Former Principal’s Lawsuit Against Denver Public Schools Advances
In a pivotal ruling, United States District Court Judge John Kane has allowed the wrongful termination lawsuit brought by Kurt Dennis, former principal of McAuliffe International School, against Denver Public Schools (DPS) to proceed. The judge denied DPS’s request to dismiss the case, which centers on Dennis’s allegations of unlawful retaliation following his outspoken criticism of district policies, particularly concerning student safety after the tragic East High School shooting in March 2023.
Dennis’s lawsuit, filed on September 5, 2023, claims his firing in July 2023 stemmed from whistleblowing about the district’s security measures and the handling of a student charged with attempted murder. In the wake of his interview with 9News, where he raised concerns about the district pressuring him to retain potentially dangerous students, Dennis contends that his First Amendment rights were violated.
DPS argued that Dennis’s actions breached the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), but Judge Kane found no merit in that claim, emphasizing that Dennis’s public comments were not illegal and weren’t made in his official capacity. Judge Kane also ruled against the district’s assertion of qualified immunity regarding the individual defendants.
Following Dennis’s termination, the McAuliffe community rallied, accumulating over 6,100 signatures on a petition for his reinstatement. Allegations surfaced regarding the misuse of a monitored seclusion room, particularly affecting predominantly Black and Latino students, further complicating the narrative surrounding Dennis’s dismissal.
Dennis seeks accountability from DPS, reflecting on the personal and professional ramifications caused by the termination. “More than anything, I want my good name restored,” he stated. As the case proceeds, both Dennis and his attorney, David Lane, express optimism in vindicating what they view as a staunch violation of whistleblower protections and free speech rights.