The Denver teacher pay-for-performance plan (ProComp) was endorsed Saturday by U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar.
“This is really an historic effort on the part of education. It gives us the opportunity to recruit and retain the best (teachers),” Salazar said.
The Denver school district is asking voters to approve a property-tax increase Nov. 1 to generate $25 million to fund the plan.
The outcome will be watched closely by educators around the country because its a trailblazing plan that would base teacher pay on individual performance rather than just years of service.
The pay-for-performance idea started six years ago and was designed by Denver Public School administration and the teachers union.
Salazar’s support Saturday was welcomed by the teacher’s union.
“He has his children in DPS and it shows he is committed to DPS students and teachers,” said Kim Ursetta, president of the teachers association.
On Saturday, Salazar was joined by Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, Denver Public School Superintendent Michael Bennet and City Council President Rosemary Rodriguez, and others who all support the proposed mill levy. The group gathered at Viking Park across from North High School, where Salazar’s daughter is a student.
ProComp, listed as ballot question 3A,is being called the nation’s most innovative teacher compensation pay system by supporters because it would allow teachers to be compensated for teaching difficult subjects and for working in schools that have staff retention issues and for improving their knowledge and skills.
Julia C. Martinez contributed to this report.
Staff writer Annette Espinoza can be reached at 303-820-1655 or aespinoza@denverpost.com.
