Story thread · 2 reports / 2 sources

At retreat, Denver school board members discuss trust, agenda setting, ‘convoluted’ governance framework

chalkbeat.org · 18h · first reportShare

Sign up for Chalkbeat Colorado’s free daily newsletter to get the latest reporting from us, plus curated news from other Colorado outlets, delivered to your inbox. The Denver school board was polite Monday as the seven members and Superintendent Alex Marrero publicly discussed some of the underlying reasons why, in the words of the paid facilitator, “the last month or two has not been super smooth .” The most animated discussion centered on how the board sets its meeting agendas, a sore spot for some members who said they’ve struggled to get their priorities heard. Board members also talked in general terms about how to restore broken trust, the importance of working together even if they disagree, and the steep learning curve experienced by new members. No one raised their voice or pointed any fingers. But tension was at times palpable in the silences. Some board members spoke so softly that it was hard to hear them from 10 feet away. “This is the most collaborative I’ve ever seen the