Press Release - October 20, 2023

Contact: Nan Baumbusch
EDUCATE Denver Staff Director
info@educatedenver.org | 303-501-7287

Four BOE Candidates Pledge to Support EDUCATE Denver Platform

The platform outlines priority focus areas for Denver school board members; those who pledge will be held accountable to pursue related actions if elected.

DENVER – In response to the request for a pledge of support to the EDUCATE Denver Platform, four Denver school board candidates have agreed to prioritize the platform’s four focus areas and to undertake related actions if they are elected.

Those candidates are:

  • Marlene De La Rosa, District 5

  • Kimberlee Sia, District 1

  • Kwame Spearman, At-large

  • John Youngquist, At-large

All candidates running for a Denver Board of Education seat were given a copy of the platform and an opportunity to pledge their support by Oct. 19.

EDUCATE Denver, a civic coalition for DPS students, created the platform to highlight priority focus areas for the Denver Board of Education in the organization’s quest to reverse negative trends and drive positive change for Denver students.

The platform pillars are:

  • Deliver High-Quality Education to All Students

  • Maximize School Safety

  • Enable Parents to Direct Their Child’s Education, and

  • Demonstrate a Standard of Excellence in Leadership.

Following the election, EDUCATE Denver will hold school board candidates who are elected accountable to their pledge by monitoring and encouraging their adherence to the platform. The organization will periodically report on their progress toward completing the suggested action items during their four-year term. This process aims to assist the community in holding elected officials accountable for the actions to which they have committed.

Note: EDUCATE Denver does not and will not endorse specific candidates. Rather, the platform and candidates’ pledges serve as tools to inform voters, drive progress for DPS students, and hold elected officials accountable to stated positions.

Learn more about EDUCATE Denver and its platform at educatedenver.org.

About EDUCATE Denver

EDUCATE Denver is a coalition of civic leaders who are elevating ECE-12 education as the city’s No. 1 priority. The coalition is made up of over 35 business, philanthropy, public policy, faith-based and community leaders who understand that high-quality education and a thriving city go hand in hand. Learn more and see the full list of participants at educatedenver.org.