In District 11, we’ve been working tirelessly to put students first, support teachers, and rebuild trust in public education. Over the past year, our Board and superintendent have made historic investments in classrooms, raised teacher pay to among the highest in the region, and led the state in student-focused reforms. We trimmed $6.5 million from central administration to direct more dollars to teachers and classrooms. We directed the superintendent to increase instructional spending from 60% to 70% of the budget, ensuring resources reach students where they matter most. And we acted boldly to restore a healthy learning environment by leading Colorado in banning cell phones during class. These are real, pro-teacher, pro-student changes that make our district stronger.

Yet, instead of celebrating progress, the Colorado Springs Education Association (CSEA) is staging a one-day strike on Oct. 8 — just two days before ballots are mailed for the school board election. This strike is not about wages, working conditions, or classrooms. It is a political maneuver aimed at swaying voters at the expense of students and families.

CSEA’s filing with the Department of Labor says the strike is to “secure, preserve, and protect [teachers’] interests.” But D11 teachers already enjoy some of the best compensation and conditions in the state: one of the highest starting salaries in El Paso County, a 10% total compensation increase this year (the largest in the region), strong benefits, and one of the shortest school calendars in the county. These are not the hallmarks of a district neglecting teachers.

The real issue is the Board’s decision last December to let CSEA’s Master Agreement expire. That contract—unique in our county—shifted authority from elected officials to a private labor organization unaccountable to taxpayers. We promised to maintain excellent pay, benefits, and working conditions without it, and we’ve delivered on that promise.

So why strike now, ten months later? Because the timing is calculated. On Nov. 4, voters will decide three board seats. In the past two elections, CSEA-backed candidates have lost six of seven contests, including a complete shutout in 2023. Since CSEA has found itself incapable of persuading voters and winning at the ballot box, it has seized on the next best thing: holding the education of your children hostage.

Make no mistake: this strike is designed to influence an election, not improve education. The strike itself is scheduled for only three hours, with a union canvassing campaign immediately afterward. Strikes don’t just interrupt the school calendar – they upend the lives of students and families. Parents may scramble for childcare or lose wages by taking time off work. Students, especially those with special needs, may lose valuable instruction and services.

We respect our teachers deeply. Most of us on the Board are current or former educators ourselves. But we cannot allow an unelected labor organization to override the will of parents and voters. Public education belongs to families, taxpayers, and students—not private unions.

Our commitment remains clear: prioritize student outcomes, support our teaching staff, and keep politics out of the classroom. Students deserve adults who put learning first. That’s exactly what we intend to do.

Dr. Thomas Carey is the Director, Board of Education, Colorado Springs School District 11.