Latest news with #AuroraPublicSchools
CBS News
a day ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Support staff of Colorado school district rallies for union recognition
Support staff and parents at Aurora Public Schools packed Tuesday's school board meeting, demanding a pathway to union recognition, and an end to what they call "union busting" inside the district. Education Support Professionals (ESPs) -- including paraeducators, bus drivers, nutrition workers, custodians and front office staff -- say they keep schools running, but have no voice in decisions that impact their jobs and students. Presently, only licensed staff such as teachers have the right to unionize at APS. Last semester, more than 60% of classified ESP employees signed a petition in support of forming a union. "We do work that is critical to making our school run," said Brandi Edmonds, an educational assistant at Clara Brown School. "We support our high needs students, keep buildings clean, make sure students get to and from school safely, feed our students daily. We deserve a voice in our district." Edmonds said her role extends far beyond teaching technology classes for students. She also acts as her school's IT support. Despite that, she doesn't qualify for the same bargaining rights as teachers. "It sucks. It's really scary, and it's unfortunate," Edmonds said. "We have so many staff who are so important in so many ways that don't have the protections that teachers do." Workers said they are fighting for fair wages, stronger benefits, bilingual pay, and job-specific training that would better prepare them to support students. At Tuesday's rally, Edmonds called out what she described as intimidation tactics from district administrators. "APS administrators have been illegally threatening and intimidating workers, saying that they cannot form a union and not to talk to organizers," Edmonds told the crowd. "But we are not going to sit by while our co-workers are threatened. The majority has spoken, and we demand respect, dignity, and a say in our working conditions -- because our working conditions are our students' learning conditions." In a statement, APS said, "We have no knowledge of threats or intimidation. That is not representative of who we are as a district. Because this is a pending proposal, we are unable to comment further at this time." Liz Waddick, vice president of the Colorado Education Association, said support staff unions already exist in other districts, including Cherry Creek and Boulder Valley. "There has never been a better time for workers to organize," Waddick said. "It shows a real functioning school district when workers have the right and a say in their contract and working conditions." APS wasn't able to comment further on their demands, as they're just now getting the petition. This wasn't an agenda item Tuesday, but the board listened to their concerns. They said this won't be the end of this conversation. "I hope the school board hears us," Edmonds said. "We're struggling and we need their support."
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Aurora Public Schools poised to approve salary increase, teachers union agreement
DENVER (KDVR) — The Aurora Education Association and Aurora Public Schools have reached an agreement to provide what the district called 'what will likely be the largest salary increase to staff when compared to other school districts' in the metro. The education association ratified the agreement last week. It's scheduled to go before the Aurora Public Schools Board of Education on June 17, where it is expected to pass, according to a district spokesperson. Education Department investigating Jeffco schools for Title IX concerns on 2023 school trip 'Aurora Public Schools is proud to announce a successful teacher compensation agreement with the Aurora Education Association, providing our educators with an approximate 5% salary increase,' said APS Superintendent Michael Giles Jr. in the district's announcement of the agreement. 'This agreement reinforces our commitment to valuing our staff and keeps APS among the most competitive districts in the Denver metro area. I am grateful for the collaborative efforts of our negotiations team and the AEA in reaching this important milestone for our employees.' The district said the agreement will provide a general salary increase of 2.7% for all staff, and eligible educators will receive salary increases with movement on experience steps and educational lanes, which the district said would mean an average increase of 5.01%. The educator's association said that the agreement was overwhelmingly approved by its membership. 'Pursuant to a vote of approval of the tentative agreement by the APS Board of Education, the hardworking educators of APS look forward to earning one of the largest salary increases in the Metro Denver area this year,' said Beth Himes, AEA bargaining chair. 'APS educators are also excited about National Board Certification recognition for expanded educator categories as well as the creation of a new doctorate lane to be more competitive with neighboring districts in attracting and retaining educators and providers with accomplished education and specialized degrees.' The district said that classified and administrative/professional technical staff will receive 'commensurate salary increases for the 2025-26 contract year as well.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
24-05-2025
- CBS News
Aurora school districts addressing youth violence with leadership program
Stopping youth violence is an important issue for the City of Aurora, and now, together with the local school districts, they're putting their money where their mouth is. The City of Aurora's Youth Violence Prevention Program has allocated $50,000 each to Cherry Creek School District and Aurora Public Schools to provide violence prevention programming to at-risk youth. In Cherry Creek Schools, that money goes to their Leadership Academy Program. A program for students who are susceptible to falling into youth violence and showing them that there is another path that isn't the streets. CBS Brian Barie and Joseph Cooks have been part of the program since eighth grade. Now they are gearing up for their senior year at Smoky Hill High School, and they have come a long way. "I was going through like a lot of trouble, I guess. I had been suspended like eight times," said Joseph. "I felt like I was, like, bigger than my parents. I felt like I was at the top of the world," said Brian. "I really needed just some bigger role models to show me that I could strive for more." CBS They found that role model in Mr. Jasper Armstrong, the Director of Youth Leadership and Student Support at Cherry Creek Schools. He also runs the Leadership Academy and said he loves his job. "The joy in doing this work is taking somebody who has never seen themselves as a scholar, and then watching that transformation take place," said Armstrong. "They've always been pushed to the side or shunned. We try to say you have worth, right? You have real value. Inherent value." The program just wrapped up its second year and is beginning its third. Students start by gathering in the summer to learn to set goals and think of ways to create a safer school community. CBS Brian and Joseph said it has changed their lives. "Sometimes I be feeling like if they weren't here, I don't know where I would be in high school," said Joseph. Now they are both in the aspiring teacher program at CCSD because they want to lift up the next generation. "I just want to be able to bring kids to love learning," said Brian. There is an accountability component to this city funding program. Every year, school districts need to report back to the city and tell them how many kids are participating in their programs and how they're doing. In a statement, Aurora City Council Member Angela Lawson said: "The City of Aurora recognizes the ongoing need to address youth violence, a public health issue impacting communities around the country. This funding will support our education partners as they to continue to work on this issue, with an emphasis on evidence-based programs and data-driven accountability. The school districts are required to report back how many students are participating in their programs and city staff will provide input and guidance throughout. As someone who cares deeply about Aurora's youth and community safety, I believe it is through strong, consistent partnerships like this that we uplift Aurora's youth, giving them the tools to interrupt or stop violence before it starts, reduce crime and build a safer Aurora."
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Former federal workers warn of risks to Colorado education funding
Delaney Jarmon, an Aurora Public Schools special education teacher, holds a "budget cuts never heal" sign in March at the Colorado Capitol in Denver. (Lindsey Toomer/Colorado Newsline) Two furloughed employees with the U.S. Department of Education warned Colorado lawmakers on Wednesday that a reduced workforce in the department could result in delayed or incorrectly disbursed grant money to the state. The Colorado Department of Education receives about $870 million from the federal government, or a little over 11% of its money, according to Commissioner of Education Susana Córdova. 'The funding that we receive through all of these different funding sources are supplemental funds that really are essential to services, particularly for the most vulnerable students,' she said during a special Senate Education Committee hearing. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX That money comes from grant allocations doled out by program, ranging from about $206 million for special education and services for students with disabilities to about $371,000 for students in juvenile detention centers or other alternative education settings. Other programs support students in poverty, students learning English and out-of-school enrichment programs. Since 2010, the money has spread across over 100 grant programs for a total of over $20 billion. But two recently-furloughed employees from the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education said that the slashed workforce directed by the Trump administration could endanger efficient data processing and ultimately disturb the timeline and accuracy of funding disbursements. 'The office's day-to-day operations are guided by a grant making life cycle, which includes pre-award, award and post-award activities. It is not as simple as writing a check,' said Sarah Newman, who helped lead the office's data management team. The work includes publicizing grant opportunities, assessing grantee risk, calculating funding using formulas, ensuring compliance and providing technical assistance. All of that relies on data processed and maintained by Newman's team. They looked for anomalies and errors that would affect funding. Since President Donald Trump ordered the drastic reduction of the department in March, about 90% of the OESE workforce has been fired or left, Newman said. Trump has repeatedly called for the closure of the Department of Education, which he does not have the power to do as president, but he can severely reduce its capacity. 'Since January 20, the current administration has taken numerous actions that have threatened the operations of (the Education Department), as well as the sustainability of the funding and services Colorado currently receives,' Newman said. 'I stand before you today concerned that, beginning with this next fiscal year, the federal funds Colorado schools have come to rely on will not be there.' It could also impact the current round of funding. Even though data was submitted and sent to the programs, people on the team were fired before the standard correction period ended. 'I worry that the decisions made to distribute the grants on July 1 are based on preliminary data, which the states did not have an opportunity to correct or explain. I also have concerns about the program's ability to do all the work required just to make the awards in time,' said data analyst Joe Murphy. Murphy and Newman emphasized that delayed, repurposed or eliminated funding would have the biggest impact on school districts in poor and rural areas. Littleton Public Schools, for example, gets about 5% of its funding from the federal government, but Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8, which misses out on property tax revenue because of its proximity to an Army base, gets 30% of its funding from federal sources. Newman and Murphy suggested that state lawmakers try to use historical funding data and codify at the state level the federal Every Student Succeeds Act, which is the country's main education law. The law includes the federal programs related to low-income students, students of color, students with disabilities, English Learners and other historically marginalized students. Murphy worries that the federal government will resort to giving block grants to states, rather than divided up by program. That switch would require a change in federal law. 'You can look at what's in ESSA and say, 'These are the funds, and this is where they're supposed to go' and carry that out at the state level,' Murphy said. The state's legislative session ends the first week of May, so such a large policy undertaking could be near-impossible this year. Córdova, the education commissioner, told lawmakers that she is hopeful that 'verbal commitments' to maintain program funding for low-income students and students with disabilities will stick. 'What we've heard from the new secretary of Education is a commitment to continue funding,' she said. 'We're very hopeful that that would be the case, because I think absent that funding, very important and critical services would be missing for students who rely on them.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Yahoo
High school students under investigation after posting photo posing with Nazi flag
A pair of Nebraska high school students are under investigation for taking an 'extremely inappropriate' photograph posing with a swastika flag inside a locker room on campus. The pair are enrolled at Aurora High School in Hamilton County, 70 miles west of Lincoln. Aurora Public Schools said in a recent statement that law enforcement officers started an investigation around those in the photo, behind the camera, and even the people who spread the picture online. The school's statement was released on April 3. It's not clear when the photo was originally posted. The school district said that the photograph was first uploaded to Instagram before being posted on other social media platforms. 'What happens in the locker room does not stay in the locker room,' the caption on one of the posts that spread online and has been seen by The Independent read. Both individuals' faces are blacked out on the image, but one of the suspects dressed in all black flashed a thumbs up. The other suspect sported a gray shirt tucked into matching trousers and sneakers. The school district said it has identified the suspects but will not be naming them publicly. 'We have taken some action as far as addressing it, making sure people are aware and know that we are taking care of it and proceeding accordingly,' Aurora Public Schools Superintendent Jody Phillips told the Aurora News-Register Tuesday. Phillips said the school district is cooperating with the Aurora Police Department, though Chief Paul Graham told the newspaper that 'there is nothing criminal' to investigate. 'The Aurora Public Schools acknowledges this photo is extremely inappropriate and unacceptable. The photo depicts a symbol of hate and offensiveness that the Aurora Public Schools does not condone,' Philips said. 'It sheds a negative light on our school, school district, and community. This act, and the message it sends, is not tolerated in our school and we will take all means necessary to address this issue.' Phillips said that those who are responsible for the incident will be held accountable per the school's code of conduct. A meeting was held Monday morning with all high school students and administration, he confirmed to the News-Register. The school has less than 400 students enrolled. Several users who commented on the school district's Facebook post expressed their disdain and alleged that the two suspects received a three-day suspension. 'A 3-day suspension isn't enough FOR THAT,' one person wrote. 'Is it true that the students involved in this hate crime only received a 3-day suspension? If so, that's just pitiful,' another added. A third person wrote: 'As a former Military Brat. I found this offensive.. not the least bit amusing. These kids evidently need to go back and study history again.' The Independent has contacted Aurora Public Schools for more information.
