The Denver Board of Education at its meeting Thursday night approved a policy change – called Executive Limitations – focused on ensuring that all teachers in all district-run schools have the job rights and protections that are part of the teachers’ collective-bargaining agreement and the Teacher Employment Compensation and Dismissal Act (TECDA).
The policy change will eventually impact DPS’ 52 innovation schools, which have used a provision in state law that allows them to have autonomy from some requirements in state law and collective bargaining agreements if they submit an innovation plan that is approved by at least 60% of their faculty and is subsequently approved by the Board of Education and the state Board of Education. The new policy limits the superintendent from recommending Board approval of any innovation plan that waives teacher protections. A school could still bring forward a plan with any waivers to the DPS Board; however, the superintendent will not recommend plans to the Board that are inconsistent with the expectations of the new policy. The policy change does not impact existing innovation plans and does not go into effect immediately at innovation schools.
Under the approved policy, there continues to be flexibility in the areas of school calendars, licensure of staff in non-core subjects, and in schools that face state intervention for falling below accountability standards.
More detailed information on the new policy is available in this FAQ.
“This updated policy strikes the right balance between ensuring strong teacher rights and protections while providing targeted autonomy based on scholar and community needs,” said Superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero. “We are very thankful to everyone who shared their input on the issue. We remain committed to moving DPS forward with a focus on being community-led, district supported.”
