Educators Take a Stand
Teachers and staff across Colorado are preparing to participate in the “No More Education Cuts” statewide day of action on March 20, a protest organized by the Colorado Education Association (CEA). In response, the Boulder Valley School District (BVSD) and Adams 12 Five Star Schools have canceled classes for the day due to widespread teacher absences.
Colorado faces a $1 billion budget shortfall, and Governor Jared Polis has proposed changes to school funding that would allocate funds based on single-year student counts rather than the multi-year averaging system previously used. While Polis’ office claims the proposal will increase education funding by $138 million next year, educators argue it could result in severe financial shortfalls for many districts, leading to staff layoffs and school closures.
CEA President Kevin Vick stressed the importance of the protest, warning that removing the multi-year averaging system would force drastic cuts. “If we lose this averaging, many districts will face huge deficits, requiring them to lay off hundreds of teachers, cut programs, and potentially close schools,” Vick explained.
Districts Respond to Budget Concerns
Several education leaders have voiced concerns about the proposed funding formula. Adams 12 Five Star Schools Superintendent Chris Gdowski previously warned that his district alone could see a $13.2 million deficit, leading to larger class sizes, the loss of 130 teachers, and reduced extracurricular programs.
Dave Lockley, a social studies teacher and president of the District 12 Educators’ Association, emphasized that the protest aims to amplify educators’ voices. “The goal is for legislators to hear directly from educators, parents, and community members who understand that we are already among the worst-funded education systems in the country,” Lockley said.
Lockley, who is both a teacher and a parent within the district, noted that an email was sent to the Five Star Community explaining the school closures. The message cited “labor shortages” as the reason, as “hundreds of teachers have indicated they will take personal leave on March 20 to attend the rally at the Capitol.”
Legislative Debate and Future Outlook of Education Cuts
Governor Polis’ office defended the proposed changes, rejecting claims that they would result in education cuts. Deputy Press Secretary Ally Sullivan stated, “The Governor’s budget proposal responsibly funds students based on where they are actually learning, not through arbitrary multi-year averaging.” She also argued that canceling school places an unnecessary burden on parents and disrupts student learning.
Despite this defense, many educators believe the state must adopt a more sustainable approach to funding schools. “We cannot continue balancing the budget on the backs of students and educators,” Vick stated.
The rally will be held at the Colorado State Capitol from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is open to all concerned community members. Organizers hope the demonstration will highlight the critical need for increased education funding and influence future policy decisions. As Colorado lawmakers debate the future of school funding, educators remain committed to fighting for a system that supports both teachers and students.