Throughout the 21st century, the turnover rate for Colorado teachers has averaged 15.5 percent annually. That number spiked to 17.1 percent last year, the highest ever, according to the Colorado Department of Education (CDE).
Teacher turnover rates were even higher at Montezuma-Cortez Re-1 schools. According to the CDE, the Re-1 teacher turnover rate at the close of the most recent school year was 25 percent. The district’s teacher turnover rate came in at 22 and 27 percent in 2014 and 2013, respectively.
“Teacher retention has been a major … ongoing challenge,” Re-1 officials wrote in a recent report to state education officials.
At other Montezuma County, the Mancos Re-6 district lost 43 and 41 percent in 2013 and 2014, respectively. That number dropped to 21 percent last year. The three-year average teacher turnover rate at Dolores Re-4A schools is 19 percent.
Last month, Re-1 human resources director Dan Porter announced a total of 26 teacher resignations as the school year drew to a close. He added the district was recruiting to fill 17 open positions for the 2015/16 academic year.
Dating back to May 20, multiple emails to Porter, Re-1 Superintendent Alex Carter and every school board member seeking comment on reports that some Kemper Elementary educators wouldn’t have their contracts renewed next year have gone unanswered.
At a community budget meeting last month, Carter said he preferred to lay off employees to ensure that district personnel received non-performance-based pay hikes.
Since 2000, Colorado’s teacher workforce has grown from 42,000 to 51,000.
Statewide teacher turnover has inched up annually since 2010, when more in-depth teacher evaluations tied to student growth were initiated.
tbaker@cortezjournal.com
