With substantial turnover imposed by voters Tuesday on the board of Colorado’s biggest school district, Denver Public Schools, the business of governing starts afresh when the new members are sworn in Dec. 2.

We stress “governing” because it’s been sorely missing on Denver’s school board for years.

Tuesday’s headline was that voters fired two of three incumbents, rabble-rousers Scott Esserman and Michelle Quattlebaum. That’s a big deal. Denver should welcome the news.

During their first two years, the duo teamed with former member Auon’tai Anderson to wage culture-war battles and attack opponents. Their antics were extremely disruptive, drowning the board in personal drama and blocking any discernible progress. The two members ousted Tuesday had continued their disruptions after Anderson left.

Now all three are off the board. That clears space to focus on students, teachers, school safety and academic results.

That’s the resounding message voters sent the incoming board: less theater, more governance.

The third incumbent, Sochi Gaytán, handily won reelection. During those same two years, she was sometimes the adult in the room, trying to rein in the chaos. Perhaps that signals she’ll help lead a reset.

Then again, Gaytán and the current board wasted months holding kangaroo court-caliber proceedings targeting Director John Youngquist, an esteemed former East High School principal.

The investigation, estimated to cost six figures, examined vague and, by all indications, groundless allegations of mistreatment and racial bias against staff. Most of the public tuned it all out. Those who did tune in probably found it hard to follow along.

In the end, the report didn’t prove deliberate bias. Rather, it presented anonymous grievances about Youngquist pressing for data, asking probing questions and demanding transparency. Isn’t that what parents and taxpayers should be able to expect from all school board members? In fact, it’s essential.

The new board will have plenty on its plate — and must dig in ASAP.

In DPS, just 42% of students in grades K-8 read and write at grade level. Only a third meets state standards in math. The numbers are even more troubling for Black and brown students, who are consistently left behind while the district purports to emphasize “equity.” This is unacceptable.

Meanwhile, parents and staff alike remain concerned about school safety. Recent events at Evergreen High School and ongoing Denver-Metro crime underscore the need to ensure our schools and students are as safe and secure as possible.

In Youngquist and Kimberlee Sia, both elected in 2023, the board already has at least a couple of constructive voices. Our hope is that Gaytán and the newcomers — DJ Torres, Monica Hunter and Amy Klein Molk — will embrace their role as focused leaders, end the drama and work to improve a beleaguered district.

It’s not lost on us that all four winners were backed by the Denver Classroom Teachers Association. The question is whether they’ll diligently hold the district accountable — and will feel free to do so independently of the interests of the union that funded their victories.

The incoming directors should also bear in mind that voters retired Esserman and Quattlebaum because they had become so inimical to the district that even the union, which had backed them in the last election, knew they had to go.

We all want to move forward for the sake of Denver’s students. With a new board in place, there’s an opportunity for real change. Let all the board members roll up their sleeves and get to work.