Colorado Chairman's Corner :

As parents, I want Colorado to have the best educational opportunity for our kids.
As a taxpayer, I want Colorado schools to spend our education money as efficiently as possible.
As an employer, I know first hand that Colorado’s economy can only be as strong as our employee’s education.

And as the Leader of the Colorado Republicans in the State House of Representatives, it’s important for you to know that Republicans are committed to establishing a new priority for every school district in our state – first class education. That’s why Republican Legislators are taking action to refer to the ballot the First Class Education plan – a requirement that every school district in Colorado spend at least 65 cents of every dollar on the only place where test scores can be improved – in the classroom.

What is currently happening with Colorado’s substantial annual investment in K-12 education?

Coloradoans demonstrated its commitment to education when Amendment 23 was approved in 2000, requiring large annual increases in K-12 education spending. Unfortunately, much of the money intended for our children does not make it into the classroom. In fact according to the National Center of Educational Statistics, Colorado ranks 47th in the nation for the percentage of education money that actually makes its way to our classrooms. While Colorado spends billions of dollars on education only 57.3 cents of each of those dollars gets into the classroom.

Raising taxes once again isn’t the answer. Common sense prioritizing is. Increasing the percentage of money getting to the classroom to 65 cents on the dollar would increase Colorado classroom spending by $485 million a year -- without a tax increase! That’s right, a nickel and two pennies more into the classroom adds up to $485 million more for teachers and textbooks, chalk and computers…whatever the local school board members believe is the best way to improve education by putting the additional percentage of money in the classroom. Small change can mean a big change for Colorado’s classrooms.

In 2004, the NCES reported four states, Utah, Tennessee, New York, and Maine spent in excess of 65% of their educational operational budgets in the classroom. Colorado should be the fifth.

How does First Class Education work?

Each Colorado school district that is currently spending less than 65% in the classroom would be required to increase the percentage by 2% a year until reaching the 65% goal. If for some special reason a district couldn’t meet the 2% annual increase or 65% goal, -- perhaps a smaller rural district with larger transportation costs as an example -- the district could petition the Governor for a renewable one-year waiver. This will make Colorado school districts spending less than 65% the exception rather than the norm.

Currently nine Colorado school districts varying in size from 16,000 students to 283 students are already above 65%, proving this goal can be reached. But we also have many school districts spending less than 55% of out tax money in the classroom – some even less than 50%. An example of variation among Colorado’s largest school districts are Cherry Creek and Boulder with 63% of its operational budget spent in the classroom compared to Jefferson and Colorado Springs with 52% and 55% going to the classroom. Think of the difference these two larger districts could do with an additional 10% to 13% going into the classroom.

Why should this be a ballot measure?

Ultimately, it’s the local school boards that must make the change in budgeting and the change in priorities. We need the power of the voice of the voters to ensure that school districts truly do place class education as their first priority. That’s why our goal isn’t just to place the First Class Education plan on the 2006 general election ballot either by Legislative referral, or if necessary by citizen petition, but to have First Class Education win overwhelmingly in every school district across Colorado.

Then and only then will we have a better opportunity to ensure every Colorado student a first class education.

FORMER TEACHER, LT. GOVERNOR TO BE LAST SIGNATURE GATHERED
NOTRON, BEAUPREZ, HOLTZMAN, TO JOIN
COORS, MCINNIS, STENGEL, MCELHANY AS CAMPAIGN CO-CHAIRS

WHO: Lt. Governor Jane Norton, Congressman Bob Beauprez, Marc Holtzman, Representative Joe Stengel, Senator Andy McElhany,

WHAT: The last signature of the petition campaign (approximately 103,000) and announcement of Norton, Beauprez, Holtzman, as Campaign Co-Chairs. The First Class Education for Colorado initiative requires Colorado public school districts to spend at least 65% of their operational budgets on classroom instruction. The campaign will announce its rostrum of statewide co-chairs.

WHERE: THIRD FLOOR PRESS ROOM, STATE CAPITOL

WHEN: 2 PM, Thursday, February 23rd

More>>

Owens throws support behind classroom spending initiative
Budgets would be required to apply certain earmarks

By John Fryar
Reporter-Herald Denver Bureau

DENVER — Gov. Bill Owens added his signature Monday to a petition for a ballot initiative that would require school districts to spend at least 65 percent of their annual operating budgets “in the classroom.”

“That’s where the money is needed, and that’s where it should be spent,” Owens said during a news conference in his office.


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Effort earmarks funds for classroom
Issue headed for ballot

By CHRISTIANA NELSON
ChristianaNelson@coloradoan.com

A proposed November ballot initiative could change the way many schools spend money.

On Monday, Gov. Bill Owens became the 100,000th person in Colorado to put his support behind First Class Education for Colorado, an initiative that would force school districts to spend at least 65 percent of their operational budgets on classroom instruction.

Proponents need 67,829 valid signatures to get the constitutional amendment on the statewide ballot.

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Owens backs campaign to require districts to focus on classrooms

By STEVEN K. PAULSON
Associated Press Writer

DENVER (AP) -- Gov. Bill Owens threw his support Monday behind a campaign to put a measure on the ballot in November that would force school districts to spend at least 65 percent of their operational budgets on classroom instruction, saying it could provide 10,000 new teachers or computers for every school child in Colorado.

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Owens backs classroom spending plan

The initiative would require school districts to spend 65 percent of operating funds in the classroom. Smaller districts in particular would suffer, critics say.

By Allison Sherry
Denver Post Staff Writer

Gov. Bill Owens discusses the "First Class Education for Colorado" initiative Monday as he became the 100,000th person to sign a petition to get the issue on the ballot. (Post / John Prieto)


Gov. Bill Owens threw support Monday behind an initiative that would require all school districts to spend 65 percent of their operating funds in the classroom.

The measure is part of a national effort to get districts to pare down administrative and transportation costs.

More>>

GOVERNOR OWENS TO SIGN 65% SOLUTION INITIATIVE
100,000th Signature Gathered by First Class Education for Colorado

Governor Owens is scheduled to become the 100,000th Colorado citizen to sign the First Class Education for Colorado initiative at noon on Monday, February 20th. The campaign to implement what’s known as “The 65% Solution” would require Colorado public school districts to spend at least 65% of their operational budgets on classroom instruction. According to the June 2005 report by the National Center for Education Statistics, Colorado ranks 48th nationally, with only 57.3% of its education dollars reaching its classrooms. Moving Colorado from 57.3% to 65% would mean nearly $500 million more for Colorado classrooms, teachers and students – without a tax increase.

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COLORADO COUNTIES

Directions: Click on your county and district to see where it ranks in classroom spending.