BOULDER — Hundreds of teachers protesting Boulder Valley’s contract offer stayed home from school again today.
Eight schools scrambled to come up with substitutes for 269 absent teachers. Monday, 342 teachers took the day off, according to district spokesman Briggs Gamblin.
Last week, contract negotiations broke down between the district and its teachers’ union, the Boulder Valley Education Association. The union wants a permanent cost-of-living increase to the pay scale, but the district says it doesn’t have the guaranteed revenue flow to make that change.
Instead, the district is offering a 1-percent stipend for one year only — plus 1 percent additional pay for working two more professional-development days. Union members have called that proposal unacceptable, and they’re standing firm in their insistence for a cost-of-living raise
This morning, a larger-than-average number of substitutes were needed at Monarch and Aspen Creek K-8 schools; Birch, Emerald, Kohl and Whittier elementaries; and Broomfield Heights and Angevine middle schools.
Teachers at other schools across the district held picket signs during the morning rush to drop off students.
See how much the district pay substitutes at .
