Although conventional wisdom indicates that voters would be loathe to support a tax increase measure as the economy lurches out of a recession, the Jefferson County School Board’s bond and mill levy campaign scored a major endorsement this week from Jeffco’s preeminent business group.
From The West Chamber Serving Jefferson County:
LAKEWOOD, Colo. – June 21, 2012 – The Board of Directors for West Chamber Serving Jefferson County on Wednesday unanimously voted to support Issues 3A and 3B supporting Jeffco Public Schools in the upcoming November 6, 2011 election. The two ballot measures, if passed, will supply much needed
funding for Jeffco Public Schools including monies needed for critical operational, maintenance and repair needs while maintaining the economic vitality of Jefferson County.“Our school system is a primary tool in economic development and is vital to the overall growth and development of businesses in our county,” said Jim Curtis, Chairman of the Board. “Jeffco Public Schools has demonstrated good financial stewardship and we are confident that with the passing of these ballot measures, not only will Jeffco Schools be able to maintain its excellence in educating our future workforce, but we as a community will be able to attract and retain businesses and employers necessary to the success of Jefferson County.”
“In a downward economy where financial pressures are felt on families and businesses large and small, residents and entrepreneurs alike may, understandably, struggle to see the tremendous value these ballot initiatives can bring to our community,” said Brian Willms, President and CEO of the West Chamber Serving Jefferson County. “As the leading advocate for businesses and entrepreneurs in Jefferson County, we thoroughly reviewed the pros and cons of the two initiatives and believe, if they’re passed, the end result will be a win for all parties involved: students, teachers, business owners, homeowners, and community members.”
The West Chamber goes on to cite several of the positive effects of strong public schools on local business, including a better-educated workforce, increased property values, and the ability to attract and retain business.
The prospects still aren’t great for the education ballot measures — which failed even in 2008’s Democratic wave year — but they’ve certainly improved with the Chamber’s blessing. No tax increase in this climate can passed without the backing of small business, after all, and the West Chamber’s support lends pro-business talking points that will resonate with middle of the road voters, especially those without kids in public school, across the county.
It also demolishes the opposition’s talking points: when business champions a tax increase as good for economic development in an election year where the economy is the only issue that matters, the “kills jobs” platitude quickly deflates.
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I have a 7 year old going into 2nd grade in Jeffco Schools and we’ve seen nothing but cuts. Thanks to these amazing members of our community for supporting education! I fully support Citizens for Jeffco Schools and will do all I can to help my child receive a proper education. Through Citizens for Jeffco Schools, I have met the most wonderful people – both Republicans and Democrats who support Jeffco Schools and educating Jeffco kids.
Because of their efforts and the planning of Jeffco Schools and our BOE, our children will lose so much less. The website has great detail in real, hard facts and correct information with real numbers. http://www.supportjeffcoschools.com – every person in Jeffco should read and review the actual facts and why this is such a great need for our kids as well as property values.
An educated workforce, successful businesses and high property values all begin with great schools. It’s significant that small businesses have recognized that the mill/bond is a small investment that will yield a large, positive impact on students, businesses, property owners and the Jeffco community at large.
Too many political insiders, lack of innovation, absence of vision … a ‘no’ vote on a Jefferson County School District property tax hike issue this coming November is an easy call.
Education is so important to living a satisfying and contented life, yet a governmental institution charged with imparting this quality to our children that is so stuck in the same old tired way of doing things should not be enable to keep practicing ‘the same old tired way of doing things’.
Parents and students may have to struggle a little bit more by deciding to not give the educrats at the Jeffco school district a cash infusion; but perhaps a rebuke by taxpayers will tell the insiders on the Board of Education and the long-in-the-tooth superintendent that the time for real change is finally at hand.
Before we give them any more money, taxpayers should look to see movement towards real change: the Jeffco school board could pass a resolution to state and federal representatives voicing opposition to high stakes standardized testing; they could direct its legal team to find whatever ways might exist to curtail and/or minimize the current extent of standardized testing; they could move towards a policy of freeing teachers from the constraints of micromanaged state and federal curriculum mandates, and re-empowering teacher to be more creative within their classrooms. On the fiscal side, the board could explore privatizing competitive varsity sports to companies that could, for example, lease fields and courts from the district, but run those programs in cooperation with, yet independent of the schools.
There are many bold, creative ways to finally get our education system on track to impart real learning, knowledge and experience to our kids, but apparently the Jeffco district wants more money to simply prop-up the ‘reform’ status quo that has demonstrably failed.
Now, it would also be a positive development if for once teachers would make common cause with parents and concerned taxpayers to demand from the education establishment in Jefferson County the kinds of innovations that would benefit everyone (except the insiders and their corporate sponsors). As a supporter of the labor union concept it pains me to observe, however, that the teachers’ union here tends to be as stuck in the mud of the past as the school board.
Perhaps a dedicated opposition to this proposed tax hike will develop and articulate why a more futuristic, fundamental restructuring is essential before hard-pressed working class Jefferson County residents should vote to give-up more money to Jeffco schools.
http://www.davechandler.info/2…