Betsy Devos' $1.3 Trillion Problem

Superintendent Alex Marrero recommended Thursday that Denver Public Schools permanently close or restructure 10 schools so that Colorado’s largest district can stave off the “crisis” that looms as K-12 enrollment continues declining statewide. Marrero’s recommendation, which was presented during a meeting of the Board of Education, had been highly anticipated by families and educators ever since the superintendent last tried to close schools two years ago. “This has been an incredibly daunting task,” Marrero told the board Thursday evening. Closure conversations were reignited earlier this year after the board — which was in the past reluctant to shutter schools — passed a consolidation policy that paved the way for Marrero to once again recommend closures as falling enrollment reduces the district’s state funding. Under Marrero’s new plan, DPS would permanently close five elementary schools — Castro, Columbian, Palmer, Schmitt and International Academy of Denver at Harrington — and two secondary schools: West Middle and Denver School of Innovation and Sustainable Design. Another three schools — DCIS Baker 6-12, Dora Moore ECE-8 School and Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy — would be restructured so they serve fewer grades, and, therefore, fewer children. If approved by the school board in two weeks, the closures and restructuring will affect 1,844 students and 267 employees.

Denver Public Schools Superintendent Alex Marrero on Thursday recommended the Board of Education vote to permanently close or restructure 10 schools across the city in response to declining K-12 enrollment in Colorado’s largest district. READ MORE: Superintendent recommends DPS close or restructure 10 schools as enrollment continues to fall Marrero made the announcement Thursday during a meeting of the elected school board.

A Denver Public Schools social worker was arrested on Thursday for sexual assault of a child, according to a statement from the Denver Police Department. Emilio Ramos-Avila, 44, is under investigation for sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust. Ramos-Avila was a school social worker at Force Elementary School, 1550 S.

As Jonas Tempel pops out, Patrick Yee pops in. Tempel, the founder and CEO of the flavored popcorn company Opopop, will fully hand over the reins of his company at the end of this year to Patrick Yee, the former chief marketing officer of the website Refinery29 and frozen food firm Daily Harvest. Yee began working as a consultant for Opopop in April and became CEO in July.

Javonte Williams heard his head coach. Sean Payton was asked Monday if he thought rookie running back Audric Estime would see an increased workload in the second half of the season. “That’s a good and fair question, and one that I think I would answer, ‘Yes,’” Payton said then. Of course, Payton said similar to Estime and other young players previously.

Football analyst Kirk Herbstreit announced Thursday that his beloved dog, Ben, died at age 10. Ben was a golden retriever who gained fame for regularly accompanying Herbstreit to games and even appearing on set and the sideline. Herbstreit, who calls college football on ESPN and NFL games on Amazon Prime Video, posted on X that cancer had spread through his dog’s organs and “there was nothing left we could do — we had to let him go.” The 55-year-old former Ohio State quarterback said he’s had dogs his whole life but “Ben was 1 on 1.” Ben last traveled to Bloomington, Indiana, for the Hoosiers’ game against Washington on Oct.