Those speakers included Ed Augden, who voiced grave concerns about charters and who also has made his feelings known on our site, and others who see charters as potentially beneficial for the area, including members of Padres Unidos. There were those who are supportive of the current direction of DPS reforms -which include charters but also other new schools and turnarounds – and those who do not like the ideas favored by current DPS leaders.

One of the toughest things to do as a journalist is to assign labels to groups of individuals who represent a wide range of differing views. We do it in an attempt to quickly identify and convey a range of sentiment but, as in this case, it can be clumsy and subject to misinterpretation. I certainly agree I can do better.

As to whether I’m “carry(ing) the water for the Superintendent,” I’ll leave that for readers to decide. I believe it’s important for people to be critical consumers of news, whether that source is Ed News or the Denver Post or the blog of a school board member.

How does a difference in philosophy equate to being “anti-DPS” or even being “anti-charter”? It is disappointing how Nancy Mitchell continues to carry water for the Superintendent and for others that benefit from showing in a negative spotlight those that advocate for a more reasoned, sustained plan for improving achievement in DPS.

You can do better, Nancy.