Colorado Teachers Plan 'Day Of Action' Monday

ENGLEWOOD, CO -- As part of a nationwide movement of teachers asking for more resources, Colorado teachers will rally on the steps of the Capitol to lobby the General Assembly for more resources for Colorado schools.

The 2,800-student Englewood School District cancelled school Monday because 150 teachers said they planned to attend the rally, according to a statement from the superintendent.

"This means that over 70% of our teacher workforce will not be present to staff our schools, and we expect that number of absences to continue to grow,” a statement from Supt. Wendy Rubin said. “For that reason, we will be canceling school for students on Monday, April 16.”

The Colorado Education Association said the rally was a way to show support for students.

"Our dedicated Englewood teachers care about your kids more than anything. They are frustrated and fed up with students not having the resources they deserve. Kids don't have a voice, that's why teachers are joining a statewide action at the Capitol to stand up for our kids on Monday, April 16. We know this will be inconvenient on Monday, but we hope you understand that teachers are doing this out of love for your kids. If you have questions about this action or the reasons behind it, please call 303-764-0140."

Jefferson County School District teachers will hold a "walk in" Monday morning, entering the district's schools together "in solidarity" with those rallying at the capitol.

Teachers will urge legislators to use extra money in a "positive state revenue forecast" to better fund Colorado schools, according to the Colorado Teachers Association. The union is urging those who don't attend the rally to "wear red for public ed."

Colorado teacher pay is among the lowest in the country. As a result, a teachers shortage is gripping the state.

A national conversation on teacher pay has led to teacher walkouts in Arizona, Oklahoma and West Virginia.

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