A group of Denver Public Schools (DPS) parents suing the district over its school closure and consolidation is asking a judge to overturn the school board's decision.
On Wednesday, Mamás de DPS LLC filed a motion for a preliminary injunction.
If approved, children in affected schools would be allowed to continue attending, said attorney Lizzie Owen, who represents the group.
Last November, the DPS Board of Education voted unanimously to close seven schools and lower grades at three schools in an effort to address the negative effects of declining enrollment.
Two weeks ago, DPS Superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero recommended closing five elementary schools — Columbian Elementary, Castro Elementary, Schmidt Elementary, International Academy of Denver at Harrington and Palmer Elementary — and two high schools — West Middle School and the Denver School for Innovation and Sustainable Design.
The superintendent also recommended restructuring levels at three schools – Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy, Dora Moore ECE-8 School and DCIS Baker 6-12. Under the proposal, DPS would remove grades 1-5 from Kunsmiller, grades 6-8 from Dora Moore and grades 9-12 from DCIS Baker.
In a lawsuit, Mamás de DPS questioned the county's management of funds.
The group also argued that officials did not share the decision with the community.
“It's not one street. It's not an opportunity for people to come and kind of vent, and then that's the end of it,” Owen said, commenting on the way the community engagement sessions for parents were conducted last November.
According to the lawsuit, the group claims that DPS took an approach that “causes irreparable harm that cannot be undone.”
Since the news of Palmer Elementary School's closing, Nick Miller's father has been figuring out other plans for his family.
“Obviously, there was a huge community affected by this,” Miller said.
While parents welcome the prospect of keeping schools open, Miller knows it's a long shot.
“Continuously tearing this alien bandage open and opening up old wounds is not something anyone is looking for,” he said.
But if the opportunity presents itself, this is a conversation he will not miss.
“Then by all means, let's have those conversations and establish trust,” Miller said.
On Friday, a DPS spokesperson said the district does not comment on pending litigation.
coloradans make a difference | Denver 7 Features Videos
Denver7 is committed to making a difference in our community by standing up for what's right, listening, lending a helping hand and following through on promises. See this work in action, in the videos above.
