N※N

Denver Teachers Protest Stalled Contract Negotiations

  //health-fitness.news-articles.net/content/2026/ .. chers-protest-stalled-contract-negotiations.html
  Published in Health and Fitness on Friday, February 20th 2026 at 20:58 GMT by Colorado Public Radio
      Locales: Colorado, UNITED STATES

Denver, Colorado - February 21st, 2026 - Hundreds of Denver Public Schools (DPS) educators, parents, and community supporters converged outside the Kaiser Permanente school board meeting yesterday, February 20th, in a powerful display of solidarity and escalating frustration regarding stalled contract negotiations. The demonstration underscores a growing crisis in Denver's public education system, as teachers demand crucial improvements to compensation, class sizes, and support staffing levels.

The protest, organized by the Denver teachers' union - the Denver Classroom Teachers Association (DCTA) - wasn't simply a call for better paychecks. It's a plea for the resources necessary to provide a high-quality education to Denver's students, and to retain the experienced educators who are increasingly leaving the profession due to burnout and unsustainable working conditions. The current contract proposal, according to union representatives, falls dramatically short of addressing these fundamental needs.

"We are not asking for luxuries; we are asking for the basics," stated DCTA President Sarah Chen during a passionate address to the crowd. "Our students deserve smaller class sizes so teachers can provide individualized attention. They deserve access to counselors, nurses, and support staff who can address their social-emotional and physical needs. And frankly, educators deserve to be compensated fairly for their dedication and expertise. We are losing talented teachers to other districts and other professions because they simply can't afford to live and work in Denver under these conditions."

The specific points of contention include a demand for a cost-of-living adjustment to salaries, which teachers argue has not kept pace with the rapidly increasing cost of living in Denver. Beyond compensation, the union is advocating for enforceable class size limits. Currently, many DPS classrooms are significantly overcrowded, with teachers struggling to meet the diverse learning needs of 30 or more students. The DCTA proposes a tiered system of class size limits, varying based on grade level and student needs, with lower limits for younger students and those requiring more individualized support.

Perhaps the most critical demand centers on the need for increased support staff. Denver schools are facing a severe shortage of school psychologists, counselors, nurses, and para-educators. This lack of support places an undue burden on teachers, who are often forced to address issues outside their area of expertise, taking away valuable time from instruction. Data presented by the DCTA highlights a dramatic increase in student mental health concerns in recent years, further exacerbating the need for qualified mental health professionals in schools.

The Kaiser Permanente school board, which oversees the funding and governance of DPS, is currently reviewing the union's proposal. Board members have acknowledged the challenges facing educators but have expressed concerns about budgetary constraints. The board maintains that it is committed to finding a mutually agreeable solution, but negotiations have been described as "difficult" and "slow-moving."

Today's board vote is considered a pivotal moment. A vote in favor of the union's demands could revitalize DPS, attracting and retaining talented educators, improving student outcomes, and fostering a positive learning environment. However, a rejection could trigger a range of escalating actions, including a potential strike. A strike, while a last resort, would undoubtedly disrupt the education of over 90,000 students in the Denver metro area.

Beyond the immediate contract negotiations, the situation in Denver reflects a national trend of teacher shortages and increasing dissatisfaction within the education profession. Many districts across the country are grappling with similar challenges, fueled by stagnant wages, increasing workloads, and a lack of adequate support. The outcome of the Denver negotiations could set a precedent for other districts facing similar issues.

The community appears largely supportive of the teachers' demands. Several parent groups have issued statements expressing their solidarity with the DCTA and urging the school board to prioritize the needs of students and educators. A petition circulating online calling for a fair contract has garnered over 10,000 signatures in less than 24 hours. The eyes of Denver, and indeed much of the nation, are now fixed on the Kaiser Permanente school board as they prepare to cast their votes and determine the future of Denver's public schools.