Teacher Walkout: Arvada's JeffCo Schools Schedule April 26, 27

GOLDEN, CO -- Hundreds of JeffCo teachers will gather at the the state Capitol Thursday, April 26, for a "day of action" to talk to lawmakers about teacher pay and support of state pensions in the PERA program. "We are asking people, if they can take a personal day, to go downtown and talk to legislators," Scott Kwasny, spokesman for the Jeffco Education Association told reporter Sal Christ at the Columbine Courier.

Jeffco Public Schools Superintendent Jason Glass said the district will cancel school that day.

But JeffCo schools will be in session when about 10,000 teachers are expected to rally Friday, April 27 at the Capitol for a Colorado Education Association Day of Action.

"The lack of sufficient staff could impact the district's commitment to providing a safe learning environment. To ensure students' safety, we will not have school for students on Thursday, April 26. This remains a work day for all Jeffco Public Schools staff members; leave time must be appropriately used if employees are not at work that day, " Glass wrote on the district website. "I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause our families, but I'm pleased to be able to make the announcement well in advance so families may make needed arrangements. Perhaps some of you will be able to participate in "Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day," which happens to fall on the same day."

Colorado teachers are asking lawmakers to devote some of the state budget surplus to education, and to shore up the PERA public retirement union.

Related: Colorado Near The Bottom In U.S. Teacher Pay

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