The Countdown Is On: 90 Days to Defend Our Schools

Election Day is Tuesday, November 4th. We are starting to count down the days.

After a four-month detour helping defeat the rushed Home Rule initiative, Douglas County Parents is back in full swing. While Home Rule took center stage, we kept the lights on behind the scenes — tracking district news, staying connected, and preparing for what’s next. The pause meant fewer blog posts and no Debrief newsletter for a while, but we’re picking back up now.

If you’re wondering why DCP weighed in on Home Rule, this letter to the editor explains our concerns.

Summer Break at DCSD 

The DCSD Board of Education typically takes July off from regular meetings but holds a board retreat to set priorities for the upcoming year. This year’s retreat was at the district’s Stone Canyon property — a site many 5th and 6th graders know from Outdoor Ed, and which also hosts retreats and community summer camps.

The retreat also brings together board committees (DAC, LRPC, FOC, MBOC, and SAG) to share best practices and plan for the year ahead. It’s open to the public, and three school board candidates — Denzler, Parker, and Ryan — attended. We love that these candidates are already stepping up and engaging with the district in meaningful ways.

School Board Election Season Has Begun 

The November election for four open DCSD Board of Education seats is officially underway. We’ve endorsed four incredible candidates who share our commitment to strong public schools, transparency, and responsible leadership. They’ll be running against four other candidates, and we’ll be sharing more about them in the weeks ahead.

What DCP Will Be Doing in the Next 90 Days 

In the lead-up to the election, DCP will:

• Continue raising funds to support pro–public education candidates, including yard signs and car decal give-aways

• Educate our community about the stakes of this election

• Provide context on district issues and share resources for informed voting

What can you do in the next 90 days?

1. Sign up for our newsletter — and campaign updates. Stay informed on campaign news, the candidates, and ways to get involved.

2. Donate to each candidate. Four years ago, nearly $500K was spent in the DCSD race. Money will be a major factor again — as usual, our opponents have deep-pocketed donors and pro-privatization dark money behind them, while our candidates are grassroots, so every dollar counts. Donations fund digital ads, stamps, yard signs, and more.

3. Talk to your friends and neighbors. Most people don’t even know there’s a school board election. Share what’s at stake — and remind them this is about the future of our whole community, not just families with kids in school.

4. Volunteer your time. Write postcards, knock on doors, or help with phone banking. In the coming weeks, campaigns will roll out opportunities to reach 300,000 voters in Douglas County. Be part of the effort to secure every vote.

5. Donate to DCP. Your contribution helps us keep voters informed and hold leaders accountable. As a thank-you, we’ll give you a yard sign and/or window decal for your car when they’re available.