Students, parents and taxpayers from Colorado Springs (Colo.) District 11 will be starting the new year with a clean, cost-effective slate thanks to the local school board’s decision in mid-December to sever ties with the union representing its 1,500 teachers.

School board officials say the action in no way reflects a loss of commitment to the educators themselves. Rather, it was an acknowledgment that their union was helping itself to too much revenue in return for too few services.

The district’s master agreement with the Colorado Springs Education Association (CSEA) requires it to subsidize the union, a private corporation, with public taxpayer dollars in the form of salaries, dues deductions, the use of district facilities and more.

“This is an improper use of public dollars,” said board member Jill Haffley. “As stewards of the taxpayers’ money, this board recognizes the imperative of ending this practice.”

This is a huge win for teachers, students and their families. And the Freedom Foundation, which has been urging the school board for several years to send the union an unmistakable message, can claim a huge share of the credit.

Colorado Springs D11 is the only district in the county with a master agreement and, as a result, it’s also been the worst performing.

The community has had enough. Since the new school board has taken office, the district has seen massive improvements. In the process, they have demonstrated their commitment to teachers and students while the union has been nothing but an impediment to the restoring quality education.

The Freedom Foundation laid out a legal roadmap district officials were able to navigate to the finish line.