Did you know that Colorado ranks 47th in teacher salaries? Did you know that we pay teachers 40% less than the average state wage? We have a crisis on our hands. Rural teachers work two and three jobs to make a living wage.
We expect them to donate hundreds of unpaid hours, while purchasing classroom supplies and working under stressful and emotionally challenging conditions. It’s shameful.
Colorado Senate Bill 89 seeks to rectify the situation by creating a dedicated fund to increase teacher pay; and by demanding that the Budget Stabilization Factor be brought down to zero within the next three years. (The Budget Stabilization Factor is a tool that allows the Legislature to glean funds from public education annually to fund other state needs. By invoking it, legislators underfunded Colorado public education, between 2012 and 2019, by $8.1 billion.
Teachers across the state are preparing to walk out in protest at the lack of support they get from the state. Our task is to demand that the state fully fund education and to pay our teachers.
Call your legislators and tell them that you support teachers and SB 89.
Anne BensonMancos
