ProComp Frequently Asked Questions
Opt-In
The following questions are among those that have been asked about opting in to the new ProComp system. If you would like to review other topics, please return to FAQs.
Q. Once you opt-in, can you opt-out?
A. No, once a teacher opts-in to the ProComp system their contract remains responsive to the ProComp Agreement.
Q. When is the next opt-in window?
A. All opt-in windows are November 1-June 30 for the following contract year. Opt-in windows are currently scheduled through the 2011-2012 contract year.
Q. Is there a guarantee that if a teacher does not opt into ProComp that their salary will not be frozen until they opt-in?
A. The teacher pay schedule for teachers who do not opt-in will continue to be negotiated annually by DPS. and DCTA. The current salary schedule will be maintained until the last teacher retires or leaves the district.
Q. Will personnel be available to meet one-on-one with teachers to discuss options for opt-in, etc.?
A. There are many resources that are available to support teachers in relation to their decision to opt into ProComp. Some of these include: Personal Opt-In calculator, human resources, principals, and area representatives. Teachers will have a face to face meeting with ProComp staff during the first opt-in window to get their initial ProComp salaries set. At this time they can ask questions about ProComp. Please see the special Opt-In page on this website for more detailed information. There is also a call center number teachers can call: 720-423-3900. Questions may also be answered through email sent to optin@dpsk12.org
DPS and DCTA have created the ProComp Personal Opt-In Salary Calculator as a tool to assess the financial effect of joining ProComp. Through the Calculator, you can run general scenarios under ProComp and compare the projected outcomes with the traditional salary schedule.
The future income projections provided by the Calculator depend on choices made by you, the individual educator, based on your career plans and expectations as you now know them. You should consider these projections to be broad estimates only, and your actual future income amounts will depend on many factors and contingencies. The Calculator’s projections are not to be considered contracts, promises, or guarantees by DPS or DCTA as to your actual future income.
If you join ProComp, your salary will be determined by the terms of the ProComp Agreement and you will permanently waive any right you have to the salary you would otherwise receive under the terms of the DCTA-DPS Master Agreement’s Salary Schedule.
Your decision whether to join ProComp is strictly your own. DPS and DCTA have made every effort to ensure that all educators have access to information about ProComp so that each employee can make the best possible decision. No DPS employee or DCTA representative is authorized to make your decision for you or to advise you as to what your decision should be. We encourage you to obtain as much independent information and advice as you need to make a sound decision. Some potential sources of independent advice include financial and retirement planners, career counselors and attorneys.
Q. Can you tell us when it is best to opt-in?
A. No. (see above) The choice on when to opt in is up to each individual DPS educator. Different teachers and student services professionals will find that each situation is unique. See the special Opt-In page for more information.
Q. How many years can a teacher opt-in because the payroll and opt-in procedures indicate some teachers should wait several years?
A. There are seven opt-in windows over seven contract years to allow teachers to select the year that is best for them to opt into ProComp or they may choose to remain in the current salary schedule. The Personal Opt-In Calculator allows a teacher to compare conditional estimated salary projections under both systems to help make that decision.
Q. Is there compensation for earning a master’s degree if you finish before you opt-in?
A. Yes. The compensation level for earning a master’s degree is identified in the current salary schedule. During the first opt-in window degrees previously earned, but not used for advancement on the traditional salary schedule, will be appropriately compensated as part of initial salary setting under ProComp.
Q. If you came from outside the district, or a district charter school (i.e. Pioneer, etc.), you may have professional experience counted on the step system, but what about with ProComp?
A. Years of experience from other districts will still be taken into consideration for new hires. Teachers outside the district who want to see estimates of how they might fare under ProComp are welcome to visit the Salary Calculator to experiment with earnings possibilities.
Q. Does the current step system remain in place for those who choose to not opt-in?
A. Yes. The current system will stay in place until the last teacher in it retires or leaves DPS.
Q. If you opt-in to ProComp, do you still get the steps and lanes increases?
A. No, the current system of “steps and lanes” does not apply to ProComp, which has a larger menu of options with which to build salary. Feel free to visit the Personal Calculator to see what those options are.