Great Futures Start with a Great Education

Lewis Palmer School DistrictDecember 2009

What do we want for our kids?

•{Optional: Discussion Element}

We’ve asked, and this is what we heard consistently

• GOALS: Prepare for lifelong learners (Creative Thinking, Technological Literacy

•STRATEGIES: High Quality Teachers, smaller class size

Great Education Colorado

Mission: Great Education Colorado is a statewide, nonpartisan, grassroots organization that is focused on improving education in Colorado through wise, increased investment in our schools, colleges and universities.

What do we want for our kids?

•{Optional: Discussion Element}

We’ve asked, and this is what we heard consistently

• GOALS: Prepare for lifelong learners (Creative Thinking, Technological Literacy

•STRATEGIES: High Quality Teachers, smaller class size

OVERVIEW•What do we want for our kids?

•Are they receiving that?

•Why the gap between what we want and what they get?

•What can we do?

What do we want for our kids?

• Individual attention/smaller class sizes

• Inspired, inspiring, quality teaching

• Updated classroom technology (& textbooks)

• Well-rounded curriculum

• Pre-School and Full Day Kindergarten

What we hear:

How is Colorado doing?•40th in per pupil funding (adjusted for cost of living)•$1,397 below the national average in per pupil spending (Lewis Palmer: $7.86 Million)•42nd/46th in achievement gap measures•42nd in pupil to teacher ratio•40th in technology in our schools•$0 spent by state for professional development

•49th in per capita spending on higher education

PERAHealth CareSalariesProf. Dev’t

MaintenanceBuildingsInsuranceHeating Transportation

Achievement GapCSAP improvement21st C. curriculumNew StandardsCareer Tech Ed.

Diverse Learners:ELLSpecial EdAt-RiskGifted & Talented

District Budget =Local + State + Federal $$

Concurrent Demands on a Limited Budget = TRIAGE

Meeting Kids Where They Are

•Special Education – High % of unreimbursed costs compared to other states [Lewis Palmer District paid 66% of total costs in 2007-08]

•English Language Learners – State gives $293 per student (2008-09) [Lewis Palmer District covered 98% ELL costs (2007-08)]

•Gifted and Talented – State funded 18% of cost for all districts to educate GT students (2007-08) [State gives $11 per GT kid]

•At-Risk – State adds 12% for each at-risk student

2007-08 Cost of Categorical Program Gap

to All Districts

$816,563,911

2007-08 Cost of Gap to Lewis Palmer

$5,466,609

Why the gap?

Gallagher Amendment (1982)

Ratio of 45:55 - residential to commercial - ratchets down assessment rate.

Property Tax = (assessment rate) x (home value) x (mill rate)

“Assessment rate” = % of home value taxed

1 “Mill” = $1 per $1000 of assessed value

What do we want for our kids?

•{Optional: Discussion Element}

We’ve asked, and this is what we heard consistently

• GOALS: Prepare for lifelong learners (Creative Thinking, Technological Literacy

•STRATEGIES: High Quality Teachers, smaller class size

TABOR (1992)• Prohibits tax increases without a vote of the people.

• Places strict limits on how much revenue the state can keep and spend. 

• Revenue collected in excess of TABOR limits must be refunded, unless voters “de-Bruce” (i.e. allow government to keep excess).

Amendment 23 (2000)

• Increase per pupil funding by “inflation + 1%” until 2011.

• Increase “factors” by “inflation + 1%.”

•Inflation measure - Consumer Price Index - doesn’t reflect real costs.

•A. 23 has become a ceiling rather than floor.

“But K-12 Funding is Taking More and More of the Budget!”

•Schools were funded 60% local, 40% state. Now the reverse.

• Gallagher + TABOR + School Finance Act = huge reduction in property tax ($3.1 billion annual average)

• State share of K-12 funding: $3.15 billion

Higher Education Investment Trend

•Families shoulder greater cost burden than state over time

THE CLIFF: 2011

•Referendum C, Federal Stimulus Funds, and Amendment 23 expire

•Estimated Impact on already thirsty base – K-12 and higher education

•Update: Amendment 23 being reinterpreted – Cliff happening now

2010-11 Budget CutsProposed Statewide Cuts:

•6.12% cut below current law

=$354 million below current law•State Average $440 per pupil cut

Lewis Palmer School District:

=$2.3 million CUT•District Average $420 per pupil cut

What Can We Do?• Tell this story of the causes and impact of school finance crisis •Work together to promote a long-term solution•Great Education Colorado provides easy tools to do this

**ATTEND JANUARY 7 GREAT ED VOLUNTEER INFORMATION MEETING**

Today We Can….

Tell the Story …

Contact Information

Liane MorrisonExecutive Director

Great Education Colorado303-722-5901

liane@greateducation.org