Teachers are upset about a pay cut that took effect Sept. 1.
The teachers union says the real issue is not the money, it's that the board broke their contract.
In a show of solidarity, an estimated 400 teachers from seven districts came to send a message to the Adams 12 Five Star School Board.
Teachers union member Susan Reese says the board violated their agreement by cutting pay a total of 2 percent, 1.5 percent now and another half percent in January.
"The Board of Education made a very bad decision and went against our contract," Reese said. "That's not okay. We deserve respect. We need to be valued as teachers, as professionals. And we're all here for the kids."
All of the districts' more than 4,000 employees took a pay reduction under the new budget.
Adams 12 Director of Communications Joe Ferdani says the salary cuts are essential to keep jobs.
"You know these are tough times," Ferdani said. "If [the pay reductions] didn't exist, we're faced with $3 million in cuts from somewhere else. Everyone's focus is really on the best interest of students."
The reductions will help cover the increased cost of retirement pensions. Teachers say any cuts should have been discussed with their union.
The board says the state constitution allowed them to pass this pay cut, without the approval of the teacher's union.
They say it was the only way to avoid cutting staff, which would also affect school programs.
(KUSA-TV © 2012 Multimedia Holdings Corporation)