Denver School Leaders:

The tragic East High School shootings that impacted all of us in Denver Public Schools last
month are a horrific reminder that no one is immune to gun violence. It is imperative that
everyone in the community works together to find solutions to make Denver schools safe for
students and faculty.

As your voice, the Denver School Leaders Association (DSLA) will stay focused and not back
down on our founding principle: that all of our students and staff have a safe and welcoming
learning environment that provides equity for all students.

While there are no simple answers to the issues we must deal with immediately, we urge DPS
Senior Leadership and the DPS Board of Education to actively partner with DSLA. The voices of
school leaders and our expertise are a critical component to make our schools safer.

As a starting point, the district must take the following actions:

● The DPS Discipline Matrix: Review and revise the DPS discipline matrix and Policy JK
and JK-R to eliminate vague descriptions of behaviors that are subject to interpretation,
and to allow individual schools to develop plans in alignment with Article 18 of the DCTA
contract.
● Expulsion and Placement Panel: Create a review panel composed of mental health
staff, school leaders, and the DPS legal team that collaboratively oversees expulsion
and placement processes to ensure that equity, student needs, and safety are
consistently balanced.
● Appropriate Student Placement: Implement an appropriate placement—developed in a
manner consistent with state and federal laws—for students who have demonstrated a
clear and present risk of harm to others.
● Enrollment Policies & Procedures: Revise enrollment policies and procedures to ensure
that relevant student information is included in placement decisions, including
adjudication, arrests, and charges.
● School Leader Safety: Increase protections for leaders who raise possible safety
concerns regarding student safety and security concerns.
● Mental Health Support: Increase focus and support on the mental health of school
leaders when dealing with personal grief and second-hand trauma, as well as the gravity
of leading their communities through these events.

At this moment in time, DSLA is supportive of the return of school resource officers (SROs) as
one safety measure. However, SRO’s alone are not the single solution to solve our problems.
Their role in schools should be considered as part of a broader, long term plan to ensure safer
schools in Denver.
Schools are not to blame for the increase in violence and cannot address the issue of gun
violence and safety alone. In addition to advocating at the district level, DSLA is committed to
fighting for:

● Support at the local, state, and national level to call for increased legislation to keep
weapons out of the hands of minors.
● Increased funding for schools and community partners to make mental health support
more accessible and readily available.
● Increased communication and information sharing between and among school districts
and other agencies that support student welfare.
● Increased support for parents and caregivers to access services for their families to
minimize the impacts of trauma.

DSLA will continue to elevate our leaders’ voices in recommending that Denver Public Schools
develop stronger policies and procedures that support school safety and prioritize student and
staff mental health needs. Over the next few days we will send out a survey to gather additional
input on how we should move forward. Please look for a member meeting invite for April 10th to
review the results of the survey and to update members.

Our members have voted in favor of inviting deans into DSLA and the deans that have been
leading their unionization efforts have been contacted. We are supportive of collective
bargaining efforts for all staff and faculty.

Lastly, we hurt for the students, staff, parents, and community that have been impacted by the
recent gun violence at East High School. We are hopeful for the recovery of Mr. Mason and Mr.
Sinclair. We grieve for all of the families and friends impacted by the death of their loved ones.
We stand with Principal Terita Walker and are in awe of the strength she and the East
leadership team have demonstrated as they have led their community through tragedy with
bravery and grace.

As a Denver school leader, your ongoing stories, input, and communication provide us with the
information we need to continue to advocate for the needs and well being of the leaders in
Denver Public Schools. Please continue to reach out to your executive board at any time.
You are doing so much and we know your hearts are heavy. Please, take care of yourselves.

Sincerely,
DSLA Executive Board
Moira Coogan, President
Christine Fleming, Vice President
Fernanda Dillon, Secretary
Sonia Geerdes, Treasurer
Aspen Burkett, Secondary Director
Andrea Renteria, Elementary Director
Stephen Wertz, Assistant Principal Director
leadership@denverschoolleaders.org