The St. Vrain Valley School District is canceling classes on April 27 because so many teachers plan to join a rally at the state Capitol.
The Colorado Education Association is organizing the statewide teacher rally to call for more funding for education, with the union representing Denver classroom teachers saying it plans to walk out midday on April 27 to rally at the Capitol early in the afternoon.
It's not yet clear whether teachers in the Boulder Valley School District will be participating.
Jeffco Public Schools also canceled classes for the day before, April 26, after many teachers there said they plan to go to the Capitol.
The announcements come after hundreds of teachers marched at the Capitol during a day of action Monday to protect their retirement benefits and call for more school funding.
Enough teachers left the suburban Englewood district that classes were canceled there, while Longmont-area teachers mainly staged "walk-ins" before school to show their support.
In St. Vrain Valley, Superintendent Don Haddad in a letter to parents said the district made the decision to cancel classes because "we will not be able to ensure adequate supervision and instruction."
"While it is always a difficult decision to cancel school for students, safety and quality learning experiences must be our highest priority," he wrote.
Teachers participating in the rally are required to take a personal day. Those who don't participate are expected at school for a teacher-directed work day.
For parents already registered for non-school day care, the district will offer first come, first served child care at four elementary schools: Black Rock, Eagle Crest, Legacy and Sanborn.
Amy Bounds: 303-473-1341, boundsa@dailycamera.com or twitter.com/boundsa