Denver school board

The Denver school board will hold a special meeting on July 27 to address concerns raised by Superintendent Alex Marrero, who alleged the board is overstepping its authority. Marrero's June email highlighted disputes over policy governance, with his contract allowing termination if governance policies are materially altered. Board President Xóchitl Gaytán confirmed the meeting aims to resolve concerns without invoking contract termination clauses.

The Denver school board will hold a special meeting on July 27 to address concerns raised by Superintendent Alex Marrero, who claims the board is overstepping its authority and creating an untenable situation. Marrero's contract allows him to terminate his position if governance policies are materially altered, but he stated his June 8 email was not intended to invoke this clause. Board members emphasize seeking alignment and clarifying contract interpretations.

Denver Superintendent Alex Marrero informed the school board he could no longer ignore concerns about the board overstepping administrative roles, violating his contract, and creating a contentious environment. He cited instances like a closed-door executive session excluding him and disputes among board members. Marrero, seeking a job in Miami-Dade County Public Schools, expressed these issues in a June 8 email to board President Xóchitl Gaytán.

Denver schools will implement a bell-to-bell ban on cellphones, smartwatches, and personal devices during the school day starting this fall. The policy, passed by the Denver school board, includes exceptions for health, special education, and language access needs, and requires annual reviews of its effectiveness.

Denver schools will implement a bell-to-bell ban on cellphones, smartwatches, and personal devices during the school day starting this fall. The policy, approved by the Denver school board, allows exceptions for health, special education, and language access needs. The superintendent must ensure the policy is enforced consistently and review its effectiveness annually.

The Denver school board is likely to implement a districtwide bell-to-bell cellphone ban for all grades, effective August 2024, requiring devices to be off and out of sight during school hours but not off-campus. The policy aligns with broader Colorado district efforts to address student cellphone use ahead of a July 1 deadline for adopting policies under a 2025 state law, which mandates but does not require a ban.

The Denver school board is divided over whether to require 48 hours' notice before visiting schools, with some members arguing it ensures respect and others claiming it hinders transparency. A 2021 policy mandating the notice period is under review, but the board postponed a decision after debates over its implications.