‍In response to a series of attacks on innovation zones by the Denver school board, this month Colorado legislators passed Senate Bill 22-197 Innovation School Zones With Alternative Governance. The main purpose of the legislation is to establish a clear, fair process to resolve disputes that arise between local school boards and Innovation Zone schools. 

While the bill faced its share of debate over the course of the legislative session, we view its passage as a critical victory for innovation zones in protecting innovation zones’ and innovation zone schools’ autonomy.‍

What does Senate Bill 22-197 do?‍

First, SB 22-197 creates a process for the school district, an innovation zone, or zone school to fairly resolve disputes to ensure that educators in these schools consent to changes that impact their employment, classrooms, and schools.

Further, SB 22-197 creates a review process for the State Board if a local board revokes innovation status for a zone or zone school.  It maintains local control, while ensuring the public is aware of a local board’s actions including if it disregards state law. 

‍‍First, traditional districts may not be taking full advantage of the opportunity afforded by state laws enabling the creation of innovation schools and zones. The role of the LLN, or any innovation zone, is not to compete with the district, but to complement the district and to push the boundaries of what is commonly expected of school leaders and teachers. This is a fine needle to thread - granting autonomy without creating systemic inequity - but ultimately through compromises on all sides, it has led to a solution that works for all involved. 

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What prompted the legislation?

Two years ago, a member of the Denver school board proposed a change in the voting process for teachers at a district-run school, regarding the decision to transition into a semi-autonomous innovation school. The proposal faced significant opposition, prompting the DPS board to implement an eight-month pause on new innovation requests to thoroughly examine the "tension points" within the process.

Subsequently, when two Denver innovation schools sought approval to join existing zones several months later, their requests were denied by the board. Unlike charter schools, which have the option to appeal local board decisions to the State Board of Education, innovation schools found themselves without recourse.

This situation prompted a comprehensive review of the Colorado School Finance Act, leading to a temporary halt on local boards of education making changes to innovation zones.

2022 legislative session 

Following this review, Senators James Coleman and Chris Hansen, along with Representative Jennifer Bacon, sponsored Senate Bill 22-197 to safeguard the autonomy of innovation zones across the state. This decision was influenced by testimonies from school leaders, teachers, and parents who attested to the success of innovation schools for both educators and students.

Since the bill's introduction, there has been extensive debate in the Colorado Senate and House Education Committees. Additionally, input and dialogue have been sought from a diverse range of stakeholders, including educators, parents, students, Denver Public Schools (DPS), the Colorado Education Association, the Colorado Association of School Executives, and the Colorado Association of School Boards.

Throughout the process, Senators Coleman and Hansen have demonstrated openness and receptiveness to ensuring that the bill achieves its specific goals without inadvertently undermining the authority of local school boards.

Lyra’s role

Lyra has been a key partner to state legislators in drafting the legislation, coordinating with innovation zone stakeholders, and organizing support in its favor.

Where from here?

Our hope is that through the passage of SB 22-197, the policy puts in place a practice that encourages strong partnerships between innovation zones, their local school district, and supports our educators so these exemplary schools may continue to serve students well.

Read the Senate Bill 22-197 official bill language here.