Teacher tenure standoff continues in Colorado

A dispute over teacher tenure rules in Denver appears headed to court as both sides threw up their hands Monday and axed a measure aimed at resolving the dispute.

A Democratic lawmaker used a legislative maneuver Monday to shelve the bill. It was aimed at changing an education law that allows school districts to place some educators on permanent unpaid leave if no principal wants to hire them.

The provision was part of a 2010 law establishing a teacher-grading system being implemented statewide this school year.

Democratic Rep. Joe Salazar said he axed his own bill because Denver Public Schools would not compromise on its use of the “permanent unpaid leave” provision. A lawsuit about the dispute awaits a hearing in Denver.