A Day of Action: Educators Protest Potential Funding Overhaul

Denver, CO – thousands of Colorado educators are converging on the State Capitol today, March 20, as part of a statewide “No more Education Cuts” day of action organized by the Colorado Education Association (CEA).The rally is a direct response to concerns over potential changes to how Colorado funds its K-12 education system, changes that could led to critically important budget reductions for many districts.

The core of the dispute revolves around the state’s 2025-26 budget.Rather of direct cuts, a proposal suggests altering the way Colorado counts students, perhaps impacting the amount of per-pupil funding schools recieve. Critics argue this change could disproportionately affect districts with declining enrollment or unique student populations.

Our teachers are tired of always — and every year — balancing the budget on the backs of our students,

Rob Gould,president of the Denver Classroom Teacher’s Association (DCTA)

School Districts Respond with Closures,Leaving Parents Scrambling

Anticipating widespread participation in the rally and subsequent staff shortages,several Colorado school districts preemptively canceled classes for today.Boulder Valley School District, Adams 12 Five Star Schools, and Aurora Public Schools all announced closures in the days leading up to the event. These closures have left many parents scrambling to find alternative childcare options.

Denver Public Schools (DPS) took a different approach. Rather than closing all schools, the district identified 30 DPS-managed schools and 55 charter schools/”innovation zones” that would remain open. This decision aimed to provide some level of stability for families while still acknowledging the educators’ right to protest.

Joan Marcano, a DPS parent with two daughters at Stedman Elementary School (which is closed today), expressed understanding for the teachers’ position, despite the childcare challenges. [I’ve been] coordinating with my wife, ‘Hey, what do you think we’re going to do?’ Marcano said, highlighting the last-minute adjustments families are forced to make.

The Funding Debate: A Closer Look at the Proposed Changes

The proposed changes to Colorado’s education funding formula have sparked intense debate. While the state government argues that these adjustments are necessary to ensure equitable distribution of resources and to account for shifting demographics, educators and advocacy groups fear that they will ultimately lead to underfunded classrooms and diminished educational opportunities for students.

One potential change involves adjusting the “pupil count” methodology. Currently, schools receive funding based on the number of students enrolled. The proposed change might incorporate factors such as attendance rates or student needs (e.g., students with disabilities, English language learners, or those from low-income families). While these factors could provide a more nuanced understanding of student needs, critics worry that they could also create opportunities for manipulation or lead to unintended consequences.

Beyond Funding: Addressing the Root Causes of Educator Dissatisfaction

The funding debate is just one facet of a broader issue: growing dissatisfaction among educators nationwide. Factors such as stagnant wages, increasing workloads, and a perceived lack of support from administrators and policymakers are contributing to burnout and attrition rates. In a recent study by the National Education Association (NEA), over 55% of educators reported feeling burned out, a significant increase from pre-pandemic levels.

Addressing these underlying issues will require a multi-pronged approach that includes:

• Increasing teacher salaries to attract and retain qualified educators.
• Reducing class sizes to alleviate workload and provide more individualized attention to students.
• providing more professional advancement opportunities to support teacher growth and innovation.
• Empowering teachers to make decisions about curriculum and instruction.

DPS Stance and Community impact

Scott Pribble, the spokesperson for DPS, emphasized that the schools remaining open would maintain their regular educational schedule. This a customary educational day. This is not designed to be daycare for the day, said Pribble, highlighting the district’s commitment to providing continued learning despite the circumstances. Pribble also clarified the district’s timing in announcing the school closures, explaining the importance of a unified proclamation, We didn’t want to just send out a letter at a time and a letter at a time and have parents go, ‘Well they heard from their school. Why haven’t we heard from our school?’ So instead, we waited until we knew what the full plan was for the entire district and made the call at that time, he explained.

While grappling with immediate childcare needs, many families, like Marcano, vocalized their support for the teachers’I support the teachers. These are the peopel who take care of my daughters every day, he said

Looking Ahead: Finding Common Ground

The events of today underscore the urgent need for a constructive dialog between educators, policymakers, and community stakeholders. Finding common ground and developing lasting solutions that prioritize the needs of students and support the dedicated professionals who serve them is critical for the future of Colorado’s education system.

The long-term ramifications of the proposed funding changes remain to be seen. Though, one thing is clear: the passion and dedication of Colorado’s educators are unwavering. As Rob Gould stated, our teachers are tired of always — and every year — balancing the budget on the backs of our students. Their voices, amplified by today’s rally, will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping the future of education in the state.