06-05-2025
DPS superintendent accuses board member of ambitions to take superintendent position
DENVER (KDVR) — Denver Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero sent a letter to the school board on April 22 alleging that one of the board's members has been openly hostile, rude and has an 'obsession with (Marrero's) removal,' according to the letter.
That board member was identified as John Youngquist, with Marrero claiming he 'consistently demonstrated a pattern of hostility, policy violations, racial insensitivity, and unethical conduct that has created a toxic working environment, undermined district leadership, and distracted from our core mission of serving all students equitably.'
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Youngquist, who once served as principal of East High School, spoke with FOX31 on Monday night and denied the allegations made by Marrero.
'Most troubling, it is increasingly clear that Mr. Youngquist is not invested in the success of Denver Public Schools,' Marrero's letter continued. 'Instead, his behavior signals an intent to cause harm — in pursuit of personal ambition.'
Marrero also argued that Youngquist suggested a buyout of the superintendent's contract 'as a tactic of intimidation.' Marrero's contract was extended until June 2028 in a 5-2 vote earlier this month. Youngquist and Board Treasurer Kimberlee Sia both voted against the contract extension.
'His obsession with my removal, coupled with his private aspirations to assume district leadership, strongly suggests a conflict of interest,' Marrero wrote to the board. 'It is becoming increasingly clear that his actions are driven by personal ambition to become superintendent himself as he had previously pursued repeatedly, unsuccessfully.'
Youngquist, while speaking with FOX31, was asked if he thinks his 'no' vote spurred the letter.
'It feels that way coming at this particular time, he mentions, also that I want to be superintendent. I don't want to be superintendent,' Youngquist told FOX31 on Monday night. 'I had applied and interviewed for that job. Didn't get it and I was good with that then, and I'm good with that now. I'm here to lead on the school board, and to lead effectively on the board for our community.'
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Youngquist was elected to the school board in 2023.
Marrero named seven topics that he believes Youngquist has demonstrated, ranging from 'hostile and demeaning behavior toward staff, particularly staff of color,' to violations of governance policies BSR2 and BSR3, breaches of confidentiality and ethics violations, as well as 'public undermining of district leadership and strategy.'
Marrero said the Youngquist 'actively' worked to discredit leadership and strategic vision, 'including by challenging the validity of state-mandated student data and assessment outcomes,' and by allegedly meeting privately with individuals or groups to 'undermine district initiatives.'
Marrero said he has tried to 'work beyond this behavior and even tried coaching' his team members, who he alleged were at the receiving end of 'attacks' by Youngquist.
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He asked the school board to:
Censure Youngquist for repeated violations of board policy, inappropriate conduct and unethical behavior
Clearly prohibit his direct engagement with district staff outside of official channels
Reaffirm the board's governance protocols
Require immediate governance and anti-bias training, specifically related to policy governance and equity-centered leadership
Review potential conflicts of interest if Youngquist's intent is to seek leadership within the district
The district did not issue a comment on the matter on Monday, nor has it acted on the request to censure Youngquist. The last time a DPS board member was censured was in 2021 against Auon'tai Anderson.
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