October 24, 2013
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourarvadanews.com
Jefferson County, Colorado • Volume 9, Issue 22
Learning to grow
Amendment 66
Veggie U teaches second-graders value of agriculture By Crystal Anderson
canderson@ourcoloradonews.com For many children, vegetables make up an objectionable part of their diet, but for a group of Arvada second-graders, that’s about to change. Earlier this fall, three second-grade classes at Sierra Elementary School began a three-week program as part of a plant and animal unit. Known as “Veggie U,” this program teaches students the value and importance of nutrition and wise food decisions. “The program really addresses a good part of our standards we need to teach,” said Brian Fassbinder, a second-grade teacher at Sierra. “It’s so hands on, from start to finish; it’s exciting for the kids to see that this is stuff they’ve grown.” During the past few weeks, students at Sierra have learned how to plant different types of seeds; discovered the differences of gardening in four types of soil, and watched as the seeds began to grow. “I like how we plant the seeds, get to see how we plant them first, and then plant them,” student Max Mervin said. In the early stages, students get to taste a variety of vegetables including carrots, beets, and lettuce, to see what fresh vegetables taste like. From there, they begin to learn how to grow certain types of seeds, and then they plant those seeds under a grow light. The students then tend to the seeds and watch as they begin to grow. “Whether we’re doing individual planting or group planting, the kids are excited because they get to do something with it,” Grow continues on Page 7
Noticing growth since earlier in the week, secondgrader, Max Mervin, describes the planting process for the seeds. Photo by Crystal Anderson
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Classes like the one that Edgewater Elementary School dual-language teacher Lupe Marquez instructs are expected to receive more funding under Amendment 66. Photos by Vic Vela
What’s in it for Jeffco? Precise funding for the district is difficult to nail down By Vic Vela
vvela@ourcoloradonews.com It is widely accepted that if voters approve Amendment 66 on Nov. 5, the measure will pump at least $71 million of new funding into Jefferson County Public Schools. After that, who knows? There are a number of complexities tied the school finance overhaul ballot question, which makes it difficult for supporters to articulate a “bottom line” dollar figure to uneasy voters. At the same, it’s not uncommon to hear opponents discount nuance when talking about Amendment 66’s involved funding structure, often citing funding percentages that are probably worst case scenario for Jeffco. If passed, the measure would create $950 million in new taxes initially and about $1 billion in 2015 to enact major changes to the state’s school finance formula. The measure would fund full-day kindergarten, preschool for at-risk youth and would provide more resources for English language learners, special education students and children who are in gifted and talented programs. Additionally, the measure aims to reduce class sizes and would reform perpupil funding statewide in a more equitable fashion, proponents argue. But the overhaul comes with a hefty price tag. Amendment 66 would raise taxes on all Colorado taxpayers. The
Suzi Christoffersen helps an Edgewater Elementary School kindergarten student understand his work during an Oct. 21 lesson. two-tiered proposal would raise income taxes to 5 percent on everyone earning $75,000 or less. Those who earn over that amount would pay 5 percent on the first $75,000 in taxable income and 5.9 percent on taxable income above $75,000. Colorado’s current income tax rate is a flat 4.63 percent, regardless of income level. But just how much of those tax dollars will end up going to Jeffco schools is a question that nobody can answer at this time. Amendment 66 proponents acknowledge that taxpayers in Jefferson County will not see a 100-percent return on investment, meaning that a good portion of their tax dollars will go to stu-
dents in other school districts. That’s a key fact that opponents often latch on to when arguing against the amendment. But supporters say that’s the price of doing business when the goal is to have adequate and equitable funding for all children across the state. “This is not just about Jefferson County,” said state Rep. Sue Schafer, D-Wheat Ridge, an Amendment 66 supporter. “I’m looking out for the good of the whole state. We may not get all of the money back, but why not have a generous attitude?”
Amendment continues on Page 7