• Mill Levy Override Question


    Ballot Issue 4A

    WITHOUT INCREASING TAXES, SHALL ELIZABETH SCHOOL DISTRICT BE AUTHORIZED TO EXTEND ITS EXISTING TAX FOR BONDED DEBT, AND SHALL THE DISTRICT BE AUTHORIZED TO CONTINUE TO COLLECT UP TO $1,590,000 IN PROPERTY TAX REVENUE IN 2019 AND ANNUALLY THEREAFTER, WHICH MONEYS SHALL BE DEPOSITED INTO THE GENERAL FUND OF THE DISTRICT AND USED TO:

    • ATTRACT AND RETAIN TEACHERS AND SUPPORT STAFF BY OFFERING COMPENSATION THAT IS COMPETITIVE WITH SURROUNDING SCHOOL DISTRICTS; 
    • EXPAND SAFETY AND SECURITY MEASURES THROUGH EQUIPMENT, TRAINING, AND PREPAREDNESS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE ADDITION OF A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER AND SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS;  
    • PROVIDE ALL STUDENTS WITH ADDITIONAL ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY THAT FACILITATES LEARNING AND POST-GRADUATE SUCCESS;

    PROVIDED THAT IN 2019 A PORTION OF THE $1,590,000 WILL BE USED TO MAKE THE FINAL PAYMENTS ON THE DISTRICT'S GENERAL OBLIGATION DEBT;  

    AND, BASED ON STUDENT COUNT, SHALL THE DISTRICT BE AUTHORIZED TO ALLOCATE A PORTION OF THE REVENUE RAISED TO LEGACY ACADEMY, AS REQUIRED BY LAW, TO USE FOR THE PURPOSES SET FORTH HEREIN;

    AND SHALL THE DISTRICT BE AUTHORIZED TO COLLECT, RETAIN, AND SPEND ALL REVENUES FROM SUCH TAXES AND THE EARNINGS FROM THE INVESTMENT OF SUCH REVENUES AS A VOTER APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE?

    The following information is included in the Ballot Information Booklet (Blue Book)

    Arguments For Arguments Against

    Vote yes on 4A to help Elizabeth School District address fundamental and enduring needs, such as providing competitive compensation for teachers and support staff, expanding health and safety measures across the district and increasing access to technology for all students.

    A yes vote on 4A won’t increase taxes because it authorizes the extension of the current tax payment that was used to build Elizabeth High School which will be paid off in 2019. Ballot issue 4A is a flat mill levy override amount – $1,590,000 – and as the community grows the tax rate will likely decrease. The mill levy override does not expire because the funds will be used to address ongoing operational needs.

    • The mill levy override won’t raise taxes.

    • The mill levy override is a flat amount – $1.59 million – and as the community grows the tax rate for the mill levy override will decrease.

    • Elizabeth School District is one of the lowest funded school districts in the state, ranking in the bottom 10 for per-pupil funding out of 178 school districts. (SOURCE: Colorado Succeeds)

    • Elizabeth School District is not currently able to provide competitive compensation for employees.

    • The average salary for teachers in Elizabeth Schools is about $13,000 less than Douglas County, more than $14,000 less than Aurora and more than $31,000 less than Cherry Creek. (SOURCE: Colorado Department of Education)

    • Teacher turnover over the past six years has cost Elizabeth School District more than $500,000. (SOURCE: National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future)

    • Elizabeth School District continues to have unfilled positions in many support staff roles due to non-competitive wages compared to other industries and school districts.

    • Safety and security measures will be expanded across the district through the addition of equipment, training, and preparedness.

    • A School Resource Officer (SRO) will be hired to support Elizabeth High School and Elizabeth Middle School.

    • Social-emotional resources will be added to support Running Creek Elementary and Singing Hills Elementary.

    • All students will have additional access to technology that provides skills and knowledge to thrive in the future.

    • The mill levy override addresses fundamental and enduring needs.

    • Accountability for the use of the mill levy override proceeds will be monitored by an oversight committee.

    • Elizabeth School District’s bond should be allowed to expire rather than be replaced with a new mill levy override tax measure.

    • Colorado’s booming economy has the value of homes going up and that means homeowners are paying more in property taxes.

    • The mill levy override does not sunset and is, therefore, a perpetual tax.

    • The district can cut employees and reduce programming.

    • Student achievement is moving in the right direction without additional funding.

    • Elizabeth School District’s finances are sound and the district should make do with what it already has.

    • It is the responsibility of the state to fund public education. This measure asks local property owners to continue to take on some of that responsibility.


    Fiscal Year Spending Information:

    2018-2019 (Current fiscal year estimated)

    $23,139,113

    2017-2018 (Estimated actual)

    $23,157,428

    2016-2017

    $22,803,997

    2015-2016

    $21,917,342

    2014-2015

    $21,450,969

    Overall percentage from 2014-2015 to 2018-2019

    7.87%

    Overall dollar amount change from 2014-2015 to 2018-2019

    $1,688,144

    Estimated maximum dollar amount of tax increase for 2019-2020

    $1,590,000

    Estimated 2019-2020 fiscal year spending without tax increase $23,783,240


    Information on Current Bonded Debt:

    Principal amount

    $3,155,000 maximum

    Annual repayment cost

    $1,603,812.50 total

    Repayment cost

    $3,256,437.50