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Hundreds of district staff were not allowed into the board meeting due to capacity limits.
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. — Tensions escalate as two education unions within Jeffco Public Schools negotiate contracts with the district. This week, hundreds of district staff attempted to attend a school board meeting but were not allowed in.
On Thursday evening outside the Jeffco Education Center, district staff rallied, their chants echoing demands for entry. Yet, security remained resolute at the door.
In a statement, Jeffco Public Schools cited fire safety capacity as the primary reason for the denial of entry. A statement clarified that the meeting’s initial agenda, focusing on honors and recognitions, led to an influx of attendees, including students, staff, and families. Consequently, those seeking to present public comments were directed to the lobby until space permitted their entry. The overflow room, typically available, was occupied due to ongoing contract negotiations.
In the crowd outside, two unions, both currently negotiating contracts, were present: the Jeffco Education Support Professionals Association (JESPA), representing support staff like bus drivers, custodians, and food service workers, and the Jefferson County Education Association (JCEA), representing educators who showed solidarity with their JESPA colleagues.
“We wanted to back them up and show them that they’re not in this fight alone,” said Collin Ferraro, an English teacher at Wheat Ridge High School who is part of JCEA.
JESPA is primarily advocating for improved benefits and compensation, an end to employee outsourcing, and increased investment in nutritious meals for students. Recently, they declared an impasse in negotiations. According to Zander Kaschub, JESPA’s President, the district is negotiating in bad faith.
“We believe that they’re violating our contract in how they have come to the table,” said Kaschub.
In contrast, JCEA’s negotiations proceed differently, prompting Ferraro to express concern over what he perceives as disparate treatment.
“They had to face a district lawyer and we have not had that same resistance. So, I feel there’s definitely a discrepancy with how JESPA’s negotiations are dealt with from the district level,” said Ferraro.
Employees stress that the repercussions of failed negotiations extend beyond the bargaining table, impacting students directly.
“We stay working in public schools because we care. We love our students,” said Kaschub.
JCEA’s final bargaining meeting is next Thursday with their contract expiring in 12 weeks. JESPA persists in their pursuit of a pay increase for the current year, despite their contract expiring in August 2025.
More reporting by Rhea Jha:
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