Thursday was the first time for the public to formally air its views about Denver’s school closure plan – and the message sent to the school board was mixed.
Parents at the public hearing in the board’s chambers alternately lauded the proposal, criticized it and pleaded for Denver Public Schools to spare their school.
“It’s a reminder of how wrenching these decisions are,” said DPS Superintendent Michael Bennet.
Bennet on Oct. 1 unveiled a proposal to close eight elementary schools and remake five schools next year in an effort to save money and improve student achievement.
The district has been under- enrolled, with 31,000 empty seats in its buildings.
The school board will make the final decision on closures at its Nov. 19 meeting. Another public hearing will be held four days before that vote.
Among the most vocal critics of the plan have been parents of Smedley Elementary in northwest Denver, which would close along with nearby Remington Elementary.
Students would then go to a newly created Horace Mann preschool through eighth-grade school.
Thursday, parents and community members pleaded with the board to spare Smedley – which they feel has been neglected by the district.
“Smedley has had six different principals in the last seven years,” said David Gonzales. “The current, almost annual, principal situation … has been digging our own grave.”
Jennifer Sanchez, a parent of three in the school, said that the district has not proved her children would be going to a better school and that she believes Smedley will improve. She asked the district to close only Remington.
And Tom Smedley, the great- great-grandson of the school’s namesake, William Smedley, urged the board to spare the historic landmark.
But Mayo Rosalez, a parent at Remington, said she thought the change would be good for students at Remington, Smedley and Horace Mann.
“We’ve been seeing this coming down the road for three years,” she said. “We support the decision, not just on the behalf of my kids, but all kids.”
The plan for northeast Denver that would close Mitchell, Wyman and Hallett elementaries, reopen Cole Middle School and remake Gilpin Elementary into a Montessori school also got mixed reviews.
Parents from the Metro Organizations for People submitted questions to the board and outlined their concerns, especially regarding Cole.
Cole already has gone through previous reformations, and the district has yet to hire a principal or discuss in detail how the school would change.
“It’s not enough to say, ‘Trust us,”‘ said Maria Ramírez, a parent. “The district has asked us to trust them before, and look where we are.”
Jeremy P. Meyer: 303-954-1367 or jpmeyer@denverpost.com
