LITA 27: The Colorado Education Paradox, Education Funding, Three Ballot Measures, and Why Disagreement Isn't Dysfunction with Monica Hunter
Ana and Deep welcome Monica Hunter, Vice President of the Denver Public Schools Board and former DPS teacher, for a conversation about what's actually happening in Colorado public schools, what's on the November ballot, and why school board disagreement is a feature, not a bug. Monica walks through her arc from first grade teacher in Montbello to strike captain during the 2019 DPS teachers' strike to founder of the DCTA Black Educators Caucus to her current role at the Colorado Education Association and DPS Board. They dig into Colorado's education paradox (ranked #1 in the country for educational attainment, 49th or 50th in teacher pay), the CMAS results showing 44% of students meeting literacy expectations and only 20% of Black students meeting math expectations, and how Brown v. Board pushed Black teachers out of the profession. Then they turn to the three education funding fights on the November ballot: the DPS Mill Levy ($6/month per median homeowner, $44M for the district), Prop NN (retaining tax revenue for K-12 without raising taxes), and Initiative 195 (the graduated income tax). They also cover the fight to unionize Education Support Professionals (workers of color who currently have no protection), the most expensive school board race in Colorado history (funded by Reed Hastings, Anschutz, and the Waltons), and why Monica refuses to "go along to get along" on the Board. Democracy is messy. That's the whole point.
Denver Public Schools Mill Levy: https://bond.dpsk12.org/page/2026-mill-levy-override
Prop NN Campaign Support: https://secure.ngpvan.com/HwAyZavU9kaKH5-EYOPXpQ2
Amendment 87/Initiative 195 (Graduated Income Tax): protectcoloradosfuture.com
Contact the DPS Board about ESP unionization: https://www.dpsk12.org/page/about-the-board
00:44 Back To School Memories From Three DPS Teachers
03:12 Teacher Swag Talk
04:17 Meet Monica Hunter
05:21 From Church Volunteer To Montbello Teacher
06:59 The Innovation Schools Fight
08:27 Why Teacher Diversity Matters
08:52 How Brown v. Board Pushed Black Teachers Out
13:18 The Colorado Paradox
14:26 CMAS Scores And The Racial Gap
16:32 TABOR And The Colorado Funding Crisis
19:02 Meet The BS Factor
22:43 Three Ballot Measures Preview
23:23 Ballot Measure 1: The DPS Mill Levy
25:53 $6 A Month For $44 Million
28:06 Why Charter Schools Get A Share
28:59 Charters, Equity, And Denver's Model
29:44 Ballot Measure 2: Prop NN
31:16 How TABOR Refunds Actually Work
34:10 Ballot Measure 3: Initiative 195
34:22 Ballot Letters vs. Numbers, Explained
37:42 Why Funding Is Still The Whole Fight
38:57 Unionizing Education Support Professionals
44:22 Who Actually Recognizes A Union
46:10 What The Headlines Get Wrong About The Board
49:43 The Most Expensive School Board Race In Colorado History
52:04 Democracy Is Messy (Sirota Callback)
54:03 The Exit Ticket
Meet Your Hosts
Ana Mitchell, Ph.D., is a former CDC scientist who was swept up in federal cuts and is now reinventing herself as a civic coach and creator. After a decade reducing disparities in health and education, she’s building Civically Fit (see civicallyfit.org) to make civic engagement accessible, authentic, and sustainable. A proud Latina and Colorado native, Ana is focused on helping people build community and power through everyday civic action.
Deep Singh Badhesha is an attorney, political strategist, and government affairs professional with over a decade of experience shaping political campaigns and policy in Colorado. A former public school math teacher, Colorado Supreme Court clerk, and senior policy analyst, he now works across campaigns, ballot initiatives, and legislative fights. He’s South Asian, a new dad, and a longtime organizer who believes community—not saviors—will rebuild the Left. He also has way too many hot takes on everything stemming from food and sports to politics.
Links:
Website: www.LeftInTheAttic.com
Instagram: @leftintheatticpod
TikTok: @leftintheattic
Email: LeftInTheAtticPod@gmail.com
Voicemail: (303) 416-2846
