When he kicked off his gubernatorial campaign in July 2017, Jared Polis promised to campaign on “big, bold ideas.” That’s one promise he would keep In the following 16 months, Polis pitched voters on more than 100 policy ideas big and small, promising to remake health care in the state, usher in historic expansions of […]
teacher pay
Posted inEducation, News
Teachers living in campers: How rural Colorado districts are coping with growing teacher shortage
Steve Wilson has spent 35 years in education in rural Colorado, the past 14 as superintendent of the Big Sandy School District that stretches across ranchland in Elbert and El Paso counties. In his second year as superintendent there, four teachers retired, wiping out more than 132 years of experience. Back then, the vacancies posed […]
Posted inEducation, News
Denver Public Schools begins cutting 150-plus central office positions to pay for teacher raises
By Erica Meltzer, Chalkbeat Colorado Denver Public Schools began the process this week of cutting more than 150 administrative positions from its central office, which will free up $17 million for raises for teachers and other district employees, as well as additional money for special education services. The Denver district has far more administrators than others in […]
Posted inEducation, News
How long will the Denver teachers strike last? Past strikes and present considerations offer clues.
By Philissa Cramer, Chalkbeat When teachers in Los Angeles went on strike last month, their leaders warned that they would be off the job for “as long as it takes” to reach a deal with the district. They were back in class after six school days. That timeline could offer a template for what happens in Denver as […]
Posted inEducation, News, Politics and Government
Gov. Polis won’t stop Denver teachers’ strike Monday. But here is why he’s worried about fallout.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Wednesday said he will not intervene to prevent a teacher strike Monday in Denver, saying an eleventh-hour deal is possible to prevent picket lines in Colorado’s largest school district. “What I’ve told both sides is: This will end with an agreement. We should try to deliver that same agreement now, […]
Posted inEducation, Politics and Government
Jared Polis injected himself into Denver teachers’ strike. Now he needs a way out.
From the steps of the Capitol on Wednesday, Denver teachers demanded better wages and affirmed their intent to strike — a message aimed not just at the school district but also Gov. Jared Polis. “Hey Polis, do what’s right, join our teachers, in our fight,” the crowd of hundreds chanted just outside the governor’s office […]
Posted inNews, Politics and Government
Denver teachers’ strike won’t begin Monday as planned amid procedural wrangling involving Gov. Polis
By Colleen Slevin, The Associated Press Denver school officials asked the state on Wednesday to intervene in its pay dispute with teachers, a move that will delay a strike that had been scheduled to start Monday. Denver Public Schools asked for help from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment after teachers overwhelmingly voted to strike. The department […]