The teachers union in Jefferson County has come to an agreement with officials in the state’s second-largest school district on a tentative five-year contract for educators.
Jefferson County Public Schools on Wednesday said in a release that the agreement, which must still be ratified by the board of education and the Jefferson County Education Association, would provide $14.1 million in ongoing compensation increases and a $10.4 million one-year bump to the district’s teachers.
The deal also calls for a $2 million increase to the Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association in school year 2016-17.
“I think the length of the agreement is a testament to the strength of the contract,” Superintendent Dan McMinimee said. “My staff worked hard, the board gave as much to compensation as possible and JCEA was understanding of district limits.”
JCEA president John Ford said his side “worked hard to do what was best for teachers and students.”
In 2010, district employees agreed to a 3 percent pay cut to help with budget shortfalls in the 86,000-student district. They had also been shouldering an increasing share of health care premium costs.
“These situations, combined with state funding shortfalls, have led to below-market salaries in the district,” the district said in the release. “This agreement works towards closing that gap.”
Wednesday’s announcement marks a dramatic shift in relations between the board and the union, which less than two years ago .
Witt, along with two other conservative board members, was swept out of office in a recall election last fall.
