The Denver Public Schools Board of Education swore in three newly elected members and a reelected director Saturday, a move that drew criticism over its timing and initial plans to elect new officers to lead the governing body of Colorado’s largest K-12 district.
Board members scheduled the public meeting after the Denver Clerk and Recorder’s Office alerted four candidates — Xóchitl Gaytán, Amy Klein Molk, Monica Hunter and DJ Torres — on Friday that their election to the board was certified.
The school board originally scheduled the swearing-in ceremony for Dec. 2, but the timing of the notice meant DPS had to swear in the new members by Nov. 30, according to the district.
“It’s a tricky situation because all of DPS is on break and I really believe that the people that work so hard to make our district run deserve a break,” Molk said. “I was surprised it was going to happen on Saturday.”
DPS officials, including incumbent board member Gaytán and spokesman Scott Pribble, said the meeting was scheduled for Saturday because state law only gives the district 10 calendar days after election results are certified to swear in new members, and many district staffers and school board members are unavailable this week because they are traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Saturday was the only time DPS could get a judge and all four of the new directors in a room together, Pribble said.
“We really felt like we had our hands tied,” he said.
Members of at least one community group — Educate Denver — said they were surprised that the meeting occurred so suddenly and on the weekend, especially given that directors were originally scheduled to elect new officers, including board president and vice president.
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The board decided Saturday to postpone the election of officers until Dec. 2 because two members — Kimberlee Sia and John Youngquist — weren’t able to attend the weekend meeting, Pribble said.
“I’m glad they took a minute to think about it,” Educate Denver Co-Chair Rosemary Rodriguez said of the decision to postpone the vote. “That’s something the public should be able to view.”
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