The tentative agreement includes permanent salary increases for all employee groups, a one-time payment for staff, and the creation of a new career pathway for special education paraprofessionals.
The agreement is pending ratification by DEA and DESPA membership, and if ratified by the associations, final approval by the Durango School District Board of Education during the regular meeting on May 26.
District leaders say the tentative agreement reflects a shared commitment to prioritizing the people who serve students every day, even during a challenging financial environment facing school districts across Colorado.
The tentative agreement includes
- Applying the 2% increase that staff received last year as a cost of living adjustment directly to the salary schedules
- Applying a 2.5% increase to the salary schedules for Licensed Staff and Student Service Providers
- Applying a 3% increase to the salary schedules for Education Support Professionals
- Advancing employees on their salary schedules in accordance with the terms of their schedules
- Providing a one-time bonus of $1,800 to employees who are employed at 0.90 FTE to 1.0 FTE Part-time employees to receive prorated amounts
- Establishing a new tiered career pathway for special education paraprofessionals, with future starting pay levels ranging from $21.14 to $26.50 per hour
“This agreement reflects our deep appreciation for the people who make our schools strong,” said Superintendent Dr. Karen Cheser. “While many districts across the state are facing extremely difficult financial realities, we worked hard to protect employee compensation as much as possible and continue investing in the people who support students every day.”