1.) DPS solicits applicants for new middle school in north Stapleton to open fall 2019

“The new school is intended to help DPS ensure there is enough capacity for students who live in the boundary area, while also promoting integration and inclusive excellence in all schools in the enrollment zone. . . With the increase in middle-school aged students in the 2019-20 school year, there will be enough students to ensure strong enrollment at all schools in the zone.

“Community members will be invited to provide input on new school applicants this fall, and the Denver Board of Education will select a new school in December 2018. The selected school will open in fall 2019 in a temporary location in North Stapleton with sixth grade students. It will then move into a permanent (unspecified) location (also in North Stapleton) for the 2020-2021 school year and add a grade each year. DPS plans to take out financing this fall to be able to add the additional middle school capacity in North Stapleton.”

For more information on how DPS selects and starts new schools, visit greatschools.dpsk12.org/en/new/. For more information contact the Family and Community Helpline at 720-423-3054 or FACE@dpsk12.org.

The announcement was made on July 24 via DPS’ Campus Messenger.

2.) DPS announces expansion of Northfield High School for 1,000 more students in 2020

The decision was made based on projections that middle and high school enrollment will continue to grow into the foreseeable future. Current capacity will see the school through the 2018 and 2019 school years. More information will be shared at Back to School night, at 5:45pm August 23. DPS plans to obtain financing for the expansion that could be repaid with a potential future bond initiative. The announcement was made by DPS on July 24.

3.) 1,300 homes to be built in “North End,” Stapleton’s last neighborhood

Stapleton master developer Forest City has announced the last neighborhood to be built in Stapleton, called “North End,” will have 1,300 for-sale market rate homes. The first lots were conveyed to the builders this month and the first homes are projected to be completed in November of this year. Prices range from the mid $300s for row homes to over $1 million for large single family homes.

At this time, it is projected that an additional 78 homes in the North End neighborhood will be built as income-qualified residences, which is 5.6% of the total number in that neighborhood. Forest City has a contractual commitment to the City of Denver to build 10% of all for-sale homes in Stapleton as income qualified. As of first quarter 2018, Forest City reported that 7% overall were income qualified. In response to the Front Porch’s inquiry about the North End not having at least 10% affordable homes, Tom Gleason replied, “We will meet our 10% commitment project wide and release details about future lots when appropriate.”

The number and location of affordable rentals in the North End neighborhood has not been announced.

4.) Stapleton name controversy cited in the New York Times

A recent article in the New York Times ran a photo of the Stapleton neighborhood and said, “In the streets of Denver, activists have launched an effort to strip the Stapleton neighborhood of its current name…” and that students at DSST Stapleton Middle School have asked to have the school’s name changed due to Mayor Ben Stapleton’s association with the Ku Klux Klan.

The main subject of the July 24 online article by Julie Turkewitz, entitled, “A Familiar Name in Colorado Gets a Second Look,” was that gubernatorial candidate Walker Stapleton’s great-grandfather’s association with the Klan has had increased public exposure, partially due to efforts to change the name of the Stapleton neighborhood.

(This fall, the Front Porch will follow the DSST Stapleton Middle School administration’s response to a vote in which 58% of students requested that the school’s name be changed.)

5.) Denver Superintendent Tom Boasberg is stepping down after nearly 10 years

By Melanie Asmar, Chalkbeat Colorado, chalkbeat.org

Tom Boasberg, who has earned a national profile as Denver schools superintendent, is stepping down.

Boasberg announced on July 17 he’s leaving his post after an unusually long tenure – nearly 10 years at the helm of Denver Public Schools, a 92,600-student urban district nationally known for its innovative approaches to school improvement.

Boasberg will continue to serve for 90 days, as his contract with the district requires. The Denver school board will be tasked with choosing his successor. Boasberg, who is earning $242,125 as superintendent this year, said he does not have another job lined up.

“It’s been an extraordinarily difficult decision because I love this place, I am extraordinarily committed to our work and our mission, and I believe in it with all of my heart and soul,” Boasberg said in an interview Monday, a day before the public announcement. “I am going to miss it terribly, and I also know this is the right time for me and my family.”

Boasberg, 52, and his wife have three children, ages 17, 15, and 14. He said his decision was personal and not driven by the politics of the district. His oldest daughter, Nola, graduated from high school this year – a milestone he said made him stop and think about his commitments to his family, as well as his commitments to the district and to Denver students.

“I think we have lots of momentum and we’re in a strong place,” Boasberg said. Ultimately, he said his choice was born of a “deep desire to spend more family time with my kids before they’re all gone, and a very strong confidence in our board of education, our leaders in the Denver Public Schools, and our ability to have a successful transition.”

Read the entire Chalkbeat article at https://chalkbeat.org/posts/co/2018/07/17/tom-boasberg-leaving-denver-public-schools/

6.) New Police Staffing Changes

Under the leadership of newly installed Denver Chief of Police Paul M. Pazen, fresh promotions and assignments of commanders have been made, superseding, in many cases, changes made just about a month ago by former Chief Robert White. Reassignments are expected when top leadership changes, according to police sources.

Command of District 5, which includes Stapleton, has been assigned to Commander Marcus Fountain, who was previously the Commander of the Operations Support Division. In District 2, former Lieutenant Kathy Bancroft was promoted to Commander and assigned to the command of District 2, which covers Park Hill, Montclair, Mayfair, East Colfax and other north central communities. District 3, which covers Lowry and other southeast neighborhoods, welcomes Commander Rick Kyle, who previously served as Commander of the Training Division.

7.) Electric scooters pilot program starting in Denver

In May, Lime and Bird launched dockless scooter services in Denver—without asking permission to do so.

In the aftermath, the city issued fines and citations and asked companies to apply for permits to a pilot program to bring the scooters back in a controlled manner. In the meantime, companies were required to remove their scooters.

On July 25th, Denver Public Works (DPW) announced that it selected six companies from the eight applications they received. Lime and Bird, who already established a presence, are expected to deploy their scooters within days of this permit approval. The other four, including the ride-sharing company Lyft, have timelines extending further out.

As part of the DPW program, companies are allowed to operate 350 scooters in total, if 100 of those are parked in “limited opportunity areas.” By September, up to 2,100 electric scooters could be on Denver streets.

The program also establishes guidelines for dockless electric bicycles. Three companies gained permits to launch bikes, with Jump expected to launch with 250 bikes immediately. Zagster is expected to launch its bike in August with Lyft planning for bikes to join its scooters within the next six months.