Alex MagañaArchived

Alex Magaña

School BoardDemocrat

CO-Denver At-Large School Board

Age 58·Mexican-American·Former Executive Principal of Grant Beacon and Kepner Beacon Middle Schools

Why This Race Matters

Alex Magaña is running against Lost to Amy Klein Molk (D) in November 2025 general election.

The 2025 DPS school board election became a proxy battle between reform-minded candidates backed by Mayor Mike Johnston and Denver Families Action versus union-backed candidates supported by Denver Classroom Teachers Association. Union-backed candidates swept all four races, signaling a shift away from charter-friendly policies.

Magana received 43.6% (65,506 votes) vs Klein Molk's 56.4% (84,600 votes). Denver Families Action's independent expenditure committee spent over $900K supporting their endorsed candidates. After his loss, DPS dissolved the Beacon Innovation Management Organization in December 2025, ending Magana's executive principal role effective July 15, 2026.

Key dates to watch: General Election on November 4, 2025.

About

Alex Magana is a Mexican-American educator and first-generation college graduate who has dedicated 25+ years to Denver Public Schools. He began his journey in Immokalee, Florida, before moving to Denver to teach bilingual math at Kepner Middle School in 1998. He served as Executive Principal of Grant Beacon and Kepner Beacon middle schools until DPS dissolved the Beacon Innovation Management Organization in December 2025. He ran for the DPS Board of Education at-large seat in November 2025, losing to Amy Klein Molk (43.6% to 56.4%).

Family & Heritage

Mexican-American, first-generation college graduate. Grew up in Immokalee, Florida, before moving to Denver. Father of two children who graduated from DPS schools, including a son with dyslexia whose experience navigating the system shaped Magana's approach to supporting students with learning differences. Resides in Central Park neighborhood in northeast Denver.

Political Career

Before Politics

Corporate America (prior to education, 1998); Bilingual math teacher at Kepner Middle School (1998); Math coach; Assistant principal; Principal; Executive Director of Beacon Network Schools (2016-2025)

Education

M.Ed. from University of Denver; Bachelor's degree in accounting and finance

Key Issues & Priorities

*School safety and welcoming environments for all students
*Early literacy support and reading instruction
*Supporting students with learning differences from day one (proactive vs remediation)
*Closing achievement gaps between white students and students of color
*Rebuilding trust in the district through respect, collaboration, and transparency
*Teacher empowerment with competitive compensation and professional development

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