Teachers in Jefferson County Public Schools plan to show their support for public education by walking in to school together the morning of April 16.
The show of solidarity is sponsored by the Jefferson County Education Association and aimed at taking a stand and informing the community about the challenges teachers face everyday.
The act, which does not detract from educating students, will be held the same day more than 70 percent of Englewood school’s teacher workforce will be absent to protest at the state capitol. As a result, Englewood Schools is closed that day.
The “day of action” is sponsored by the Colorado Education Association.
“We have an educator shortage in Colorado and legislators are uniquely positioned to do something about it, primarily through passing policies that support and value educators and our students,” a statement by the organization reads. “One clear way to value educators is by funding our schools. Legislators are working with a positive state revenue forecast in this session — they have substantially more money at their disposal this year to invest in educators and our students.”
The organization is also encouraging people to “wear red for public ed” and insist on increased school funding, and make it a a top budget priority.