What About A Recall?

As we enter the final stretch of the current DPS School Board election, many of you have asked about the possibility of recalling some or all of the current Board members who are not up for election until 2025. This includes Scott Essermann, Michele Quattlebaum, Xóchitl Gaytan and Carrie Olson.  We think it is important that you know that this sentiment is widely shared in the Denver community.  There is an interest form circulating where you can express your support for a recall and be kept informed as these plans solidify. This is not a new idea, as many of you have expressed an interest in this since last March. Resign DPS Board has always maintained that this entire Board of Directors needs to go in order to have a chance to change course for Denver's students.

And, as we have noted before, recall elections are notoriously difficult and expensive. This should not dissuade the effort, but it’s important to understand the reality.   If Denver does NOT vote out the two incumbents running this November (Baldermann and Lindsay), the common wisdom is that a recall will not attract enough support in terms of fundraising and/or petition signatures.  If Denver decides to oust the two incumbents, some believe that result will demonstrate a real willingness on behalf of voters to fight for change that will allow the 7-member School Board to truly change direction.

The recall process begins with an official filing with Denver’s Clerk & Recorder.  And even that filing is quite technical. The Clerk & Recorder must then approve the recall petition language which must contain various disclaimers and legal statements.  Only then can the petition be circulated, in person, by volunteers and/or paid petition gathering efforts. Signatures must be acquired in person and must be verified as accurate and legitimate Denver voter signatures. Please note that your digital signature for the Resign DPS Board petition and/or the Recall Interest Form will NOT count as an official recall signature.  If and when a recall is launched, you will need to sign one of the official paper petitions that will be circulated in order for your signature to officially count.

Resign DPS Board will not be the official organizing body of any recall effort.  In fact, we plan to shutter our organization immediately after the November 7th election.  However, we will certainly keep you informed of what we hear and will try to answer additional questions about the process as they come.