The Colorado House of Representatives advanced legislation that supporters say would address staffing shortages in rural and small school districts across the state.
House Bill 26‑1027, sponsored by Rep. Tammy Story and Rep. Katie Stewart, would allow a retired BOCES executive director to return to work in a school while retaining retirement benefits.
If passed, the bill would help rural and small Colorado districts fill staff gaps by allowing retired BOCES executive directors to work in positions such as teachers, paraprofessionals, food service workers and bus drivers. Current rules put their Public Employees’ Retirement Association benefits at risk; the bill would eliminate that penalty.
Dolores RE‑4A Superintendent Alesa Reed said Colorado Senate Bill 24‑099, signed into law by Gov. Jared Polis in 2024, expanded the definition of “critical shortage” to include principals and superintendents, acknowledging a lack of teachers and qualified individuals to serve in leadership positions.
“I appreciate that this expansion also applies to BOCES directors, as I believe that House Bill 26‑1027 took the needs of rural schools into consideration during its development,” Reed said. “In rural areas, we often lack the human capital to fill these vital positions, so expanding the critical shortage category to include BOCES directors will help us retain qualified personnel.”
Mancos Superintendent Audrey Hazleton said the bill would help ensure that schools are able to keep “strong leaders.”
“HB26‑1027 supports rural school districts like Mancos because it ensures that BOCES organizations are able to hire and retain strong leaders at any point in their career, including retirement,” Hazleton said. “BOCES organizations across the state provide special education services and specialized programs to rural school districts that are too small to provide these services on their own. Locally, we are fortunate to partner with San Juan BOCES who provides many services for our students and staff.”
Montezuma‑Cortez Superintendent Eddie Ramirez said, “Allowing retired BOCES executive directors to return to work is helpful for school districts that run their own ESS program in need of experience ESS administrators.”
Mancos school board President Tim Hunter said he did not believe the bill would solve the state’s teacher shortage, as a teacher salary may not entice a retired BOCES executive director to return to work.
“I think it’s fine to add them to the list, but there are only 21 BOCES in the state of Colorado,” Hunter said. “I’m not sure a teacher’s salary would entice them to move here. However, If any of those past directors would want to come teach in our district, I’m sure our superintendent would be more than happy to look at their application for any open positions on our staff; but I don’t think this bill is any solution to the statewide teacher shortage situation.”
Montezuma‑Cortez school board secretary Mike Lynch said PERA penalties have affected the district in the past and continue to do so, and he said legislators should also exempt retired teachers and paraprofessionals from penalties.
“We are not able to hire retired teachers because PERA penalizes them if they work more than a certain number of days,” Lynch said. “It is a hindrance to hiring teachers out of retirement, who have the most experience in many cases. Why is this hindrance allowed to stand when so many school districts are not able to find teacher candidates to fill all their vacancies? We have willing retirees whom we cannot use to fill vacancies. Legislators should make this exemption apply to teachers and paras of all school districts also.”
“We’re addressing our educator and school staff shortage so schools are better able to equip students with the tools they need to succeed,” Story said. “Retired administrators have lived experience and knowledge, and this bill makes sure they can continue to support and help educate Colorado’s students.”
“I’m committed to uncovering new avenues to support our rural schools and help address the educator shortage,” Stewart, who is from Durango, said. “It can be challenging for rural communities like mine to recruit and retain new teachers, administrators and support staff.”
