D20 high school teachers voice concerns at board meeting over new district proposal
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO)-- During an hours-long school board meeting Thursday, teacher after teacher with Academy School District 20 voiced their concerns surrounding a new district proposal.
Under the new proposal, teachers would lose a planning period and have it replaced with a new course. The plan offers no extra pay for the change.
Superintendent Tom Gregory believes the plan adds more class choices and helps students to be more flexible with their schedules.
Three of the five District 20 board seats were up for election last November, and all of them were filled by conservatives. The three received more campaign funding than their competitors and outspent them too. The majority of the backing came from a group named “Springs Opportunity Fund”
One teacher that took the podium told the board they were on "the "path of losing all teachers and staff."
"I cannot afford to continue doing what I love," said high school teacher Rachel Sinclair. "My time and energy have value and as a direct result of these decisions. I will be pursuing alternate careers."
A vote wasn't scheduled for the meeting, meaning the possibility of teachers losing a plan period is still up in the air.
In response to the proposal, nearly 30% of high school teachers and staff called off for Friday, Feb. 18, forcing the district to cancel classes for high school students.
It’s shifted to nearly all teachers coming up to talk about 6/8. One just said she turned in her resignation letter this week. This was final straw.
— Spencer Soicher KRDO (@spencersoicher) February 18, 2022
Another telling the board that kids already have more than enough credits to graduate and class choices to pick from. @KRDONC13 pic.twitter.com/CbHzXqsowK
In addition to the proposal, the board of education meeting discussed a policy surrounding parental choice about medical issues, and a high turnout is expected.
On the agenda for Thursday's meeting, District 20 says, "The BOE for Academy District 20 believes parents are the authority over their students and should be consulted for all medical decisions. Administrative policies exist to limit the teaching of controversial material to our students. The district administration and staff are encouraged to discuss medical issues with parents but should not discuss medical issues with students."
Under the rationale section, the agenda says, "Academy District 20 is an educational institution. With Covid-19 protocols causing an increased achievement gap with our students, it is imperative that teachers and staff focus on educating students in the subject matter of their expertise. All medical information should be given to parents or to students with parental consent."
You can watch a live stream of the meeting from the district website here.
