Endorsement for Frank Deserino
A fellow teacher of mine at South High School, Frank Deserino, is one of three candidates on the ballot from District #1 in next month’s Denver School Board election. I support Frank’s candidacy and I urge Rocky readers to do likewise.
The election takes place at a trying time in the history of Colorado’s oldest school district. The recent announcement of the closing of eight schools, the redesign of five others, the distinct possibility of additional closures, the intense scrutiny given the district’s high drop-out rate, mediocre CSAP scores, the closing of Manual High School, and the continuing saga of North High School, has kept the district in the news for months.
Having Deserino’s pragmatic, articulate, and logical voice on the board will be a welcome change to DPS leadership. Given the district’s numerous difficulties it makes sense that a dedicated teacher should serve on the volunteer board.
The fact that the DCTA, the teacher’s union, has chosen to support local social worker Larry Botnick over both Deserino and incumbent Bruce Hoyt should serve as a powerful motivator to vote for Deserino. Frank is a member of the union but it won’t support him because he recognizes that improving DPS might come at the expense of closing schools; a development anathema to the union.
Like the union, the school district itself is finding its credibility with the community to be strained. In recent years parents, teachers and students have been voting with their feet and leaving DPS with increasing numbers. Having Deserino on the board will go a long way toward rebuilding confidence in this vital institution. School board election rhetoric from almost every candidate (visit their websites) speaks of promoting the collaboration of parents, students, administration, and teachers. Frank Deserino is the teacher running for the Denver School Board. Clearly he is not beholden to the union, he’ll act, speak, and cast his vote in the best interest of the students.
This letter has not been edited.