Colorado Springs School District 11 is preparing for a one-day teacher strike scheduled for Wednesday, prompted by a dispute over the replacement of a formal contract with a new handbook. The district administration has stated that schools will remain open, with substitute teachers ready to fill classrooms, while the teachers' union anticipates significant participation in the walkout.
Key Takeaways
- A one-day teacher strike is planned for Wednesday in Colorado Springs School District 11.
- The conflict centers on the district replacing a legally binding Master Agreement with an employee handbook.
- District 11 reports having 235 substitute teachers prepared to cover for an anticipated 230 striking educators.
- The teachers' union, CSEA, states the new handbook harms teachers and students, while the district maintains it has improved working conditions.
The Central Conflict: Master Agreement vs. Employee Handbook
The planned strike stems from a decision made by School District 11 to replace its long-standing Master Agreement with an employee handbook. The Colorado Springs Education Association (CSEA), the union representing the teachers, argues this change removes crucial legal protections for educators.
According to the union, the Master Agreement was a legally binding contract that outlined specific terms for employment, working conditions, and dispute resolution. The new handbook, they contend, does not carry the same legal weight and can be altered by the district at any time without negotiation.
"They’ve taken positions that are not in the best interest of our teachers or our students and are harmful to kids," said Kevin Coughlin, president of the CSEA.
District Assures Stability and Improvement
The school district's leadership presents a different view of the situation. They assert that the transition away from the Master Agreement has not negatively impacted educators. Instead, they claim conditions have improved.
Dr. Thomas Carey, a director on the D11 school board, defended the district's actions. "When we allowed the Master Agreement to expire, we made the promise that your wages are not going to change, except to get better; your working conditions are not going to change, except to get better," Carey stated. "And we’ve kept both those promises."
Background on the Dispute
The vote authorizing this one-day strike was conducted by the CSEA back in May. The decision to proceed with the walkout this week represents a significant escalation in the ongoing disagreement between the union and the school district over employment terms and teacher protections.
Operational Plans for the Day of the Strike
As teachers prepare to form picket lines, School District 11 officials have been working to ensure that the educational day proceeds with as little disruption as possible. The administration is encouraging parents to send their children to school as usual.
"Absolutely, they should send their kids to school. That’s why we’re here," said Jill Haffley, the vice president of the D11 school board. "It’s unlike any other day on our side for what we want to do, so absolutely send your kids to school."
Strike by the Numbers
- Total Teachers in D11: Approximately 1,800
- Union Membership: Over 1,000 members, according to CSEA.
- Anticipated Strikers: The district expects 230 teachers to participate.
- Substitutes Prepared: The district has secured 235 substitutes.
Contingency Planning Based on Past Events
The school board expressed confidence in its ability to manage the strike, drawing comparisons to a previous event. In March, 270 teachers attended a protest in Denver, and the district reported that it handled the absences with minimal operational issues.
Officials expect a similar outcome for Wednesday's planned strike, suggesting that the impact on classroom instruction will be limited due to their preparation and the number of substitutes available.
Conflicting Views on the Strike's Impact
While the district projects a near-normal school day, the CSEA and its supporters believe the strike will send a powerful message. The union argues that the day will be anything but ordinary and will highlight the importance of teacher solidarity.
"I can’t speak for what the district does or says, but I can tell you tomorrow is not a normal day," Coughlin explained. He described the event as a historic moment for Colorado Springs and an "opportunity that we have to stand up for students."
The union anticipates that teachers, parents, and even students will join the picket lines, which are scheduled to begin at 7:00 a.m. outside several D11 school campuses. The CSEA's position is that the demonstration is a necessary step to protect the quality of education in the district.
Attendance and Absences
With the district officially holding a regular school day, standard attendance policies will be in effect. Parents of students who do not attend school on Wednesday will be required to formally excuse their child's absence. This procedure ensures that student attendance records are maintained accurately despite the external labor dispute.
The differing perspectives set the stage for a day of uncertainty. The district is focused on maintaining continuity for the nearly 26,000 students it serves, while the teachers' union is focused on demonstrating its collective resolve to secure what it considers fair and legally protected working conditions.