A Denver Public Schools (DPS) mother and dropout prevention advocate is making her bid for a seat on the school board for northeast Denver.
Timiya Jackson, age 35, is campaigning for the District 4 seat currently occupied by Michelle Quattlebaum, who is seeking reelection.
Jackson emphasizes that the community is yearning for new leadership and greater transparency in how the school district allocates its funding.
She stated, “Every dollar is getting as close to students as possible.”
Additionally, Jackson believes that the board should regularly monitor and discuss student academic performance, asserting that “Equity without progress monitoring is actually not equity.”
The upcoming election on November 4 sees four out of the seven-member Denver school board up for grabs, which is particularly significant as the district faces declining enrollment and challenges related to school closures.
In the last two years, DPS has shut down more than a dozen schools, and forthcoming regulations for low-performing schools could lead to even more closures.
Despite a rise in graduation rates, many students continue to grapple with learning losses incurred during the pandemic.
DPS has also found itself under scrutiny from the Trump administration for its policies regarding all-gender restrooms and support for immigrant students.
Furthermore, the board has ordered an investigation into one of its members following allegations of racial discrimination.
Jackson’s background has prepared her for this role, having initially studied to become a teacher before working at nonprofits in Pittsburgh, including a mentoring program through Big Brothers Big Sisters.
She moved to Denver in 2015, where she coordinated and directed student services at High Point Academy, a charter school in Aurora.
After serving as the dean of students at The CUBE, a DPS charter school that ultimately closed in 2021 due to low enrollment, Jackson became the executive director of the Heart and Hand Center, which focuses on youth programming.
Currently, she works as a re-engagement specialist for the Douglas County School District, assisting students who are at risk of dropping out.
Jackson also has a child enrolled in DPS, although she has chosen not to disclose their school for privacy reasons.
Should she be elected to the school board, Jackson intends to reevaluate the governance structure, suggesting a hybrid model that would enhance the board’s access to crucial district performance data.
She believes that ensuring resources are used efficiently is essential when the district fails to meet its goals.
“When we are not meeting the metrics and not hitting our mission and vision, let’s make sure we’re having radical honest dialogue out there so we can monitor and adjust,” she stated.
Jackson aims to place a stronger emphasis on math and literacy, advocating for the screening of older students for reading challenges like dyslexia to help close persistent gaps in test scores.
Under her vision, she wants DPS to bolster its partnerships with community organizations to engage students beyond regular school hours, particularly during periods of increased youth violence.
Forecasts indicate that DPS enrollment may decline by 8% by 2029, prompting Jackson to acknowledge that, while the current board has paused closures based on enrollment, future boards may face difficult decisions.
If closures are unavoidable, she believes they should be carried out collaboratively with community input, and there should be a robust plan in place to support families affected by the closures to mitigate potential trauma.
Jackson advocates for a comprehensive assessment of school performance beyond just test scores, emphasizing the need to consider how schools cater to students with disabilities.
She is a firm believer in “public dollars for public schools,” advocating for both traditional district-run schools and independent charter schools as essential components of the public education system.
In discussing the school board’s role in supervising the superintendent, Jackson underscores the importance of a thorough evaluation based on a collective body of evidence.
She believes it is crucial for board members to model professionalism and respect, as students are observantly watching their actions.
“It’s important to me that I have a good working relationship with the superintendent and my board colleagues,” she concluded.
image source from：denverite
