Denver’s Board of Education voted 6-1 Thursday to select an interim superintendent from New York to helm Denver Public Schools.

The board confirmed Dr. Alex Marrero, who since last October helped oversee the City School District of New Rochelle that serves nearly 11,000 students. He was selected over 31 other applicants in a nationwide search.

“Never would I have imagined a son of an immigrant mother, refugee father, who was expected to be another statistic in the quest for the American dream, and now lead a national top performing school district to raise the bar, continue to raise the bar for all students, and to eliminate any opportunity gaps between identifiable groups of students,” Marrero said during the virtual meeting. “I will be successful and in turn Denver Public Schools will be the nation’s model school district.”

The board also approved Marrero’s contract that will continue through July 30, 2023, and pay him an annual salary of $260,000 beginning when he assumes the role on July 6.

Director Barbara O’Brien was the only person who voted no. She cited Marrero’s lack of experience and what she called the extreme culture shock between the southwest and northeastern part of the country.

“From the very beginning, I couldn’t understand what he really stood for, other than the same things most candidates say — he’s for every child succeeding he’s for equity,” O’Brien said. “I just don’t think he’s quite the right fit for us, so I will be a no vote.”

O’Brien said despite the confirmation of Marrero, she will “do everything I can to help him be successful.”

Board of Education Director Tay Anderson, who has been under scrutiny amid sexual misconduct allegations, said his vote supporting Marrero was for the children and important for others to see.

“Today will be one of my last votes for the foreseeable future on the Denver school board and I want to make sure that I make the right one, and I believe that throughout this process ,and hearing community feedback, I understand that this is going to be the right vote to move forward, the right vote for our children, the right vote for students of color, especially young men of color in our district to see themselves represented in the highest position in our district and I see this as a the right vote for Denver’s future,” Anderson said.

“As we enter a post-pandemic world and really wanting to ensure that we just put our kids first throughout all the adult politics that our children always get put first,” he continued.

Others including Director Scott Baldermann said Marrero stood out during the interview process with ideas such as rebuilding a partnership with the Denver City Council and being someone who can unify a district.

“I had strong feelings about the next superintendent needing to be a unifier for the district, someone who could truly address the divide between the varying management levels in school,” Baldermann said in the meeting. “This is our opportunity to promote new policies and a new vision focused on collaboration and equity for Denver students, and you’re the right person to lead that charge.”

The board announced Marrero as the district’s sole finalist for its top position on May 26 during a news conference at South High School.

But the decision became controversial two days later as Marrero and seven others were named in a lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Brook Balchan, the district’s former medical director, alleges district leaders, including Marrero, attempted to silence her when she offered public health guidance regarding the pandemic by excluding her from meetings and rejecting or ignoring her advice on public health. She also claims to have received threats from the district’s legal team.

A Denver schools spokesperson previously told The Gazette’s news partner 9News that officials “were aware of the situation, but not all of it” when Marrero was chosen.

Balchan alleges Marrero made several decisions related to in-person learning protocols without consulting her, despite her being appointed as chair of the district’s health committee on reopening.

Additionally, the lawsuit alleges Marrero and other district leadership retaliated against her after she raised concerns over the legality of a COVID-19 vaccine clinic at Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital.

The lawsuit was not mentioned during the Denver Board of Education meeting.