Why I’m Running
My name is Marlene De La Rosa, and I am a candidate for Denver Public School Board of Directors, District 5. I am running for school board because a high-quality public education is the foundation we need for our students in Denver. While my own children attended DPS, I participated in numerous parent engagement opportunities to ensure I could supplement my children’s educational experience. I worked to have equity in education not only for my own kids but for all students.
Time for a Change:
Denver Public Schools need change. I am running to change the direction of DPS. We parents, teachers, students and the community working together in partnership and collaboration have the opportunity to come together to create a better school experience for our kids. I’ve been a parent activist in DPS since my own kids started in DPS schools over 20 years ago. If you ask anyone who has worked with me during that time, they will tell you that I am a uniter, not a divider. I’m also a doer, not a talker. For example, when my own kids were in school, I enabled parents to become more involved in the education path for their children by organizing opportunities for parents to better understand the teaching framework in their children’s schools.
Educational Equity:
There is still a significant achievement gap for students of color. It is our responsibility as a community to ensure each and every one of our students are provided an equitable education. Each of us has a part to play to value each individual student for who they are, to provide a framework for their academic success based upon needs, to supplement their education experience through resources from community partners. As a parent and activist in DPS, I have been involved in creating all of these opportunities for students. And as a board member I would be committed to continuing to find ways for all of our students to reach their greatest potential. I believe that more equity and more opportunity for everyone lifts all of us up.
Hiring Diverse Teachers and Staff:
I always hear stories of the teacher that inspired the students I work with. One important way to address inequities is through recruitment and retention of BIPOC educators. Students perform better when they are able to see leaders that look like them.
School Safety:
Safety is at the top of mind of every student, teacher, parent, and employee who goes to work every day in a school. Peace of mind and security are critical to a healthy learning environment and every parent deserves to know that their child is safe in their classroom. The current board made a choice to have School Resource Officers return to schools as part of a new safety and security plan with input from each school's leaders. We need to continue monitoring our school safety plan to ensure it is meeting the needs of students, school staff and families, as well as monitoring the interactions and relationship between the SROs and students. If SROs are in our schools, we need to ensure that they develop a relationship with our students and faculty to signify that the well-being of every single student is their top priority. We need more wraparound services, with an emphasis on mental health, to provide our schools the tools they need to be as comfortable as they can during class and at after-school activities.
Board Dysfunction:
Ask anyone who has worked with me and they will tell you that I am a uniter, not a divider. I am committed to restoring competence and respectability to the Board. The current Board has been in the headlines for reasons that have nothing to do with students–we need to get back to putting our focus where it belongs. I have no agenda or plans to run for higher office–I’ve been involved in DPS for over 20 years and have no plans to change that.
School Funding:
Our schools are underfunded and our students are paying the price. The teachers and staff in DPS deserve to have well-equipped classrooms as well as access to mental health professionals to collaborate with parents and the community to accelerate learning for all students. I will push for additional funding for our schools, manageable class sizes, and access to mental health professionals so that they can collaborate with parents and the community to accelerate learning for all students.
Declining Enrollment:
Denver Public Schools faces an enrollment crisis. Fewer and fewer students are attending DPS. We know there are too many students in Denver not attending DPS schools. If all of our schools are offering an outstanding education we will have more families choosing DPS schools.