Denver Public Schools Set New $12 Minimum Hourly Wage
DENVER (AP) - Denver Public Schools are setting a new $12 minimum hourly wage for district employees.
The new minimum wage takes effect Tuesday and it's made possible by more than $20 million in savings from a reduction in employee contributions to the state's Public Employees' Retirement Association. Legislation signed into law this year reduced the amount Denver school employees contribute to the state's retirement system so that it aligns with what other Colorado districts pay.
DPS officials say the wage increase benefits 300 custodians, 500 food-service workers, and 700 paraprofessionals. Some employees have been making about $9 per hour.
In all, the district says 1,700 employees will benefit.
Next year, DPS teachers will see average salary increases of 5.6 percent.
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