The Denver Post just announced their endorsements for the Denver school board race, and we couldn’t be happier with their decision to back Happy Haynes, Anne Rowe, and Jennifer Draper Carson.

Our members also agree that these candidates are right for the job. They’re committed to the policies that will better our schools: more support for great teachers and principals, more district accountability and transparency, and better school choices. Simply put, Anne, Jennifer, and Happy will keep Denver moving forward with continued bold reforms that will help all children reach their highest potential.

Endorsements like these are great for the candidates’ campaigns, but we still need to tell more people what’s at stake in the Nov. 1 election. We hope to see you on the streets or on the phones at one of our upcoming canvasses or phone banks.

And don’t forget to vote!

Denver, Adams 50, and several other districts in Colorado are facing some tough school board races. We’ve seen a lot of movement in the right direction of reform, but we are far from done. Your voice – and vote – is critical to giving our kids the excellent public education they deserve. Don’t let this election pass you by.

Monday, October 3 is the last day to register for the 2011 election. Don’t miss your chance — in small races like these, every vote really does count.

Mail-in ballots will be sent out October 12. Completed ballots must be returned by 7:00 p.m. on November 1.

Visit the Secretary of State to register or change your registration online.

We all know that DPS has a long way to go – too many children aren’t graduating, too many are reading below grade level, and far too many don’t go to schools that will prepare them for success. But recent reforms are starting to show promise. We need leaders on Denver’s school board who will continue to push for bold, effective reforms that allow every child to reach their highest potential. Our members believe Happy Haynes, Anne Rowe, and Jennifer Draper Carson are those leaders.

We want to make sure everyone knows that Happy Haynes, Anne Rowe, and Jennifer Draper Carson have what it takes to lead on the DPS board. We’ve just launched a handful of billboards and web ads to tell more people how  these three candidates will make a difference.  There’s a lot at stake this November – we hope our ads will remind you of why we need to move forward.

Look for our ads around town! Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.

These races often fly under the radar, but when you consider how important school boards are for the direction of public schools, they’re worthy of a lot of attention.

Stand is supporting three candidates in Denver and our Adams 50 members are wrapping up our endorsement process, but there are 176 other districts in Colorado with some pretty interesting school boards. Enter Districts to Watch. We talked with representatives from several Colorado districts about the 2011 school board elections and picked six to highlight as Districts to Watch. Whether or not you’ll be casting a ballot in one of these districts, you can stay on top of what’s likely to come for some local communities and get a better sense of what is happening statewide.

Here are our Districts to Watch:

Colorado Springs District 11
Harrison District 2
Jefferson County
Mapleton
Mesa County Valley
Weld County

Our members also agree that Happy Haynes is the right candidate for the at-large seat. In our candidate interviews, she stood out because of her commitment to closing the achievement gap and ensuring that every Denver child – regardless of background – has access to a great school. In addition, Happy’s leadership experience as a former city councilmember and staffer for two mayors is unmatched. It’s clear that Happy Haynes can move DPS in the right direction.

Mayor Hancock has found the best candidate for the at-large seat, and we thank him for his endorsement yesterday.