucharon los residentes es la gran cantidad de terminaciones de empleo que ocurrió durante la época de Easley. En los pasados 18 meses, Easley apoyaba la clausura de siete (7) escuelas públicas que dejo a más de 400 personas sin su trabajo sin sin ninguna evidencia de que los maestros eran inefectivos. “En esta economía tan difícil, nuestros oficiales elegidos no deben de estar en el negocio de poner más gente en desempleo, especialmente a los que trabajan cada día dedicados al servicio público como nuestros maestros,” declaró Mary Sam, una maestra jubilada y 8voluntaria para el retiro. Organizadores del retiro encontraron a muchos maestros que apoyaron privadamente el retiro porque tenían miedo de firmar la petición por el ambiente de intimidación que existe en DPS. Easley ha recibido más de $35.000 de contribuciones para su campaña de anti-retiro; pero, la mayor cantidad de fundadores viven fuera del distrito de Easley. Casi $20.000 de estos fondos vienen de miembros de la mesa directiva de la Fundación de Becas de Denver, los mismos que lo supervisan como empleo. Scott Reiman, Jack Kim, David Scanavino, Terry Leprino, Barbara Grogan y Steve Kris son fundadores y también empleadores de Easley. Un fundador, Wesley Brown, es codirector de St. Charles Capital con una colega de Easley en la mesa directiva de DPS, Bruce Hoyt, quien es apoyador de escuelas charter. También la corporación, Oakwood Homes, que desarrolla nuevos barrios en Montbello donó $5.000 para ayudar a Easley a luchar contra este esfuerzo de sus constituyentes.

Cuando se enteró de las contribuciones a Easley, un padre de noreste comentó, “Esto da mas fuerza a la creencia que “ya compraron” a Nate Easley los interés corporativos.”

Organizadores del retiro tendrán una conferencia para la prensa el martes 29, 2011 a las 3:30pm en frente del Denver Election Commission en 200 W. 14th Ave. Por las incertidudes de las listas de registración, organizadors sugeran que los firmadores que chequeen su estatus de registration de votante por hacer click al buton rojo “Register to Vote”
en www.defensedenver.com.

More than 5,000 support recall, press conference tomorrow

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Over 5,000 Northeast Denver Residents Support the Recall of

DPS Board of Education President and District 4 Representative Nate Easley

Denver, CO – Over 5,000 Northeast Denver, Montbello and Green Valley Ranch residents signed their names in support of recalling DPS Board of Education President and District 4 Representative Nate Easley due to his conflict of interest resulting in his failure to independently and adequately represent Northeast families. Easley is employed as the deputy director of the Denver Scholarship Foundation whose board members include Denver Public Schools (DPS) officials Theresa Pena and Tom Boasberg, strong proponents of shutting down or phasing out under-resourced public schools and converting them into privatized charter schools as part of the DPS “turnaround” strategy. There are now more residents that want Easley out of office, than the approximately 4,500 people that voted to elect him.

Support for the recall was particularly strong in the Montbello-area since many of those families have already felt the impact of school closures and seat reductions. Many parents reported that their children were “waitlisted” on more than one list after lotteries were held to determine enrollment placements for the 2011-2012 academic year. Parents expressed extreme frustration and even anger that they had fewer “choice” options now despite filling out enrollment forms early. Previously, parents could readily enroll their children into neighborhood schools, and those schools openly accepted them regardless of their needs, challenges and abilities. Now, entire families have been shut out of the smaller and more selective charter schools. Parents have been left scrambling to find options for siblings who will be dispersed across the Far Northeast area, searching for schools that will accept all of their children. Potentially, hundreds of children will be displaced and forced to attend schools outside of their neighborhoods and even outside of the District into neighboring Adams & Arapahoe counties. Parents also reported that their phone calls were not being returned from DPS representatives, including from Easley.

“We have talked to more of Nate Easley’s constituents in the past 60 days than he has talked to during his entire eighteen months in office,” stated recall spokesperson John McBride. A volunteer grassroots coalition of parents, grandparents, educators, and neighbors joined together for nearly two months to gather the required signatures. McBride explained that the dedicated and unfunded group of diverse volunteers reached thousands of residents, despite the avalanche of money that poured into Easley’s bank account to help him fend off the recall.

Another sore point for residents was the high number of teacher firings that have occurred under Easley’s watch. In the past 18 months, Easley has supported the closure of seven public schools and was complicit in putting 400 teachers’ jobs in jeopardy when there was no objective evidence that the teachers were incompetent. “In this difficult economy, our elected officials should not be in the business of putting people out of work, especially dedicated and hard-working public servants like our public school teachers,” stated Mary Sam, a retired DPS teacher and recall volunteer. Recall organizers encountered many teachers who privately supported the recall, but who were too afraid to sign recall petitions due to the environment of fear and intimidation within DPS.

Easley has received over $35,000 in contributions to his recall campaign; however, almost none of the donors listed live in Easley’s district. Almost $20,000 of those contributions came from Denver Scholarship Fund board members, the very same people that ultimately oversee his employment at DSF. Scott Reiman, Jack Kim, David Scanavino, Terry Leprino, Barbara Grogan and Steve Kris are all on the DSF Board. One donor, Wesley Brown, is a co-director of St. Charles Capital along with Easley’s school board colleague Bruce Hoyt, another proponent of charter schools. In addition, Montbello-area development corporation Oakwood Homes donated a hefty $5,000 to help Easley fight off his own constituents. When told about Nate’s big money contributions, one Northeast parent commented, “It certainly reinforces the growing belief that Nate Easley is ‘bought and paid for’ by corporate interests.”

Recall organizers will hold a press conference Tuesday as they prepare to submit and report their final signature tally on March 29, 2011 3:30pm in front of the Denver Election Commission office at 200 W. 14th Ave. Due to inconsistencies in the voter registration lists, recall organizers encourage signers to check their voter registration status by clicking on the red “Register to Vote” button at http://www.defensedenver.com.