DPS thrives because of the dedication of teachers, paraprofessionals, school counselors, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, custodians, and all school staff—yet many of them are still struggling to make ends meet. Under Michelle’s leadership, DPS took a bold step forward, raising the minimum wage to $20 per hour, ensuring that thousands of school workers could earn a more livable wage. But the fight for economic justice does not end there.

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By 2030, the minimum wage for all hourly DPS employees will be raised to $27 per hour, recognizing the critical role of custodians, paraprofessionals, and all support staff in our schools. Teachers will see a substantial salary increase, ensuring that DPS remains competitive and attracts top talent while retaining experienced educators. This is not just about wages—this is about dignity and respect.

From the moment Michelle Quattlebaum took office, she has been a fierce advocate for immigrant students and their families, pushing back against xenophobic policies and ensuring that DPS remains a safe learning space for all students, regardless of immigration status. Her federal advocacy efforts have led to key victories, including a pause on standardized testing for newly arrived students and increased employment access for immigrant families.

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By 2030, DPS will have the strongest protections in the nation for undocumented students by expanding legal resources, college and career readiness programs, and mental health services designed to support immigrant youth. No DPS student should ever feel afraid, alone, or uncertain about their future—and under Michelle’s leadership, DPS will continue to stand on the frontlines of the fight for immigrant rights.

DPS workers deserve a seat at the table—all of them. Thanks to Michelle’s leadership, the district has expanded labor rights and fought for increased wages, better benefits, and fairer contracts for its workers. However, many critical workers, including “protechs” and other essential staff, remain unprotected under a collective bargaining agreement.

 

By 2030, DPS will ensure that all employees, including those not currently represented under a union contract, have the right to collective bargaining, workplace protections, and fair wages. Expanding union coverage means that no DPS employee is left behind, strengthening the workforce and ensuring fair representation for all.

Michelle Quattlebaum did not need to be told that DPS has systematically failed Black students and educators. She knew the data, lived the reality, and fought for the solutions Building on the foundation laid by initiatives like the Black Excellence Resolution and the Know Justice, Know Peace Resloution, she worked to expand student-centered efforts that amplify the voices of Black students in shaping education policy. Her advocacy contributed to the strengthening of the Black Student Success (BSS) Department, which embeds dedicated staff in schools to ensure the educational, cultural, and emotional needs of Black students are met. Through intentional support and professional development for all school staff, BSS fosters an environment where Black students can thrive and achieve excellence.

By 2030, DPS will be a model for Black student success, directly confronting the findings of the Dr. Sharon Bailey Report, which exposed the systemic racism Black students and educators face in DPS. Every school will implement accountability measures ensuring that Black students are not just surviving, but thriving. Suspension disparities, racial bias in classrooms, and underrepresentation in advanced coursework will be aggressively addressed, with clear benchmarks for improvement. The hiring, retention, and promotion of Black educators will be prioritized, ensuring that every Black student sees themselves reflected in their schools, their curriculum, and their leadership.

The La Raza Report laid bare the deep disparities that Latino students have faced in DPS for decades, and Michelle has been at the forefront of demanding real action. Language justice policies, increased bilingual education programs, and expanded family engagement efforts have been critical first steps—but there is still work to be done.

 

By 2030, DPS will ensure that Latino students have equitable access to advanced coursework, culturally relevant curriculum, and bilingual support services. The district will dramatically expand Latino educator recruitment and retention efforts, ensuring that Latino students are supported by teachers and mentors who understand their experiences. This plan is about breaking down systemic barriers and making DPS a district where Latino students don’t just graduate—they thrive.

Gun violence, racial disparities in discipline, and over-policing have no place in our schools. Michelle has championed gun safety awareness, student mental health support, and proactive interventions to keep students safe.

By 2030, DPS will completely dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline by implementing restorative justice policies, increased mental health resources, and bias training for all educators. School safety cannot be built on criminalization—it must be built on trust, intervention, and student support.

Denver Public Schools has been at the forefront of the fight for LGBTQ+ inclusion, safety, and belonging, and that work has been carried forward by visionary leaders committed to equity and justice. Former Vice President Auon’tai Anderson was the first elected official in DPS history to champion the fight for all-gender restrooms, introducing the initiative within his first 50 days in office. His leadership set the stage for one of the most significant steps in LGBTQ+ student rights in Denver’s public schools. When Former Vice President Anderson’s term ended in 2023, Michelle Quattlebaum picked up the baton and carried the work forward, ensuring that the momentum he started did not stall. Under her leadership, DPS continued expanding all-gender restrooms across the district, guaranteeing that more students had access to facilities that aligned with their identity. She has also been a fierce advocate for inclusive curriculum reforms, ensuring that LGBTQ+ students see themselves reflected in history, literature, and leadership. Michelle worked alongside Levi Arithson, DPS’s LGBTQ+ Program Manager, to strengthen support systems for LGBTQ+ students, including the development of DPS’s LGBTQ+ Toolkit, which provides educators, staff, and families with critical resources to create affirming spaces for students.

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By 2030, Michelle Quattlebaum envisions a DPS where LGBTQ+ students are not just tolerated but embraced, protected, and celebrated. Every school will have dedicated mental health professionals trained in LGBTQ+ issues, ensuring that students can access affirming counseling and support groups. The district will expand teacher training on gender inclusivity, pronoun use, and intersectional LGBTQ+ identities, ensuring that classrooms are spaces of affirmation, not erasure. Inclusive curriculum reforms will continue, ensuring that LGBTQ+ histories, stories, and contributions are taught across all grade levels, making representation in the classroom a norm rather than an afterthought.