After a difficult bargaining season, your bargaining team has reached a tentative agreement. Our team knew this year was going to be tough – from local district budget cuts, to a state budget shortfall, we knew there was not going to be a lot of money on the table. After the finalization of the School Finance Act, Jeffco only saw a 0.8% increase in school funding. That didn’t stop us from fighting for improvements, and we know we will need to keep fighting this fall to support measures like SB26-135 (which will be Prop NN), which was officially referred to the November 2026 ballot.
Below are some highlights of each article in the agreement, but we encourage you to read through each one. Ratification will open at 6pm on Thursday, May 21 and close at 11:59pm on Wednesday, May 27.
Article 3 – Association Relationship
- This article adds language for an additional released leader.
- A reduction of the 22.5 additional hours to 18 hours.
- Converting two PD days, October 13 and April 30, to non-work days. This is a part of the compensation agreement to give you time back.
- Stronger language around flex time to maintain the 40 hour workweek, requiring notification, not approval, of admin.
- Schools are permitted to schedule a weekly 1-hour late start on Thursdays. The schedule must not impact transportation schedules, student arrival time, or typical family drop-off time.
Article 9 – Student Discipline and Educator Assistance
- Educators must receive training regarding a student’s behavior plan as soon as practical. If training cannot be completed prior to assignment, administration must provide alternative support such as staffing or specialized communication.
- If an educator believes their working conditions pose an imminent physical or psychological harm risk, they can notify their administrator in writing. The district must evaluate the concern promptly and make reasonable efforts to remediate the conditions or offer a temporary alternate assignment with no loss of pay or benefits.
- Schools are mandated to establish their own site-based P&I manuals by May 2027, which must be reviewed annually by the school’s Proactive Behavior and Safety Team (PBST). Staff training on these processes must occur before the first student contact day each year.
- Each school’s collaborative teams (PBST, OLT, and/or ALT) will develop localized school cell phone policies aligned to district regulations, and educators will be actively supported in implementing them.
Article 10 – Collaboration and Shared Leadership
- Adds language clarifying collaboration for central district departments.
- This article no longer forces educators to apply for short-term disability after seven consecutive calendar days.
- Provides flexibility to allow people to use the district short-term disability plan or FAMLI for qualifying events, if the employee is enrolled in FAMLI.
- Educators receiving FAMLI benefits may elect to utilize accrued leave to supplement their benefit to remain at their regular wages during their leave period.
- In the event of any extended absence, the educator will not be required to submit daily lesson plans.
Article 17 – Compensation Structures and Compensation Agreement
- Step and lane movement.
- Increase from 2% to 2.5% between Lane 5 and 6 on salary schedule.
- 1.25% one-time stipend for educators currently on Step 22 who will not advance a step.
- In the event voters approve any ballot measure resulting in additional General Fund revenue to the District, JCEA and the District shall reopen negotiations regarding salaries and compensation no later than thirty (30) work days following certification of the election results.
- JCEA and the District will establish a joint compensation committee for the purpose of reviewing additional pay and stipend structures and developing recommendations for consideration during the next round of collective bargaining. Topics for review will include, compensation for additional leadership responsibilities, overnight assignments, and other additional duties or responsibilities identified by the committee.
Article 18 – Special Education
- The District will offer Communities of Practice (COPs) to all special education providers 3 times per year. Learning Specialist COPs will be organized by instructional level (i.e. ECSE, K–2, 3–5, and Secondary).
- SPED educators planning time will be for uninterrupted individually directed planning time, which may also include student observation, assessment, and evaluation writing. Any use of this time for purposes other than individually directed planning must be made in agreement with the educator.
- Stronger language around coverage plans that create guard rails to protect educator planning time and ensure programs are adequately staffed.
Article 26 – Post Incident Response
- This is a new article of our contract that establishes guidelines, temporary supports, and stabilizing structures to prioritize staff well-being, student success, and operational safety immediately following incidents of school violence or serious on-site emergencies involving risk of severe injury or loss of life.
- Upon activation of the District Incident Command System (ICS), the district will prioritize reunification and safety, followed by providing affected staff with expedited access to emergency resources such as communication tools, personal belongings, mental health counseling, emergency funds, and on-site insurance/benefits claim assistance.
- Within 10 days of an incident, District and Association representatives will meet to identify necessary support. Furthermore, administrators must gather staff input (via surveys, check-ins, or meetings) to jointly determine operational adjustments, modifications to schedules, and necessary safety protocols before returning to the site.
- Worksite leadership is given the flexibility to adjust instructional practices, streamline decision-making, alter workweeks, and accommodate evaluation timelines. The District will also provide ongoing recovery assistance, which may include additional staffing, facility remediation, or opportunities for employee reassignment and transfer if they are unable to remain at the affected location.
Appendix B – Additional Pay for Coach & Activity Sponsors
- Finalizes the increases to lanes 4, 5, and 6 to the stipend schedule.