Every child in Denver, regardless of their background, deserves to attend a quality public school of their choice. Achieving that requires a strong and diverse public education ecosystem where traditional schools, public charter schools, innovation schools and innovation zones thrive.
When we have the opportunity to invest in Denver students at the ballot, we have an obligation to ensure that new resources are allocated equitably, meaning according to student need. Our state finance formula gives additional funding to districts who enroll greater numbers of low income students, English language learners, and students with special education needs. In turn, Denver Public Schools uses a student-based budgeting formula that similarly gives additional funding to schools based on student need.
So how do measures DPS 4A and Proposition NN stack up to these expectations for equity?
Denver Public Schools is seeking a $44 million increase in the mill levy for Denver property tax payers to increase investments in staff compensation, mental health, special education, and career and technical education. We applaud DPS for honoring their longstanding commitment to ensuring that public charter schools, who serve higher percentages of historically underserved students than traditional schools, will receive their equitable share of these resources. This decision puts students over politics.
Without raising taxes, Colorado voters have the chance to increase state K-12 public education spending at least 2% annually for the next ten years. New investments will fund increases in teacher pay, teacher retention, lower class sizes, and career and technical education programs. The revenue would come from raising Colorado’s TABOR revenue cap, and the measure would allow the state to retain and spend taxes that it already collects to invest in public education. Increasing K-12 public school funding for a formula that prioritizes student need ensures that public schools of all types enrolling historically underserved students have the necessary support to meet every child’s needs.
Because if we empower schools with the autonomy they need to respond to students, if we empower families to choose the public schools that will serve their child, and if we ensure that system conditions enable schools to thrive, then more students will have access to that quality public school of their choice.
How can you join us in supporting DPS 4A and Proposition NN?
- Share this blog post with friends, family, and neighbors.
- Check your voter registration.
- Look for your ballot which mails to your address beginning Monday, October 5th.
- Turn in your ballot by 7:00 PM on Tuesday, November 3rd.