1/24 Update:
Yesterday, DPS filed a request with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) to intervene in the strike. While the CDLE considers this request, the DCTA has agreed to delay the strike. This means that DPS teachers and specialized service providers will continue to report to work until the CDLE has come to a decision. Given these events, we have been told it is unlikely that a strike will begin on Monday, January 28. It could still begin anytime after the CDLE has ruled, but Monday seems unlikely. To learn more about the specifics of this process, you can check out the fact sheet posted by the CDLE.
We will continue to keep you informed with updates as we hear them. Additionally, we will be sharing thoughts on speaking with students, navigating shared campuses, and any other potential ways a strike might impact our normal routines.
I want to thank you again for your unwavering dedication to our students, and continued focus on our mission despite these turbulent events. We will continue to do everything we can to keep you informed and equipped to best support our students and families.
Best,
Bill
As you know, the DCTA (Denver’s teachers union) and DPS have reached an impasse on compensation negotiations and DCTA teachers voted to strike late last night. While many questions remain about what happens next, we wanted to reach out to share a few things that we have learned.
A strike at DPS schools is expected to begin on Monday, January 28, unless a last minute agreement is reached or Governor Polis steps in to mediate the negotiations.
DSST is not involved in the DCTA negotiations and accordingly, all DSST Schools will remain open, operating with normal schedules, regardless of any DPS strike.
DPS has announced that it intends to keep its schools open, staffing classrooms with administrators, subs and teachers who do not strike.
We have no way of knowing how long any DCTA strike will last, but regardless of length we expect to operate our schools as usual.
DSST schools being open will not impact the negotiations between DPS and the DCTA.
Given the current context, it is important to know that DSST remains extremely supportive of efforts to better fund K-12 education in Colorado. To put it simply, we are in favor of growing the total amount that state and local governments invest in education and educator pay. As we did last spring at the State Capitol, we will continue to advocate for local and state legislative initiatives that increase funding in K-12 education.
Last week, as part of our planning cycle for the 2019/20 school year, we committed to a 12% average raise in teacher pay across our network. This decision was a part of an ongoing effort to increase compensation for all DSST team members over the last several years - an important priority for us.
We remain very supportive of all Denver teachers and all Denver schools. Yet we share in the concerns of many throughout our community about the impact a strike will have on our students and families. As a public education organization, we feel deeply for both sides in the current negotiations. However, as a charter network we are not party to the conversation between the DCTA and DPS and do not know the intricacies of their respective positions.
Like you, we are hopeful of a quick and fair resolution to the current DPS-DCTA negotiation. Denver kids need all public schools and all public school teachers now more than ever, and we hope our colleagues across the city will be able to return to the classroom soon with a satisfactory resolution.
As we learn more in the coming days we will be in touch with you regularly about details and logistical considerations for how a strike could impact our specific campuses.
If you have any questions or concerns about the strike please contact your School Director, Christine Nelson, Chief Talent Officer, or Heather Lamm, Chief Advocacy and Communications Officer at the Home Office.