Nov. Denver school board election brings call for change

Four Denver school board seats are open. Activists are working to build voter turnout.By Jeremy P. MeyerThe Denver PostAugust 19, 2009
Community activists are knocking on doors, holding forums and even rapping to improve the odds that people will turn out for the November school board election.
School board elections typically draw scant interest. In 2007, only about 30 percent of registered voters in the Denver district voted in an at-large race.
This year, four seats are open.
On Tuesday, Denver students rallied outside the headquarters of Denver Public Schools with representatives from Padres y Jovenes Unidos, Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights, and the Latina Initiative.
"It's more than the school board election," said Zach Amaro, 17, who performed a rap over a beat box, urging change in public schools. He started high school in Alamosa and will complete his senior year in Denver. "I'm trying to reach out to show that students are willing to learn. They have the power to change schools."
The rally was as much for mustering enthusiasm for the election as it was to make the public aware of issues the groups say are most important for Denver's students.
The advocates will canvass neighborhoods to explain the issues and have people sign pledges to hold the school board accountable.
Specifically, the groups want to ensure that: all students have the right to a college- preparatory education; schools equitably distribute services; discipline is meted out fairly; students have access to health education and services; schools are family friendly; and educators and administrators are held accountable.
"Every parent should know what is going on in the schools," said Juan Cordova, 17, who attends Abraham Lincoln High School. "We should take action to fix our schools."
The groups also will hold two candidate forums in October.
"It's going back to the basics, grassroots organizing, going door-to-door," said Marco Nuñez, a Padres y Jovenes Unidos organizer. "By doing outreach we can give parents a space to get plugged into what is happening."
Jeremy P. Meyer: 303-954-1367 or jpmeyer@denverpost.com