We have known for months the litigation was coming - the Colorado Education Association and Denver Classroom Teachers Association's lawsuit against the Denver Public Schools over components of SB10-191, the Great Teachers and Leaders statute, which is the foundation of K-12 education reform in our state. And, yet, you always hold out hope that the deadline will pass, and that the battle lines that have been drawn are no longer necessary. Unfortunately, that will not be the case in this situation - as the debate is litigated over the ability of principals to control the destiny of their school by choosing which teachers they will and will not hire - ending a practice known as "forced placement"- or whether tenure is a vested property right.
Colorado Concern was a member of the coalition that worked to pass SB-191 in 2010, and we will continue to be a part of the group of business and education reform advocates defending any attempt to derail its critical components. This includes opposing any legislative measures that roll back or undermine the tenets of the law - measures that are expected through proposals sponsored by Senator Nancy Todd and Representative Joe Salazar. This opposition includes assisting the Attorney General and the Hickenlooper Administration in the legal defense of the statute in the court system - the first stop of which is Denver District Court.
You may be interested to know where Colorado citizens are on this issue. A statewide poll was conducted in December 2013. Key findings, which overwhelmingly support the provisions of SB10-191, are available here.
Additionally, former Governors Bill Owens and Bill Ritter have joined forces to note their support of the fundamental reforms put in place through this legislation. You can read their Denver Post op-ed here.
We will keep you informed as this issue moves forward. The strength of our future workforce's education is in the balance.
If you have questions about this issue, or any other policy matter, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected].
Warmly,
Tamra
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Colorado Concern is hosting a rescheduled luncheon with U.S. Senator Mark Udall at RubinBrown February 14. Click here for details and to register. ___________