Principal Formerly from Denver Public Schools Granted Court Permission to Advance Lawsuit Against the School District
In a notable development, the lawsuit filed by Kurt Dennis, former Principal of McAuliffe International School, against Denver Public Schools has advanced. The lawsuit, which alleges wrongful termination related to his criticism of school safety policies, has been ongoing since his dismissal from the school.
On December 24, 20XX, Federal Judge John Kane rejected Denver Public Schools' motion to dismiss Dennis' lawsuit. Judge Kane's decision was based on the premise that it is plausible that Dennis' remarks to 9News, a public news channel, were not made in any official capacity.
The dispute between Dennis and the district began when Dennis was dismissed from his position. Since then, his pay and professional reputation have been affected, and he has struggled to find employment in an education-related field. However, Dennis has found work as a paraprofessional, a position he says reminds him why he became an educator in the first place.
The district argues that, as Principal, Dennis was subject to employment-related "disciplinary measures." They also claim that Dennis violated student privacy rights by giving the media redacted records of a student's written threats. In response, Judge Kane wrote that, based on the record, the information disclosed by Mr. Dennis is not covered by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Moreover, Denver Public Schools argued that Dennis made inappropriate remarks during an interview with 9News. However, Judge Kane noted that FERPA's non-disclosure provisions do not apply to individual instances of disclosure.
Dennis, in a statement, expressed a desire for an apology from Denver Public Schools for what he perceives as wrongful termination. He also stated that he has gained a deep appreciation for whistleblowers and people who speak up at some level of personal risk.
As of August 23, 2025, there are no publicly reported progress or court decisions on this specific case in the sources found. If you need detailed or the latest case-specific information, it might be necessary to check directly with Colorado court records or news outlets for more current or specialized coverage not indexed here.
The case continues to be a topic of interest, with many in the community hoping for a resolution that upholds the rights of educators to voice their concerns about school safety.
Education-and-self-development plays a crucial role in Dennis' life, as he found work as a paraprofessional after his dismissal from McAuliffe International School. This experience has made him appreciate the importance of speaking up, even at some level of personal risk.
