Money apparently mattered in recent school board campaigns in the state’s largest school districts, with the top fundraisers winning in seven of eight elections in Denver, Douglas and Jefferson counties.
Final campaign finance reports filed Thursday for school board candidates show Denver’s citywide at-large race may rank as the most expensive in the city’s history, with five candidates raising more than $267,000 in monetary support. In 2009, two at-large candidates reported raising nearly $259,000 while in 2007, three at-large candidates raised just over $255,000.
But Allegra “Happy” Haynes, who raised $234,972 of that high-dollar collective amount this year, did not set an individual record. She failed to beat the $240,605 garnered by at-large candidate Mary Seawell, the board’s current president, in 2009.
One development in the 2011 elections is how advocacy groups are directing their dollars. In 2009, for example, Seawell received just $310.15 in non-monetary or “in-kind” donations. This year, Haynes received $56,397 in non-monetary contributions, including more than $43,000 from Stand for Children in the form of canvassing help and staff support.
- Denver – At-large, District 1 and District 5
- Dougco – District A, District C and District F
- Jeffco – District 3 and District 4
Similarly, southeast Denver candidate Emily Sirota, one of four DPS candidates to raise and spend more than $100,000, lists total support from the Denver Classroom Teachers Association of $71,240 – but that’s broken into $47,500 in direct support and $23,740 in canvassing and phone help. In 2009, the DCTA favored direct support of its endorsed candidates.
Sirota, who saw a burst of national media interest in her race in the closing weeks, also benefited from a surge of out-of-state money. A total of 82 of her 134 contributions in the final reporting period – 61 percent – came from outside Colorado, including 24 separate contributors from California.
Candidates filed three finance reports for the Nov. 1 election. The first covered contributions and expenditures between Oct. 28, 2010 and Oct. 6, 2011 while the second is from Oct. 7, 2011 through Oct. 23, 2011. The third, and final, reporting period covers Oct. 24, 2011 to Nov. 26, 2011.
Wide gaps in fundraising between candidates evident in the initial filings were little changed in Thursday’s reports.
Wide gaps in fundraising between candidates across districts
For her citywide Denver seat, Haynes raised more than 12 times as much money as her closest opponent. In southeast Denver, winning candidate Anne Rowe raised $90,000 more than Sirota and outspent her by nearly as much. In northwest Denver, candidate Jennifer Draper Carson raised nearly three times as much as her opponent, Arturo Jimenez, and outspent him by more than $133,000.
But Draper Carson lost, the only board race in the state’s three largest districts where more money did not signal victory. Jimenez, an incumbent with deep roots in the northwest community, eked out a win by 142 votes.
In Jefferson County, the state’s largest district, election victors Lesley Dahlkemper and Jill Fellman raised at least four times the contributions of their opponents, Jim Powers and Preston Branaugh, respectively, who campaigned as “the dads.”
And in Douglas County, where the dollars raised per race were lower than elsewhere, the gaps were still evident. In two of the three races, the winners outspent their opponents by a factor of six.
However much it may help, money is not the only factor in the outcome of a race.
In Douglas County, the three winning candidates were openly endorsed by the Republican Party, a backing likely viewed as favorable in one of Colorado’s most conservative counties.
In Denver, Haynes was undoubtedly aided by the name recognition she gained as a former City Council president.
And Jeffco’s Dahlkemper and Fellman announced their candidacies and began fund-raising months ahead of their opponents, who waited until the last day to register their campaigns.
Endorsements and ‘hidden’ funding in elections
Not all the money that may help a candidate winds up on their finance reports. That includes campaigning done by 527 political committees and independent expenditure committees, which don’t coordinate with candidates and file separately under different deadlines. Both types of committees were active this year in Denver and Jeffco board elections.
In Jefferson County, the district teachers’ union and the statewide Colorado Education Association combined to give $189,500 to Kids Come First, an independent expenditure committee that spent nearly $180,000 on mailers, automated phone calls or “robocalls” and canvassing in support of Fellman and Dahlkemper, who won.
In Denver, an independent expenditure committee called Working America campaigned in support of Jimenez and Sirota, who were endorsed by the Denver teachers’ union. Working America raised and spent $4,079.48, with all contributions coming from Working America, which describes itself as a community affiliate of the AFL-CIO in Washington D.C.
Also in Denver, the district teachers’ union and the statewide Colorado Education Association were the sole donors to Delta 4.0, a 527 political organization that supported Jimenez, who won, and Sirota, who lost. The unions contributed $86,000, all of which was spent during the reporting period.
Another type of group that became involved in the Denver and Jeffco elections are non-profits, known as 501(c)(4)s, which are allowed to participate in elections as long as that’s not their primary purpose. But they don’t have to disclose their donors.
In Denver, the group Great Schools for Great Kids, a non-profit that incorporated in Colorado in March, is listed as contributing a total of $34,231.75 in non-monetary contributions to Haynes and Rowe, who won, and to Draper Carson, who lost. The group gave the donations, mostly in the form of staff support, to the candidates, who listed the gifts on their finance reports.
But the same candidates do not list any support from another recently formed non-profit, Latinos for Education Reform, which took out ads in community newspapers to criticize Jimenez and to list “our candidates” as Haynes, Rowe and Draper Carson. That’s likely because the group did not directly donate to their campaign committees.
Similarly, in Jefferson County, the group Colorado Women’s Alliance, a non-profit incorporating in Colorado in April, mailed out fliers touting candidates Branaugh and Powers while Jefferson County Students First Action, which incorporated in January, purchased Google ads supporting them. Neither non-profit is listed on the candidates’ financial reports. Both men lost.
Across the three districts, no group endorsement seemed to carry a guarantee of victory, save for the GOP backing in Dougco. But the Republican endorsement did not help Branaugh and Powers in Jeffco, despite support from Dougco Republicans.
In Denver, the teachers’ union was one for two, endorsing Jimenez but also Sirota. And Stand for Children in Denver was two for three, endorsing Haynes and Rowe but also Draper Carson.
DENVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS – AT-LARGE CITYWIDE RACE
Haynes
Allegra “Happy” Haynes
- Total money raised: $234,972 – $213,789 first filing period, $16,248 second period, $4,935 third period
- Total spent: $232,167.07 – $119,855.40 first filing period, $74,798.63 second period, $37,513.04 third period
- Remaining balance: $2,804.93
- Non-monetary contributions: $56,397.63, including $43,691.04 from Stand for Children in Denver, canvassing and staff support, and $11,562.70 from Great Schools for Great Kids, staff support
- Largest donation to date: $26,000
- Donors of note: Dan Ritchie, CEO of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, $26,000; Henry Gordon, president of Strata Capital in Englewood, $25,000; Kent Thiry, CEO of DaVita Inc., $11,000; Swanee Hunt, founding director of the Women and Public Policy Program at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, $1,000
- Key expenditures: $64,633.94 to Ridder/Braden for printed materials and mailers, $50,500 to Terra Strategies of Des Moines for consulting services, $28,723.49 to C&D Printing for printing and postage, $1,632.06 to Victoria Scott-Haynes for consulting and professional services
- Link to finance reports
Candidates listed in order of votes received
Kilgore
Roger Kilgore
- Total money raised: $10,487 – $8,464 first filing period, $1,377 second period, $646 third period
- Total spent: $10,157.16 – $7,507.15 first filing period, $2,125.75 second period, $524.26 third period
- Remaining balance: $329.84
- Non-monetary contributions: 0
- Largest donation to date: $3,000
- Donors of note: Kilgore donated $3,000 to his campaign; Realtor Candidate Political Action Committee, $300
- Key expenditures: $2,727.66 to Campaign Products of the Rockies for advertising
- Link to finance reports
Candidates listed in order of votes received
Shumway
Jacqui Shumway
- Total money raised: $3,093.97 – $2,033.97 first filing period, $490 second period, $570 third period
- Total spent: $2,041.97 – $1,852.47 first filing period, 0 second period, $189.50 third period
- Remaining balance: $1,052
- Non-monetary contributions: $880, use of personal cell phone for campaign and website maintenance
- Largest donation to date: $1,500
- Donors of note: Shumway donated $1,500 to her campaign and transferred $493.97 from her 2009 school board campaign committee; Leilani Olson, Denver, $1,000
- Key expenditures: $1,631 for signage, $105 to One World Heart for advertising
- Link to finance reports
Candidates listed in order of votes received
Deserino
Frank Deserino
- Total money raised: $18,315 – $16,790 first filing period, $500 second period, $1,025 third period
- Total spent: $19,743.43 – $13,057.14 first filing period, $4,736.29 second period, $1,950 third period
- Remaining balance: (-$1,428.43)
- Non-monetary contributions: 0
- Largest donation to date: $16,500
- Donors of note: Deserino donated $16,500 to his campaign; Denver school board member Jeannie Kaplan, $200; Retired CU professor William Juraschek, $200
- Key expenditures: $5,495 to Robin Van Ausdall for consulting services
- Link to finance reports
Candidates listed in order of votes received
Daniel
John Daniel
- Total money raised: $244, all in first reporting period
- Total spent: $237
- Remaining balance: $7
- Non-monetary contributions: 0
- Largest donation to date: $100
- Donors of note: Daniel’s wife made the largest donation of $100
- Key expenditures: Daniel paid himself $237 for advertising
- Link to finance reports
DENVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS – DISTRICT 1 SOUTHEAST DENVER
Rowe
Anne Rowe
- Total money raised: $197,645 – $176,320 first filing period, $20,525 second period, $800 third period
- Total spent: $181,981.44 – $100,607.65 first filing period, $48,500.39 second period, $32,873.40 third period
- Remaining balance: $15,663.56
- Non-monetary contributions: $25,211.56, including $21,913.21 Stand for Children in Denver, canvassing and staff support, and $2,656.35 Great Schools for Great Kids, staff support
- Largest donation to date: $26,000
- Donors of note: Dan Ritchie, CEO of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, $26,000; Henry Gordon, president of Strata Capital in Englewood, $25,000; Kent Thiry, CEO of DaVita Inc., $25,000; Michael T. Fries, CEO of Liberty Media, $20,000; CU President Bruce Benson, founder of Benson Mineral Group, $10,000; Ken Gart, president of Gart Properties, $500; former state lawmaker Pat Pascoe, $100
- Key expenditures: $38,250 to Colorado Voter Contract for campaign field services, $17,066.64 to BC Printing for mailers and cards, $13,250.31 to Tyson Organization for phone calls, $12,500 to Mile High Public Affairs for political consulting
- Link to finance reports
Candidates listed in order of votes received
Sirota
Emily Sirota
- Total money raised: $107,585.31 – $57,962.26 first filing period, $29,331 second period, $20,292.05 third period
- Total spent: $101,443.74 – $27,716.15 first filing period, $34,393.78 second period, $39,333.81 third period
- Remaining balance: $6,141.57
- Non-monetary contributions: $25,522.64, including $23,740 from Denver Classroom Teachers Association for canvassing and phone work
- Largest donation to date: $47,500
- Donors of note: Denver Classroom Teachers Association, small donor committee, $47,500 (doesn’t include non-monetary contributions); Andy Rumer, retired, San Francisco, $2,500; Adam McKay, actor/writer, Los Angeles, $6,000; Leo Hindery, managing partner of InterMedia, New York, $5,000; Denver school board member Jeannie Kaplan, $2,352; Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer, $250; State Sen. Morgan Carroll, $75
- Key expenditures: $26,652.72 to Campaign Products of the Rockies for yard signs, printing, postage; $20,839.32 to Rocky Mountain Voter Outreach for canvassing; $16,250 to Amanda Snipes for consulting services; $7,000 to Kevin Paquette for consulting services; $6,800 to Zata 3 Consulting for phoning
- Link to finance reports
DENVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS – DISTRICT 5 NORTHWEST DENVER
Jimenez
Arturo Jimenez
- Total money raised: $72,248 – $59,478 first filing period, $8,595 second period, $4,175 third period
- Total spent: $67,213.12 – $40,210.45 first filing period, $17,403.71 second period, $9,598.96 third period
- Remaining balance: $7,974.11 (includes $2,939.23 from prior school board campaign fund)
- Non-monetary contributions: $16,232.90, including $15,720 from Denver Classroom Teachers Association, canvassing
- Largest donation to date: $24,000
- Donors of note: Denver Classroom Teachers Association, small donor committee, $25,000 (does not include non-monetary donations); Colorado Education Association, small donor committee, $6,000; Rob Alvarado, CEO of Palo Alto Inc., $3,000; Denver school board member Jeannie Kaplan, $2,440.94; AFL-CIO, small donor committee, $1,000; Colorado Fraternal Order of Police, small donor committee, $250
- Key expenditures: $28,642.18 to C&D Printing for campaign materials, $15,166.66 to Dave Sabados for campaign management, $2,000 to Joe Heitkamp for campaign consulting, $1,655.70 to Sam Lopez for consulting and professional services
- Link to finance reports
Candidates listed in order of votes received
Draper Carson
Jennifer Draper Carson
- Total money raised: $200,940 – $124,760 first filing period, $52,680 second period, $23,500 third period
- Total spent: $200,940 – $103,712.14 first filing period, $48,635.53 second period, $48,952.33 thid period
- Remaining balance: 0
- Non-monetary contributions: $44,233.36, including $22,907.18 from Stand for Children in Denver in staff support and canvassing, and $20,012.70 from Great Schools for Great Kids in staff support
- Largest donation to date: $26,000
- Donors of note: Dan Ritchie, CEO of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, $26,000; Henry Gordon, president of Strata Capital in Englewood, $25,000; Michael Fries, Liberty Media in Englewood, $20,000; Kent Thiry, CEO of DaVita Inc., $11,000; Richard Sapkin, Edgemark Development, $10,000; Pat Hamill, chairman and CEO of Oakwood Homes, $10,000; Robert Sanderman, executive vice president, Oakwood Homes, $2,500
- Key expenditures: $60,764.86 to Ridder/Braden for consulting and mail services, $50,237.50 to Terra Strategies of Des Moines for consulting services
- Link to finance reports
Richardson
Craig Richardson
- Total money raised: $27,213.76 – $20,700 first filing period, $200 second period, $6,313.76 third period (total after returning $1,016.24 contribution to Douglas County Republican Central Committee)
- Total spent: $26,768.36 – $1,725.75 first filing period, $15,210.61 second period, $9,832 third period
- Remaining balance: $445.40
- Non-monetary contributions: $1,121.20, including $1,016.24 from Douglas County Republican Central Committee for flier, which Richardson later refunded
- Largest donation to date: Two donations of $10,000 each
- Donors of note: Ed McVaney, founder and former CEO of J.D. Edwards software corp., $10,000; Ralph Nagel, president of Top Rock investments, $10,000; Richardson donated his campaign $2,000; two attorneys from Greenberg Traurig, Richardson’s former employer, donated $500 each; former Gov. Bill Owens, $200; attorney Jim Lyons, who helped represent the district in its recent voucher trial, $200
- Key expenditures: $15,080.41 to Wiz Bang Solutions for mailers, $7,500 to EIS Solutions for campaign consulting, $1,566.53 to New West Public Affairs for advertising
- Link to finance reports
Candidates listed in order of votes received
Meek
Susan Meek
- Total money raised: $3,865.73 – $3,062.97 first filing period, $669.99 second period, $132.77 third period
- Total spent: $3,865.73 – $402.78 first filing period, $2,276.85 second period, $1,186.10 thid period
- Remaining balance: 0
- Non-monetary contributions: 0
- Largest donation to date: $1,000
- Donors of note: Jim Christensen, former Douglas County schools superintendent, $1,000
- Key expenditures: $1,186.10 on advertising in Colorado Community Newspapers, $1,073.92 for campaign postcards
- Link to finance reports
Candidates listed in order of votes received
Reilly
Kevin Reilly
- Total money raised: $3,073.46 – $2,725.68 first filing period, $97.78 second period, $250 third period
- Total spent: $3,073.46 – $1,276.39 first filing period, $24.53 second period, $1,772.54 third period
- Remaining balance: 0
- Non-monetary contributions: $63.85, campaign kickoff party
- Largest donation to date: $350
- Donors of note: Sarah Mann, chair of the Douglas County Democratic Party, $350; Reilly loaned himself $1,108.19
- Key expenditures: $1,108.19 in repayment of loans to his own campaign, $507.43 for business cards and brochures, $298.35 donation to Douglas County Democratic Party, $250 Google ads
- Link to finance reports
Larsen
Kevin Larsen
- Total money raised: $22,520.23 – $20,105 first filing period, $715.23 second period, $1,700 third period (loan to himself)
- Total spent: $22,403.69 – $1,796.90 first filing period, $15,196.86 second period, $5,409.93 third period
- Remaining balance: $116.54
- Non-monetary contributions:$1,045.79, including $1,016.24 from Douglas County Republican Central Committee for mailer
- Largest donation to date: Two donations of $10,000 each
- Donors of note: Ed McVaney, founder and former CEO of J.D. Edwards software corp., $10,000; Ralph Nagel, president of Top Rock investments, $10,000; candidate loaned $1,700 to his own campaign; current Douglas County School Board President John Carson, $100; Gerald Stueven, Platte River Academy principal, $100
- Key expenditures: $15,080.41 to Wiz Bang Solutions for mailers, $3,750 to EIS Solutions for consulting services, $1,566.53 to New West Public Affairs for advertising
- Link to finance reports
Candidates listed in order of votes received
Frances
Gail Frances
- Total money raised: $3,769.34 – $2974.34 first filing period, $765 second period, $30 third period
- Total spent: $2,860.94 – $1,425.32 first filing period, $1,182.33 second period, $253.29 third period
- Remaining balance: $908.40
- Non-monetary contributions: $123.84, including $63.85, campaign kickoff party
- Largest donation to date: Two donors gave $250
- Donors of note: Daniel Galloway, attorney in Lone Tree, $250; Sarah Mann, chair of the Douglas County Democratic Party, $250; Frances has loaned her campaign $556.80
- Key expenditures: $556.80 in repayments for loans to her own campaign, $423 for yard signs
- Link to finance reports
Williams
Justin Williams
- Total money raised: $21,895 – $20,820 first filing period, $965 second period, $110 third period
- Total spent: $18,855.92 – $2,535.63 first filing period, $14,672.86 second period, $1,647.43
- Remaining balance: $3,039.08
- Non-monetary contributions: $1,245.79, including $1,016.24 from Douglas County Republican Central Committee for mailer
- Largest donation to date: Two donations of $10,000 each
- Donors of note: Ed McVaney, founder and former CEO of J.D. Edwards software corp., $10,000; Ralph Nagel, president of Top Rock investments, $10,000; Williams donated $110 to his own campaign; current Douglas County School Board President John Carson, $100; Chris Larson, Littleton, $100
- Key expenditures: $15,080.41 to Wiz Bang Solutions for mailers, $1,566.53 to New West Public Affairs for advertising
- Link to finance reports
Candidates listed in order of votes received
McMahon
Susan McMahon
- Total money raised: $12,159.30 – $8,444 first filing period, $2,585.30 second period, $1,130 third period
- Total spent: $11,051.59 – $7,957.78 first filing period, $713.10 second period, $2,380.71 third period
- Remaining balance: $1,107.71
- Non-monetary contributions: $6,530.36, including $3,125 each from John and Ronda Funchess for video
- Largest donation to date: $1,000
- Donors of note: Deborah Hill of Castle Rock, not currently employed, $1,000; Pikes Peak Fund for Quality Education, small donor committee of the Pikes Peak Education Association, $750; Public Educators Advocating for Kids or PEAK, small donor committee of the Colorado Springs Education Association, $250
- Key expenditures: $7,159.99 to C&D Printing for mailers and other advertising, $104.46 Facebook advertising, $90 Google advertising
- Link to finance reports
Fellman
Jill Fellman
- Total money raised: $61,656 – $31,096 first filing period, $12,485 second period, $18,075 third period
- Total spent: $56,432.96 – $11,632.73 first filing period, $28,710.93 second period, $16,089.30 third period
- Remaining balance: $5,223.04
- Non-monetary contributions: $55.97, most in the form of pencils
- Largest donation to date: $9,000
- Donors of note: Jefferson County Education Association, small donor committee, $9,000; Colorado Education Association’s Public Education Committee, small donor committee, $6,000; Greg Stevinson of Littleton, Denver West Realty, $1,500; Jonathan Abramson, attorney, $1,000; Kelly Johnson of Golden, no occupation, $1,000; William Nickerson of Arvada, Nickerson and Co., $1,000; John Sands, attorney, $1,000; Realtor Candidate political action committee, $500; U.S. Congressman Ed Perlmutter, $250
- Key expenditures: $19,723.64 to C&D Printing for postage, $15,324.30 to Ridder/Braden of Denver for consulting services
- Link to finance reports
Candidates listed in order of votes received
Branaugh
Preston Branaugh
- Total money raised: $11,995 – $7,795 first filing period, $1,060 second period, $3,140 third period
- Total spent: $10,217.29 – $308.15 first filing period, $823.95 second period, $9,085.19 third period
- Remaining balance: $1,777.71
- Non-monetary contributions: 0
- Largest donation to date: Three donors gave $1,000 each
- Donors of note: John Coors of Evergreen, CEO of CoorsTek and part of the Coors brewery family, $1,000; Andy Hoover of Littleton, retired, $1,000; Bill Van Horn of Littleton, attorney, $1,000; Stacey Klein of Evergreen, homemaker, $500; Jefferson County Commissioner John Odom, Wheat Ridge, $400; Mountain Republican Women, $250; U.S. Congressman Mike Coffman, $100; Colorado State Board of Education member Debora Scheffel, $50
- Key expenditures: $3,395 to U.S. Post Office for advertising, $3,369.87 to Freedom Press of Commerce City for consulting services, $1,082.64 to Paragon Graphics and Printing for advertising, $570 to Tactical Data Solutions for fundraising expenses
- Link to finance reports
Dahlkemper
Lesley Dahlkemper
- Total money raised: $55,867 – $42,422 first filing period, $12,170 second period, $1,275 third period
- Total spent: $37,141.38 – $19,788.43 first filing period, $13,884.97 second period, $3,467.98 third period
- Remaining balance: $18,725.62
- Non-monetary contributions: 0
- Largest donation to date: $2,500
- Donors of note: Greg Stevinson, Denver West Properties, $2,500; John Sands, attorney, $2,450; Robert Benson, AMBP, $2,000; Blueflower Fund, a small donor committee supporting female Democratic candidates, $350; U.S. Congressman Jared Polis, $250; U.S. Sen. Mark Udall, $200; Happy Haynes, $100
- Key expenditures: $13,433.34 to Colorado Data Mail for fliers, postcards and thank you cards; $6,000 to Alexis Marsh for consulting services; $5,850.20 to Winding Creek Group for voter contact and miscellaneous; $5,505.14 to Campaign Products of the Rockies for yard signs and t-shirts
- Link to finance reports
Candidates listed in order of votes received
Powers
Jim Powers
- Total money raised: $13,148 – $8,370 first filing period, $225 second period, $4,553 third period
- Total spent: $10,480.31 – $795.81 first filing period, $823.95 second period, $8,860.55 third period
- Remaining balance: $2,667.69
- Non-monetary contributions: 0
- Largest donation to date: $2,600
- Donors of note: Ramsey Fahel of Texas, Anadarko Petroleum, $2,600; Andy Hoover of Littleton, retired, $1,000; Jefferson County Commissioner John Odom, Wheat Ridge, $400; Thomas Graham of Arvada, retired, $300; Shirley Schneider of Lakewood, retired, $300; Mountain Republican Women, $250
- Key expenditures: $3,395 to U.S. Post Office for advertising, $3,369.87 to Freedom Press of Commerce City for consulting services, $1,082.64 to Paragon Graphics and Printing for advertising, $570 to Tactical Data Solutions for fundraising expenses
- Link to finance reports
Final vote tallies
- DISTRICT A
- Richardson – 24,576 – 45.62%
- Meek – 20,578 – 38.20%
- Reilly – 8,716 – 16.18%
- DISTRICT C
- Larsen – 30,016 – 56.59%
- Frances – 23,027 – 43.41%
- DISTRICT F
- Williams – 27,266 – 51.15%
- McMahon – 26,044 – 48.85%
Source: Douglas County Clerk’s Office
- AT-LARGE
- Haynes – 53,891 – 59.22%
- Kilgore – 10,374 – 11.40%
- Shumway – 9,871 – 10.85%
- Deserino – 8,937 – 9.82%
- Daniel – 7,925 – 8.71%
- DISTRICT 1
- Rowe – 15,249 – 65.19%
- Sirota – 8,142 – 34.81%
- DISTRICT 5
- Jimenez – 7,874 – 50.45%
- Draper Carson – 7,732 – 49.55%
Source: Denver Elections Division
- DISTRICT 3
- Fellman – 70,982 – 60.78%
- Branaugh – 45,795 – 39.22%
- DISTRICT 4
- Dahlkemper – 64,977 – 56.13%
- Powers – 50,783 – 43.87%
Source: Jefferson County Clerk’s Office
For those keeping count, Denver’s election suggests a real story, one not covered very well in the media. In NW Denver, Jennifer Draper Carson spent over $31 per vote. In SE, Anne Rowe spent $11.93 per vote, and Happy Haynes spent $4.81 city wide.
In the winner’s circle in Douglas County, Richardson, the big spender, spent $1.11 per vote. Williams spent $0.80 per vote. Larsen spent $0.75 per vote. In JeffCo, Fellmen spent $0.87 cents per vote. Dahlkemper, $0.86 per vote.
So, the question is why are the per vote spending totals so different between the counties? In Douglas, where a fight is taking place related to vouchers, a buck per vote gets you a seat on the school board. JeffCo is pretty quite, and $0.865 per vote gets you a seat on the school board. But in Denver, the liberal bastion of the Metro Area, it takes about $13 per vote to win a school board election?
It’s true that Denver’s schools, on average, perform poorly compared to Douglas County and JeffCo schools. The business community wants that to improve, so it pours money into the school board race to back a reform agenda that has had no measurable impact on student performance. In fact, as the A+ Denver Report points out, college remediation rates for DPS students have risen by ~13% in the past 5 years. Mr. Boasberg hops around talking about 80,000 students being in DPS schools for the first time in years, yet DPS’ annual financial report (2011 CAFR) says DPS received state funding for a little over 72,000 students. If one looks at the number of graduates as a percent of the total students eligible to graduate high school, the percentage of DPS students receiving a high school diploma is virtually the same now as in 2006, just below 52%.
So, I am completely befuddled. From these facts, I guess I have to conclude one of two things:
(1) The business community is making investments based on no information.
(2) The business community does not understand the basic performance data of the school district.
Regardless of the answer, it takes about $13 per vote to keep DPS on the road to reform oblivion. Someone in the press should take a deeper look at why.
While it’s obviously true that money buys elections, it’s also true that grass roots volunteers can often negate dollars. Arturo Jimenez won by having more volunteers, credibility and visibility. Despite her overwhelming financial advantage, Jennifer Draper Carson failed to gain significant supporters. Each elected official in North Denver supported Jimenez. She also failed to become credible and visible until October, too late. Finally, in the last week of the campaign, the Jimenez campaign had more volunteers to gather ballots. But, most important, Arturo Jimenez is recognized as a true champion for students and parents. Perhaps, the “education reformers” who constitute the majority on the Denver Public Schools Board of Education will now initiate a legitimate dialogue on reform. Despite being outspent 3 – 1, voters in District 5 rejected the district’s plan of more charter schools in North Denver and favor improving existing neighborhood schools. Without community participation, reform measures have failed repeatedly across the nation. The “redesign” of Denver North High School exemplifies that failure. Student achievement declined, the dropout rate increased and school enrollment declined. Such results and the remediation rate mentioned by Christopher Scott demonstrate that reform measures in DPS are, at best, questionable and may be why a majority of North Denver voters rejected the corporate candidate.
Hats off the Ed News for doing some solid reporting on this issue. Your brethren at the Post tried the same story and titled it with the perfectly Orwellian headline:
“Big money didn’t guarantee wins in Denver’s school-board election”
They should have tried something like”Democracy not a total sham: One school Board incumbent squeaks by with Narrow Victory”
Chris, Ed,
I am confused about what is going on in Northwest Denver. Perhaps you all are better informed than I. Just exactly what is the relationship between STAND, NWCC various campaigns, and Board members Seawell and Jimenez? The minutes from the NW Denver Education Committee, Steering Committee Meeting,
October 6, 2010, Meeting Notes include this statement under Action Items:
“Alexander, Leff and possibly another Tri-Chair will meet with leaders of STAND to try to better coordinate and integrate public processes with the goal of having a unified vision coming out of Northwest Denver.”
The minutes indicate that both Jimenez and Seawell were present.
Do you all know what happened? How involved was STAND with the NWCC “public processes?”
This is the second time I have asked the questions about the statement in the October 6,2010 NWCC steering committee meeting notes, regarding the Regis group and STAND. And, the second time there has been absolutely no response. Why?
Joanne,
Sorry I’m just rereading the story and seeing your comments/questions for the first time. My memory of why that is in the minutes is because when the NWCC process was starting Stand was also starting a NW community process at the same time. Those of us working with the NWCC were worried there would be confusion about the two separate processes. Stand had no direct involvement in the NWCC process, although there were two Stand members on the NWCC. Both of those participants are long-time education advocates in NW Denver. Does that answer your question?
Mary