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Proven Leadership. Real Results.
Since his election to the Denver School Board in 2021, Scott Esserman has been more than just a voice at the table — he’s been a champion for Denver’s students, families, and educators. While others make promises, Scott makes progress. In a time of great challenges — from a global pandemic to debates over school safety and equity — Scott has consistently led with integrity, compassion, and an unshakable commitment to doing what’s right.
Whether it’s fighting to protect undocumented families, raising pay for educators and school staff, making our schools safer and more inclusive, or ensuring every student receives a high-quality education, Scott has stayed grounded in his values: equity, transparency, and unwavering accountability.
This isn’t just about what he believes — it’s about what he’s accomplished.
Focused on Academic Recovery and Excellence
Academic progress is an accomplishment, too. Under Scott’s governance, DPS undertook a major literacy initiative, implementing a new K-5 reading curriculum rooted in the science of reading. Early results are promising – literacy scores have begun to climb back up. The board also expanded free full-day preschool and kindergarten (with state support) and launched high-impact tutoring programs using federal relief funds – efforts Scott strongly supported to combat COVID learning loss. DPS saw gains on the National Assessment (NAEP): notably, Denver’s 4th and 8th grade reading scores improved in 2022 when many other cities saw declines. Scott will be the first to say there’s a long way to go, but these green shoots of progress are a testament to the policies and resources put in place during his term. He has consistently prioritized academic excellence, from early literacy to college and career readiness.
Improved School Safety and Support Systems
Scott has pushed through significant improvements in how DPS keeps students safe and supported. He was a key voice behind the district’s new comprehensive safety plan after the East High incident, which not only revised the role of security officers but also boosted mental health resources and prevention programs. Additionally, during Scott’s term, DPS hired its first Chief of Climate and Safety to coordinate anti-bullying efforts, threat assessment, and emergency response districtwide. Scott also supported expanding social-emotional learning curriculum and staff training to better address student mental health needs, especially coming out of the pandemic. From securing funding for more counselors and school psychologists to instituting data tracking of discipline to ensure fairness, Scott’s fingerprints are on a host of safety and wellness initiatives that are making DPS schools safer and more welcoming.
Raised Pay for Teachers and Staff
One of the Scott's proudest accomplishments is significantly improving compensation for educators and hourly school workers. Scott was a strong advocate for the 2022 compensation agreements that resulted in average teacher raises of 11.5% in 2023-24, and he continues to push for competitive salaries to attract top teaching talent. He also championed the increase of DPS’s minimum wage to $20/hour for all employees – a change that benefited over 1,700 support staff and made DPS a regional leader in pay equity. From paraprofessionals to bus drivers, no group was overlooked.
Protected Immigrant Students and Families
Scott helped lead DPS in reinforcing its status as a safe haven district. He supported the 2021 Board resolution directing that no DPS staff will assist in federal immigration enforcement, and in 2024 he pushed for even stronger protections in response to new threats. Most dramatically, DPS (with Scott’s backing) sued the federal government to block ICE from making arrests at or near schools – making DPS the first district in the nation to take such action. This bold stance has reassured countless families that school is a safe place for their children, no matter their documentation status.
Scott's First Term Milestones:
Graduation Rate
When Scott was elected in 2021, the four-year graduation rate in Denver Public Schools was 73.99%. Since then, it has risen to 80% the highest graduation rate in the district’s history.
Climate Action
During Scott's first term Denver Public Schools adopted a student-led climate policy after persistent advocacy from the DPS Students for Climate Action, a group of students from eight schools. Their efforts earned national recognition, including the President’s Environmental Youth Award and a visit from Vice President Kamala Harris in 2023.
Universal Dyslexia Screening
Throughout Scott’s first term in office, advocates from DenCoKID successfully pushed the Denver School Board to adopt a universal dyslexia screening policy for all students in grades K–3. This was a significant step forward, as an estimated 1 in 5 children have dyslexia, and children of color are often underdiagnosed and underserved. Denver Public Schools became one of the first districts in Colorado to implement such a comprehensive policy.
Meet Director Esserman
Scott Esserman’s journey in education began as a high school summer camp counselor on Mt. Evans, sparking a lifelong commitment to kids and learning. With over 20 years in the classroom, Scott has taught students from ECE to high school, coached multiple sports, and built nationally recognized speech and debate programs. He played a key role in founding Northfield High School, where he helped write the innovation plan and served on the founding faculty.
Scott is known for centering relationships, culturally relevant teaching, and student voice in every setting. As a proud DPS parent, he’s served on Collaborative School Committees, co-chaired the Manual Council, and chaired the District Accountability Committee.
