Advocates: “Teachers: We see you. We appreciate you. Help is on the way.”
Denver – Stating that Colorado voters should have the opportunity to decide whether they want to harness the state’s economic rebound to address Colorado’s teacher shortage, the Great Schools, Thriving Communities (GSTC) Coalition this week launched their volunteer petition signature drive for Initiative 63. The ballot measure would divert annually over $800 million in already collected income taxes to the State Education Fund, where it must be used to “attract, retain, and compensate teachers and student support professionals.”
Public education supporters who want to get involved in the statewide volunteer effort can sign up immediately at a one-stop website, where they can get more information, request a petition to circulate, pledge to sign, and/or make donations. https://www.greatedaction.org/
“We are hearing from parents, students and teachers that we simply can’t wait. If we want experienced professionals in our schools, we have got to let our teachers know: We see you, we appreciate you, and help is on the way,” noted Lea Steed, a proponent of the initiative and Director of Equity Matters at Great Education Colorado.
Colorado currently holds the distinction of the least-competitive teacher salaries in the nation, a consequence of per pupil funding that has fallen to more than $2,000 per pupil behind the national average. (Graphs below.)
Notably, the initiative does not affect – and is not affected by – the recently announced plan to provide $400 TABOR “surplus” rebates checks in August. Those funds are rebated from the current fiscal year that ends on June 30 of this year. Initiative 63 would go into effect on January 1, 2023.
For additional quotes and information link here.
The Great Schools Thriving Communities (GSTC) Coalition, is an ongoing inclusive, diverse group of organizations committed to increasing adequate and equitable funding for Colorado public schools.
Having retired from CDE, and been involved in the Long Bill process, Not to mention hiring freezes as well as wage limits for doing work of others when the budget got cut, I’d sure like to know more about where that money is supposed to comes from before I’ll endorse you!
Hi WU! Thank you for checking out Initiative 63!
By taking advantage of a hot economy, and nearly $6 billion locked away in the artificial TABOR “surplus” over the next three years, this measure would provide much needed resources for our schools facing critical staffing shortages and staff facing some of the least competitive salaries and wages in the country.
Shame on you. What makes you so intitled? Negotiate your wages like everyone else. Surplus of my money.