Thirty-threecents a day.
By now, mail-in ballots, bluebooks and other assorted election materials have arrived. It's a lot to takein. Many pieces are confusing, the information in the blue books aren'tnecessarily factual. On top of this overwhelming task of completing the ballot,our country is facing tough times. National issues aside, what matters to me iswhat happens in our local community. I urge you to vote yes on 3A and 3B forDouglas County Schools.
For the past 6 months, I'vebeen working with Citizens for Douglas County Schools trying to educateneighbors about why it's important to maintain a good quality school district,why the School District needs our continued support, and giving 65-70% ofDouglas County residents who don't have kids in schools a reason to care. Ibelieve this School District is delivering on its promises - preparing studentsto compete in the future. This School District impacts all of us. Every votecounts.
Schools are an integral partof a thriving, quality community. They serve and prepare children - ourcommunity's future. Schools help us maintain our property values by drawinginto our community young families and businesses who want good schools and arewilling to pay for it. Research shows that homebuyers will pay more for homeswith access to good public schools.
For thirty-three cents a day(for both 3A and 3B), we can maintain great schools with rigorous academicstandards, move away from 4-track calendars, update technology, build 10 newelementary schools to accommodate growth in our County, and repair and maintainalmost another 50 schools and sites.
Thirty-three cents. As a citizen, a taxpayer, a homeowner, and a parent,that's a great deal and worth my investment.
Our Douglas County SchoolDistrict receives the lowest state-formula per student funding among competingschool districts in the Denver metro area. The discrepancy makes no sense tome! Our County is among the wealthiest in the nation. We prioritize less of ourincome to education than many of our surrounding communities, and yet we aremost able.
Passage of 3A will help save250 jobs in Douglas County. It will provide opportunities for our children andenable them to compete in the twenty-first century. Our investment willmaintain and improve achievement levels, and college and work force readyprograms to make sure today's students are ready to enter college or theworking world right here at home. It will ensure reasonable class sizes,provide fair compensation for teachers, and update technology infrastructure tothat of neighboring districts. Not bad for thirty-three cents.
A yes on 3B will pump $395million into our local economy for construction of new schools; and providenumerous jobs. These funds will allow construction of space to accommodate the2,000-plus new students expected annually for the next five years, and begin toeliminate 4-track (year-round) scheduling.
Thirty-three cents a day for the average homeowner is all it takes tomaintain the quality of our community. I urge you to join me in voting YES on3A and 3B.
Sue Catterall
Parent, Roxborough