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The Problem

The Problem. Budget cuts have negatively affected Aurora Public Schools. Problem. APS has had a $70 million cut in its budget since 2010. In 2011, APS lost $512 per student. Gym classes, language classes, and music classes have been cut.

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The Problem

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  1. The Problem Budget cuts have negatively affected Aurora Public Schools.

  2. Problem • APS has had a $70 million cut in its budget since 2010. • In 2011, APS lost $512 per student. • Gym classes, language classes, and music classes have been cut. • Colorado is ranked 40th out of 50 in various state funding statistics (Senator Heath). • K-12 funding is about $1 billion below what Amendment 23 calls for(calls for a 1% increase in education funding by 2011) (Senator Heath).

  3. Problem Continued… Budget Cuts in APS Schools • Aurora Public Schools per pupil funding, as allocated by the state for 2012-13 is $600 below the 2009-10 school year. They have been forced to cut the district’s budget by $75 million   http://aurorak12.org/category/budget/ Funding in dollars

  4. Alternative Policies • Educational Vouchers • Mill Levies • Senate Bill 213

  5. Educational Vouchers • Educational vouchers are money that comes from state taxes and given to an alternative school of the student’s choice who hope to receive a quality education. • Vouchers are used to receive a better education.

  6. Advantage of Educational Vouchers • Providing private school access to everyone will increase diversity. • Since parents can choose religious or non-religious schools, the government is not imposing religion on anyone.

  7. Disadvantages of Educational Vouchers • Vouchers take funding away from public schools which are already severely underfunded. • Is it constitutional to give tax dollars to private religious schools?

  8. Mill Levies • A mill levy is a property tax that the owner is required to pay. Mill levy changes are approved by voters.

  9. Advantages to Mill Levies • There will be fewer classes and sports programs cut. • More teachers will be able to keep their jobs.

  10. Disadvantages of Mill Levies • When property values of homes go up, so will the tax revenue generated. • Business owners would pay a higher property tax rate of about four times the normal owner. • A high increase would not be favorable in the eyes of taxpayers, therefore they would be dissuaded from voting pro.

  11. Senate Bill 213 • SB 213 proposes a $1 billion dollar tax increase that would increase school funding in Colorado. • SB 213 will divvy out the money by calculating the percentage of mill levies in each district, according to the number of students and the number of “at-risk” students (“at-risk” = reduced/free lunch or non-English speaking designation). • SB 213 helps the ASCENT educational opportunity program and gives equal funding to the base spending for each pupil statewide.

  12. Advantages to Senate Bill 213 • The bill would divvy out the money by the number of students who attend school daily. For example, if a student were to attend school for the first quarter then transfer to a different school, that money would be transferred to the new school. • The bill also gives more money for students if they have multiple designations. For example, an English Language Learner who is also a Free Lunch participant would have funding designated for both that goes to the school.

  13. Disadvantage of Senate Bill 213 • The money would come out of the taxpayers’ pockets, making it less appealing to voters.

  14. Class Policies • We would like the proposed annual $40 million for school construction to be appropriated from Amendment 64 funds. • Possibility of collecting 15% excise tax and 10% special sales tax allows extra funds to be collected for this purpose. (House Bill 13-1318 Recreational Marijuana Taxes for November’s ballot) • We would also like part of the 130 million from marijuana tax monies to be directed towards public schools from Amendment 64 funds (9 News).

  15. Advantages of Amendment 64 taxes • Schools would receive more money, so there would be fewer and smaller budget cuts. • More school activities could be offered due to more money going to schools. • Fewer teachers losing their jobs. • Possibility of collecting 15% wholesale tax and 10% special sales tax.

  16. Advantages of Amendment 64 Taxes Coloradoeducation.bug 2013

  17. Disadvantages of Amendment 64 taxes • This is long-term, not a short-term fix. • Other entities may want the tax money.

  18. Disadvantages of Amendment 64 taxes Source: Colorado Center on Law & Policy 2013

  19. Constitutionality • Our policy is constitutional because we request that tax dollars be implemented towards schools. • This policy would utilize the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) laws in order to be implemented.

  20. Action Plan • Government Persons Contacted Regarding Amendment 64 Taxes • Non-Government Persons Contacted Regarding Amendment 64 Taxes

  21. Government Persons Contacted Regarding Amendment 64 Taxes • Contacted Governor Hickenlooper asking for his opinion on Amendment 64 taxes going to schools. • Letter supporting funds with information

  22. Government Persons Contacted Regarding Amendment 64 Taxes • Contacted all Senators asking for opinions on Amendment 64 taxes going to schools • Senator Heath-Letter supporting with information • Senator Cadman-No response • Senator Morse-No response • Senator Renfroe-No response • Senator Nicholson-No response • Senator King-No response • Senator Bacon-No response • Senator Ulibarri-No response • Senator Marble-No response • Senator Baumgardner-No response

  23. Government Persons Contacted Regarding Amendment 64 Taxes • Contacted all Representatives asking for opinions on Amendment 64 taxes going to schools • Representative Johnston-Gave information • Representative Holbert-Letter informing us to contact our own districts representative(s) • Representative Singer-Letter supporting funds. • Representative Ferrandino-No response • Representative Waller-No response • Representative Summers-No response • Representative Fields-No response • Representative Melton-No response • Representative May-No response • Representative Todd-No response

  24. Government Persons Contacted Regarding Amendment 64 Taxes • Contacted all Representatives asking for opinions on Amendment 64 taxes going to schools cont.’ • Representative Solano-No response • Representative Schafer-No response • Representative Ramirez-No response • Representative Peniston-No response • Representative Joshi-No response • Representative Murray-No response • Representative Beesley-No response

  25. Government Persons Contacted Regarding Amendment 64 Taxes • Legislative Council of Colorado General Assembly • Letter with information. Attorney General John W. Suthers-Letter of support with information • Aurora Public School District • Superintendent John Berry-No response • Ms. Temple (Finance Board of Aurora Public Schools)-Did not wish to respond

  26. Non-Government Persons Contacted • Doug Wilson (Colorado State Public Defender)-Letter with suggestions • Mason Tvert (Co-Director of the campaign to regulate marijuana)-Letter supporting $40 million • Barbara Miller (Executive Director Center for Education in Law and Democracy)-Letter with information • Brian Conners (Public Defender)-Letter with information • Andrew Romanoff (International Development Enterprises)-No response to letters or tweets

  27. Non-Government Persons Contacted • National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)-No response • National Latino Officers Association-No response • Blacks in Law Enforcement of America-No response

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