DENVER, CO — Educators across the Denver metro area are taking a stand today, rallying at the Colorado State Capitol to protest proposed changes to the state’s education funding. As a result, some schools are closed Thursday, with up to 3,000 teachers expected to participate in the demonstration, calling attention to potential budget cuts that could impact thousands of students.
Gabriel Guerrero, a language arts teacher at Denver Public Schools (DPS), expressed his reluctance to miss a day in the classroom but emphasized the importance of the rally. “Polis and lawmakers who are far removed from our classroom are making some horrible decisions that are going to negatively impact the future of our students by taking away resources,” Guerrero said. The protest highlights concerns that new funding formulas could lead to significant cuts in school budgets, which would ultimately affect student resources and class sizes.
The Colorado Association of School Executives, which helped organize the rally, explained that the changes stem from a new approach to counting students. The proposed shift would replace the current multi-year average with a single-year count, resulting in an estimated $150 million reduction in funding for schools across the state.
Despite these claims, Governor Jared Polis has defended the proposal, stating that the budget increases overall per-pupil funding by $388 and total education funding by $138 million. “My budget actually increases total per pupil funding, which is a win for schools,” Polis said in a statement. However, local school leaders, including Adams 12 Superintendent Chris Gdowski, argue that the new formula will result in a $13 million cut to their district’s budget, potentially leading to the loss of 130 teaching positions and larger class sizes.
The controversy centers on how funding adjustments will be made based on actual student enrollment. The governor’s office explained that schools with declining enrollment would see their funding adjusted accordingly. “In order to help schools access an increase in funding driven by the new, student-centered school finance formula, Colorado must start funding students where they are, not empty chairs,” a spokesperson for the governor’s office stated.
While the governor’s office emphasized that the new formula ensures funding is based on actual student numbers, critics argue that it leaves some schools, particularly those with fluctuating enrollment, at a disadvantage. The shift in the funding formula has sparked frustration and concern from educators, who argue that it could lead to teacher layoffs, larger class sizes, and a diminished quality of education.
The rally has also raised concerns among parents, particularly those whose children will be affected by the school closures. Joan Marcano, a parent in DPS, voiced support for the teachers but acknowledged the difficulties that some families face due to school closures. “We’ve offered some of the parents in my ECE room for my daughter given that we have the flexibility,” Marcano said, emphasizing the community’s willingness to help each other during this time of uncertainty.
Despite the disruption caused by school closures, the rally underscores the determination of educators to advocate for the resources their students need. As the dispute over education funding continues, the teachers’ voices are growing louder, demanding that lawmakers protect the future of Colorado’s education system.
