Teachers Protest End of Master Agreement in Colorado Springs

In Colorado Springs, teachers and community members recently rallied outside District 11's Administration Building to express their dissatisfaction with the Board of Education's decision to terminate a long-standing agreement with the Colorado Springs Education Association, their union. This agreement, known as the master agreement, had been in place for decades and covered crucial aspects like teacher salaries and planning time. The board made this decision back in December, choosing to replace the master agreement with a new handbook. Many teachers feel that this move is more than just a simple change in policy. It's about their say in district decisions. Jaclyn Roberson, a D11 teacher and parent, shared, "The board doesn't want teachers involved in decision-making processes. " Roberson also highlighted that under the current agreement, teachers can sit on committees and have an equal voice with district-level administration. She worries that losing this agreement might lead to the loss of many good teachers. Dr. Angel Givler-viers, another D11 teacher, echoed these concerns. Not everyone agrees with the teachers' perspective. Joel Sorensen, from D11 Momentum, believes the board's decision is beneficial for the district. He thinks the old contract sometimes hindered progress. The board has planned four town halls over the next few months to gather community input on the new handbook. Additionally, they are forming a committee where any D11 staff member can apply. Applications for this committee open on January 13.