The Colorado Educator Safety Task Force (ESTF) was formed from HB24-1320 to explore system level issues relating to educator safety. The Task Force is specifically focused on issues of aggressive or violent behavior by a student directed toward an educator or any member of school staff.
The four subcommittees of the ESTF have now completed their initial work conducting deep-dives of topics identified by the Task Force members. The four subcommittees were focused on Educator Perspectives, Incident Response Models, School Culture and Community Relations and Alternative Placements. The Task Force recently conducted a survey of educators across Colorado about their experiences with aggressive or violent behavior toward school staff, receiving over 1,100 responses. Informed by the subcommittees’ research, exploration of challenges and solution focused discussions and that survey, the Task Force is now working to develop recommendations at all levels of the education system including school and district level actions, state agency supports and actions and the role of educator preparation programs.
The ESTF will publish its findings and recommended actions in June of 2025.
Educator Safety Task Force Members
Chair
Christine Harms, Office of School Safety/Department of Public Safety
Appointed by Governor Jared Polis
Jamie Montoya-DeSmidt, Educational support professional
Luke Yoder, Certified restorative justice professional
Marsia Ronyak, Teacher from a suburban district
TBD, Student
Appointed by Senate President Steve Fenberg
Suzie McGhghy, Educational support professional
Elsa Bañuelos-Lindsay, Representative from an organization that receives Title I funding
Rottwa Ivestor, Educational support professional
Appointed by Senator Paul Lundeen
Laura Carno, Individual that works for a nonprofit entity that focuses on school safety
Brent Reckman, Administrator from a district charter school
Appointed by Speaker of the House Julie McCluskie
Lisa Humberd, Representative of a statewide organization the represents students with disabilities
Chris Zimmerman, Administrator from a public school
Melissa Mahike, Teacher from a rural district
Susan Rayburn, Teacher from an urban district
Appointed by Representative Rose Pugleise
Jim Plott, Teacher from a charter school
Darren Joiner, Administrator from a charter school
Susana Córdova, Commissioner of Education
Dannette Smith, Commissioner of the Behavioral Health Administration
Facilitators
Berrick Abramson, President, Confluence Policy and Strategy Group
Carrie Steele, Policy Director, Confluence Policy and Strategy Group
Upcoming Task Force Meetings and Agendas
March 27, 3:30pm-5:00pm
April 24, 3:30pm-5:30pm
For mor information, or to request meeting access, contact Carrie Steele at carrie@confluencepsg.com