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

NEWS ADVISORY February 17, 2005
Contact: Tim Mooney 480-518-6168

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

Lt. Governor Jane Norton, a former teacher will be the final signer of the First Class for Colorado initiative. She will be joined by Congressman Bob Beauprez, and Marc Holtzman, at the press conference as newly announced statewide co-chairs.

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.

FCE/CO will file nearly 105,000 signatures, well more than the 67,829 valid signatures needed to ensure voters will have an opportunity to approve the 65% Solution on the November general election ballot. Colorado is the first state where the measure will have qualified for the ballot.

With the passage of the 65% Solution last week in the Georgia State House and the expected signing by Governor Perdue later this week, Georgia will become the fourth state to enact a form of 65% in the classroom law, joining Louisiana, Kansas and Texas. Nearly a dozen other states are moving towards a 65% requirement either by legislative action, legislative referral to the ballot or citizen initiative.

Founded in March 2005, First Class Education is a national 501-c-4 organization committed to passing in all 50 states and the District of Columbia what has been dubbed by columnist George Will as “The 65% Solution.” Doing so would provide over $14 billion more for America’s classrooms without a tax increase – enough for a new computer for every student in America or 300,000 new teachers with a starting salary of $40,000 a year. The organization’s National Advisory Board Chairman is Dr. Patrick Byrne, founder of Overstock.com.

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.

Backers of the proposed state constitutional amendment, including the organization First Class Education For Colorado, contend that an average of only 57.3 percent of every education tax dollar being spent on school operations — federal, state, and local — now makes it into Colorado school classrooms. They say the rest is being spent on administration and other non-classroom expenses.

Flanked by two fellow Republicans — House Minority Leader Joe Stengel of Littleton and Senate Minority Leader Andy McElhany of Colorado Springs — said that in at least some school districts, “there are too many administrators” and non-classroom-related staff salaries “are bloated.”

First Class Education For Colorado has calculated that increasing public schools’ operating spending to 65 percent statewide could shift an additional $485 million annually to such expenses as teacher salaries, textbook updates, classroom computers and basic supplies.

Stengel tried unsuccessfully last year to get the Legislature to refer a 65 percent classroom spending mandate to the voters, and Owens said Monday it’s unlikely that the Democratic-controlled Colorado General Assembly would favor such an attempt this year.

Critics of the measure, including House Education Committee Chairman Mike Merrifield, D-Manitou Springs, have charged that the mandate would intrude on local school boards’ control of their spending and set arbitrary rules for counting in-the-classroom and out-of-classroom spending.

Merrifield, meanwhile, has introduced a bill that would offer what he’s calling “guideposts” to encourage school districts to spend 75 percent of their operating budgets on “services that directly affect student achievement.”

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.

Ten districts around the state meet the 65 percent funding goal, but not Poudre School District, according to Dan Hopkins, a spokesman for Owens.

During the 2003-04 school year, PSD spent 61.3 percent of its budget on instruction, ranking 16th out of the state's 17 largest school districts, according to the Department of Education. Numbers collected by the state vary slightly from what would be counted in the initiative.

"I think it's very likely we would be in compliance, if we're not double-counted in some areas," said Jim Sarchet, assistant superintendent of business services.

Refiguring the numbers to include what is outlined in the initiative shows at least 64.4 percent of PSD funding in the classrooms, so the district could avoid major changes, Sarchet said.

"We're so close to that percentage that I don't know that we would need to target anything," he said.

Donna Brown, a fifth-grade teacher at Linton Elementary who has been in the district for more than 25 years, said the classroom should be considered the most important part of the district.

"I always feel like shifting money toward instruction is a good thing, especially if it keeps class sizes smaller," Brown said. "I always feel like it boils down to the classroom."

The idea would send more money to students without raising taxes. Proponents say the measure would direct about $465 million more to schools.

"It sounds fair to me; it sounds like a good idea," said Gary Priest, 60, of Fort Collins. "As long as it is benefiting kids, that's what's important."

Osvaldo Gallegos, 35, of Wellington agreed. Gallegos has two children at Eyestone Elementary, including a child with special needs.

"If it's going to the classroom, it's good," he said. "For special needs, there's not enough help for people like that - I think more money would have more student and parent benefit."

Still, some are skeptical of the initiative because it is unclear exactly how budgets would change.

"Classroom is important, but if it's taking away from another group that is working just as hard to help students and teachers, it's potentially problematic," said Amanda Bartz, social studies teacher at Rocky Mountain High School.

Districts that do not meet the 65 percent requirement would be phased in by increasing classroom funding by 2 percent each year, Hopkins said.

The move is part of a national effort to approve similar measures in all 50 states.

The governor would have the power to waive some districts from meeting the requirement.

"This should be supported by parents and teachers," Owens said. "It would ensure that students and teachers would be the first priority when it comes to funding, not administration."

Louisiana, Kansas and Texas already have adopted the requirement.

Owens acknowledged there are questions, including whether to include preparation for student testing and special programs for children with disabilities.

The proposal would include coaches but not guidance counselors. Owens said those issues can be cleared up by the Legislature if the measure passes.

"The governor thinks this is good for teachers and good for the kids," Hopkins said. "Right now, Colorado is 48th out of the 50 states for classroom spending - we can do better than that."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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.

"This should be supported by parents and teachers. Perhaps teachers would no longer have to pay for classroom supplies out of their own pockets. It would ensure that students and teachers would be the first priority when it comes to funding, not administration," said Owens.

Owens said 10 districts out of 178 statewide already meet the requirement. The move is part of a national effort to approve similar measures in all 50 states to put $14 billion back into teaching without a tax increase. In Colorado, it could mean a total of $465 million a year for schools.

Louisiana, Kansas and Texas have already adopted the requirement.

Backers had six months to collect 67,829 valid signatures. The deadline is Friday.

On Monday, they got Owens' signature on the initiative to pass a constitutional amendment that would require districts spending below 65 percent on classrooms to increase spending by 2 percent a year until they reach the goal. Districts that do not think they can meet the goal can apply for a waiver.

Jane Urschel, associate executive director of the Colorado Association of School Boards, said there are a number of questions proponents cannot answer and the initiative should not be locked in the Constitution.

"I'd like to see the Legislature develop something. There are a lot of things that are left out," she said.

Owens acknowledged there are questions, including whether to include preparation for student testing and special programs for children with disabilities. The proposal would include coaches, but not guidance counselors. Owens said those issues can be cleared up by the Legislature if the amendment passes.

Rural schools have complained the program would hurt them because they have to spend a lot of money on transportation, while urban schools said they have unique social problems.

Owens said local school districts will decide how to spend the money: whether for teachers' salaries, new textbooks, computers or basic supplies.

On the Net:

First Class Education: http://www.firstclasseducation.org

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.

The initiative - likely to go to voters this fall - would provide $485 million more per year to classrooms without a tax increase, Owens said.

Only six districts spend that much on classroom costs, according to 2004 Colorado Department of Education figures released by the governor's office.

"Perhaps teachers would no longer have to pay for those supplies out of their own pockets," Owens said at a news briefing highlighting his signature as the 100,000th on a petition to get the proposal on the November ballot.

But some superintendents and teachers union representatives criticized the "65 percent solution," saying that it would pit people in schools against each other and take control from school boards and principals.

"It is the epitome of voodoo economics," said Phil Fox, deputy executive director for the Colorado Association of School Executives. "This is actually harmful to some school districts, especially the small rural ones, because transportation is not considered an instructional expense."

School buses, maintenance, food services, nurses, counselors, school psychologists and social workers aren't "classroom costs" in the proposal.

State Rep. Michael Merrifield, D-Manitou Springs, said he would introduce legislation next week that would address these concerns. Under his proposal, school districts would have to spend 75 percent of operating costs in the classroom, but those costs would include principals, counselors and food service.

"Teachers are the first to realize that nurses and psychologists are good for them," Merrifield said, noting that he's a former teacher.

Denver Classroom Teachers Association president Kim Ursetta said the governor's "65 percent solution" would create divisions in schools between "classroom" and "nonclassroom" workers.

"It might dictate that money needs to be spent in classrooms, but there's more to education than the classroom," Ursetta

said. "We still need social workers and bus drivers."

Social workers and school nurses are covered under the Denver teachers union agreement.

Owens noted that if voters approve his proposal, districts could apply for waivers.

James Day, who serves as the superintendent and middle school principal for Rangely Public Schools, said he would apply for a waiver because his "economies of scale" are out of whack.

Day said he has worked to cut down his administrative costs, but his nonclassroom costs are high. He has to pay custodians to clean three buildings and has to keep buses running - all for 500 kids.

He suggested exempting small districts from the measure if it becomes law.

The tiny districts of Vilas, Rangely and Sierra Grande spent less than 45 percent of operating funds on classroom costs in 2004, according to Colorado Department of Education numbers. The two biggest districts in Colorado, Jefferson County and Denver, spent 53 percent of their funding in the classroom, according to the 2004 numbers.

Denver Public Schools Superintendent Michael Bennet could not be reached Monday because of the federal holiday.

The group behind the governor's proposal, First Class Education, has spearheaded similar proposals in a handful of other states, including Georgia, Texas, Kansas and Louisiana.

The organization has until Friday to file at least 67,829 valid signatures.

Staff writer Allison Sherry can be reached at 303-820-1377 or asherry@denverpost.com.

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

WHO: Governor Bill Owens, Colorado Legislative Leaders

WHAT: The gathering of the 100,000 th signature for the First Class Education for Colorado initiative requiring Colorado public school districts to spend at least 65% of their operational budgets on classroom instruction. The initiative drive has until February 24 th to collect 67,829 valid signatures.

WHERE: GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, STATE CAPITOL

WHEN: 12 noon, Monday, February 20 th

Governor Owens is scheduled to become the 100,000 th Colorado citizen to sign the First Class Education for Colorado initiative at noon on Monday, February 20 th . 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 48 th 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.

FCE/CO has until Friday, February 24 th to file at least 67,829 valid signatures with the Secretary of State to ensure voters will have an opportunity to approve the 65% Solution on the November general election ballot. Colorado will be the first state where the measure will have qualified for the ballot.

With the passage of the 65% Solution last week in the Georgia State House and the expected signing by Governor Perdue later this week, Georgia will become the fourth state to enact a form of 65% in the classroom law, joining Louisiana , Kansas and Texas . Nearly a dozen other states are moving towards a 65% requirement either by legislative action, legislative referral to the ballot or citizen initiative.

Founded in March 2005, First Class Education is a national 501-c-4 organization committed to passing in all 50 states and the District of Columbia what has been dubbed by columnist George Will as “The 65% Solution.” Doing so would provide over $14 billion more for America 's classrooms without a tax increase – enough for a new computer for every student in America or 300,000 new teachers with a starting salary of $40,000 a year. The organization's National Advisory Board Chairman is Dr. Patrick Byrne, founder of Overstock.com.