November 6, 2018
For Immediate Release
Educators in Jefferson County grateful for support, but determined to fix a broken funding system statewide.
Jefferson County – Educators in Jefferson County are thankful to their community for the passage of the local mill levy. The confidence and trust the community has placed in educators will help Jeffco retain quality educators and become competitive with surrounding districts.
“Since I entered the profession I have had to work multiple jobs in order to pay my bills,” said 5th grade teacher Hannah Bruner. “The passage of the mill means that for the first time in my career, I might be able to focus solely on my students.”
This additional revenue will help close the pay gap between Jeffco and surrounding districts, but many are disappointed that the bond package was rejected by voters. Jeffco schools built prior to 1980 are in need significant improvement due to continual cuts in funding. Educators remain committed to providing safe and equitable learning environments to all students across the district.
Though the success of the mill provided some relief, educators felt loss as the state wide measure to increase funding across Colorado, Amendment 73, was defeated. While Colorado voters continue to call for increased support for public education, TABOR has withheld more than $7.4 billion from our students since 2009. This funding shortfall has resulted in educators leaving the profession, vacant teaching positions across the state, and our students with fewer experienced professionals in their classrooms.
“The loss of Amendment 73 is heartbreaking,” said Angela Anderson, social studies teacher at Bear Creek High School. “I feel like the voters in Colorado support our schools and education, but we can’t fund our schools on gratitude. My students are worth the investment and I am determined to keep going in order for them to have a fully funded public education.”
The success of the mill was won thanks to every person who knocked on doors, called and contacted voters, wrote postcards, volunteered at information tables, and wrote letters to their local newspaper. Our volunteers, especially members of the Jefferson County Education Association, helped turn out the vote for our students.
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