A taskforce convened to weigh the idea of pushing Denver Public School’s start date until after Labor Day has created a public survey.
The survey, can be found on the district’s website, in English and in Spanish, here:
In the next few days, the district also will provide the survey in a format for people unable to access it online.
Participants can take the survey until Nov. 25.
The taskforce — made up of about 20 parents, community members and principals — will evaluate and discuss survey results and provide a final report to the DPS board of education in mid-December. The report is intended to inform the board’s vote on the next year’s calendar.
Concerned parents raised the issue earlier this year, when school started during an August heat wave and students sat in classrooms without air conditioning.
At least three incidents of heat-related illness were reported in the first week of school.
Two petitions to push the start of the school year to after Labor Day, were submitted together to the school board with more than 3,000 signatures.
DPS has estimated it would cost about $400 million to equip all schools with air conditioning. The price tag includes costs for modifying and retrofitting some older buildings to allow for air conditioning.
Yesenia Robles: 303-954-1372 or yrobles@denverpost.com
