Denver’s teachers union is taking to the airwaves and reserving time after school to talk to parents in an effort to explain its side of the negotiation squabble for a new contract.
The publicity effort will include radio advertisements and comes a week before mediation begins between the Denver Classroom Teachers Association and Denver Public Schools with a professional arbiter.
“This is an opportunity to start a conversation with the community and, specifically, our parents,” said Kim Ursetta, president of the Denver Classroom Teachers Association.
The teachers’ contract expires Aug. 31.
The union and administration are at odds over potential changes to the Professional Compensation System for Teachers, ProComp — the alternative pay plan supported by a $25 million annual mill levy.
The district wants to overhaul the system that was put in place two years ago, suspending some yearly pay increases for longtime teachers and giving richer incentives to teachers enrolled in the plan.
The union says that the current plan is fair to all teachers but that DPS’s proposal would favor beginning teachers over veterans.
Beginning today, radio ads produced by the union will begin airing on local radio stations.
The union also asked teachers Wednesday to wear stickers and take 20 minutes before and after school to explain the union’s side to parents.
“The conversation has very much been in the public, and our side has not been heard,” Ursetta said. “We want to make sure people hear from us.”
Jeremy P. Meyer: 303-954-1367 or jpmeyer@denverpost.com
