John Youngquist accuses DPS staff of trying to ‘intimidate and diminish me’

For the second time this 12 months, Denver Public Schools board members on Wednesday took John Youngquist to process for his conduct towards district employees, however the director was defiant within the face of his colleagues’ criticism as he reiterated his perception that district workers are retaliating towards him.

Youngquist referred to as the allegations of racism and making a hostile work atmosphere made by Superintendent Alex Marrero and different district employees in latest months an try and “intimidate and diminish me.”

“It has develop into clear sure members of the board and district management have tried to question my credibility,” he stated throughout Wednesday’s board assembly.

Faculty board members referred to as the assembly to debate the outcomes of a third-party investigation that discovered Youngquist displayed “belittling, dismissive and condescending conduct” towards DPS employees. As administrators weighed in on the findings, which have been launched Monday, they referred to as for a second of reflection, however didn’t say what motion they may soak up response to the report.

Administrators are contemplating whether or not to censure — or formally rebuke — Youngquist and plan to proceed the dialog throughout a Nov. 13 assembly, which might end in such a vote.

“There’s positively one thing that’s not working properly in board interactions with employees, so we’d wish to discuss what can be subsequent steps,” board President Carrie Olson stated. “…That is one thing we don’t wish to rush.”

The investigation was performed by attorneys with the Denver-based agency Garnett Powell Maximon Barlow and Farbes, which the board employed to look into Marrero’s allegations.

Within the spring, Marrero accused Youngquist of hostile conduct towards DPS workers — particularly employees of colour — and of wanting his job, in an electronic mail despatched to Olson. Marrero, in his electronic mail, requested that the board take the uncommon step of censuring Youngquist for his actions.

A censure is the strongest step the college board can take to formally reprimand a colleague. The board doesn’t have the authority to take away a member.

A DPS board final censured a member in 2021 after a third-party investigation discovered former director Auon’tai Anderson flirted on-line with a teenage scholar and made intimidating social media posts.

Wednesday’s assembly was the second time in 10 months that faculty board members have publicly scolded Youngquist for his conduct towards employees. Whereas latest DPS boards have develop into identified for infighting in recent times, they hardly ever air grievances overtly as they did in the course of the assembly.

“That is regarding repetitive conduct that will or might not change,” board member Xóchitl Gaytán stated of the investigation’s findings. “I’m nonetheless working by the findings of the report. Fascinated by how I wish to deconstruct the white privilege that I learn in it and the way it’s taking part in out.”

Youngquist, who final week accused DPS leaders of retaliating towards him, has repeatedly discovered himself in battle with district workers.

Employees, most of whom are individuals of colour, instructed investigators that Youngquist cuts them off in conversations, has refused to shake arms and declines to fulfill with them. Workers stated Youngquist questions them to such an extent that it seems the director believes they’re mendacity or incapable of doing their jobs, in keeping with the report.

“We conclude it’s extra probably than not that Mr. Youngquist exhibited bias in interactions with some district leaders of colour,” investigators wrote of their findings.

In his assertion to the board, Youngquist, a white man, emphasised the investigation didn’t decide his conduct was pushed by overt racism — even because it additionally discovered that his actions have been the results of biases, together with when interacting with workers of colour.

“I maintain biases as every one in all us,” Youngquist stated. “Our biases might or will not be represented in our conduct.”

Youngquist’s feedback fell wanting the accountability that a number of of his colleagues stated they have been searching for from him, and spurred board member Michelle Quattlebaum, who’s Black, to tears.

“I’m heartbroken,” she stated. “I’ve skilled racism, discrimination and oppression virtually each single day of my life. Mr. Youngquist, as I take heed to your assertion, my coronary heart broke.”