Speak up for the future of education
Last week, our team joined thousands of educators, students, and community members at the Capitol for a statewide rally — calling for no more funding cuts to education.
Colorado legislators are trying to address a more than $1 billion state budget shortfall by taking money from public education yet again. This time by changing how the state funds schools with declining enrollment. They want to use a one-year student headcount instead of our current multi-year averaging method. Student counts determine how much state money flows to our schools.
The Boulder Valley School District stands to lose nearly $5 million next year under the state budget proposal Governor Polis announced in January. We need your help to take action now.
As any savvy business leader knows, using a one-week snapshot to fund an entire year of expenses is an incredibly challenging way to manage your budget. Averaging over multiple years allows for changes over time when facing difficult fiscal decisions. In an industry like education, where enrollment is constantly changing, accounting for variability is critical.
Colorado’s public education system is facing a $150 million cut.
Politicians’ self-serving messaging suggesting that the state is funding “phantom students” masks the harsh realities that our students and teachers would face if funding formulas change. Schools and districts will lose predictability, funds, and time to make good decisions. They’ll be forced to decide things like which teachers to let go or what to trim from student support.
After years of underfunding (including $340 million withheld from BVSD due to the Budget Stabilization Factor over 15 years), there are no “nice to haves” to trim back; our district will be forced to cut necessary resources and staff to accommodate a $5 million loss.
Getting to a balanced budget is fiscally responsible and legally required, but putting teachers’ jobs and students’ futures on the chopping block isn’t the right way to get there.
BEFORE YOU GO
Impact on Education is an independent non-profit supporting the Boulder Valley School District. We depend on the generosity of our community to put our mission into action.
Will you help us provide opportunities and resources to local students?
