Denver's teachers union endorsed three candidates in November's school-board election but not the board's incumbent president and vice president. The move is the latest in the growing conflict between the Denver Classroom Teachers Association and the district, which are embroiled in a contract dispute. Union president Kim Ursetta said Wednesday that the three candidates who have earned the union nod "best matched what our values, are and that includes listening to teachers."[...]
Ten candidates are running for three seats on the seven-member board, which is the policymaking body for Denver Public Schools. The two incumbents are board president Theresa Peña and vice president Bruce Hoyt. In the at-large position, the union supports challenger John McBride over Peña and Rita Montero. In the District 1 seat, which covers southeast Denver, the union has endorsed challenger Larry Botnick over Hoyt and Frank Deserino. And in the District 5 seat, which covers northwest Denver and is the only open position, the union endorsed Ray Gutierrez over Tony Curcio, Arturo Jimenez and José Silva. The seat is being vacated by Lucia Guzman...
Ursetta said all candidates were questioned and interviewed about their stances, and the leadership chose the three based on their answers. "We are excited about their fresh ideas and their willingness to listen to teachers," she said. "We can't allow the status quo in this distinct. There needs to be radical change."
