Pueblo teachers gather outside of schools on first day back after strike

District 60 Pueblo teachers gathered outside of East High School and Franklin School of Innovation Monday. The teachers dressed in pink and formed circles while chanting outside of the schools.

“I’m absolutely excited about seeing my kids that’s all I’ve been thinking about,” said Jacqueline Riggs, an English teacher at East High School.

Around 17,000 student and 1,000 teachers returned to school Monday after the teachers voted on and approved a new deal from District 60 Sunday.

The deal includes a 2 percent cost of living or COLA increase effective immediately and retroactive to January 1st. The district will pay teachers for three of the days they were on strike. The two other strike days will count as teachers’ personal time or they will work additional days. For the upcoming school year, union members will see a 2.5 percent COLA, and 50 additional dollars toward health insurance.

The teacher’s union says the end of the strike is a victory for everyone.

But some students thought there was a chance they wouldn’t come back to school.

“My initial thought was, oh my gosh, I might just be in summer already,” said Ukiah Fox, a D60 student.

Many parents shared the same fear.

“A lot of us thought it wasn’t going to last nearly that long,” said Darin Gigliotti, a parent.

Yolanda Moreno agreed, “I’m just glad it’s over and that there’s some closure to what the teachers needed.”

After striking for five days and rejecting three previous offers, all sides issued a joint statement saying they look forward to a year of healing and restoration of relationships.