Sheridan teachers strike disrupts classes, negotiations stalled

Sheridan School District No. 2 remains locked in a tense standoff as educators continue their strike, leaving thousands of students facing disrupted routines and uncertain returns to classrooms. While four schools are slated to reopen Monday, the Sheridan Educator Association (SEA) shows no signs of backing down, citing unresolved contract demands and a perceived lack of serious engagement from district leadership.

A week of closed schools and growing frustration

The strike, which began last Wednesday, initially shuttered all schools in the district. Now, while the Early Childhood Center, Alice Terry Elementary, SOAR Academy, Fort Logan Northgate, and Carrie Moore Elementary are scheduled to resume classes, the absence of teachers is a palpable concern for parents and students alike. Sixth-grade teacher Carrie Moore, picketing outside Fort Logan Northgate, voiced the anxieties felt by many educators. “We go into teaching because we care for these students every single day, and we're out here fighting for them,” she stated, highlighting the personal connection teachers have with their students, especially those who rely on school as a stable presence in their lives.

Adding fuel to the fire is the revelation that the district is offering increased pay to substitute teachers during the strike – a move that has drawn sharp criticism from the SEA. Moore pointed out the stark contrast: “It really shows that our superintendent is prioritizing getting subs in over actually sitting down and negotiating with us. I spend hours lesson planning, and these substitutes are going to walk in and probably play games with the kids while earning nearly as much as I do.” The district's actions, viewed through this lens, underscore a perceived lack of commitment to addressing the teachers' concerns.

Demands remain unmet, district deflects

Superintendent Dr. Gionni Thompson, in a statement released Saturday, acknowledged the disruption caused by the strike and expressed appreciation for the patience of families. However, the SEA insists that the district's response has been inadequate. Their demands center on reinstating a contract, full recognition for classified staff, and the retraction of what they consider to be anti-union policies and retaliatory actions against staff. SEA President Kate Biester was blunt: “We will stay on strike until district leadership is ready to seriously address the issues affecting our schools and finally do right by the people who serve Sheridan students every day.”

The stalled negotiations, coupled with the district’s apparent willingness to spend on substitutes, suggest a widening chasm between educators and administration. While the district attempts to maintain a semblance of normalcy by partially reopening schools, the underlying issues—fair contracts, staff recognition, and a supportive working environment—remain far from resolved. The impact on students, caught in the crossfire of this labor dispute, is undeniable.

As of Sunday, the Sheridan School District No. 2 had not responded to further inquiries from CBS Colorado, leaving the community to grapple with the uncertainty of when classes will fully resume and what the future holds for Sheridan’s schools. The hope of a swift resolution hangs precariously, dependent on a willingness from both sides to prioritize the needs of the students above all else.