Five finalists seek vacant Denver school board seat

5 folks have utilized to fill a seat on the Denver faculty board, which turns into vacant when director Brad Laurvick leaves subsequent month.

Laurvick, a pastor, resigned after he was appointed to First United Methodist Church in Fort Collins. His final day serving on the varsity board will probably be June 9, in line with Denver Public College’s web site.

The remaining faculty board members will publicly interview the 5 finalists for his seat throughout a particular assembly on Might 26. Laurvick’s alternative will serve till the 2023 elections.

The 5 candidates for the vacant seat, which represents northwest Denver, are:

• Adeel Khan, the founding principal of DSST: Conservatory Inexperienced Excessive College, a constitution faculty in Denver. He mentioned throughout a latest candidate discussion board that he’s a son of Pakistani immigrants, grew up in public faculties and was on free-and-reduced lunch. “I perceive the battle of many in our neighborhood,” he mentioned. “I additionally perceive college students of coloration all throughout Denver have been misserved over a long time.”
• Julie Bañuelos, a former bilingual trainer, mentioned she was a trainer for DPS for 16 years, is a skilled Montessori educator and has taught in principally dual-language faculties. “I additionally really feel that DPS frequently underrepresents my neighborhood,” she mentioned when requested why she desires to affix the board. “Till we’re in a position to actually show as a district and serve the scholars which might be probably the most weak then we can have actually made transformational change.”
• Charmaine Lindsay, an lawyer with expertise in household legislation, mentioned she is a mediator and helps restorative justice. “I wish to attempt to convey these sorts of options versus simply massively suspending children within the faculties.”
• David Diaz, a former math trainer for DPS,  mentioned he utilized for the board emptiness as a result of he believes in “sturdy neighborhood faculties.” “I imagine in lifelong studying,” he mentioned.  “I imagine in studying from others. Those who seem like us and people who don’t.”
• Leonard “Leo” Darnell, an assistant dean on the College of Colorado Denver, mentioned he additionally leads a mentor program that teaches highschool college students about structure,  building and engineering. “I perceive projected enrollment for DPS is on the decline,” he mentioned, including, “I feel there are higher options on the market than consolidation.”