Thousands of educators, parents, and community members gathered in Colorado Springs on October 9 for a one-day strike organized by Colorado Springs School District 11 (D11) teachers and support staff. The demonstration was held to protest recent decisions by the district’s school board that educators argue are negatively affecting students and public education.
Ali Eustice, a D11 teacher and parent, stated, “As a D11 teacher, I know how committed the educators of this district are to their students. I am not just here for my child but for all D11 students. They deserve the best educational opportunities this community can provide.”
The strike followed a call to action from the Colorado Education Association, which represents approximately 30,000 educators across the state. Supporters traveled from various regions to join D11 staff in their demonstration.
Central to the protest was the school board’s recent decision to end the district’s 56-year-old master agreement with educators. Teachers claim that this decision undermines their ability to advocate for students and removes key protections that foster a stable learning environment.
Kevin Coughlin, president of the Colorado Springs Education Association (CSEA), said, “The master agreement helped create a safe and consistent learning environment by setting clear expectations for everyone. Since the district severed the educators’ agreement, attacks on our students have escalated. The board knew before they could tear pages out of our textbooks, they had to get rid of the agreement that gives educators a voice and acts as a barrier against the top-down mismanagement that is pushing our district into crisis.”
Participants also expressed concern about what they describe as a politically motivated agenda among some board members, including book bans and new curriculum restrictions.
Paul Blakesley, a high school social studies teacher and parent, commented, “The school board is choosing politics over practical solutions. Instead of addressing real issues like increasing student supports and keeping great teachers in our classrooms, they’ve turned our schools into a battleground in a culture war that doesn’t represent the values of Colorado Springs families.”
During the day-long action, picketing took place at 34 schools throughout the district. Educators then canvassed neighborhoods to talk with voters about upcoming school board elections. In less than three hours, participants knocked on more than 10,000 doors ahead of ballots being mailed on October 10.
Molly Till, a first-grade teacher, said, “This election will set the direction for our schools, whether the district focuses on supporting students and educators or continues down a path of division and intimidation. This isn’t about left or right. It’s about putting education first and keeping culture war politics out of our classrooms.”
The event concluded with a large rally at Acacia Park attended by thousands. At the gathering, D11 educators emphasized ongoing advocacy for public education.
Liz Waddick addressed supporters saying, “We are fighting for schools that are safe, welcoming, and fully funded. We are fighting for a future where every single student–no matter their race, zip code, or background–has a world-class education and the resources they need to thrive.”
