The CASB Board voted to support Proposition CC and a model resolution is now available for school districts to use as they consider local resolutions.
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF PROPOSITION CC
WHEREAS, the ____________________ Board of Education believes that every student should have the opportunity to reach his or her full potential and to participate meaningfully in the civic and economic life of the community; and
WHEREAS, the Colorado way of life provides every student the chance to succeed regardless of their zip code or their learning needs; and
WHEREAS, quality public education develops a competitive workforce that will drive a vibrant Colorado economy for decades to come; and
WHEREAS, Colorado is experiencing a teacher shortage crisis and many teachers in rural districts do not make enough salary to meet the cost of living; and
WHEREAS, Colorado's investment in education is lagging behind other states and consistently ranks near the bottom in funding; and
WHEREAS, education funding has not recovered from the recession; in the 2019-20 school year alone, Colorado schools are underfunded by $572 million, and the loss to the ______________ School District for 2019-20 is $_____________________.
WHEREAS, reduced funding is directly impacting the District’s ability to provide meaningful educational opportunities for all students; and
WHEREAS, the reduced funding also limits the Board’s ability to respond to parents and community input on the District’s programs and services, despite the Board’s great desire to engage with and respond to its community; and
WHEREAS, Proposition CC, a referred ballot measure through HB19-1957, states: Without raising taxes and to better fund public schools, higher education, and roads, bridges, and transit, within a balanced budget, may the state keep and spend all the revenue it annually collects after June 30, 2019, but is not currently allowed to keep and spend under Colorado law, with an annual independent audit to show how the retained revenues are spent?
WHEREAS, HB19-1258 allocates the retained revenue as follows: the General Assembly appropriate one-third of the retained amount for higher education; one-third of the retained amount for public schools, to be distributed on a per pupil basis and used only for nonrecurring expenses for the purpose of improving classrooms; and the state treasurer transfer one-third of the retained amount to the Highway Users Tax Fund (HUTF).
WHEREAS, Proposition CC does not raise the tax rate.
WHEREAS, the majority of local governments and school districts have asked and received permission from voters to invest the revenue already collected above current limits.
WHEREAS, Proposition CC gives local school boards greater ability to respond to parent and community input when considering how best to allocate the nonrecurring revenue for the purpose of improving classrooms; and
WHEREAS, if Proposition CC passes, the Board commits to focusing on the following priorities _______________________________ , while acknowledging that priorities will evolve as community engagement is an ongoing process and revenue from Proposition CC is not recurring; and
WHEREAS, the Board declares that Proposition CC is a matter of official concern;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the _______________ Board of Education officially declares its support for Proposition CC for the purpose of increasing funding of public education in the State of Colorado; and
The Board authorizes the expenditure of District funds to distribute a factual summary regarding Proposition CC, in accordance with the Fair Campaign Practices Act, C.R.S. 1-45-117.
ADOPTED AND APPROVED THIS ___________ day of ___________________, 2019.
