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Your Questions Answered Regarding School Funding and Amendment 73
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"Last night the board approved the resolution proposed by this community committee with its recommendations: Increasing teacher and staff compensation, increasing whole child supports, supporting higher-needs students and expanding early childhood education opportunities districtwide."
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Dear Team DPS,
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Supt. Tom Boasberg |
Over the last two months, a
committee
of educators, parents and community members
worked together to
propose to the board how the funds that would be raised if Amendment 73 passes should be spent.
Last night the board approved the
resolution
proposed by
this community committee with its recommendations:
Increasing teacher
and staff
compensation,
increasing whole child supports,
supporting higher-needs students and expanding early childhood education opportunities districtwide.
If
the Amendment is
approved, DPS has
proposed
adding $36 million to teacher compensation in addition to the
estimated
15% average teacher compensation increase over three years DPS committed to pay under the
five-year contract
that DPS and DCTA worked hard to reach last fall. The increase would be used to:
- Increase salary-building for veteran teachers beyond year 14.
- Increase starting salaries for all teachers to $50,000 and to almost $60,000 for our new teachers in our highest poverty schools.
- Double the current incentive for all teachers in high-poverty schools to $5,000 a year.
- Simplify ProComp and put more dollars into salary-building for all teachers.
DPS and DCTA will meet together
on
Monday to
discuss
the proposal, as well as what to do should the ballot initiative not pass.
For many of our educators -- including Katherine Kopp, a teacher at McAuliffe International -- being able to afford to live in the community they serve is a significant concern. "The cost of living is rising and teacher compensation isn't keeping up. Teachers are entitled to live where they work," she said.
This fall, we all have an important opportunity to participate in our democracy. I would encourage all to learn more about the pros and cons of Amendment 73 and how DPS currently invests our financial resources. I also remind all DPS employees to read and honor the guidelines for involvement in political campaigns during the upcoming election season. And no matter where you stand on Amendment 73 and other ballot initiatives this year, remember to register to vote, cast your ballot and make your voice heard.
Best,
Tom
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¡Somos DPS!: Meet the Johnson Elementary Jaguars!
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This week on ¡Somos DPS!, we visit the Jaguars of Johnson Elementary!
This school in southwest Denver has an inspiring group of fourth-graders in the Student Leadership Council. Together, they inspire their peers on how to become leaders, while also encouraging each other to advocate for themselves and the school's values.
Watch the video, and be sure to nominate your school or classroom by emailing our DPS Features video producer Ben McKee.
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DPS Farm-to-Cafeteria Builds Community and Sustainable Food Source
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This week, students feasted on locally raised beef and bison tacos accompanied by locally grown spicy corn salad, tomato-cucumber salad, Colorado peaches and cantaloupe. The goal of the local-only menu was to educate children about healthy eating.
Annually, DPS grows 8,383 pounds of produce on school grounds: 7,051 pounds on its farm at Schmitt Elementary, 363 pounds at the Denver Green School farm and 969 pounds in garden-to-cafeteria programs at a dozen schools. During the 2017-18 school year, DPS purchased 196,523 pounds of produce from Colorado farmers.
Stephen Cochenour, also known as Farmer Stephen, runs the farms that sit on school grounds. Farmer Stephen grows a variety of tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, jalapenos and sweet bell peppers. Everything grown is harvested at its prime and sent to school cafeterias throughout district. All of the produce grown over the season on DPS' two half-acre farms goes directly into students' bellies.
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