Mill Levy Override (Ballot Issue 4A) Ballot Language

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.

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

Principal amount

$3,155,000 maximum

Annual repayment cost

$1,603,812.50 total

Repayment cost

$3,256,437.50