Vote yes on 73

As an Englewood School Board member, I know first-hand the budgetary challenges faced by our district due to the School Finance Act not being fully funded since 2009.

There has been a loss in the state share of funding to the tune of $25.1 million that would have gone into the district’s operating budget over the past decade. Amendment 73 would be a long-term fix after a decade of cuts. Colorado invests about $2,000 less than the national average on each student. And Colorado teachers are the most underpaid in the nation, according to one study.

Amendment 73 would raise $4.8 million for Englewood Schools and it gives our district the control needed to address its biggest priorities.

This proposal creates equitable and sustainable funding for our schools by having those who have benefited the most from our booming economy contribute more, coming closer to paying an equal percentage of taxes as others.

All the while keeping Colorado’s status as a low-tax state. Even with Amendment 73 passing, it will take more than five years of this new funding to repay the past shortfalls.

Amendment 73 will help fix a broken state funding system that places too much pressure on districts to pass local property tax measures. Everybody wins when our kids attend well-resourced, inviting classrooms and learn from caring, dedicated educators. Our students deserve nothing less. Vote Yes on Amendment 73.

Caty Husbands

Englewood Board of Education