As moms of kids attendingJeffco Public Schools, we think our school district provides a great value forthe price. The district has the second fewest administrators per student of 15metro districts. Student performance is strong with recent scores on statewidetests continuing to outpace others. And teachers work hard every day to ensureour kids are excelling.
But most of JeffersonCounty is not like us. Many residents in our community do not have children inschool. We share something else in common, though. We are property owners andwe know good schools mean good property values.
If you are a family movinginto Jefferson County with school-age children, you are not just buying ahouse. You are buying a school district. The
NationalAssociation of Realtors Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers shows nearlyone-half of parents reported that their decision of where to live wasinfluenced by where their child would go to school.
In 2004,Jeffco passed a mill levy override to ensure students receive an excellenteducation in our public schools. The community was assured that the districtwould be strategic and make taxpayers' funds last for at least four years. Thedistrict has met its commitment. Thecurrent bond program is on time and on budget.
In this tough economy,however, it's hard for all of us to make a dollar stretch. Jeffco PublicSchools is no different.
It's not just theskyrocketing cost of living causing the problem; it's also the way publicschools are funded in Colorado. Most of the state revenue available to schoolsis fixed, while the cost of education continues to rise.
Beginning in 2009, Jeffcowill have to make deep budget cuts - as much as $35 million over three years -to pay for those increasing costs.
That's why we encourageyou to support the Jeffco School Board as it considers putting a mill levyoverride question on the November 2008 ballot at its August 21 meeting.
A mill levy override wouldprovide about $32 million to expand options for career skills and technicaltraining. It would help fund increased graduation requirements and expandedmath and science offerings in high school.
The average homeownerwould pay just $2.92 a month for every $100,000 of market value. That's thecost of a cup of coffee and a newspaper.
If the mill levy doesn'tpass, the district may be forced to reduce up to 500 teachers; increaseelementary class sizes; and decrease art, music and physical education classes.What's more, Jeffco schools' buses travel the circumference of the earth everyday. We can cut bus routes significantly or pay for the fuel.
The school board is alsoconsidering placing a $350 million bond issue on the November ballot. The bondissue
can be passed with no tax increase for thehomeowner. The bond money is earmarked for improvements in just aboutevery school in the district. The investment will help make schools safer andmore energy efficient. Older schools will receive more modern technology.
We have a history of greatschools in great neighborhoods in Jefferson County. We don't want to loseground because of tough economic times. Bond construction projects would pump$400 million into our local economy, and that means jobs.
Urge our school board toplace the bond package and mill levy override on the November ballot. Help keepJeffco schools excellent, property values high and our local economy strong.
Lesley Dahlkemper isthe mom of a Rooney Ranch Elementary School kindergartner and Kathy Frank's sonis a junior at Golden High School. They co-chair the Citizens for JeffcoSchools Steering Committee.