The Denver Public Schools (DPS) board is considering a formal censure against member John Youngquist following a third-party investigation. The report concluded that Youngquist exhibited “belittling, dismissive and condescending behavior” toward district staff, particularly employees of color.
During a special meeting on Wednesday, board members openly discussed the findings, which stemmed from allegations made by Superintendent Alex Marrero earlier this year. The board plans to continue the discussion and may vote on a censure during a meeting scheduled for November 13.
Key Takeaways
- An independent investigation found DPS board member John Youngquist displayed biased behavior toward district staff.
- The report describes his conduct as “belittling, dismissive and condescending,” especially in interactions with employees of color.
- Youngquist denies the allegations are racially motivated, claiming they are an attempt to “intimidate and diminish” him.
- The school board is now weighing a formal censure, the strongest disciplinary action available to them.
Investigation Details Tense Interactions
The investigation, conducted by the law firm Garnett Powell Maximon Barlow and Farbes, was launched after Superintendent Alex Marrero sent an email to board President Carrie Olson in the spring. In the email, Marrero accused Youngquist of creating a hostile environment for DPS employees and requested the board take action.
District staff members, most of whom are people of color, described a pattern of negative interactions with Youngquist. According to the report, employees told investigators that he would frequently cut them off during conversations, refuse to shake their hands, and decline meeting requests.
Report Conclusion
Investigators stated in their findings, “We conclude it is more likely than not that Mr. Youngquist exhibited bias in interactions with some district leaders of color.” They noted that his extensive questioning of staff often implied he believed they were lying or incompetent.
This is not the first time Youngquist’s conduct has been formally addressed by the board. Wednesday’s meeting marked the second time in just ten months that his behavior toward district staff has been the subject of a public board discussion, highlighting ongoing friction within the district's leadership.
Youngquist Defends His Actions
During the meeting, John Youngquist, who is white, delivered a statement addressing the report's findings. He argued that the allegations were part of a coordinated effort to undermine his credibility and retaliate against him.
“It has become clear certain members of the board and district leadership have attempted to impeach my credibility,” Youngquist stated. He characterized the accusations as an attempt to “intimidate and diminish me.”
While the investigation concluded his actions were likely the result of biases, Youngquist emphasized that it did not find evidence of overt racism. He acknowledged that everyone holds personal biases but suggested they do not always manifest in behavior.
“I hold biases as each and every one of us,” Youngquist said. “Our biases may or may not be represented in our behavior.” He also mentioned that he has previously reached out to individual staff members he may have offended, stating, “Blanket level of accountability is not something that makes sense to me.”
Emotional Responses from Board Colleagues
Youngquist’s defense was met with disappointment and emotional responses from several of his colleagues, particularly the other board members of color. They criticized what they perceived as a lack of accountability in his statement.
Board member Michelle Quattlebaum, who is Black, was brought to tears while addressing Youngquist directly.
“I am heartbroken,” Quattlebaum said. “I have experienced racism, discrimination and oppression almost every single day of my life. Mr. Youngquist, as I listen to your statement, my heart broke... What breaks my heart is that I didn’t hear accountability.”
Other members echoed this sentiment. Xóchitl Gaytán described the findings as concerning and repetitive, pointing to the need to deconstruct the “white privilege” she felt was evident in the report. Marlene De La Rosa also expressed her disappointment.
“I thought I knew you to be a different person than that,” De La Rosa told Youngquist. “If we don’t take accountability when we do things that harm people... we cannot move forward to reach our goals as a collective board.”
What is a Censure?
A censure is a formal and public statement of disapproval. For a school board, it is the most severe form of reprimand they can issue to one of their own members. The board does not have the legal authority to remove an elected official from their position. The last time the DPS board censured a member was in 2021.
Next Steps for the Board
The board did not make a final decision during Wednesday's meeting. Board President Carrie Olson indicated that the directors needed more time to process the report and determine the appropriate course of action.
“There’s definitely something that’s not working well in board interactions with staff, so we would want to talk about what would be next steps,” Olson explained. “This is something we don’t want to rush.”
The conversation is set to resume at the board's next meeting on November 13, where a vote on whether to formally censure John Youngquist could take place. The outcome will likely have significant implications for the internal dynamics of the Denver Public Schools leadership as it navigates this period of public conflict.
