FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6,2024
The Denver Classroom Association Celebrates Notable Victories for Public Education Candidates and Ballot Measures in the 2024 General Election:
DENVER – The Denver Classroom Association (DCTA) celebrates notable victories for public education candidates and ballot measures in the 2024 general election. The following statement can be attributed to Rob Gould,special education teacher and president of the Denver Classroom Teachers Association:
“This year’s election results have made it clear that Colorado’s voters strongly support pro-public education candidates and ballot measures,” said Rob Gould,special education teacher and DCTA president. “We would like to thank our dedicated members who knocked on doors,phone banked and voted to ensure our voices were heard loud and clear.
“We celebrate the passing of ballot measure 4A,which secures nearly $1 billion for much-needed improvements in our student’s learning environments. This measure will bring air conditioning to overheated classrooms,expand mental,behavioral,and physical health clinics in schools,and make critical renovations to our facilities. These investments are a clear win for students,educators,families and our community.
Given that voters have overwhelmingly supported measure 4A,it’s time for DPS to stand behind its educators. The passing of the bond creates new flexibility in spending,allowing the district to allocate money back into resources that directly benefit our students’ learning.
We are hopeful that DPS will demonstrate its core value of integrity by finally providing educators with their negotiated cost of living adjustment which will help attract and retain quality and experienced educators that our students deserve.
In addition,Denver voters showed their solidarity with Denver city workers,including librarians and social workers,by overwhelmingly passing Measure 2U,granting them the right to collectively bargain. Educators have fought for and held these rights for decades,and it’s about time that the essential workers who keep our city are recognized.
Educators fought tirelessly and successfully defeated Amendment 80,and its deceptive campaign tactics. We celebrate this as a success as we firmly believe public dollars should remain within our public schools system. We will continue to oppose any attempts to privatize our public schools and divert critical resources away from our schools and students who need them most.
While we celebrate recent victories for public education in Denver and across Colorado,many are processing a challenging moment in the presidential election. The results have brought back feelings of fear,uncertainty,and doubt that so many felt in 2016.
Educators,students,and the communities we serve have seen firsthand the deep impacts of Trump’s policies on our schools. Now more than ever,we must hold fast to our values and keep fighting for the high-quality public schools every student deserves,regardless of their race,income,zip code,or gender identity. Educators will stand strong and speak out against any attack on public education and against any rhetoric that fuels racism,sexism,and discrimination. Together,we are united—and we are stronger when we fight together.”
Pro-public education candidates won their races in this election. Notable wins (see DCTA’s election endorsements) on the Denver ballot include:
Local Ballot Measures:
- PASS on Measure 4A
- PASS on Measure 2U
- Pass on Measure 2Q
Statewide Ballot Measures:
- FAIL on Amendment 80
- FAIL on Proposition 131
- PASS on Amendment 79
- PASS on Amendment J
- PASS on Proposition KK
State House:
- Javier Mabrey HD1
- Steven Woodrow HD2
- Sean Camacho HD6
- Jennifer Bacon HD7
- Lindsay Gilchrist HD8
- Emily Sirota HD9
State Senate:
- Chris Hansen SD31
- James Coleman SD33
Federal:
- Diana DeGette
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