Transcript Wheat Ridge
Jefferson County, Colorado • Volume 29, Issue 50
Honoring tHose wHo served
June 6, 2013
50 cents
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourwheatridgenews.com
School budget health on upswing Board president takes conservative stance looking forward By Vic Vela
vvela@ourcoloradonews.com
Navy veteran T. K. Anderson played “Taps” at a ceremony Friday in Wheat Ridge to honor Wheat Ridge police staff members who have served in the military. Photo by Mikkel Kelly
School-finance ball is in voters’ court Lobato ruling means no quick rescue for funding By Vic Vela
vvela@ourcoloradonews.com Those who had hoped that the Colorado Supreme Court would come to the rescue of underfunded public schools now turn their attention to persuading taxpayers to provide more money for classrooms in school districts across the state. In a highly anticipated ruling, the court on May 28 overturned a lower court’s decision that declared that the state’s school funding system — which plaintiffs said was inadequate and unfair — is unconstitutional. Now, the only immediate way that school funding will reach levels that are even on par with the rest of the nation — Colorado spends nearly $2,000 less per pupil than the national average — is if Colorado voters decide to foot the bill of about $1 billion annually that is tied to a major piece of legislation that overhauls the school-finance formula. “It’s really our last best hope,” said Jefferson County Public Schools Superintendent Cindy Stevenson.
Jeffco schools was one of 67 plaintiffs in the high-profile Lobato case that the Colorado Supreme Court ruled on this week. The case originated from a 2005 lawsuit that was named after a San Luis Valley family who alleged that Colorado was not living up to its constitutional mandate of providing a “thorough and uniform” system of funding for education.
strate that the current public school financing system might not be ideal policy, this court’s task is not to determine `whether a better financing system could be devised,’ but rather to determine `whether the system passes Constitutional muster,’” wrote Justice Nancy Rice in the court’s majority opinion. Gov. John Hickenlooper, a supporter of the court’s deci-
‘I don’t think either side is cheering about this.’ Jefferson County Public Schools Superintendent Cindy Stevenson Plaintiffs argued that the state’s funding system particularly affects poor students and that money is not equally allotted among school districts. A state district court agreed with the plaintiffs in 2011. However, the state Supreme Court overturned that decision, ruling that school financing decisions should be left to lawmakers, and not for the courts to remedy. “While the trial court’s detailed findings of fact demon-
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sion, told reporters after the decision that the high court did not rule that schools are funded adequately, but that a civil action “was not the right way to increase that funding.” Although Stevenson said she was disappointed with the court’s decision, she agrees with the governor’s assessment of the ruling. “What it says that is that it needs to be determined through the people or the Legislature, and not for the court system to remedy,” she said. “I don’t think either side is cheering about this.” Republican lawmakers released statements in favor of the court’s ruling. Senate Minority Leader Bill Cadman of Colorado Springs said the decision “affirms the constitutional authority of an elected legislative body to represent the people of this state.” Rep. Carole Murray, R-Castle
Rock, said that “a plaintiff victory would have drained the general fund and intruded on the General Assembly’s constitutional authority to appropriate taxpayer dollars.” Colorado’s K-12 education system already consumes about 40 percent of the state’s general fund. Supporters of the decision said that, had the court sided with the plaintiffs, it would have put a greater burden on the state. Now, the focus turns to Senate Bill 213, which has been dubbed the Future School Finance Act. The legislation, which has been signed by Gov. John Hickenlooper, would fund full-day kindergarten and provide more money for at-risk students and English learners. The act also aims to fund school districts in a more equitable fashion. State Republican lawmakers flatly objected to the bill this past legislative session, arguing that the act imposes a $1 billion tax increase on Coloradans without addressing true reform needs. But bill supporters say there is now a greater sense of urgency for voters to pass the tax hike, on the heels of the Lobato decision. “We’ll be in a deep, deep hole that we may never be able to get out of if we don’t get that ballot measure passed,” said Sen. Evie Hudak, D-Westminster. “It’s very important.” Although the Jeffco school board has yet to take a position on Senate Bill 213, count Stevenson as a supporter. “I see it as our best hope, at this point, for increasing funding,” she said.
Jeffco students will spend more time in the classroom next year, and teachers’ salaries will be restored to 2010 levels under a new school district budget approved May 30. With a 4-1 vote, the Jefferson County Board of Education passed the 2013-2014 budget, which benefited from last year’s voter-approved mill levy override, and an increase in state revenues that will translate to greater district funding. The district’s shift in fortune is notable, considering that it wasn’t that long ago that it had planned on 2013-2014 expenditure reductions totaling $45 million — coupled with the loss of 600 jobs. But the new budget still falls short of fullfunding status. “We’re not entirely out of the woods,” said Board President Lesley Dahlkemper “We’re behaving cautiously and conservatively as we move forward.” Dahlkemper, Jill Fellman, Robin Johnson and Paula Noonan voted in favor. The lone no vote came from Laura Boggs, who expressed concern afterward that the district would end up having to make more spending reductions down the road. Boggs unsuccessfully tried to amend the budget to allow for the hiring of more teacher-librarians, the elimination of bus fees, and fees associated with advanced placement classes. And, Noonan sought to reduce student outdoor lab fees as “one small way to help (parents) out and their children out.” However, the majority of the board’s members rejected those efforts. Miller said that it “would be wonderful” for the district to be able do everything it wants, but that “this is not the ideal world right now.” “If somebody can find a way to fund that, I’d love it,” she said. Highlights of the new budget – which will operate from July 1 through June of next year – include fewer early release days for students, from nine last year to five for the coming school year. This means that students will receive about six to eight hours of more classroom time, compared to last year. School employees also benefit from the new budget. Teachers will work four additional days next school year. And, after having experienced a three percent pay cut over the last few years, all Jeffco employees will see their pay restored to 2010 levels. Also, employee furlough days will be eliminated from next year’s budget. Jeffco will receive more money from the state than it has in recent budget cycles. Thanks to improved revenues, the state, under the current School Finance Act, Budget continues on Page 21
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