Denver Public Schools and the district’s teachers union have reached a tentative deal on a new contract that, if approved, will give educators modest raises over the next three years.
DPS and the Denver Classroom Teachers Association announced the agreement Tuesday after four months of negotiations and having declared an impasse last month, which brought a mediator into the talks.
The union must still vote to ratify the agreement before it is implemented.
Under the deal, educators will receive $1,000 cost-of-living increases to the union’s salary schedule each year for the next three years. This will increase starting salaries for teachers to $57,666 and the top salary to $124,233 next year, according to the union.
Teachers will also receive a separate $1,000 bonus this year.
Educators are paid based on their experience and education, and most receive an annual raise as they move up the district’s salary schedule.
“This agreement was made possible because our members showed up every single week and fought tirelessly to win a contract that respects, pays, and values the amazing work they do to support students every single day,” DCTA President Rob Gould said in a statement.
The agreement between DPS and the DCTA comes as school districts are giving teachers smaller raises this year because of budget constraints.
DPS and the DCTA also agreed that if the district asks Denver voters this year or next to approve a ballot measure to increase local K-12 funding — and it’s approved — then the money can be used to increase educator pay, according to the news release.
“We are proud to have reached what we feel is a fair and forward-looking agreement that honors the critical work our teachers do every day,” DPS Superintendent Alex Marrero said in a statement.“This tentative contract supports our educators, strengthens our schools, and ultimately benefits the students and families we serve.”
DPS also agreed to improve elementary-school class sizes, aiming for 30 or fewer students, starting in 2026, according to the news release.
If the union and the DPS Board of Education ratify the agreement, then it will go into effect in September and expire in 2028.
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