Public commenters assail Cherry Creek over budget cuts, administrative payouts and ‘toxic’ culture

Several public commenters used the board’s public-comment period to sharply criticize district leadership and budget priorities.

Anne Moore, a longtime district volunteer and former educator, said proposed reductions of $23 million will hit classrooms and pointed to what she characterized as a questionable $15,000,000 bond payment tied to Denver’s professional women’s soccer facility. "Just imagine what $15,000,000 invested in student safety would have looked like instead," Moore said.

Molly Lamar described what she called a ‘‘revolving door’’ of leaves and resignations, alleged racist and sexist rhetoric underlying the resignation of a board director and said proposed cuts — which she described as 159 job eliminations including 51 special-education positions — show misplaced priorities.

Deb Baughton and Tatiana Sturm alleged financial practices that disadvantage classroom staff, including pension reimbursement and administrative payouts, and urged policy changes. "This is a betrayal," Baughton said, arguing that reimbursements and allowances inflate executive pay at the expense of students and staff.

Bridget Nelson, vice president of the Paraeducator Association, urged the board to raise paraeducator pay from about $19.38 an hour, saying a raise to reach 75% of metro pay would cost roughly $3.3 million — about 0.39% of an $840 million budget. "A drop in the bucket, but a lifeline for the people who support our most vulnerable students," Nelson said.

Speakers asked the board to change administrative payout policies, prioritize classroom staff over reserves, and provide clearer communication on investigations and personnel decisions. The board did not make policy changes during the meeting; President Egan acknowledged comments and moved the meeting on to the consent agenda and other business.