Supporters of an effort to recall three members of the Jefferson County school board deliver petitions at the Jefferson County Courthouse earlier this year. (Denver Post file)
Re: “Jeffco recall effort should be rejected,” Oct. 14 editorial.
Your editorial questioned why Jefferson County teachers were upset by a new pay plan, but neglected to mention a critical fact: Teachers received only a 1 percent raise, dramatically below market.
For comparison, consider the raises (step increases plus cost-of-living adjustments) that seventh-year teachers received this year in other districts, compared to Jefferson County. Jeffco teachers, with a 1 percent raise, currently earn a salary of $47,112. Cherry Creek teachers received a 9.3 percent raise and earn $56,503. Littleton: 6.9 percent raise; $52,751 salary. Aurora: 7.1 percent raise; $53,961 salary. And Boulder: 4.9 percent raise; $61,909 salary.
Jeffco teachers surrendered raises for years based on the promise of market raises when the economy recovered. The new majority completely disregarded that agreement. No wonder Jeffco teachers are upset. Unbelievably, the district even sent e-mails touting the “raise” to parents without disclosing how under market it was. Bottom line: the Jeffco school board majority should be recalled because they refuse to treat teachers with respect and compensate them fairly.
John Mulhern, Arvada
This letter was published in the Oct. 24 edition.Re: “Does Jeffco recall squeeze charter schools?,” Oct. 21 guest commentary.
David Hurlbut wrote that the faction supporting the recall of the Jefferson County school board has “antipathy” towards charter schools. He then assumes that as a result, the replacement candidates are opposed to charter schools. I am not sure if Hurlbut attended any of the forums held over the last few weeks where the candidates stated their positions and answered questions about charter schools. I attended several and not once did I hear criticism of charter schools by those seeking to replace the board majority. What I heard is that charter schools need to be fiscally responsible, locally created and governed, and accountable to the school board. The candidates seeking to replace the school board would not throw these charter schools “under the bus,” but would have them get on the bus.
Gordon Hayes, Littleton
This letter was published in the Oct. 24 edition.
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