File Photo by Philip B. Poston/Aurora Sentinel
AURORA | Aurora Public Schools has reached a tentative agreement with its teachers’ union that would provide one of the largest recent salary increases among school districts in the metro area, school district officials said Tuesday.
The pact includes a 2.7% salary increase for all district staff and additional raises for eligible educators through experience and education adjustments. On average, educators can expect a 5.01% pay increase, school district spokesperson Corey Christiansen said in a statement.
The Aurora Education Association ratified the agreement last week. The district’s Board of Education is expected to give final approval at its June 17 meeting, officials said.
APS already has one of the highest average teacher salaries among school districts in the metro area and across the state.
The Colorado Department of Education reported the salary of all 1,926 APS teachers averaged as $81,583 for the 2024-2025 school year. That same average for Cherry Creek schools is $95,145. For Denver it was reported as $85,713. The state average was reported as $75,589.
“This agreement reinforces our commitment to valuing our staff and keeps APS among the most competitive districts in the Denver metro area,” said Superintendent Michael Giles Jr.
The contract also includes commensurate pay increases for classified and administrative/professional technical staff for the 2025-26 school year, which school officials say is their traditional practice.
Beth Himes, bargaining chairperson for the AEA, said union members “overwhelmingly” supported the agreement.
“APS educators are also excited about National Board Certification recognition for expanded educator categories as well as the creation of a new doctorate lane to be more competitive with neighboring districts in attracting and retaining educators and providers with accomplished education and specialized degrees,” Himes said.
Both school officials and teacher representatives said the agreement marks a significant win for APS staff amid a national teacher shortage and competitive regional labor market for teachers and education professionals.
Let’s see – $81,000 average pay plus 5% equals over $85,000 per 9 month year. I don’t want to hear any more comments about teachers being underpaid!
that average includes all the veteran teachers who have masters and doctorate degrees. The beginning salary for a teacher with a bachelors degree in APS is $51,394. That amount is paid out over 12 months – and teachers often work most of their time during the summer for relicensure credits (paid out of pocket by the way), planning for the next school year, and other required PD. You can’t even qualify for a one bedroom apartment in the metro area with a $51,394 (BEFORE TAXES) salary.
https://www.aurorak12.org/cms/one.aspx?portalId=3217528&pageId=16203465