Denver Public Schools primary logo

Feb. 28, 2025

Restructures in the Central Office

Dear Team DPS,

We are facing great uncertainty compounded by significant concerns for our future funding from both the state and national levels. This all comes on top of a period of declining birth rates and lower enrollment across our city and the nation. These challenges require us to make difficult decisions to ensure our district's long-term stability and success. At the same time, we have an opportunity to realign our staff in a way that better allows us to carry out the critical work laid out in the Strategic Roadmap. After careful consideration and thorough analysis, we must move forward with a restructuring plan that will result in changes to our Central Office staff.

Below, you will find more information on the team shifts for each impacted department. Please note that all changes are effective July 1. These shifts will not result in short-term physical location changes for individuals. 

Fall 2025 Restructuring

Office of the Chief of Staff

Welcoming:

  • The Strategic Operations Department from the Office of Operations.

Departing:

  • The Student Discipline Team will move to the Office of the General Counsel.

  • The Sustainability Impact Team will move to the Office of Operations.

Office of Schools

Interdepartmental Changes:

  • Federal Programs will become Highly Mobile Youth. Note: This change has been planned for some time and is not due to recent federal funding concerns.

Welcoming:

  • Internal Pathways and Development from the Office of Talent.

Departing:

  • The Juvenile Court Liaisons Team will move to the Office of the General Counsel.

  • The Native American Culture and Education, Black Student Success and Latine Student Success Teams will move to the Office of Student and Family Empowerment.

Office of the General Counsel

Welcoming:

  • The Employee Relations Investigative Team from the Office of Talent.

  • The Student Discipline Team from the Office of the Chief of Staff.

  • The Juvenile Court Liaisons Team from the Office of Schools.

Office of Operations

Welcoming:

  • The Sustainability Impact from the Office of the Chief of Staff.

Departing:

  • The Strategic Operations Team will move to the Office of the Chief of Staff.

Office of Talent

Departing:

  • The Culture, Equity, and Leadership will move to the Office of Student and Family Empowerment.

  • The Employee Relations Investigative Team will move to the Office of the General Counsel.

  • Internal Pathways and Development will move to the Office of Schools.

Office of Student and Family Empowerment

Welcoming:

  • The Superintendent Advisory Council

  • A new team called, “Accelerated Trajectory” consisting of: 

    • Native American Culture & Education (from the Office of Schools)

    • Latine Student Success (from the Office of Schools)

    • Black Student Success (from the Office of Schools)

    • Culture, Equity, and Leadership (from the Office of Talent)

In total, 38 positions will be eliminated, resulting in approximately $5 million in annual savings starting in the 2025-26 school year. Positions being eliminated will be effective July 1. Employees who have had their positions eliminated will also receive a severance package based on their years of service in DPS and are able to apply for current vacancies.

I acknowledge the profound impact this will have on our organization. Please know that these staffing decisions were not made lightly, and I deeply recognize the personal and professional challenges these changes bring. To those departing DPS as part of this restructure, thank you for your dedicated service to our students and the Denver community.

While no one knows what will happen next, I am confident that combined with the Denver Schools Thrive Initiative process that took place earlier this school year, and our recently implemented Central Office hiring freeze for non-essential roles, this restructuring will provide DPS with the financial flexibility to navigate whatever challenges come our way. However, we must also be prepared to make further adjustments should deeper-than-anticipated funding cuts occur at the state or federal level.

Thank you for your understanding and unwavering commitment to public education. Together, we will navigate this time of uncertainty with resilience, compassion, and a shared commitment to our students and one another.

In collaboration,

Dr. Alex Marrero
Superintendent