Denver school closing process mired in controversy

• The closures are controversial and often impact students of color and those from low-income households.

What's happening: The advisory committee members and community advocates say the district is running a sham process because the decisions are a "done deal" and the meetings are not open to the public, our education reporting partners at Chalkbeat write.

• "It doesn't feel authentic," said Cynthia Trinidad-Sheahan, executive director of the Colorado Association for Bilingual Education and a committee member. "It just feels like a compliance thing — check it off, we had the committees."

The other side: The district defended its process. Grant Guyer, DPS' chief of strategy, called it an "incredibly complicated topic with many layers and perspectives."

The big picture: Denver's troubles are not unique. Other metro area districts are also facing declining enrollment, Chalkbeat bureau chief Erica Meltzer tells Axios.

• Jefferson County closed two elementary schools in the last year.
• In Aurora, district leaders are rethinking their process after the school board and community rejected recommendations to close two schools.

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