School board candidate stumbles on past parenting struggles

To some in the neighborhoods that she would have represented, her unsuccessful appointment left them without someone who could speak for the struggles that they face raising children, whether its poor education or difficult decisions about child care.

Diane Baird, a clinical psychologist with the University of Colorado's Kempe Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect, said that parents have a responsibility to protect their kids.

Rod Witte, chief executive officer of Denver's Tennyson Center for Children, said Holmes' experience makes her a good advocate for parents.

Holmes said the school board needs members to whom parents and students can relate and approach with questions about why drastic measures such as closing a school like her own Montbello might be necessary — and about what steps will follow to ensure their needs are met.

[...] that that her cautionary tale is public, she said, it could make her a role model if she keeps working to ensure we don't see this kind of opportunity gap any more.