Jeffco Public Schools

1. 2018 Ballot Questions Community Discussions Fall 2018 Jeffco Public Schools Engaging Our Community

2. Purpose A community guide to three potential tax questionsthat may appear on the ballot this fall. • Amendment 73 • Jeffco Bond for construction purposes • Jeffco Mill Levy Override for ongoing expenses

3. Fair Campaign Practices Act DISTRICT EMPLOYEES MAY DOTHE FOLLOWING • Answer unsolicited questions in a balanced way - stating pros and cons. • Work on a campaign on their own personal timeoutside of work hours. Staff can take leave from work to work on campaigns. • Inform the public about issues Jeffco is facing in a balanced way. • Use personal resources (not Jeffco Public Schools’ resources) to produce materials urging voters to vote in favor or against a ballot issue or candidate. • Use personal transportation for advertising for the purpose of influencing the passage or defeat of a ballot issue or candidate.

4. Fair Campaign Practices Act DISTRICT EMPLOYEES MAY NOT DOTHE FOLLOWING • Use public facilities, equipment, supplies, or fundsto urge others to vote for or against any ballot issue or candidate. • Work on a campaign during working hours. Staff must take leave from work to work on campaigns during working hours. • Send campaign materials home with students or ask students to work on a campaignin favor or against a ballot issue or candidate. • Use district resourcesto urge voters to vote in favor of or against a ballot issue or candidate. • Use district vehicles or district property to advertise in favor of or against a ballot issue or candidate.

5. Fair Campaign Practices Act Private citizens’ – parents, community members, etc. – actions are not governed by these guidelines!

6. Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing

8. State-Wide Ballot Initiative • What is Amendment 73? • Statewide Constitutional Amendment • Generates $1.6 billion statewide for education • Moves Colorado near, but not quite at, the national average • Requires 55% statewide to pass

9. State-Wide Ballot Initiative • How is Amendment 73 paid for? • 92% of Coloradans would pay no new tax increase • Income tax on filers making more than $150,000 annually • Tax on corporations • Creates a reduction in property tax rates, compared to current levels: • 0.2% Residential • 5% Commercial • Other locally-approved taxes not affected

10. State-Wide Ballot Initiative • How would this benefit Jeffco Public Schools? • $1,609 additional per pupil, each year • $134 million total • Funding would go to all public schools, including charters • *numbers above are an estimate

11. State-Wide Ballot Initiative • How might Jeffco Public Schools potentially use Amendment 73 funds? • Attract & retain quality teachers & staff • Additional programs and services for students (career/technical, college preparation, arts & music,and more) • Address class size & staffing shortages • Early childhood education & full-day kindergarten • Targeted supports for: • Gifted & Talented • Special Education • At-Risk Students • English Language Learners

12. State-Wide Ballot Initiative • ArgumentsforAmendment 73 • One of government’s most important functions is to provide children with a high-quality education. Colorado’s economy is one of the strongest in the nation and now is the best time to invest. • Addressing the chronic underfunding of our schools and investing in public education support a prepared workforce, safe and healthy communities, a vibrant economy and the next generation of leaders, entrepreneurs and care takers. • All Colorado students and schools benefit through increases to base funding, full day kindergarten, at-risk, ELL, special needs, and gifted and talented. Dollars are under control of your locally elected school board.

13. State-Wide Ballot Initiative • Arguments against Amendment 73 • Amendment 73 is a $1.6 billion tax increase that may impede economic expansion. Increasing state income taxes reduces the money that households have to spend or save. As a result, consumer spending and overall economic activity may also decline. • This measure imposes an additional tax burden on state taxpayers without any guarantee of increased academic achievement. • A graduated income tax decreases productivity because as a person’s income rises, the percentage of their income that they get to take home decreases because the marginal tax rate increases. It will drive wealth out of the state.

14. Jeffco - Bond What is a Bond? • Voter-approved borrowing for capital construction projects • Generates up-front dollars, which are repaid (with interest)through a property tax over-time • Put simply: a bond builds classrooms – it’s about our school buildings Jeffco’s Needs & Recent History • Jeffco has around $1.3 billion in deferred maintenance needs • Jeffco last passed a major bond for facilities improvements in 2004 & a smaller bond for warm, safe & dry repairs in 2012

15. Bond Focus Areas (Possible) Capital Funds to Address • All schools will benefit • Major renovations to high schools built prior to 1980 • Bringing all schools & classrooms to quality standard for • Instruction • Safety & security • Upkeep • Career/technical education sites • Expand early childhood education • Reinvesting in established schools & communities • Accommodating growth through new schools & additions • Supporting charter schools • Investing in local economy - preference in contracting for local firms

16. Bond Accountability • Cannot be used for administration or other staff. • Monitored by Citizen Oversight Committee • Subject to annual external audit

17. What does a bond mean for homeowner property taxes? $567 million proposal = $1.81/month per $100K in (residential) value • $300K home = $5.42/month • $500K home = $9.03/month *Figures are approximations based on available data.

18. Jeffco – Mill Levy Override What is a Mill Levy Override? • Used for ongoing expenses and needs such as attracting & retaining quality teachers & staff • Voter-approved property tax increase • Funds stay local in Jeffco Public Schools • Put simply: a mill levy brings classrooms to life - it’s about students & staff

19. Mill Levy Override Uses (Possible) What might a Mill Levy Override pay for? • Increasing competitivenesswith surrounding districts to attract & retain quality teachers & staff • Increasing safety and security with • Increased mental health & counseling • School security • Expanding career/technicaleducation & STEM options • Improving classroom materials & technology • Expanding full-day early childhood education

20. Mill Levy Accountability • Cannot be used for senior district administration. • Monitored by Citizen Oversight Committee • Subject to annual external audit

21. Mill Levy Tax Impact $33 million proposal =$2.10/month per $100K in (residential) value • $300K home = $6.31/month • $500K home = $10.52/month *Figures are approximations based on available data.

22. Next Steps • Amendment 73 (Great Schools, Thriving Communities) will appearon the ballot for 2018. • The Jeffco Public Schools Board of Education will make final decisionsabout potential bond/mill on August 23 and then finalize exact ballot language September 6.

23. Discussion & Questions