Douglas County board weighs new rules for teacher union talks
Board members reviewed a draft policy on Tuesday, deferring a vote until December while union leaders and staff debate the necessity of a formal agreement.
By Emmanuel Faure ·
The Douglas County School Board reviewed a draft policy on Tuesday night that would establish the framework for collective bargaining negotiations with local teachers. Board members read Policy H for the first time during the public session but did not vote to adopt it. Instead, they entered executive session to consult legal counsel on the language in the initial draft.
District officials expect a formal vote on the policy to occur at the earliest during the school board meeting on Dec. 8. Board Director Brad Geiger told attendees that the process is still open. "Anybody who thinks that we've already decided or already made up our minds? Well, that's in your head, not in mine," Geiger said.
Public comments during the meeting divided along lines of support for the Douglas County Federation, the union representing teachers and staff. One supporter argued that a binding agreement ensures professionals have a structured seat at the table for decisions regarding resources and working conditions. An opponent countered that Superintendent Kane has already provided staff with necessary tools without a union, citing late start Fridays as an example of direct communication between staff and administration.
Critics of the union urged the DCF to conduct a third-party administered, anonymous survey to prove that a majority of teachers actually want collective bargaining. They questioned whether the union should be recognized without that data. The discussion also touched on the recent failure of a $54 million Mill Levy Override. Supporters of the agreement argued the failed vote makes a contract more critical, while opponents noted that public opinion polls showed an 11% drop in those who thought the district was heading in the right direction between March and July, a period that included the union's request for a contract.
Lucy Squire, president of the DCF, stated the union aims to have an agreement in place before the start of the 2027-2028 school year. "It seems like we are making baby steps forward," Squire said. "I feel positive that we keep moving in the right direction, even if it's going at a slower pace than I think we would like to see." Squire emphasized that a contract would help retain current staff and attract new hires who might otherwise leave for districts with better pay or existing agreements.
Christine Graham-Herring, a teacher with more than two decades of experience in the district, noted that bus drivers already have a collective bargaining agreement. She argued that showing equal respect to custodians, cafeteria workers, and teachers is necessary for the district to remain a desirable place to work.
During the meeting, staff presented data on personnel retention. The district reported a staff turnover rate of 16.3% from the end of the 2025-2026 school year to the start of the 2026-2027 year. This figure is the second lowest among comparable districts, following Cherry Creek schools at 16%. The state average for that period is 20%.
